The Van Buren press., 1895-07-13

ties OF nature with Noiraud, whose
mission it was to make me admire
them.
These beauties OF nature were, to
commence with, an awful burning
dusty road, under broiling sun. The
dog marched briskly along. I tried 10
moderate his gait.
"Noiraud, good dog, not SO fast, not
30 fast
Noiraud turned deaf ear and fol.
lowed his little path until attempted
to sit down by the wayside under .
tree which threw thin shade. He
was seized by fit Of wrath and
barked with little furious voice,
throwing irritated glances at me-evi-
IDENTIFY what was doing was contrary
to the rule-and the yappings were 90
sharp. so piercing, that arose to fol-
low the path. Noiraud calmed down
Immediately and commenced to trot
gayly before me. had understood.
He was content.
A few minutes later we came to de-
licious road, shady, lowered, perfumed
and full OF freshness and murmuring
of spring Noiraud at once started off
at gallop and disappeared In the
green. followed him a trifle breath
less hundred feet and found my
Noiraud awaiting me with head held
high and shining eye, In sort Of
chamber Of verdure, livened by the
twinkle OF q wee cascade. There was
an old rustic bench, and from this
Noiraud glanced with impatience to
my eyes, and back again. This glance
said:
Now here is place to rest. II 10
nice here; 1t is cool. You wanted to
stop in the hot sun. Come now and sit
down; don't object"
So sat down and lighted cigar. I
almost offered one to Noiraud, but the
thought that he might prefer lump
OF sugar came to me. He caught it
adroitly on the fly, ground it up quick
ly, then lay down and drowsed at my
feet. He was evidently accustomed to
make little halt and take little nap
at this place. He slept ten minutes.
felt perfectly tranquil Noiraud had
inspired me with absolute confidence;
l had resolved to obey him blindly.
He arose, stretched himself, threw
me little side glance signifying:
"Start up, my FRIEND" and like two old
friends we wound through the woods,
enjoying the charm, the silence and
the sweetness OF the place. Presently
we came to . path at the left. Noir-
aud hesitated little, reflected, and
then continued in the road, but not
without trifling uncertainty in his
gait; he stopped. He must have made
a mistake-yes, for returning few
steps he led the way to the left until
we arrived in sort Of grotto. where
Noiraud. pointing with his nose upward,
invited me to contemplate the great
height OF the rocks which walled
1t In. When Noiraud thought I
had sufficiently admired it he
hurried back to the little path
we had been following. The road soon
became steep, uneven, rough. ad.
vanced but slowly, with great precau.
ton. Noiraud jumped blithely from
rock to rock, but did not abandon me,
now and then throwing me glance Of
the most touching solicitude. At last
began to hear the plashing Of water
and Noiraud yapped joyfully. "Bear
up" he said; bear up; We will soon be
there. You are going TO zee the Chau-
| dron."
It was In truth the Chaudron. A
modest enough little cascade, Of equal.
| ly modest height, falling In showering
sprays on slightly followed rock
should never have been consoled for
having made this laborious ascent to
see this mediocre marvel If I had not
had the brave Noiraud as my companion.
He was much more interesting and 70.
markable than the Chaudron.
On each side Of the fall in two small
Swiss chalets were two little dairies,
kept by two little native women, one
blonde, the other bruno They were
both In national dress and eagerly
Watching my approach.
It seemed to me that the blonde had
very pretty eyes, and had already
taken several steps toward her chalet
when Noiraud, bursting with furious
barkings, barred the way. Had he
preference for the little bruno? I
changed my course. That was II.
Noiraud ceased as though by magic
when he saw me seated at a table In
front of his young protege's house. I
called for glass Of milk. Noiraud's
friend entered her tiny nest and he
slipped In with her, and through an
open window I followed my Noiraud
with my eyes. The wretchl Ke was
served before me. He had his bowl Of
milk first. He was bribed.
Noiraud soon gave signs of agitation
and lmpstience. I could now read his
eyes like an open book. It was time
to start. arose, paid the Swiss and
went toward the path by which we
had assembled the mountain. Looking
for my Noiraud found he had planted
himself at the entrance of another
path and was gazing seriously, severe
ly at me. What progress / had made
in two hours and how familiar Noir-
aud's silent eloquence had become!
"What sort of an opinion have you
got Of me?" said Noiraud. ibid you
think would 20 over the same road
twice? Truly, no. I am good guide
II know my trade. We shall descend
by another road"
This other road was much prettier
than the first, and Noiraud, full Of
sprightliness, turned to me often with
little air Of triumphant joy. We
crossed the village and were assailed
by three or four of his dog friends,
who appeared much in the mood to
chat and play little with their COM
rado md thav triad IN stoD him hut