LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 146, 20 November 1874, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE PISTOL SHOT. Tkanslatko from the Russian. (From the St Fa ill's Magazine.) Chapter 1. Wo were quartered at . The daily routine of an officer in the army is not unknown. Drills and the riding school in the morning ; dinner at the commandant’s quarters or in a .Jewish eating house, and cards and punch in the evening, constitute the day’s work. There was no society at , nor were there any marriageable girls ; we used to meet at each others rooms, where only men in uniform were to be seen. One civilian, however, was admitted within our circle, He might have reached the age of five-and-thirty, and we therefore looked upon him as being greatly our senior in years. His large experience secured to him a certain amount of deference, and his usual moroseness, his stern and sarcastic disposition, exercised a powerful influence over our youthful imaginations. His past career seemed shrouded in mystery. Though bearing a foreign name, he was apparently a Russian. He had served at one time in the hussars, and had even been fortunate in professional advancement ; none of us knew the reason why lie had retired from the service, and taken up his abode in this wretched neighborhood, where he lived penuriously, and yet extravagantly; lie invariably went out on foot, and he was always seen in a black surtout the worse for wear, but at the same time he kept open house for all the officers of our regiment. Truth to tell, two or three dishes, cooked by an old pensioner, constituted his dinner, but, on the other hand, champagne flowed at his table. liis circumstances and his income were unknown, and none of us presumed to ask any questions about either. 1 lis only books were works connected with the mili tary service, and some novels which he willingly lent, never asking to have them returned, but neither did he give back those which he had borrowed. His chief pastime consisted in postol-practice. The walls of his apartment were well riddled like a honey-comb. A valuable collection of pistols formed the only luxury of his humble habitation. The degree of perfection lie had attained in this art was inconceivable, and had he required to shoot at a pear on any one’s head, not one of our fellows would have hesitated to offer himself. Our conversation often touched ou the

subject of duelling. Silvio (as I slxall name him) never joined in it; and when asked whether he had ever had occasion to fight, would answer drily that he had; but he entered upon no details, and it was evident that these and similar questions were distasteful to him. We concluded that the recollection of some unfortunate victim to this dreadful accomplishment troubled his conscience, the idea of cowardice never even suggesting itself. There are people whose exterior only suffices to disarm such suspicions. An unexpected occurrence disconcerted us all.

Some ten of us were one day dining with Silvio. We drank as usual, —that is, excessively,—and after dinner we endeavored to prevail upon our host to be the banker in a game at faro. For some time he persisted in declining, for he seldom played, but at length he ordered the cards to be brought, threw fifty ducats on the table, and commenced to deal. We all took our places and the game began. Silvio was wont to keep the strictest silence upon such occasions, never discussing or explaining anything. If the punter chanced to make a mistake, he either paid up the balance immediately, or noted the surplus. We were already aware of this, and therefore never interfered. But of our number there was a young officer who had lately joined. He took part in the game, and in a fit of absence bent down one comer too many. Silvio took up the chalk and rectified the score, as was his custom. The officer thinking he was mistaken, began to explain matters. Silvio continued dealing in silence, The officer losing patience, rubbed out what to him appeared unnecessary, Silvio taking up the chalk, again marked the score. The officer, excited with wine, and by the_ game, and the laughter of his comrades, imagined himself cruelly offended, and in his passion, he lifted a metal candlestick off the; table, and threw it at Silvio, who had barely time to evade the blow. We felt confused. Silvio rose, and with fire in his eyes said; “Please to walk out, sir, and thank your stars that this has happened under my roof.”

