The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-12-26

living INK u tue btlutl1ui Olu CdStlc,
protector and faithful friend.
One morning Us we were returning
from long walk, | saw advancing that
always novel sight to American eyes, a
woman and a dog harnessed together,
dragging a cart. In this instance the
cart was full of vegetables. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY a market frau taking produce to
town. Now Hector was true knight, val
liant, loyal and gentle, but he possessed
also that other characteristic of knight
hood, he brooked no intrudcrs; and no
sooner did one of his kind appear than
he challenged him to combat. l knew
this and trembled, but hoped for the
best Unluckily, however, that plebeian
dog, as he approached presumed to give
defiant bark, which settled his fate.
Instantly, Hector gave one spring, and
seizing 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 mea-
sure and called Hector in the most COM
manding tones l could assume. Then l
coaxcd him, all of which he entirely
ignored. 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 the
arstocracy, to which she seemed to think
we both belonged, as highway robbers
and assassins! In my desperation l
picked up stick to compel Hector to
obedience, but she mistook my motive
and advanced upon me in rage.
Silence J" We turned quickly. Just
out of the wood came a young man in
uniform, evidently an officer. The dogs
stood still an instant, and L rushed for
ward and grasped Hector's collar.
"He did not consent kindly to being
led off, but the other dog had been pretty
we'll chastised by this time. Hector felt
his knightly powers had been duly estab-
lished, and he quoted down in deferen-
tial sort of way, as if he were only con-
senting to it on my account. Then the
market-woman began to wall that her
wares were spoiled and she might as well
90 home; but when gave her some
money, and the gentleman kindly added
some, too, she harnessed herself and her
dog again and resumed her journey.
Then | turned to thank my preserver.
Hector, whose collar | still held, was
restlessly dragging me forward, so we
walked on together.
"I'm SO SORRY" began, "that my dog
should have made such trouble"
He smiled. "Happily," he said, "the
damage was not irreparable."
Il am very much obliged to you for
;,,to mot ,,n,r ~ I want on rafhar
excitedly; "it gave me a chance to bring
Hector away"
1T was courageous of you to do it, "
he replied. ale is huge beast for you
to defy"
"Well," l protested, che would not
hurt me. He is such noble fellow, and
we are very fond of each other, Hector
and l. Indeed, he has been my best
friend all summer
He looked down on me and smiled
again. Il am glad of that" he said,
'for Hector is nv favorito dog"
This. then, was the count, and L had
been claiming his property. No wonder
Hector had quoted down at his voice!
He must have read the disappointment
and modification in nv face, for we had
Just arrived at the castle gates, and Hec-
tor had bounded away into the grounds,
when he raised his military cap with
graceful courtesy AMI said: "Frau'ein,
we shall let Hector choose between us.
If he prefers you, | shall never claim
him, and shall moreover admire his
taste"
lie walked toward the gate while |
went on; but Hector rushed out past him
to me and whincd paihetically, then he
ran back to the count and stood deiiantly
in his path. TO humor, him his master
came ont again, and | turned and faced
him. lIector's joy was unbounded. He
jumped around us both wildly, and
showed by every sign in his power that
he had no intention of 'cleaving TO the
one and forsaking the other" 1t was 81
evident and so amusing that we both
laughed heartily, which seemed to estab
lish friendlincss at once.
" He is determined we shall not part,
fraulein; will you permit us both to ac.
company YOU home?" They did so, and
on the way | assured the count of my in
tention 10 return shortly TO the city, when
he would probably have his fayorite's
undivided affection again.
The next morning, when l took my ac.
customed place out under the trees, Hcc.
tor soon came trotting gayly along the
bank, holding in his mouth small object
of dark blue and red Goth. which he de.
posted at my feet. l picked it up. II
was military cap! You may call it &C.
cidcnt if YOU like. and say any dog will
pick up a hat and carry it off, but you
will see how mistaken You are. After a
while Hector's tail. as he lay at my side
began to hammer the ground with graf