The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-04-20

60 -.ss--ssrr
SOME AHAB Boys HAD TIED a STONE TO
THE DOGS NECK
Sidi's master was Lieut.. Bayardet, a
poor French officer who had risen FROM
the ranks, and who lived entirely on his
pay.
Sidi and Bayardet were bat one.
Whenever you saw the end of the for
lner's black nose you were sure 80 see,
moment later, the latter's scowling
face; for Sid. like the vigilant dog that
he was, always trotted fifteen or twenty
steps IN advance of his master, habit
which he had formed during the cam
paigns in Algeria
Homely, lean and snarling, Sid be-
longed to no race; but the zouaves, who
were good judges, declared that he was
cross between iaekal and a spaniel.
He had, in fact, the slender jaws and
long, pointed teeth of the one; the other
he resembled in his large sillSen ears, his
very curly though very short hair, and
his abundantly thick tail. In shrewd-
ness and cunning he took after the ami
NAL that was regarded as his father,
while he had all the vivacity of the race
TO which his mother was said to have be-
longed.
Neither dog nor master was loved.
The officer, though not looked upon as a
mean fellow, was mercilessiy strict in
the service; he passed for the model of
soldier, severe, prompt at repression,
scrupulous. just. Moreover, he was much
esteemed for his bravery. The dog, who
also possessed this virtue--for there was
not one of his fellows that he had not
vanquished dog had against him
his love Of marauding, Of which moth
ing, not even the severest punishments,
had served to cure him.
Many time he had been surprised in
the camp Kitchens, scenting the roast
and ready to carry it off the moment the
cooks back was turned. He had thus
curtailed many portions; but, on the
other hand, he had received some terri
bic rakings If they did not kill him,
it was simply from fear of his master,
who would have avenged his death in
some fearful manner Once, Sid having
been caught in the act. an assistant cook
tried to kick him with his wooden shoe.
But the dog leaped at the mans throat,
and he would have been straightway
strangled. had it not been for his com
rades, and who escaped as it was not
without q few savage bites on his arm.
The story was noised about. The colonel
sharply reprimanded Bayardet, charging
him thenceforth to keep a better watch
over his dog. under penalty of seeing
him hanged if he allowed him to run
about the camp. That day Sid received
afrightful drubbing. Applying the prin-
ciple that "he who loveth chasteneth,"
the lieutenant, armed with thick bam-
boo, gave him a cudgeling in the most
approved style. But Sidi always began
his larcenies afresh, and the men final
ly came to laugh at them, so skillfully
did he execute them.
Besides, Sid had a precious gift; he
was a marvellous hunter, and brought
the game with rare fidelity, without ever
damaging it. Feathers on fur, it made
no difference to him. IL he excelled as
pointer, he also knew how to run down
hare. Now. Bayardet was a great
hunter. That is why, affection aside, he
set so much store by Sid. On the march,
when they reached halting place, very
often they saw the dog arrive holding in
his iron jaws some .sprowler Of the un-
derbrush, with flesh perfumed with the
odor Of thyme and lavender. And Bay
ardet, who had a kind heart at bottom,
sent the game, after cutting off bit
for himself, now 10 one squad, now
to another, in order to add a little
to the fare Of his zouaves Then Sidi,
admired and petted, was willingly for
given for all his rnisdeeds. For the rest,
ia point of intelligence be left far behind
him all the poodles. griffons and spanisls
Of the regiment. He could rival any dog
whatever in parades, exercises and tricks.
Sometimes, when the master was in the
humor, he made Sidi perform, and amid
. vast circle OF admirers the dog went
tiarough his evolufons, supplying sport
gratis
Bat, notwithstanding everything, Bay
arden and Sidi did not succeed In win.
ming love.
1t was en- the -seeshore in Algeria that
Bayardet, then an adjutant IN the first
battalion, ono mcrning made the ac-
quaiutance of Sfdi, who was only a few
weeks old. Some Arab boys had tied q
stone to the dogs neck and were getting
ready to drown, him, when Bayardet, in
teryening, saved him by generously dis
tributing among the little wretches few
blows with a switch and then giving
them some cappers TO make them forget
the blows HAyardet. who had no ties
beyond tilosesof simple ccmradeship in
the regiment, ard no family save an old
aunt, whose ,shriweled and Grabbed face
he had not seen for years, became at
tached to dae animal, cared for him,
hrought him UP and educated him. TIE
dog adored his,m2ster; there was deep
and undesirable friendship betweea. the
biped and The fpladTped.