The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-17

Il was he, sure enoughi His ter
rible hairy hand held a little silvea
coffee-pot, and he was accompanied by
dog which got in his way--a worthy,
classic dog. the regular blind fddler's
dog, clipped in the lion style, with
stockings Of hair on each leg and full
white moustaches like a general Of the
Gymnase.
Mother" said the giant, in voice
OF ineffable tenderness, "here is the
coffee. think you will find 1t good
this evening. The water was boiling
and poured it in drop by drop"
''Thank YOU" answered the old lady,
rolling her couch up to the table with
senile haste thank you, my little
Achille. Your dear father used often
to say that l had no rival in coffee
making. He was SO kind, so
good, poor dear man! But am begin
ming to think that you do it better
even than l." At this moment, while
Muertrier was pouring out the warm
liquid with the delicacy OF a young
girl about to be married, the dog, ex-
cited doubtless by the sight of the SUI
gar, put its two paws on its mistress
knee. Down, Medor!" she cried in
gentle. rebulze "Did you ever see such
a troublesome animal? Come, sir, you
know that your master never forgets
to give you the bottom of his cup. Stay
quiet moment, If you can. BY the
way" she went on, turning to her son,
''did you take the poor beast out?"
ooh, yes, mother" he answered,
with an infection that was almost
babyish. Il have just come from get
ting the milk for tomorrow at the
creamery. I put Medor's leash and
collar on and brought him with me-"
Reassured on this important point,
the old lady drank her coffee luxuri-
ously, while the dog looked from one
to the other with inexpressible tender
ness.
Surely it was unnecessary to see
and hear more. l had already pene-
trated the family life, peaceful, pure.
| narrow, and resigned which Muertrier
concealed behind his chimerical ex-
PLOTS. But the spectacle with which
chance had entertained me was SO
comic, and at the same time so touch
| AAesS LhdL L COulu hOL EG5l5L tue plSttSuIo
of enjoying it for a few minutes more
and this indiscretion was sufficient to
reveal to me the full truth.
This type Of the vulgar sport, who
| seemed to have escaped from a page
of Paul de Kock; this bruiser, this
tap-room despot performed simply
and courageously, in the modest sub
urban home, the sublime duties Of a
sister of charity. The longest voyages
Of this intrepid oarsman had been to
accompany his mother to mass and
vespers on Sunday. This expert bill
lizard player was skilled but in bezique
This tanner Of bulldogs was the slave of
a poodle.
The next morning when came to
the office 1 asked my comrade how he
had spent the evening. Straightway,
without the least hesitation, he i'm
provised a story of a fierce battle on
| the Boulevard des Enters at O'Clock
in the morning, in which, with his FIN
ger through the ring of his key, he had
knocked out at a single blow famous
bully Of the Barrieres.
1 listened with half-ironical smile,
and thought of taking him up; but
but remembering how admirable is a
virtue concealed, even if it be ridicu-
lous, I clapped him on the shoulder and
said with conviction:
'Muertrier, you are a hero!"
FRANCOIS COPPEE.