The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-14
NOT THE POETS DOG.
An Amusing Incident In a French
Election Canvass.
A Vsgabond Canine Gets a square Meal,
BUT Came Near Losing the Candi-
date One Vote in His Race
for Deputy.

date One Vote in His Race
for Deputy.
Alfred de Musset, the famous French
poet, was at one time conducting a car
vass for election to the Frerch Acsdenv.
Members of this distinguished bciy are
elected TO it by those who are ALREADY
members; and custom requie-s that an
aspirant shall go about solici .ng the votes
OF members Musset had gone from one
Academician to another, and was on his
way, on foot, to the house Of Count de
Salnte-Aulaire, just outside Of Paris,
whose vote he hoped 20 gain. When he
had almost arrived At the place, large
yellow dog began 10 follow hin; but the
dog sneaked behind. and as the poet WIS
too much wrapped in his thoughts TO look
around, he did not know that what was.
perhaps, the most hideous dog in Paris
was at his heels. When the poet rang az
N. de Sainte-Aulaire' door, the dog
watched his chance. and a. the door WAS
opened slipped into the house. The ser
want supposed the dog was the newcom-
er'E, and the poet supposed it belonged to
the house. The host and his family were
warm admirers of Musset, and gave him
hearty welcome, though they glanced
askance at the horrible yellow dog. which
had curled its long legs down on a beauti-
fuI rug woven by the young lady of the
family as present 10 her grandmother
Extraordinary taste in pets, said the
host to himself. But To a great poet any
thing may be psrdoned." Strange"
said Musset to himself, that an elegant
family like this should keep such hide
Gus cur. When, presently, the poet had
been invited to remain 10 dinner, and the
dog had promptly accompanied the fam
lily and their guest TO the dining room,
the master of the house was in grave
doubt whether anything could be par
doned TO a poet" The animal rushed
round the table grabbing at pieces of
food, frightening the venerable grand
mother almost to death and acting like
the miserable hungry yagabond that be
was. The hostess, by way of delicate
compliment, carved a large plate of food
to be placed for the dog. The animal ate
il in d minutes time, and galloped round
the table for more. lie barked ferociously
when one of the family declined to give
him piece of meat that he saw on a plate.
The dogs actions prevented any converse
tion or any enjoyment of the meal The
host looked at his guest and wondered.
The guest looked at his host and won
dered. As the party WAS rising from the
table, tie dog rushed against servant,
ana caused him 10 upset the greater por-
ton Of a set of rare and precious china, an
heirloom in the family. The ladies gath
cred about weeping, and began to pick up
the priceless fragments. Something in his
hostess's look inspired the poet with
sudden and fearful thought. Tie rushed
up TO the Count. ''Can II be possible.
sir he exclaimed, that you supposed
this dog belonged to me-" why, of
course we supposed he was yours, " said
the Count. He came with you, did he
not2" 4 never saw the hideous beast
before" said Musset II supposed all the
time that the dog belonged to the house "
Then the animal which had shown signs
of uneasiuess during this little converse
ton, sneaked towards the door. lie was
kicked out, yelping; but once well out
side, ne shook himself and trotted off
with complacent air, which seemed to
say: We'll, that's all right-so long as
you didn't turn me out before dinner"
NJ de Sainte-Aulaire voted for Mussc T.
But" he said, IL shouldn't have done
so if that dog had really been his
Upon such little things do great things
dennnd - Z