The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-21
HECTOR
A Story In Which b Dog Plays the
Principal Part.

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Not that son Of Priam, the beloved of
Andromache, but still real prince of
his race and greatly beloved by one
small woman. A magnificent mastiff
is Hector, as brave and bold, not to say
as gallant and noble, as many a hero
with two legs less. AS for dogs not be-
ing able to think, any one who can en-
tertain such an idea deserves to live In
"a chill condition Of doglessness" to the
end Of his days. l will tell you about
Hector. and you may judge for your
self.
Having been suddenly thrown upon
my own resources. as SO often befalls a
ly whirling maelstrom of our American
life, I determined to cultivate the only
decided talent / possessed, that for
painting. Dresden was recommended
to me as place both cheap to live in
and Offering unusual facilities for art
study. accordingly went there. With
out chaperon? Certainly. 1 was to be
q person Of affairs, and what was q
business woman to do with 20 costly,
not to say inconvenient, an appendage
as a chaperon? All winter studied
and copied in the gallery, and when
summer came took the little Nteam-
boat which runs up and down the Nise,
bowling its smokestack 30 deferentially
to all the brioGes. and hunted up pic
turesque castles to sketch.
"Lieben-felsen" was the beautiful old
schloss fell specially In love with, 30
finally persuaded an old couple who
lived near 1t to take me to board for a
few weeks. They had rather a nice lit
, tie house and garden that sloped
down to the waters edge. There, under
the overhanging trees, used to sit for
hours gazing up at the massive towers
| Just ON the other side Of the castle
wall. Now and then a feeling of lonell-
ness swept over me, and my heart
yearned for some of the pleasures Of
my Joyous past.
One morning I asked my landlady II
| any Of the numerous German laws
| would be infringed II should 60 In
| swimming. At first abe declared
would drown Immediately, but when I
| assured her that had known how to
swim since a child she finally consent
| ed. with protest as to the general un
| usualness Of American behavior.
| How refreshing It was! What hap
piness to plunge fearlessly into the
cool, clear water! Not living soul
was to be seen, not sound to be
heard. Suddenly great splash star
tied me. ! felt my bathing dress seiz-
ed between the shoulders and myself
dragged vigorously out Of the water
upon the bank. was thoroughly ter
rifed. but, fortunately, made no re-
sistance. As l looked up an enormous
head appeared, and large pair Of eyes
gazed inquiringly into mine.
I had always loved dogs. but this
monstrous disturber Of my peace was
90 formidable that I dared not move
He. too, was motionless, and read on
his collar the name Hector. At last
raised my hand very gently and patted
him on the neck. and, to my infinite
relief, I perceived a slight vibration In
the tip end of his tail. Just az wal
wondering how far I dared presume
upon that friendly symptom he Tapped
his rough tongue all over my face
Then I sat up and laughed, and ht
jumped and frolicked, as large az 9
young lion. as gentle as a kitten.
Presently tried to 60 back into the
water. but to this he forcibly objected
and was obliged to submit. When
returned to the house. he accompanied
me. to the terror Of my hostess. n,
belongs up at the schloss," she explain
ed. "The young graf Is always travel
ing, and almost all the servants an
afraid of him."
"Poor fellowr I thought. He ha
been lonely too. That Is what we reat
In each others eyes. After that Hec
tor and were inseparable. He cam
every day, and we explored all the sur
. rounding country together. ! am sur
he thought-yes. thought. just as mucl
. | as you or I can think-that he save
, my life and consequently ought to az
point himself my guardian. To me b
seemed like living link to the beauti
, full old castle. a protector and faithfu
, friend. -
II One morning as we were returnin
, from long walk saw advancing tha
, always novel sight to American eyes.
woman and dog harnessed together
| dragging a cart. In this instance tn
cart was full of vegetables. 1t was ev
IDENTIFY a market frau taking produce
. | town. Now, Hector was true knigh
valiant, loyal and gentle, but he po!
= sessed also that other characteristic G
: knighthood-he brooked no Intruder
and no sooner did one of his kind al
pear than he challenged him to comba
/ knew this and trembled. but hope
for the best.
Unluckily, however, that pleheian do
= as he approached presumed to give
defiant bark, which settled his fate. II
stantly Hector gave one spring ant
selling his boastful adversary. Rhoo
him out of his harness In less time tina
It takes to tell Of It, overturning the ca
3 and scattering the vegetables in ever
direction. ! was distressed beyon
measure and called Hector in the mo-
commanding tones ! could assum
9 Then l coaxed him, all of which he e.
y tirely ignored. Meanwhile the Oth'
e one Of the span was by no means quie
u She was indeed perfectly furiou
y She abused Hector, she abused me, 81
C abused the aristocracy, to which 81
y seemed to think we both belonged, ,
y highway robbers and assassins! In n
desperation picked up stick to COZ
y pei Hector to obedience, but she mi
q took my motive and advanced upon q
p in a rage. "Silence" We turned quic
10 ly. last out Of the wood came your