The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-06-28
NOIRAUD.
BY LUDbvIC HALEvY.

Don't be alarmed, monsieur, yo1
| won't miss your train. I've taken pas
sengers to the station for fifteen year
and no one ever missed train, sir
never"
But"
mo use looking at your watch, sir
there is something you don't know ane
which your watch can't tell you-tht
train is always fifteen minutes late
there never was an occasion when i
has not been fifteen minutes late"
This day. however, the rule did MOI
hold good. The train was on time and
missed it. My driver was enraged.
You ought to announce that the
trains leave on time all at once" he
cried to the stationmaster. II never
heard of such thing!' and taking all
the porters as witnesses he said: WAS
1t ever heard of before? I do not wish
TO be at fault in this gentleman's eyes.
A train on time! Tell him for me that
this is the very first time it ever hap
pened."
There was general chorus of 20,
yes; always late, always!"
So | only had three long hours to
pass in this very melancholy village of
the Canton of Vaud, fanked by two
melancholy mountains, with each a
little patch of snow on it's summit.
How kill these three hours? l in
turn spoke for assistance, and there
was general cry of go and see the
Chaudron, the. only thing worth seeing
In these parts"
And where was the Chaudron?
ION the mountain to the right, half
way up, but the path is little compli-
Gated" was advised to take guide,
and over there. way over there in the
white house with green blinds, would
find 1.-THE best guide in the country, q
fine guide, Father Simon"
l went over to the little house and
knocked at the door. An old woman
opened it.
rs Father Simon in2"
'.IIe lives here-is it to 60 to the
YES. to go to the Chaudron."
swell, he hasn't been himself since
this morning; his legs trouble him; he
can't get about But don't be dis
turbed, we have some one to replace
him, Noiraud, only must warn you
that Noiraud is not person"
mot q person."
mo; he is our dog. He is used to it.
and will guide you very well, as well
- my husband"
"As well as your husband?"
Certainly. For years and years
Father Simon has taken him along. so
he has learned the places, and now he
loes the business alone. He has often
AIKEN travellers before, and we have
always had compliments for him. AS
or intelligence, don't be afraid; he has
Is much as you and l; he only needs to |
ak, but it is not necessary for him to |
ak in this case. If it were to show
and know history dates and
speech it would be different. Here
re only the beauties of nature. Take
1oiraud. And then, monsieur, he is
heaper. My husband is three francs
nd Noiraud is but franc and half,
nd he will show you as much for
he franc and half as my husband
you'd for the three"
Very well. Where is Noiraud?"
HE is resting in the garden. He
as already taken some English up to
he Chaudron this morning. Noiraud!
Toiraud"
He came in through the window
nth one bound. He was an ugly
nough little black dog, with long
urly, woolfy hair; his looks did not
peak for much, but in his whole per-
,nality there was a certain air OF
ravity, decision and Importance. He
rst gave me precise, clear, sharp
lance which enveloped me rapidly
.om head to foot and seemed clearly
, say: ut Is a traveller; he wishes to ;
e the Chaudron."
Being left once was enough for that
~, so 1 was essentially careful not to {
.pose myself to a second such misad-
,nturs. I explained to the woman n
lat had but three hours for the l
ak to the Chaudron- s
"Oh, yes" said she; you wish to 6
Ike the four o'clock train. Don't be
raid. Noiraud will bring you back s
time. Come, Noiraud; start along !
v boy; start along"
But Noiraud did not appear to feel at u
/ disposed 10 start along. Hesat mo-
,nless. gazing at his mistress with S
'itation.
..Ah. how stupid am" said the old b
oman. II forgot had forgotten b
. sugar"
She took four Jumps of sugar from
aver and gave them to me. v
THAT Is Why he did not want TO- &