Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-21
A Military Dog.

The old soldier opened the door suddenly.
and the little band. of urchins scattered
like flock Of frightened birds; only I
remained alone.
The old soldier looked at me with aston
ishment.
'What IL it that you WISH Fritzel?'
asked he, walking back to the fireplace as
he spoke, and taking up live coal from
the hearth. with which to light his pipe.
Catching sight, as he turned about again,
Of the dog Scipio, he looked at him gravely
and attentively. shooting forth as he did
so a great cloud Of smoke.
I had gathered up my courage and fol-
lowed him into the house. Father Schmitt -
you to loan them your sled to coast down
the Altenberg."
The old soldier stood looking down at the
dog, he winked his eye at him. then smiled
and lifting his hat from his head he asked
me: docs that dog belong to you, Fritzel?'
Father Schmitt, taking his pipe from be-
longs to the woman who lives with u.s."
'Ah, good" said the old soldier, that
should be a soldiers dog, he should know
the drill
Scipio looked at US with his nose In the
air, and his ears cooked intelligently.
Father Schmitt taking his pipe from be-
tween his lips, said: THAT is certainly a
dog who has belonged to some regiment
he looks very much like old Michael, who
was with us in Silesia." Then raising his
voice so powerful that the whole house
resounded. What was my surprise to see
Scfpio sit up on his tail, his paws hanging
down In front of him and holding himself
like veritable soldier.
"Ha, ha!' laughed old Schmftt did I
not say SO? I knew it WELL"
All my playmates had by this time re-
turned. Some looked in the half-open door.
the others crowded the window. Scipio
never moved a muscle and Father Schmitt
as joyous as he had been grave before, cried
to him:
Attention to the order of march" Then
initiating the roll Of drum, and marching
manded:
Attention! March! Plan-plan rattan plan!
Observation-Disclosures 90
And scipio marched with an air wonder
fully grave and important. his long ears
lying back on his shoulders and his tail
sticking out like a trumpet
1t was marvellous! My heart leaped in
my breast. All the others were staring in
speeches. admiration.
'Halt!' cried Schrnitt. and Scipio stopped
short. By this time I,-thought no more Of
the sled. I was so proud of Scipio's talents
that longed to rush Home shouting to my
uncle: saf -
Frantz, sepel. Hans. Alden and the Others.
encouraged by the evident good humor of
the old soldier. pushed into the house and
were gazing entranced; their backs against
the door. their hats under their arms
'Stand at easew befaedo Father Schmitt,
and Scipio droppedf down lightly on his
four feet shaking his head and scratching
his neck with one hind paw, as II to say:
For two minutes flea has been biting
me. but there! one cannot scratch when I'M
der arms!"
had been dumb with Joy at beholding
all these things, but then 7 dared not cali
NJ nj yfr,cy I'm och fi, al
so spelling all. However, he came now of
his own accord. and placed himself beside
me very modestly, which filled the measure
Of my satisfaction. I considered myself in
way as field marshal at the head Of his
armies: all the boys envied me. Father
Schmftt looked at Scipio with a softened air
One could see that the dog recalled to him
the good old times with his beloved regi-
ment
yes" he said reflectively. at the end Of
few moments, during which no one spoke.
THAT Is Indeed veritable soldiers dog,
but wait a bit till we see il he knows pol
tiles. for very few dogs know anything Of
politics"
While speaking he took a stick from the
corner. and holding It out in front Of him.
cried: -
Attention to the word Of command"
Scipio Immediately became perfectly rigid
Leap for the republic!' cried the old
soldier, and Scfpio vaulted over the stick
like deer.
Leap for General Hoche!" scipio again
leaped lightly over the stick.
Leap for the King of Prussia but now
to our surprise Scipio sat still on his tail
with most decided air. and the old gen.
tleman laughed aloud. saying: -
Yes, yes. he knows his politics. Go along
then. good dog
And he patted him on the head. Scipio
seemed well content.
''Fritzel,' said Father schmitt. "you have
a dog worth his weight in gold. He is a
true soldiers dog" Then looking at us all
in a friendly way he added: Since you
have SO good dog, I am going to lend you
my sled, but you must return 1t at O'Clock.
and take care you don't break your necks."
Translated by Jean Mead