Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-16

smiles between Khabarovka and Blag-
ovestchensk 1t was perhaps fortunate
that he could not talk to her, as she
might have discouraged any advances.
Anything Of this kind would have
hurt his pride, for the CORTLAND Har.
dys maintain the fiction Of family sup.
eriorfty. and, in their hearts believe
themselves ..just us good as anybody"
as the old song says Of Ny Aunt
Sally.
4 It was his skill with the pistol that
caused the Princess to confess that
she was aware OF his existence, and
allow the light of recognition to dawn
once day In her laughing blue eyes.
I SAY confess that she was aware
because being a woman, she must
have noticed him and wondered who
he was as soon as she caught sight OF
him, for training and tradition had
given him a reserved, aristocratic air,
and he managed, somehow, even while
travelling, to dress with quiet elegance.
1t was during one Of the long delays
caused by the necessity Of taking On
wood that Hardy's acquaintance with
the Princess began The Alexsay was
a stern-wheeler, drawing three feet
and a half of water, and she stopped
five or six time each twenty-four hours
for fresh fuel supply, the men bring
ing it, two and two, on long Lars down
the steep bank and across the springy
plank to the deck.
Learning that there would be a stop
of about three hours, Hardy went out
with one Julius Smulders to take a
long walk in the woods, to gather wild
flowers and to catch a sight of one Of
the cuckoos, that fill the forest Of ST.
IBERIA with their strange cries, exactly
as though millions OF invisible Swiss
clocks were hanging among the trees.
On their return, the two men heard
the sound of Shooting.
my God!" cried the American, his
face blanching as he thought of the
Princess, IL believe the brigands have
attacked the boat
He ran toward the sound. followed
by Smulders, and beheld General Cat
koff shooting at q bottle on a stump,
at distance of twenty PAGES The
general was military governor Of
Irkutsk. now on his way to his post,
from which he had been absent three
months. He was a gray, corpulent
man, with kindly face, the only per-
son aboard Of sufficient rank to as
ISOLATE intimately with the Princess,
in whom he seemed to take fatherly
interest. He fired now five times and
missed, much to the amusement Of the
Princess, who stood near. In fact,
her derisive laughter SO irritated the
pompous general that he threw the
weapon spitefully on the ground and
began to explain volubly to his fair
tormentor
what does he say?" asked the Ger
man of a Viennese opera singer from
Vladivostok, who was also one of tho
spectators; and moment later he ex-
planned to Hardy. M
.'He says it's an American pistol
from Vladivostok, and that It's no
good"
Courland Hardy picked up the
weapon and examined it. It was not
an expensive model, but practical
1t Familiarity In his hand and then
Itsald to SEuld ers: Will you ask our
fair interpreter here to present my
compliments to the general, and tell
him that am an American and beg
the privilege Of proving the excellence
or this American weapon?"
AS the Viennese addressed the gen
eral, Hardy lifted his hat gracefully.
The Princess clapped her little hands,
nodded pleasantly at the American
and cried, "Bravo! Bravo!" 1t was
she, evidently, who persuaded the gen
eral8to reload the weapon and accede
to the request
Now, as usual, there was group
Of peasant women standing about. who
had come down to the boat from the
Lord knows where, to sell milk. Hardy
tossed fifty copecks on the ground,
and, picking up five bottles, walked
to log near the stump, where he set
them in a row. Then he returned 20
the group standing about the general
and commenced firing. The distance
was In reality not great nor the feat
| feet, however, was spectacular, for be-
tween the rapid Cracks" of the weap-
| on could be heard the Ching, ching,
ching" of the breaking bottles.
Hardy offered the revolver to the
general with polite salute, but the
latter generously complimented mis-
craftsmanship and begged that 4e
would keep it, adding to the gift the
| box OF cartridges which he produced
| from a coat pocket. The American
was somewhat embarrassed. His
| pride was averse to the acceptance OF
the gift. yet he was unable to explain
4 that he meant no offense. He stood
offering the pistol to the Russian,
while the latter pressed the cartridges
on him. The Princess relieved tne stu
alton by taking the cartridges and
handing them to Iardy with a be.
seech.ng little naoue. He accepted
w..h courtly bow, as graceful as
though he were saluting cotillion
partner The Princess replied in
kind and walked away on the arm OF
the general.
The whistle shrieked and they were
off again. purring up the broad river.
Occasionally wild duck would arise
| ahead of them and whizz away, or a
goose with long inquiring neck, with
| ing to right and left like snake. Once
huge bear numbered down on a spit
of sand and looked at them, clumsily
| curious