Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29
STORY OF 4 DOG.
A Swiss Canine euias Philosopher and
Friend
By L. Halevy. Translateditsyji Julia De Kay.

that in all his fifteenSHsars' experience he
had never belated a passenger 1 found my
self stranded in small Swiss village with
three hours to get rid bf before could con-
tinue my journey. Ibswas a dismal, un-
promising-looking place. and l inquired of
some of the people standing about the sta
ton IL there were afya points of interest
in the neighborhood which could be visited
In the space of three, hours. With one
cord they answered. THE Caldron; go to
see the Caldron; it is we'll worth a visit
Where and what is the Caldron?'
ut Is half way up the mountain, but the
road is somewhat complicated You must
have a guide. Go to yonder little white
house with the green blinds. and you will
find the best guide in the country, and the
best fellow, too-Father Simon"
knocked at the door of the little white
house. 1t was opened by an old woman.
Does Father Simon live here?
HE does, butts it. to go to the Cal
dron?' s
Yes"
well. he is unable to go out today His
legs have given out and he cannot leave
his bed. However, that makes no differ
ence. have some one who will do just as
well as he-Nero."
IAN right: send Nero to me-"
But 1 must tell you that Nero is not
person"
Not perSon!
mo; he is our dog
1 What do you mean?"
He will guide you just as well as my
husband would. He Is accustomed to do it.
For years he has accompanied his master.
knows all the points of view, and can guide
perfectly alone by himself He often guides
parties of travellers. and they always COM
pliment us ON his cleverness. You need not
fear. He has quite as much intelligence
as you Or 1. All he needs is the gift of
speech. That is not necessary in this case,
as 1t would be were he showing a monu-
ment. where he would have to know dates
and relate anecdotes about 1t. Take Nero.
1t costs less. too. Only 30 cents for Nero.
and he will do as much for you as my hus-
band would for three dollars"
well, where is Nero"
Sleeping outside in the sun. He has al
ready taken party to the Caldron this
morning-Nero Nero!'
He came leapng through the open win
| dow, an ugly little black poodle. with long
curly, woolly hair. He certainly was not
handsome, but he had grave, decided. i'm
portant manner that was most impressive.
He looked at me with a searching, compre-
hensive glance that said:
you are a stranger, and you want to
see the Caldron?'
Not wishing to lose another train. ex-
planned that l had only three hours in
which to make the excursion. Eyes,
know said Mme Simon, you want to go
by the o'clock train. Nero will bring
you back in time. Now, Nero, be off! be
off! do you hear?" But Nero did not move;
he stood looking anxiously at his mistress.
"Ah, stupid that 1 am" she cried. II
had forgotten the sugar."
She handed me four Jumps that put in
to my pocket THAT was why he would
not start; it was the sugar. Now off with
you, old fellow. To tha Caldron! to the
Caldron! to the Caldron."k
She repeated this three times slowly and
distinctly, and as she didEso 1 watched the
effect on Nero. He answered the words of
his mistress by waggfng his tail; each time
more emphatfcally than the last, one
would say. "Of course / understand Do
you take me for an fHabecile? The gentle
man has the sugar and wants to see the
Caldron." He looked at me gravely. and
then trotted on before. j, following meekly.
AS we crossed the village the children
called out: "Hello, Nero; come here,
Nero" and tried to froNc. with him, but he
turned from them di1sfainfuly; he had no
time for play now, He was on duty and
wished honestly to earn his 80 cents
Let him alone; don't you see he is guild
ing gentleman to the -Caldron." and they
screamed with laughter 1 laughed too.
but somewhat grimly. I-felt embarrassed
and little Inundated. I. a man. was be-
ing led by dog. He was for the moment
my superior. He knewsKhere We were go
ing. I did not. I hurried from the vii
lage. anxious to find myself alone with
Nero and those beauties of nature that he
was to show me. He walked along the hot
and dusty high road at a pace I found
some difficulty in keeping up with. 1 tried
to curb his ardOr by calling to him, Good
Nero, not so fast. old fellow" etc, but he
took no notice, calmly pursuing his way,
even flying into a rage when l ventured to
sit down a moment to rest under a forlorn-
looking tree. He barked angrily and look
ed at me proachfully-evidently was do
ing something out of the usual routine
Finally his barking became so irritating
that 1 arose and resumed my walk Nero
at once Gained down and sprang gayly on
before
l had obeyed him and he was happy
few minutes later we entered a de-
lightful woodpath full Of flowers, shady and
sweet smelling, with murmuring brook
and bowerlike trees. Nero flew on ahead,
and disappeared up little bypath fol-
lowed breathlessly When 1 came up with
him L found him awaiting me with spar
king eyes and wagging tail, in a grassy
dell made cheerful by the singing of a
merry brook. There was rustic seat at
which he looked, and then at me. as if to
say: Yes. yes: this Is the place to rest;
how lovely 1t is; how cool. You were fool
enough to wish to rest on the dusty high
way. will allow you to sit down now as
long as you want to-
l sat down and lit cigar. I really felt
as If ought to offer one to Nero He
was quite capable of smoking. However, l
thought he would prefer a lump of sugar
He caught 1t cleverly as tossed it to him,
ate 1t eagerly, curled himself up at my
feet land was soon asleep. AS for me,
determined to trust implicitly to Nero, and
gave myself up to comfortable siesta
After ten minutes doze Nero got up.
looked about him. stretched himself and
said, in dog language, Come now, my
friend. we must be moving on" We plOd-
ded on together like old friends. taking it
easy under the trees, both enjoying the
cool quiet Of the place. Out on the high
way Nero had walked quickly. firmly,
steadily; he wished to get out of the dust
and heat. Now he strolled along, as If
merely for the pleasure of walking in one
Of the loveliest spots in the Vaud Canton.
The road became very steep and rocky. and
l had to pick my way with the greatest
care. Nero sprang from rock to rock but
always with watchful eye on me. Pres
emily l began to hear in the distance a
sound as of fiercely boiling water. Nero
barked loud and joyously
Courage; courage" he said. I'VE are al
most there-now you will see the Caldron."
The Caldron turned out to be a small in
significant stream of water, falling from an
insignificant height into a hollow rock-the
boiling sound produced by the echoes. 1t
was pretty sight, but would not have re-
paid me for such hard climb had 1 not
had Nero as guide-he being much more
interesting than thej celebrated Caldron
On either side of the stream were tiny cot
tages in which two pretty peasant girls
in their national COSTUME sold milk to the
weary traveller. One was blonde the other