Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-27
FAITHFUL BOB0N.

eplLhet TO flerrOJS WlIe VINO was young,
sylph-like, pretty and fascinating. Jacques
loved two creatures-so he said, at least-his
dog and His wife. We mention the dog first,
because he always did, and it was the one Of
his two loves which he first procured.
Now though jacques loved both dog and
wife, and the dog seemed to love both master
and mistress, the wife, for some reason. did
not love both husband and dog, but disliked
the latter exceedingly, perhaps because she
fnnced he divided affections that should have
been all her own.
Jacques" she would frequently say to
him, 'now do sell that ugly brute, if you can
find anybody fool enough to buy him-or, if
not, give him away. He is only in the way
here, and eats as much as you or l."
"Now, my dear Jeanette Jacques would
reply, you'd be one of the sweetest and
most reasonable little beauties in the world,
if you'd only appreciate poor Bobon, who's a
dog that knows as much as either of us. "
''Speak for yourself, Master jacques and
not for me! It's no great compliment to the
dog to say he knows as much as you But if
he knew ten times as much, of what use
would he be to us9 for he takes all out and
brings nothing in."
"But like company, Jeanette"
"Wcll, haven't you met"
"Yes-but you can t follow ME all about the
city as Bobon does.'
~ wish l could, and make nightly report
Tor your benefit"
eyes, but don't want any report, and SO
prefer the dog, who's always discreet and
keeps a civil tongue. And then, Jeanette,
you know he guards the house at night"
Guards fiddle-sticks, jacques! Why, we've
nothing for anybody to steal!'
"Eut the thieves don't know that my
dear, you see. And then if some of the las-
Gals should happen to hear you talking SO
sweetly to me, who knows but they'd just
carry you off, and leave Inc to break my
heart in solitude. You see got Bobon for
some purpose don't exactly knew what
hut it'll turn up some day as sure as l am
prophet"
"Pshaw! you're a fool, Jacques!"
II know it, but can't help it., amp more
than you can help being 80 sweet and
pretty"
"Well there, Jacques" Jeanette would
generally wind up, with Il kiss, ''you are a
dear good soul, so you are, and if you'll only
promise to love ne best, you may keep Bobon
as long as you like"
This kind OF colloquy generally took place
US olicn Us Ontt, Soil4ellIleS lNlCb u NccA-
jeanette beginning with firm determine
tion to get rid of the dog, and ending with
permission for him to remain as long as Lo
and bis master might think proper.
The subject of this family pickering was
a very sagacious animal who behavel him.
self as all gente,uanly dogs shoull His
master did not stretch the truth a great deal
when he said that Bobon knew rs much as
dog, AMI would seem to comprehend many
things like a rational human being. For in
stance during the wransle about himself, he
would steal sorrowtully away under the bed
or under the table, and there with his large,
bright, nohlelooking brown eyes fixed
earnestly upon the contending parties, would
seem to listen anx!ousiy for the conclusion;
and then, if favorable to himself, us it gener-
ally was, he would come forth waggng his
tail, and look up cheerfllly, almost Lu-
manly, into the faces of both.
Tine rolled on, France became as troub-
led ocean, and a perfect tornado Of human
passion swept lnadly over the ship of state
The goo but vacillating king master was
put under matches, and a monstrous and
bloody insanity took the helm, and ran the
old, leaky, and crime-laden vessel upon the
came wreck, and ingulfed hundreds of
thousands of human beings who had embarked
in her for the voyage of life
SieakiDg without fi.ure that bloody epoch
known the reign of terror, had began in
France; and thousands Of all classes and ages
were being daily dragged to prison and dun
geons, to be thence conveyed to reeking gull
lotine and sinking hulks, or to some open spot
Of fendish massacre.
But, so far, Jacques and Jeanette, though
often Mortified at what they saw and heard
remained unInolested; and Bobon stil kept
them company; and at last even Jeanette
went so far as to say she was glad the noble
brute was with him, and that she would not
Ialt with him for any money.
Jacques Pierrot was Il smith by trade
which was good business in those days,
when fetters. chains, bolts, swords, axes,
knives and firearms were in such constant
requisition--and believing himself as safe at
the forge as elsewhere, he kept steadily at his
work from day to day, minding his own bust
ness, giving everybody civil word, AMI
venturing no opinion on any subject. Bobon
regularly accompanied him to and fro from
his work, and as Jacques was rather system
attic AMI precise on certain points, Jeanette
coming up the street on their meals.
One day as the supper hour drew near,
Jeanette glanced at the clock, and then quick
ened all her motions, for she was little behind
time with the meal, and as Jacques was al
ways so punctual, she pridel herself on
always b,ing ready for him at the moment.
At length the viands stood smoking ON the
table; and, looking up again at tho clock
Jaan ITO IN, ha min
ute hand had passed the hour without Jacques
being present.
"What can detain himw she murmured,
with strange dread of evil creeping over
her, as she hurried to the door and looking
anxiously down the street "Not to be seen,
either" she continued with nervous anxiet%;
"what can it mean! Mon Dieu! if they should
have taken him away to prison' and JEAN
cite clasped her hands upon her heart and
staggered back into the house.
Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed away, and
yet no Jacques. The suspense was not to be
borne: better the reality. however fearful;
something terribl.Snust have happened and
throwing light shawl over her head, jean
ette flew down to the smithery. The doors
were oIen-tle fire was burning but no
Jacques was there. She made hurried and
anxious inquiries of III, passers-hy; but they
scarcely needed her; for that was not iulic-
ious time for anything, about matters of state
Or about individuals, who mysteriously dis
appeared.
At length the distress of jeanette attracted
the attention of an old woman in the vicinity,
who, after some qu stionng, informed her
that the smith had been marched off between
two rough looking men, who might be
officers Of the revolutionary commission.
"Oh, Mon Deul Mon Dieu! my poor dear
Jacques!' cried the half frantic wife, wiring