The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14

the door Of the house. Perceiving the dog,
thing She cried. why did you bring him
back to us, madame?"
But" said Ciotilde, "the dog belongs to
some one in the house."
ITO an old major who has died.. replied
the custodian. You may keep the horrid
creature; We want no more of him here"
Very well. madame, l will keep him,
replied the young woman gently; I'VE are
already very fond of him Come, Zouzou;
come, my good dog
In the evening. when Henry returned and
frowned.
HE belonged to an old soldier who has
just died; have pity on him, my dear
Henry"
And, clinging to him, with her arms
around his neck, she kissed him. and he,
unable TO resist, granted her wish. She was
SO pretty Clotilde, with her rosy com
upon her pretty head. She was the fairy of
the house, the little Partisan working girl,
whose laugh brought sunshine with it.
Iheir modest little home was so sweet, the
furniture, of mahogany, was simple but
very neat. The window was adorned with
flowers during eight months of the year
roses, yiolets and chrysanthemuns the
last of which had just been covered by the
snow. They were happy the three of them
very happy, in this humble abode, where
Zouzou. king of all the bowwows in Paris,
had come to take up his residence forever.
Zouzous nature seemed to change; he
never went out alone now Sometimes, in
the heavy heat of the summer when it was
almost suffocating in the home of the
workman, he would glance longingly to-
ward the Boulevard Diderot and the green
trees where the birds were singing. And
Thine, understanding what was passing in
his heart, would say to him:
'Be patient. Sunday we will go into the
woods at Vincennes and have such a good
time, and L will throw stones for you to
Then Zouzou would bark joyously
Years passed like this, years of perfect
bird of passage, who never remains for long
in the nest he has chosen. The workman
fell ill. very ill. Clotilde, who adored her
husband, would not allow him to be taken to
the hospital until the last moment. One by
one, every piece of furniture in the modest
little home was sold at a miserable price
little trlf1es, the souvenirs of happy days.
everything went, little by little. And when,
after five months at the hospital, Henry
was able to return to his home, he found
>complete change. Misery had knocked at
the door, destroying all happiness and car
had always had his part, caressed by Clo-
tide and Fifine, he had often wept with
them for the absent one who was now re-
turning convaleScent.
Il shall go to work tomorrow" said
Henry.
And so it was, the next day he went to
see his employer, who engaged him for the
day following. But, alas, the poor fellow
had overestimated his strength and in a
few days he was forced to keep his bed
again.
Then, overwhelmed with anxiety the poor
little wife, once more took up her heavy
qurements of the household.
Three terms rent were unpaid, and the
proprietor threatened pitiessly to turn
when people are as bad off as you,
madame, they do not keep a dog to feed"
THAT is true, but he was so unhappy,
'If it were necessary to pick up all stray
dogs, where would we be-"
You are quite right, sir; but, however, II
snow, dying of hunger, and he looked at
me imploringly, 1 should do the same thing
s sgarqed aH1 Would my not fG blae me Mno Au
And haughtly, with her head very high,
Clotide assembled the stairs to her apart
ments. But when she was in her own room
she broke into Sobs.
her husband.
a bitter smile crossed the lips of the sick
man. Seated near the window in an old in
valid chair, which had been saved in case
ling under the heavy shawl which covered
them he remained silent for long time,
his ewes fixed on the almost purple sky.
Seated before him was Zouzou, who re-
garded him intently, and the mans look
was mingled with the tender look of the
dog.
Henry's eyes suddenly assumed a coaxing
expression; smile crossed his lips as white
as wax. Zouzou, advancing, laid his head
across the 1nVall0 s knees SLOWLY the SICK
man laid his feverish hands on the animals
head A nail in the collar pricked him, and
brought a little cry to his lips.
This collar is in a bad fix, said he to
Clotilde; it hurts poor Zouzou, it just
gave me a scratch. Try to find a key to
open the paddock; you shant be bothered
with the old thing any longer Zouzou."
Then he added:
'It will give me much amusement to nix
up your collar and make you beautiful, my
old dog"
The next day Clotilde purchased col
lection of keys from a lock smith; the pad
lock was opened and the collar fell off.
For a few minutes Henry examined it to
see exactly what had to be done; he turned
it over and over in his hands. The leather
was much worn in several places and
through the holes could be seen a dirty
white paper. Papers, said he, What can
that mean"'
Slowly he tore off the leather and a roll
which had taken the form of Zouzous col
lar fell. From this roll fell ten bills of
thousand francs each. On the PAPER which
had enveloped these bills was written: ITO
the charitable person who shall take pity
on Zouzou leave my modest economies.
Zouzous inheritance made them very
happy and joy has once more returned to
their home. Zouzou is the master there; he
sits on a chair and eats at the table, pa
tiently waiting until he is served.
-ROWena New