The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-05-05


"Oh, do not look at your watch.
There is one thing you ought to know
which your watch will never show you.
That is, that the train is always fif-
teen minutes late. There has never
been a time when the train was not
fifteen minutes late"
But that day the train was exactly
on time and lost it. My driver was
furious. You ought to give warning"
be said to the station guard. you
ought to give warning if all at once
your trains take it upon themselves to
leave at the appointed time. Never
has anybody seen such a thing" And
he called as witnesses all the assist
ants. rs it not true that no one has
ever know such a thing? | do not
wish to appear at fault to this gentle
man. A train leave on time! Leave
on time Tell him that this Is the
first instance when such a thing has
happened"
"Oh, yes" they all cried in concert,
Ordinarily it is late. Certainly, sir,
ss the driver says, it is usually late"
Well, there was nothing for me but
to pass three long hours in this mel
ancholy village Of the canton Of Vaud,
flanked by two melancholy mountains
with two little caps Of snow on their
heads What was | to do with those
three hours? In my turn | asked
fa, nj
nous response.
go to see the Chaudron (meaning
kettle or caldron). There is nothing
like it anywhere"
"And where is the Chaudron?"
Upon the mountain at the right,
about halfway up the hill. The way,
however, is somewhat crooked, and the
gentleman would do well to take q
guide. Down there in the valley there
lives the best guide in the country,
fine man, Father Simon"
soon knocked at the door Of the
cottage An old woman opened it to
me. Father Simon? Yes; he is here.
But perhaps he is wanted to go to the
Chaudron? If so | regret to tell the
gentleman he cannot go up this morn
ing. He is not strong enough to walk
II 1t makes no difference to you can
furnish substitute There is Moi
raud"
"All right, l will take Noiraud"
But it is necessary l should tell
you, Noiraud is not a person"
mot a person?"
mo; it is our dog"
your dog?"
"Yes, Noiraud. He will conduct you
as we'll as my husband could do it. He
is accustomed to it,"
Accustomed to it?"
Certainly. For years and years my
husband has taken Noiraud with him
on every trip. Thus he has learned
every path and now he makes the
journey alone. He has frequently con-
Quoted travellers and we have always
had compliments for him. So far as
Intelligence is concerned, have no fear,
he knows as much as you or l. All he
lacks Is language. But for this trip
language is unnecessary. If it were to
show monuments where the guide must
recite names and dates, that would
be different. Here 1t is only the beau
ties Of nature. Take Noiraud. And it
will cost you less. 1t is three francs
for my husband, for Noiraud it is only
thirty sous You will see as much
for thirty sous as Father Simon could
show you for three francs"
Very well, where is Noiraud?'
! "He is sleeping in the sun in the
garden. He has already conducted an
English party to the Chaudron this
morning. Shall call hiu?'
Yes, call him"
"Noiraud, Noiraud!"
He came with bound through the
window. He was a small, urgly, black
dog with long, shaggy hair, not pre-
possessing, certainly in appearance,
but he had at the same time a certain
air of gravity, of decision, of import
ance. His first look was for me- Il
was complete, precise assured, and en-
veloped me rapidly from head to foot,
look which said clearly, This is a
traveller. He wants to see the Chau-
dron'
To have lost one train was enough
for me for one day. had not intend
ed to expose myself q second time to
a similar misadventure, so | explained
to Madam Simon that | had only three
hours in which TO go to the Chaudron.
ooh, l understand that very WE'LL"
she replied, you wish to take the
four o'clock train. Have no fear; Moi.
raud will bring you back in time. Go
on, Noiraud; go on, my boy, go on!"
But Noiraud did not appear at all
disposed to go on He sat immov-
able, regarding bis mistress with a
kind of dismay.
"Oh, how stupid ami" said the old
lady 81 forgot the sugar." She took
four pieces of sugar from a drawer
and gave them to me.
"You see why he did not wish to
start You did not have the sugar.
You see, Noiraud, the gentleman has