Judge, 1915-03-27 · page 11 of 24
Judge — March 27, 1915 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a sentimental domestic comedy story, not political satire. It centers on Pedro, a pampered dog belonging to Miss Matilda Hendray, a wealthy 35-year-old spinster. The plot involves a conflict: Miss Hendray is engaged (secretly) to Henri Adelbert de Boncourt, a French count who dislikes Pedro. She's forced to choose between her fiancé and her beloved dog. The servants—butler Oswald and chauffeur Maximilian—arrange to take Pedro out in the car while the count visits. The satire here targets old money and European nobility: Henri Adelbert's appeal relies partly on his title and alleged wealth, suggesting the foolishness of spinsters attracted to foreign aristocrats. The dog's anthropomorphization (understanding human conversation) adds gentle comedy. The story's title—"A Very Narrow Escape"—suggests the outcome remains to be seen, likely in following pages.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
R oO WALDRON M AFRAID I'm an unlucky dog!"" Th s the thought of Pedro, clad in a sweater of fine fabric, as Oswald, butler to his mistre Miss Matilda Hendray, was preparing to still further guard him against chill with a volu- minous blanket. Pedro sat upright, the sole passenger in a mag- nificent car. Most dogs in this environment would consider themselves in luck. Of late Pedro’s mistress had caressed him almost surreptitiously and with a suggestion of tears. Miss Hendray, spinster, aged thirty-five, practically alone in the world, good to look at and in luxurious circumstances, had for a time been in a dilemma. Should she neglect—perhaps abandon—Pedro, or cancel her en- gagement to the only man who had inspired her with love? Her fiancé—their engagement was yet a secret—was Henri Adelbert de Boncourt. Henri Adelbert was not only count. He had money—or said he had money—and this was part of a com- bination that would appeal to the imagination of almost any spin- ster in a land where nobility by patent is but a transient visitor. Henri Adelbert had disliked Pedro as soon as he had made sure of Miss Hendray. Pedro for a period had been excluded at certain hours from Miss Hendray’s boudoir, though it almost broke his mistress’s heart. She couldn't, however, risk losing Henri Adelbert. This morning Pedro had sneaked in, hungry for caresses, as Irene, the maid, was dressing his mistress. Irene was more than maid. She was a confidante. “Ah, Pedro, my darling! Come here!’’ Miss Hendray had cried, taking him in her arms with a guilty conscience. And then to Irene, ‘‘ What shall I do? I simply can’t let Pedro mope in the house this beautiful day, and I can't ride with him! The count is coming."’ Pedro whined. Little did Miss Hendray or Irene think that he could comprehend everything they were saying. ‘Why not send Pedro out alone?’’ suggested Irene. “‘Alone!"’ gasped Miss Hendray. “I don’t exactly mean alone, ma'am. Why not let Oswald wrap him up well, and Maximilian can drive him in the Park until the count has made his call.’" Pedro whined again. He mistrusted both Oswald and Maxi- milian. “Oh, lovely! Yes. Why not?’’ Oswald and rang to the garage for Maximilian. And Miss Hendray called Oswald pinched -comicbooks.com