Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-01-05
The a1..,,n and the solder.


After the battle of Jena (the 18th. Of DC
tober, 1S06), a Prussisn cornet and four ol
his men found themselves cut Oh from theil
division Of the army.
After wandering about for some time,
they at last came to q village, and dismoun'
ted at the door of the pastors houQe, -as the
most likely place at which they could Oh
tam refreshment. Ss1-
1t was late In the evening, and the house
door was closed. ''Open the door, cried
the cornet, young man, who seemed u
think soldiers qualifications were diplay-
cd in clustering manner. "Open Ct 6ce
or I'll have the door hewn INTO splinfeu<
"Who is theref" demanded the pastor.
"Open at once, sirrah, or III have your
window broken in" cried the young man,
in still more threatening tone. Meanwhile
his companions remained perfectly quiet
Presently servant opened the door.
Their leader stepped IN, and soon showed
by his rude behavior how little he mefited
the title of ian officer and gentleman. y
The servant Of the pastor, who was de-
votedly attached to him, was the more IN
noyed at this overbearing manner, since his
master was most hospi,able and courteous
to everyone; so he determined that the
young officer shonld be punished little for
his unseemly conduct, and he set about do
ing 1t after this fashion.
The pastor, who was very fond of dogs,
possessed splendId English mastiff, which
he bought from an officer who WAS going
back to his regiment. The animal had been
trained to watch the recruits wnen they
were being marched through the country.
1t was only necessary for his master to show
him the recruit, with the words ''Sultan,
a recruit" and he could rest assured that
the man would not escape. Especially
would thedog allow no one to leave a room
when the words "a recruit" were uttered.
Ii such one confided to his charge at
tempted to go to the door his goaler first
drew him gently back by his clothing; if
he repeated the attempt, he was drawn back
more forcIbly; and if he resisted, the mas
Tiff would throw him to the ground. put his
paws on his breast, and call his master with
loud bayings- Many = recruit had been so
obliged to lie or stand until the officer came
and gave him his liberty by saying ''Let
him pass"
the pastor was quietly standing with the
troopers in the yard, while his servant
Peter was alone in the room with the cor
net-who had thrown himself on a sofa,
and was comfortably reposlng till the horses
were got reaGy. Sultan was quietly lying
behind the stove. Peter went to him, poin-
tee TO the cornet unperceived by the latter.
and whispered, ''Sultsn, recruit" and
then went out. Sultan leisurely get up,
stretched himself, and then gravely took
Up his position in front of the young SOL
der.
Presently one of the troopers called from
the yard through the window, "When you
are ready, Sir cornet, will you comet"
'.At once" said the cornet; taking up
his hat and stick (which were then the FASH
ion in the Prusslan army, and pulling ON
his gloves.
Just as be put his hand on the latch,
Sultan suddenly placed himself between
the door and the cornet, and quietly drew
him away. Alarmed and suspecting treach-
cry, the cornet drew his sabre, but before it
was well out of the scabbard ne was ON his
back on the ground, Sultan standing over
- Ing onsls---j- --,i
Are you aot cCsfIng, Sir cornet7' er,ed
the troopers ''Surely you do not think we
are so very safe herel'
Help me, them" groaned the unhappy
cornet.
The pastor heard the commotion, and
the troopers dIsmOunting, stepped into the
room, and could not help laughing heartily
as they saw how amiable and polite the
cornet was to the mastlft.
''What are you doing with the dog?"
SAID one, while the others laughed.
..Ah, 1 know not what he wants." said
the poor cornet, who still lay under Sultans
feet, and was white with terror.
The pastor soon guessed what Peter had
been doing, and he called the dog away,
but in vain; for Sultan had leaned his duty
so well that he would take no countermand
from any one but the person who had CIV
en- him the first order.
The cornet was obliged to remain where
he WAS till Peter (wbo took care to keep
out of the way) could be found. At last he
came, aud when he SAID. "Let him pass,
the dog released the captive, who, . wiser
man from the lesson he had received, took
leave of the pastor in a much more civil
way than he had at first assumed