The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14
ZOUZOU'S INHERITANCE.
From the French of Maxine Lausanne.

few years ago there lived in seclusion
at No 10 Rue Fabert an old major whom
the urchins of the esplanade of the In
vaides had surnamed Major Zouzou'
Everybody in the district knew Major
Zouzou. a good looking old man, who had
been decorated with the military medal and
the cross of the Legion of Honor for his
valuable services on the battlefelds of Italy
in 1859 and Lorraine in 1870. For four years
the old officer had lived alone with his dog,
who responded TO the name Of Zouzou.
hence the surname given to the master.
Somewhat of cur, Zouzou was part
shepherd dog and part hunter. From the
hunting dog he had inherited long ears and
searching eyes, and from his shepherd an
cestor he had a shaggy coat and long tail,
ending with a large tuft, which afforded
great amusement to the urchins
Zouzou was vagabond by nature and
liked to take walks by himself, and one
often saw him walking along in a hap
hazard way his nose to the wind In the
morning by sunrise he would come down
stairs and leave the house with a basket
hung around his neck. He would then trot
of TO see the baker, who being accustomed
10 this daily visit, would put into the basket
a penny loaf, which was to go with the
chocolate for the majors breakfast. From
there he would go to a news stand in the
vicinity and they would give him morning
paper Then, triumphant, the intelligent
animal would bring the things to his mas
ter. The major was passionately fond of his
dog. He brought to mind many fond men,
cries. 1t was his daughter, his dearly be-
loved child, who had fed Zouzou with a
spoon and who had played with him. His
daughter had given him the name of Zou-
you and had watched over him with loving
Kindness. Now the child was dead and the
Old man was left alone with Zouzou.
And often in the evening while he slept
the old fellow would ask himself what
would become of Zouzou if he were taken
away. Never mind, my friend, he always
said. 1 will leave enough to care for you.
Rest assured, my good Zouzou, your master
will never forget you.
year rolled by. Zouzou became less Of
a tramp Every day the major would brush
him off and clasp around his neck a mag
nfcent collar which he had given him for
New Years. for he always gave Zouzou a
New Years gift.
Every New Years day he would take
Zouzou for walk on the boulevards and
show him the pastry shops and when Zou-
you would sit up on his hind legs he would
tremendously offer him a 1O-cent brioche.
And since seven years that Zouzou had
lived the major had never failed to offer
his dog his accustomed New Years gift.
But to-day the old man was too old, too
much broken to go so far. so he had given
Zouzou a necklace, beautiful brand new
collar fastened with an elegant nickel
plated paddock. On the collar were en-
eraved these words My name is zouzou
live at No. 10 rue Fabert."
The major fell i'll; Zouzou, alone, remained
with him. Sitting on a chair near his mas
ter's bed, he never left him for a minute,
mngling his plaintive banks with the signs
of the sick man. Then the major died.
And after the burial the caretaker closed
the apartments OF the deceased and chased
Zouzou away with a broomstick. But the
Rnectionate dog would not go away; he
would lie day and night on the pavement
opposite the house which his master had
occupied. The caretaker would throw
buckets of water on him and the children
would lombard him with stones; Zouzou
never moved, but would lie there as though
hypnotized, near the house where his mas
ter died and from where ne, perhaps, hoped
to see him appear Several days later there
arrived from the provinces some nephews
OF the major who FASTENED to divide among
themselves the furniture, linen and other
objects of value left by the old man. On
seeing the windows, from whence his mas
ter had so often called him, being opened
Zouzou made one bound and notwithstand-
Ing the custodian, who tried to prevent it,
he flew up the two flights of stairs and
leaped ioyously into the apartments of the
old soldier.
Look. there's his dirty, old dog" said
ore nephew giving the animal kick. Then
Zouzou descended the stairs mournfully and
went away And no one ever saw him again
in that quarter of the esplanade. His vaga-
bond life recommended, every day he walked
along straight before him, without purpose,
his nose to the wind. The winter came on;
for two days the snow fell continuously
and Paris had put on white veil. What
thoughts then were passing through poor
Zouzou's mind? Because dogs think and
remember. Several times he started in the
direction of Pere-Lachaise, where his mas
ter was buried-he knew it; but he was
always chased by the caretakers. Then,
worn out by fatigue. dying of hunger. he
stretched out by high wall as though de-
Cided to die there.
The snow continued to fall. Little by little
# covered the poor dog, who was obliged,
now and then to shake his head in order
that he might not be entirely buried be-
meath it.
The hours passed slowly and YEARLY.
Several times policemen went by without
noticing the poor black head emerging from
the ermne mantle One hurrying couple
noticed him.
What is that?" asked a woman's CHEEKY
voice, look. Henry" The workman-for
this late passer-by wore a workingman's
costume-stopped, and that he might see
better. put down his little girl of three or
four years. whom he had been carrying.
Don't you see that it is a dog?" said the
young man.
oh. the poor bruter' said Clotilde; IF
we took it with us-say. will you?"
The dog, who realized that he was the
subject of conversation and that the young
woman was intereeding in his favor, sat up
a little, and, raising his head, looked at the
trio. lie licked the hand of the child who
came nearer.
Poor brute" repeated Clotilde ''We
can't leave him there, can we, Henry? See,
he has on a collar; he has probably got
lost; tomorrow we can return him to his