Wichita eagle., 1888-04-08

everything; the floor, benches and wall; the
large deal table, the fagots under the stove,
the wife's sheep skin and the linen on the
line. He finally stretched himself in the
middle of the room, put his nozzle between
his forelegs and sighed deeply, as if to say:
ave have reached home at last, and l have
found another country which l may look
upon as my own" The children drew near
to play with him. The young wife brought
him something to eat. He listened atten-
lively to the foreign words that were spoken,
as if to catch their meaning or discover what
was required of him; but the task being a
futile one, whenever hand sought to touch
him be growled and showed his teeth.
He soon got to be looked upon as head
strong, wicked brute.
"Never mind" said the young woman,
"hell keep the thieves and prowlers at dis
tance and prove good watch dog"
VoInizki assented to his wifeis suggestion.
So q chain was put round the dogs neck,
who was by no means surprised at the ordeal,
for he had been used to the thing from pup
pyhood.
Every evening, as soon as the stars came
out bright in the sky, the young housewife
let the dog loose in the yard. Thereupon the
faithful beast would shake himself, sniff the
air with apparent pleasure and commence his
round of inspection.
On one occasion, however, the dog was
missed But he did not go far, since he came
back the next day, and was found quietly
installed in his kennel, as if he had never
left it.
One Sabbath afternoon, after vespers, an
old man entered the peasants courtyard.
He was over 50 years of age. His stiff bear
ing, bronzed complexion and manly aspect
at once revealed the military veteran. An
open countenance set off to advantage the
spare, silvery locks; two light blue eyes gave
a grave and goodly expression to his face;
while his white mustache grew down over
his mouth to his chin. He wore boots that
reached TO his knees, long overcoat in dark
blue cloth, white necktie, and gray hat.
In his hand, for show rather than use, he
held a stick with shining knob, on his breast
shone the cross of the Legion Of Honor
strung to an old piece of faded red ribbon,
which still bore black stains due to the gum
powder at Waterloo.
The old soldier was received with tokens
of kindness and reverence; he was shown
into the large room which that day offered
an unusually solemn aspect with its washed
and sanded floor. Some flowers in an earth
enware pot on the window sill diffused their
sweetness over the place, and the SUN shone
cheerfuliy through the little sparkling glass
panes.
The two men sat down before the large deal
table; and when the young woman had
brought brandy, bread and salt, cheese and
sausage, they began to speak about the war.
Volnizki recounted the events at Spitchern,
Saint Privat and Buzenval, while the old
man spoke of Lutzen, Dresden and Leipsic,
Ligny and Quatre- Bras. Every time France
and the emperor's name were mentioned the
old man raised his hat. Meanwhile, the chill
dren played in the yard, and-that the holi-
day should be general one-the dog was let
loose from his kennel.
Presently the animal appeared on the
threshold, looked up inquisitively at the aged
man, drew near to and scented him.
"What sort of dog is that" inquired the
old soldier; "he is not from these parts.
81 brought him back with me from
France" replied Volnizki.
From FranceN
"He,s bad animal" said the young
woman.
"And disobedient," said the little boy.
81 tried to teach him a few tricks" added
"but all to no purpose; he under
stands nothing, absolutely nothing"
The old man laughed.
.sMy friends said he, "the reason is OBJ
vious The poor brute doesn't understand
your tongue"
"Well, now, that beats everything!" ex-
claimed Volnizli.
"Why, of course; what confidence can he
have in people whose tongue is foreign to
him!" continued the old veteran of Napoleon.
"How shall he obey, when he cannot under
stand the order that is givenT
THAT" said Volnizki, lis thing l never
thought of. And" he added, "ss l don't know
French there is no help for it."
wait a bit" said the old man, as he turned
toward the animal, whose eyes were atten-
lively fixed on his own. Ee began to speak
TO the dog in good French vernacular: you
don't understand word they have to say, do
you, my friend! On that account they call
you a wicked dog; but you are brave brute,
| know, and will be most obedient when
spoken to in your own decent language, won't
you."
The dog pricked his ears, beat the floor with
his tail. and his whole frame thrilled with
pleasure at the sound of the old
mans voice Suddenly, as if unable to with
stand so direct an appeal, the dog whined,
bounded forward and leaped up to the old
mans neck, barking with all his might.
See whether / am not right" exclaimed
he veteran warrior, whether he under
stands me or not"
The dog went and came about the place,
an from one room to another with sparkling
yves and quivering limbs, like one who had
aiken leave of his senses He invariably
anne back to the old man, barking, jumping,
" wagging the tail, to lick his hand and
inally crouched down painting at his feet,
he poor beasts large, red, feverish tongue
olling out between the corner Of the mouth
md the fore teeth.
The two men again resumed their CONVEX
alton and spoke of war, battles, cavalry at
acks. or the more savage struggle at the
POINT Of the bayonet.
At last the old man took his departure, fol.
owed by the dog, who seemed to obey him as
f he had never had another master.
The veteran soldier stood for a moment in
he doorway and looked around him The
un had set and bright, red glare shone out
n the west piercing the twilight and silvery
nists of evening.
1T is thus that his glory went down." said
lie, as he pointed with trembling hand tow
rds the horizon: but his fame shall abide
orever, and with it the greatness of France.
les. my children, it was a glorious era!"
He then walked away and the dog fol
owed, never TO leave him afterward--Trans- |
aeed from the French for The Chicago Inter |
ocean.
The Man with a Rapid Mouth.
bar 50 Of tbe /