The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-12-24

appeared, and threw me into an en1bar-
rassment greater than before. She was
truly beauty. The Count presented me.
endeavored TO assume . free anu easy
| manner, but the more tried the more
awkward became My hosts, In ordeF
to give me an opportunity to collect my
self and get accustomed TO my new ac-
quaintanees. began chatting to one another
| as II TO show me they treated me without
ceremony, ~ an estimable neighbor.
Meanwhile walked about tie staidy. look
| ing at the booka and pictures. am not
much OF connoisseur, as far as pictures
go, but there was one which rivefed my
| attention. Il was sketch OF valley In
Switzerland; but it was not the merit of
the landscape which struck me most.
| remarked that the anvas was pierced by
| two bullets. one evidently aimed at the
other.
| ..Ha. thas was sosnetnlng iiiea q shot,
cried. turning toward tlss cos,ns.
'tYes," be said; rather singular shot.
Are you good han1 at the pistols" he
eontiuued.
ssWall, yes-so-so.' answered delight
ed at the chance ef speeking ON q subject
was not totally ignorant OF. ..At thirty
paces warrant myself never % miss a
card. always provided know the pistols =
.'Realiy." ssid the Countess with an air
OF profound interest Then addressing her
husband. she added: s.And you, dearest
do you think you could hit card &C thirty
paceasr
1--WE shall see.' replied the Count 81
4 used not TO be bad shot In my day; but it
Is quite four years since had pistol in
my hand.
'.In that case, Count, don't mind bet
ting that, even at twenty PAGES, you're not
able to hit the spot The pistol insists on
constant practice. know It BY experiences.
In my regiment passed for one of the
best marksmen. It happened once that |
xas o month without taking up pistol.
Mine were at the armorer's. We went
out for target practice. What do you
think came 10 pass, Count. I missed .
bottle at 6ve-and-ewenty PAGES four con
sccutive times. We had . squadron-leadel
. in ours-a jolly fellow, but n terrible joker
: 'Phew! comrade.' he said. .you'er aitogeth
: or too sober. You have too much respec
for the bottle. Believe me, Count. IL yoi
: tlon't practice you must rust. The bes
; shot lever met kept his hand In by lirini
his pistol every day, If it was only thre'
. shots before dinner. He would as sool
l. fail to have his three shots as to take hi
!. nip Of brandy before sorp."
The Count and Countess seemed to tax
pleasure in hearing me rattle on thus.
e sand what sort Of sI,oss used he {
y make ?" demanded the Count.
= "What sorts Wait till you hear. Sur
's pose he saw fiy creeping along the wal
q You laugh. Countess swear to You it
4 true. .Eh, Kouza. q pistol. Kouz
le brought him u loaded pistol. Ping! Thel
Rs was tie fiy fiattened upon the wail.''
$ .What skilI.' exclaimed the Coun
4 springing to his teet. ..You know Silvio
. Ibid know him? We were the be
= OF friends. He used to mix with our corr
:" as If he were OF ourselves. But It Isl goc
five years since heard any tidings of hin
- So, as it appears, he had the honor to
known TO you. Count
~ s.Yes, known-very welt known"
81 wonder did he ever tell you ei,rio
= story of an adventure that occurred to hi
oncee A story about a box on the ear
eF got one evening from an animal-''
er Ibid ne not tell you the name of 9
er animalf f''
70 NO. he never mentioned It. Parlo
~ Count."T cried, suspecting the fact,