We did not doubt the consequences ; and We looked upon our new comrade as a dead man. He walked out, declaring himself ready to answer for the affront in such manner as the banker might elect. The game was continued for a few moments longer, but feeling how little our host’s thoughts were in it, we left, one by one, and repaired to our quarters, discussing the possibility of a speedy vacancy. When we met in the riding-school on the following day, we immediately inquired of each other if our poor ensign was still alive. When he himself appeared, we greeted him, putting the same question ! He replied that he had heard nothing of Silvio as yet. This surprised us. We went to Silvio, and found him in the yard, sending bullet after bullet into an ace of cards, which he had fixed to the gate. He received us as usual, and did not allude to the event of the preceding evening. Three days elapsed, and the ensign still lived. We asked in astonishment, ‘Can it be possible that Silvio will not fight ? Silvio did not fight. A very slight explanation satisfied him, and peace was restored. Such conduct might have injured him excessively in the estimation of youth. The want of pluck is what young men excuse least, for they generally consider it the highest of human virtues—one that covers a multitude of sins ! However, little by little, all was forgotten, and Silvio regained his former influence. I alone could not become reconciled to him. Being naturally of a romantic turn of mind, I had, more than anybody, attached myself to the man whose very existence was an enigma, and who appeared to me to be the hero of some mysterious event. He liked me, at least it was with me alone that he laid aside his usual cutting, ill-natured observations, and that he conversed upon various subjects with perfect good nature and rare pleasantness. But I could not, subsequently to that unfortunate evening, rid myself of the idea that his honour had been tarnished, and that it was his own doing that the stain had not been removed. This thought prevented my feeling towards him as I had hitherto done, and I felt ashamed to look upon him, Silvio was far too clever and too shrewd not to notice this and not to divine the cause. He appeared hurt, and I fancied that I had more than once detected a wish on his part to come to an understanding with me ; but I avoided each opportunity, and Silvio withdrew. Thereafter, I only met him in the presence of my comrades, and our former intimacy came to an end.

The busy inhabitants of a capital can have no conception of the many excitements so familiar to those who live in small towns or in villages—for example, the looking out for the periodical post-clay ; on Tuesdays and Fridays our regimental office was crowded with officers ; some expecting remittances, some letters, and some newspapers. Letters and parcels were opened on the spot, news communicated, and the office presented the most animated appearance. Silvio’s letters were addressed under cover to our regiment, and he was therefore usually present. Upon one of these occasions a letter was handed to him, the seal of which he broke with a look of the greatest impatience. His eyes brightened up as he perused it. The officers were themselves too much engaged to notice anything. ‘ Gentlemen, ’ said Silvia, ‘ circumstances require me to leave without delay; I go this night, and hope you will not refuse to dine with me for the last time. I expect you also,’ he continued, turning to me; ‘I expect you without fail.’ With these words he hastened out, and we shortly dispersed, having agreed to meet at Silvio’s.

I arrived at the appointed hour, and found nearly the whole of my brother officers. Silvio’s moveables were all packed, and little remained but the bare and battered walls. We sat down to dinner ; our host was in high spirits, and his cheerfulness was soon participated in ; the corks flew incessantly, our glasses frothed and sparkled unceasingly, and we wished the traveller with all possible sincerity God speed, and every blessing. It was already late when we rose. While the caps were being sorted, Silvio, bidding everyone ‘good-bye,’ took me by the hand and detained me, just as I was upon the point of leaving. _ ‘ I must speak to you,’ said he, in a low voice. I remained.

The guests had left; being alone, avc sat opposite to each other, and silently began to smoke our pipes. Silvio was careworn, and there were no longer any traces of his affected cheerfulness. The pallor of his sombre face, his sparkling eyes, and the dense smoke issuing from his mouth, gave him a truly demoniacal look. Several minutes passed away, and Silvio broke silence—

‘We may perhaps never meet again,' said he ; ‘ I wish to have an explanation with you before we part. You must have noticed how little I value the opinion of the world, but I like you, and I feel that it would prey upon me were 1 to leave an unjust impression respecting myself on your mind. ’ He stopped and began to re-fill*his emptied pipe ; I remained silent with lowered eyes. ‘You thought it strange,’ he continued, ‘ that I did not demand satisfaction from that tipsy fool 11 . You will doubtless own that the right to choose weapons being mine, his life was in my hands, my own being almost beyond the reach of danger. I might ascribe this forbearance to pure generosity, but I will not deceive you. Had it been in my power to punish H without risking my life in the least decree, I would be no means have let him off.’

