Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-08-01
NOIRAUD.
BY LUDWIG HALEvY.

tncrc never WAS III OCCASION Wnen IL
has not been fifteen minutes late"
This day, however, the rule did not
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, ~ never
heard Of such thing and taking all
the porters as witnesses he said; WAS
it ever heard Of before? do not wish
to be at fault in this gentleman's eyes.
A train on timel Tell him for me that
this is the very first time 1t ever hap
pened,"
There was general chorus Of 70,
yes; always late, always
So only had three long hours to
pass in this very melancholy village OF
the Canton Of vaud, 1anked by two
melancholy mountains, with each a
little patch Of snow on It's summit
How kill these three hours? 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 Chaudron2
"0n the mountain to the right half
way up, but the path Is a little compli.
cated.' was advised to take a guide,
and over there, way over there In the
white house with green blinds, I would
find "the best guide In the country,
fine guide, Father Simon
went over to the little house and
knocked at the door An old woman
opened 1t.
rs Father Simon IMP"
HE lives here-is II to 20 to the
Chaudron?'
Eyes; to 70 to tho Chaudron."
"Well, he hasn't been himself since
this morning; his legs trouble him; he
can't get about, But don't DO dis.
turbed, we have some one TO replace
him, Noiraud, only ! must warn you
that Noiraud Is not person."
Not person.
mo; he Is our dog. He Is used to 1t,
and will guide you very well, as we'll
as my husband"
"As well as your husbandp"
Certainly. For years and years
Father Simon has taken him along, so
he has learned the places, and now he
does the business alone. He has often
taken travellers before, and we have
always had compliments for him. As
for intelligence, don't be afraid; he has
as much as you and l; he only needs to
talk, but 1t is not necessary for him to
talk in this case II 1t were to show
monument and know history dates and
speech 1t would be different, Here
are only the beauties Of nature. Take
Noiraud. And then, monsieur, he is
cheaper. My husband is three francs
and Noiraud Is but franc and half,
and he will show you as much for
the franc and half as my husband
would for the three"
VERY well. Where Is Noiraud?n
lie is resting in the garden. lie
has already taken some English up to
the Chaudron this morning, Noiraud
Nolraud"
lie came In through the window
with one bound. He was an ugly
enough little black dog with long
curly, woolly hair; his looks did not
speak for much, but In his whole per-
sonality there was certain air Of
gravity, decision and Importance. lie
first gave me precise, clear, sharp
glance which enveloped me rapidly
from head to foot and seemed clearly
to say; ut is traveller; he wishes to
see the Chaudron."
Being left once was enough for that
day, SO was essentially careful not to
expose myself to II second such misad-
venture, explained TO the woman
that had but three hours for the
walk to the Chaudron.
"0h, yes" said she; you wish to
take the four o'clock train. Don't be
afraid Noiraud will bring you bacl,
in time. Come, Noiraud; start along
my boy; start along
But Noiraud did not appear to feel at
all disposed to start along lie sat mo-
tionless, gazing at his mistress with
agitation,
"Ah, how stupid | am said the old
woman. Il forgot-I had forgotten
the sugar
She took four Jumps Of sugar from
drawer and gave them to me-
THAT Is why he did not want to
start; you hadn't the sugar Start up,
my boy, to the Chaudron, the Chaudron,
the Chaudron"
She repeated these words three
times, speaking slowly and very dis
tinctly, and meanwhile examined
Noiraud with attention lie answered
her with little mods, which at the end
showed little impotence and i'll tenn
per They could be interpreted "Yes
--yes-to the Chaudron-I understood
the gentleman has the sugar-and
we are going to Chaudron. Do you
take me for an idiot?' And without
waiting for the third "Chaudron" Of
Nine. Simon, Noiraud, evidently
wounded, turned his heels and
placed himself in front Of me, show
ing me the door by a look and saying
as distinctly as 1t is permitted dogs;
well, will you Gomez
followed him meekly. He kept on
ahead and we passed through the vii
lagc thus The children romping in
the street recognized my guide,
NIIc. Noiraud good old Noiraudr'