Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-01-10

~.l-% 81. ~-f~ Hf.~-f(
HECTOR !
1870 t'
A Story In Which o Dog Plays the
Principal Part. 4
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

AluroHlacne, out Stlll Il real prince OF
his race and greatly beloved by one
small woman. A magnificent mastlff
Is Hector, as brave and bold, not to say
MS gallant and noble, as many hero
with two legs less. AS for dogs not be,
Ing able to think, any one who can en-
terrain such an idea deserves to live In
IA chill condition of doglessness" to the
end of his days. | will tell you about
Hector, and you may judge for your
self.
Having been suddenly thrown upon
my own resources, as so often befn1ls a
girl brought up In luxury In this swift
ly whirlng maelstrom of our American
life, | determined to cultivate the only
decided talent possessed that for
painting. Dresden was recommended
to me as n place both cheap to live In
and Offering unusual facilities for art
study. accordingly went there. With
out chaperon? Certainly. was to be
a person of affairs, and what was
business woman to do with so costly,
not to say inconvenient, an appendage
as a chaperon? All winter I studied
and copied in the gallery, and when
summer came l took the little steam
boat which runs up and down the Elbe,
bowling its smokestack so deferentlally
to all the bridges, and hunted up pic
turesque castles to sketch.
"Lieben-felsen" was the beautiful old
schloss fell specially In love with, so
finally persuaded an old couple who
few weeks. They had rather a nice lit
tie house and garden that sloped
down to the waters edge. There, under
the overhanglng trees, used to sit for
hours gazing up Mt the massive towers
just on the other side of the castle
wall. Now and then feeling of lonell-
ness swept over me, and my heart
yearned for some OF the pleasures Of
my joyous past.
One morning asked my landlady II
any OF the numerous German laws
would be infTlnged II l should go In
swimming. At first she declared l
would drown Immediately, but when
assured her that | had known how to
swim since II child she finally consent
ed, with protest rs to the general un
usualness of American behavior.
@ How refreshing 1t was What hap
plness 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 SELF
ed between the shoulders and myself
dragged vigorously out OF the water
upon the bank. | was thoroughly ter
rihed. but, fortunately, made no re-
sistance. As | looked up an enormous
head appeared, and n large pair OF eyes
gazed inqulrlngly Into mine.
l had always loved dogs but this
monstrOus disturber of my peace was
so formidable that | dared not move.
He, too, WINS mOtionless, and read OH
his collar the name Hector. At last
raised my hand very gently and patted
him on the neck, and, to my infinite
relief, | perceived slight vibration In
the tip end of his tail. Just as | was
wondering how far | dared presume
upon that friendly symptom he tapped
his rough tongue all over my face.
Then | sat up and laughed, and he
jumped and frolicked. as large as a
young lion, AZ gentle as kitten.
Presently tried to go back into the
water. but to this he forclbly objected,
and was obliged to submit When
returned to the house. he accompanied
me, TO the terror of my hostess. He
belongs up at the schloss," she explain
ed 1.-THE young graf Is always travel
ing, and almost all the servants are
afraid OF him"
poor felloww | thought. He has
been lonely too. That Is what we read
In each others eyes. After that Hec-
tor and were inseparable. He came
every day, and we explored all the sur.
country together. | am sure
he thought-yes, thought, just as much |
NJ you or ! can think that he saved |
my life and consequently ought to ap.
point himself my guardian. To me he |
seemed like a living link to the beautI- |
full old castle, n protector and faithful |
friend
One morning as we were returning |
from long walk | saw advancing that |
always novel sight to American eyes, a |
woman and IA dog harnessed together,
dragging a cart. In this instance the |
cart was full Of vegetables. 1t was EVIL |
IDENTIFY market frau taking produce to |
own. Now, Hector was true knight, |
loyal and gentle, but no pos.
sessed also that other characteristic Of |
broOked no intruders, |
md no sooner did one OF his kind ap-
pear than he challenged him to combat. |
knew this and trembled but hoped |
FOR the best.
Unluckily, however. that plebeian dog |
Iehant bark. which settled his fate. In.
stantly Hector gave one spring and, |
selling his bOastful adversary. shook |
MIN out Of his harness IN less time than |
I takes to tell Of II, ovcrturnIng the cart !
md scattering the vegetables In every
direction. was distressed beyond |
measure and called Hector IN the most |
tones could assume.
Then coaxed him. all Of which he en-.
iIrely ignored. Meanwhile the other |
1ne Of the span was by no means quiet. |
She was indeed perfectly furious.
She abused Hector, she abused me, she |
abused the aristOcracy, TO which she
seemed to think we both belonged, M
highway robbers and assassns! In my
desperation picked up stick to com.
pei Hector to obedience. but she mis.
took my motive and advanced upon me
IN rage. "Sllence" We turned quick.
~. Just out OF the wood came young
nan In uniform, evidently an officer I
The dogs stood still In an instant. and |
rushed forward and grasped Hectors
collar.
lie did not consent kindly to being
led of, but the other dog had been
pretty well classified by this time. Hec-
tor felt his knightly powers had been
July established, and he quieted down
IN deferentlal sort Of way, an II he
were only consenting to II on my nc
,ount. Then the market woman began