I looked at Silvio in surprise, and was completely taken aback by such a confession. Silvio went on :

‘ That’s just it. I have no right to imperil my life. I received a box on the ear six years ago, and my enemy still lives. ’ My curiosity was thoroughly awakened. ‘ You did not fight him ?’ asked I. ‘ Circumstances probably parted you ?’ ‘ 1 did tight him,’ answered Silvio ; ‘and here is the memorial of our duel. ’ Silvio rose and took out of a hat-box a red cap, ornamented with a gold tassel and braid (what the French would call bonnet de police); he put it on ; it had a hole about an inch from its edge. ‘You know,’ continued Silvio, ‘that I served in the Hussars. My disposition is known to you. lam accustomed to take the lead, but in my early days it was a passion. At that time practical jokes were in fashion, and I was the greatest scamp in the whole army. We prided ourselves upon our drinking powers : I outdid the famous Bourzoff, whom Denis Davidoff has sung. (A cavalry officer whose drinking powers and bravery have been immortalized by the warrior poet, Denis Davidoff (temp. Alexander I.) Duels took place constantly in our regiment. I took a part in all of them, either as a witness or as a principal. My comrades idolised me, and the regimental commanders, who were constantly changing, looked upon me as an unavoidable evil. ‘ I was thus quietly (that is, turburlently) enjoying my popularity, when there joined us a wealthy youth, a member of a wellknown family (I do not wish to mention names.) Never in my life have I met such a favored child of fortune ! Imagine to yourself, youth, talent, good looks, the most exuberant cheerfulness, the most undaunted courage, a high-sounding name, wealth to which he knew no bounds, and you will form some idea of the impression his presence produced among us. My pre-eminence received a check. Dazzled by my reputation, he would have sought my friendship, but I received him coldly, and he turned from me without any show of regret. I began to hate him. His success in our regiment and in the society of ladies threw me into complete despair. I sought opportunities for a quarrel, but my epigrams were answered by epigrams, which always seemed to me more unexpected and more stinging than my own : they were of course immeasurably more lively. He was facetious ; I was vicious. At last, upon the occasion of a ball given by a Polish gentleman, seeing that he was the object of attention of all the ladies, and especially of the hostess herself, who was an ally of mine, I whispered to him some grossly rude remark. He warmed up, and gave me a box on the ear. We flew to our swords. The ladies fainted ; we were separated, but that same night we drove off to fight a duel. ‘ The day was breaking. I stood at the appointed spot, attended by my three seconds. 1 awaited with inexpressible impatience the arrival of my opponent. The sun had already risen, and its rays were gathering heat. I observed him in the distance. He was on foot, in uniform, wearing his sword, and accompanied by one second. We walked on to meet him. He approached, holding in his hand his cap, which was full of cherries. Our seconds proceeded to measure twelve paces. I was to have fired first, but my rage was so great that I could not rely upon the steadiness of my hand, and to gain time, 1 conceded to him the first shot. My opponent would not consent to this. It was decided that we should draw lots ; he, with his usual good hick, won the toss. He aimed, and his ball went through my cap. It was now my turn. His life was in my hands at last. 1 looked eagerly at him, trying to detect even a shadow of uneasiness. He stood covered by my pistol, selecting the ripest cherries out of his cap, and spitting out the stones, which nearly reached me as they fell. His coolness exasperated me. What is the use, thought I, of depriving him of his life, when he values it so little ? A wicked thought flitted across my mind. I dropped the pistol. ‘You are not thinking of death now, ’ said 1 ; ‘ you prefer to enjoy your breakfast; 1 do not wish to disturb you!’ ‘You do not disturb me in in the least,’ replied he, ‘ please to fire away ; —but, by the way, that is just as you please ; your fire remains with you ; I am always ready and at your service !’ I turned to the seconds, declaring I did not intend to proceed at present, and thus our meeting ended. To be continued.