Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-11-14
THE MATCHMAKER.

Not that son of Priam, the beloved OF
Andromache, but still a real prince OF
his race, and greatly beloved by one
small woman. A magnificent mastiff
is Hector, rs brave and bold, not to say
as gallant and noble, as many n hero
with two legs less. AS for dogs not be-
ing able TO think. any one ewho can en-
tertain such an idea deserves to live in
ga chill condition of doglessness" TO the
end of his days. will tell you about
Hector and you may judge for yourself.
Having been suddenly thrown upon
my own resources, az so often befalls "A
girl brought up in luxury in this swiftly
whirling maelstrom of our American
life, | determined TO cultivate the only
decided talent possessed, that for paint
ing. Dresden was recommended to me
as place both cheap to live in and Of
fering unusual facilities for art study. |
accordingly went there. Without "a
chaperon? Certainly. was to be per-
son Of affairs, and what was business
woman to do with so costly, not to say
inconvenient, an appendage as IA chape-
ron? All winter studied and copied in
the gallery, and when summer came
took the little steamboat which runs up
and down the Elbe, bowling its smoke
stack,so deferentially TO all the bridges,
and hunted up picturesque castles TO
sketch.
"Lieben-felsen" was the beautiful old
schloss fell specially in love with, so
finally persuaded an old couple who
lived near it to take Inc to board for a
few weeks. They had rather nice lit
tie house and a garden that sloped down
TO the waters edge. There, under the
overhanging trees, l used to sit for hours
gazing up at the massive towers just on
the other side of the castle wall. Now
and then a feeling of loneliness swept
over me, and my heart yearned for some
of the pleasures of my joyous past.
One morning | asked my landlady if
any OF the numerous German laws would
be infringed If l should go in swimming
At first she declared would drown i'm
mediately. but when | assured her that
| had known how to swim since a child,
she finally consented, with a protest as
to the general unusualness of American
behavior.
How refreshing it was! What happi.
ness 10 plunge fearlessly into the cool,
clear water! Not living soul was to be
SEEN not "a sound to be heard. Suddenly
great splash startled me. felt my
bathing dress seized between the shoul-
ders and myself dragged vigorously ont
of the water upon the bank. was thor
oughly terrified, but fortunately made
no resistance. AS looked up an enor-
nous head appeared and large pair of
eyes gazed inquiringly into mine.
had always loved dogs, but this mon
strous disturber of my peace was so for
midable that dared not move. He. too,
was motionless; and read on his collar
the name, Hector" At last / raised
my hand very gently and patted him on
ceived slight vibration In the tip end
of his tail. just as was wondering how
far dared presume upon that friendly
symptom he Tapped his rough tongue all
over my face. Then l sat up and
laughed, and he jumped and frolicked,
as large as IA young lion, as gentle as q
kitten.
Presently tried to go back into the
water, but to this he forcibly objected,
and ! was obliged to submit. When |
returned to the house he accompanied
me, to the terror of my hostess. "He
belongs up Mt the schloss," she explained; /;
"the young graf is away travelling, and
almost all the servants arc afraid of
him."
Poor fellow, thought he has been
lonely, too; that is what we read in each
others eyes. After that Hector and
were inseparable. He came every day,
and we explored all the surrounding
country together. / am sure he thought
yes, thought, just as much as you or
can think--that he saved my life and
consequently ought to appoint himself
my guardian. To me he seemed like q
living link TO the beautiful old castle,
protector and faithful friend.
One morning as we were returning
from long walk saw advancing that
always novel sight to American eyes, u
woman and dog harnessed together,
dragging u cart. In this instance the
cart was full of vegetables. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY n market frau taking produce to
town. Now Hector was true knight,
valiant. loyal and gentle, but he pos.
Eessed also that other characteristic of
knighthood, he brooked no intrudcrs;
and no sooner did one of his kind appear
than he challenged him to combat.
knew this and trembled, but hoped for
the best.
Unluckily, however, that plebeian dog,
as he approached, presumed to give a
defiant bark, which settled his fate In
stantly Hector gave one spring, and seiz.
ing his boastful adversary shook him
out of his harness in less time than it
takes to tell of it, overturning the cart
and scattering the vegetables in every
direction | was distressed beyond meas.
urc, ana called Hector in the most com
manding tones could assume. Then |
coaXed him, all of which he entirely ig-
nored. Meanwhile the other one of the
span was by no means quiet.
She was indeed perfectly furious-she
abused Hector, she abused me. she
abused tho aristocracy, to which she
seemed to think we both belonged. as
highway robbers and assassins! In my