River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-07-04

of spring. Noiraud at once started off
at a gallon and disappeared in the
green. 1 followed him trifie breath
less A hundred feet and ! found my
Noiraud awaiting me with head held
high end shining eye, in a sort of
chance of verdnre, livened by the
twinkle of wee cascade. There was
an old rustic bench, and from this
Noirsud glanced with impat;enee to
my e.!es. and back again. This glance
said:
Now here is place to rest 1t is
nice here; il is cool. You wanted to
stop In the hot sun. Come now and sit
down; ! don't object"
So sat down and lighted a cigar. I
almost offer d one to Noiraud, but the
thought that he might prefer lump
of sugar came TO me. He caught it
adrOitly on the fly, ground il up quick
". then lay down and drowsed at my
feet He was evidently accustomed to
maze little halt and take little nap
at this place. He slept ten minutes l
felt perfectly tranquil Noiraud had
inspired me with absolute con ddence;
! had resolved TO obey him blindly.
he arose. stretched himself, threw
me a little side glance signifying:
start up. my friend" and like two old
fri, nds we wound through the woods,
enjoying the charm, the silence and
the sweetness of the place. Presently
we came to a path at the left. Noir-
aud hesitated a little, reflected. and
then continued in the road, but not
without a trifing uncertainty in his
gait; he stopped. lie must have made
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
il in. When Noiraud thought l
had sufficiently admired il he
we had been following. The road soon
became steep. uneven. rough. adj
vaneed but slowly. with great precau-
ton Noiraud jumped blithely from
rock to rock, but did not abandca me.
now and then throwing me a glance of
the most touching solicit.de. At last
began to hear the FLASHING of water
and Noiraud yapped joyfully. Bear
up" he said; bear up; we will soon be
there. You are going To see the Chan
dron"
IL was in truth the Chaudron. A
modest enough little cascade, of equal
" modest height. falling in showering
sprays ON a slightly followed rock.
should never have been consoled for
having made this laboriOus ascent to
see this mediocre marvel il had not
had the brave Noiraud as my companion.
lie was much more interesting and re-
markable than the Chaudron.
On each side of the fall in two small
Swiss chalets were two little diaries,
kept by two little native women, one
blonde, the other bruno They were
both in national dress and eagerly
watching my approach.
Il seemed 10 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 a
preference for the little bruno? l
changed my course. That was il.
Noiraud ceased as though by magic
when he saw me seated at table in
front If his young protege's house. l
called for glass of milk. Noiraud's
friend entered her tiny nest and he
slipped in with her. and through an
open window followed my Noiraud
with my eyes. The wretch, He was
served before me. lie had his bowl of
milk first. lie was bribed.
After a it'll, with white drippings
from his mustache, Noiraud came to
keep me company and watch me drink
my milk. gave him lump of sugar,
and both of us-each satisfied with the
other-passed a delicious half hour
breathing the light air of the noun
tainS
Noiraud soon gave signs of agitation
and impotence. I could now read his
eyes like an open book. Ii was time
To start I arose. paid the Swiss and
went toward the path by which we
had assembled the mountain. Looking
for NV Noiraud found he had planted
himself at the entrance of another
path and was gazing seriously, severe
~ 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. did you
think | would go over the same road
twice? Truly. no. l am a good guide
Il 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 assaulted
by three or four of his dog friends,
who appeared much in the mood to
chat and play a little with their com
rade. and they tried TO stop him, but
Noiraud growled, scolded and sharply
repulsed their advances. You see |
have something on hand: am taking
the gentleman To the station" II was
only in the waiting-room that he con-
sented to leave me-after gayly crunch
ing his last two Jumps of sugar-and
this is how translate Noiraud's fare.
well:
I'VE are twenty minutes ahead of
time. / am not one to let you lose your
taain. Well, bon voyage. Adieu. =
Translated by Lucy Martin, for the
Chicago Tribune.