The Newtown bee., 1878-07-25
FIVE YEARS ON GUARD.


 regiment had its dog, whose intelligence, thanks to the soldiers care, was improy- ed by ecu ation and discipline. The Grand Army's dogs were picked up almost everywhere, except in England. They had been recruited ill Poland, in Prussia, in Holland, in Saxony and in Flanders. They were mongrel mastiffs, hounds, Danish dogs, spaniels. But 10 matter whence they came, they soon turned out French. Foreign dogs were naturalizcd without knowing it.
 Rugcn is an island in the Baltic Sea, opposite to Stralsund, on the coast of Pomeran. Fortified both by nature and by art its situation is exceedingly srcn.-. In time of peace, ill consequence of its fertile soil, it's salubriouS air, and it's mild climate Rugcn is a delightful retreat. In time of war it is an import ant post, natural citadel, a formidable fortress, whose possession has been pur- chased at the expense of many bloody fight. During the campaign of 1897 this island was comprised in their sphere of operations by the corps commanded by Marshal Daroust and was occupied by infantry regiment of the line, and by several companies of sappers and miners. The regiment, of course, had a dog-a black and white p0OdlC-namcd Capucin -nOt because he weS born ill a Capucin'S convent in Italy (which would have been quite sufficient rcason), but in allusion to the copper or iron rings by which a gun-barrcl is fastened to it's stock. The dogs sharp bark might perhaps have been thought to resemble the snapEi6h report of musket.
 In consequences of a change in the plan of o, eratiUn5 ordered by Napoleon I, the island had to be suddenly evacuated, to caIry out movement in retreat, aban- doning the whole line of the Tomerarian coast. Every post, every man, was withdrawn; but in sLch nasty way that they forgot all adval ced sentinel perch e on the top of d hillock which con- manded the enhance Of the port of Rugen. This sentinel was young soldier named Firmin Bonard, who had scarcely been three years in the service. At present, soldier who has served three years is considered quite veteran i; at that time, troopers who could reckon three, five, seven, and even nine years of ser, ice, were still called conscripts.- Now Bonard (the soldier) and Capucin the dog happened to be particular good friends, bound by the strongest ties of mutu u attachment.
 The corporal of the post had planted Firmin us sentinel on the hillock exactly at midnight. The latter therefore cal culated on being relieved at two in the morning, and also that from two till five in the morning he would have three good he UT, to doze and slUmber in the corps off guard. So FirAin Bonard beguiled the time by anticipating this supreme indulgence, and also by thoughts of his village steeple, of his aged care's ancient housekoeper, of the hay-stack where Le used to play at hide-and-seek, and sun dry other recollections. In this way the minutes slipped slowly by, and the two hours guard were drawing to close.
 All at once he heard d slight noise. He listened. "It is the corporal coming to relieve guard" he thought, and prepared to utter the formal q,ti rite. But the sound, which resembled that of human footsteps, was soon followed by complete silence. II couldn't be mistaken!" he said to himself; "besides, my time must now be up" He listened again, still more attentive y. Almost imme- diately, he heard the barking of dog, who came running forward in his direc- titn. On recognizing Capac,ns voice the sentinel looked around him anxious ly. Perceiving nothing which threatened an attack, he wondered what could be the meaning of this nocturnal visit Before he had time to consider the matter the animal had climbed the hill and was jumping up his legs. Its you, Capuein. Very good. You got tired of waiting there; and I am tired of standing here. The air is keen and I am t, rribly sleepy. You shoull have brought the