Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-02-17
THE CARRIER PIGEON.
A LEGEND OF TIE RHINE.

III INC udyS vi Oil, hHOWH Ny lnc gen
eral term, the middle ages there dwelt at
Sonnenberg nobleman called the Baron
Won Altenfeldt, AS far as stature and
strength of limb went, he was fine spec.
linen of the ancient German nobility. At
the time Of my legend he was pacing the
decliyity OF years, nevertheless, he pos
sessed remarkable strength and activity
for a man Of his age The Baron was,
however, clear headed and successful in
his enterprises, because he was wary in
his calculations He had received sub
stantial proofs Of the favor of his SOW
ereign, and did not fail to exact from those
around him the respect due to his age,
wealth and station. lie had within his
castle OF Sonnenberg an inestimable
treasure--a priceless jewel; this was his
only daughter, Odella. Naughty and inn
perious as was hi" manner to most per.
sons around him, he was uniformly kind
and gentle when in her presence; indeed,
his rough voice was even tuneful when
addressing the bright creature who called
him father. But the love of the old man
had in it a certain amount of selfshness;
he was proud of his daughter and if he
disdained to look beyond himself for
honor, qualification and comfort, he found
so pleasing and influential portion of
that self in the beauteous Odella, that in
lavishing upon her the most unbounded
affection and even Difference he fell into
the common delusion, and never doubted
but he was enriching her with indulgences
he was in reality bestowing upon himself.
1t was not at all likely that he would see
his own error so long as the tide of life
carried along the interests of both in the
same channel. An obstacle, however,
shot into the stream, and thencetorth the
divided currents wrenched asuuder
The indulgent father all at once became
a fierce denoal ar-an exacting domestic
tyrant Al W baden there resided
family by the uliAe of Herberger. Every
member OF this house the imperious Baron
deemed his mortal enemy. An ancient
feud, which had been bequeathed from
sire to son, existed between the Alien.
feldts and the Herbergers. Unhappily for
my heroine, as years went on, it increased
rather than diminished. Odella fondly
hoped to heal up the breach between the
two houses. She had exchanged vows of
unfading constancy with FRANKIE Her
berger, scion of the race who was so de-
tested by her parent. The lovers held
secret meetings, and for long time the
Baron was in utter Ignorance of his
daughters fatal attachment. 1t would
have been less painful perhaps, to him if
he had heard the confession from her own
lips; Fate, however, had willed it other
wise.
There resided within the castle of Son
nenberg certain person named Gilbert,
who was kinsman TO the grim baron He
wasa bringing, iawningi paltry, mschiev.
Gus knave, who had ON very many occa-
slons pestered his cousin Odella with his
attentions He professed to be her friend,
and sought to be her conhdant and ad-
wiser. 1t happened most unfortunately
that the Baron's daughter believed in the
sincerity of Gilbert, albeit she had no
very high opinion Of his intellect. She
ultimately found out to her cost that he
was as crafty and cunning asa serpent.
Between the Baron and Gilbert there
was a sort of friendship, and this the lat.
ter thought the safest cover for his ma
chinations. He aspired to the hand of his
cousin, and made up his mind to remove
allimpediments that might stand in the
way of his obtaining his object When
matters were sufficiently ripe for his pur.
pose, he made the Baron acquainted with
the TACT OF the secret meetings between
Odella and FRANKIE Ierberger. The
Count OF Soanenberg was so astounded
at the intelligence that he at once boldly
declared il to be base SANDER, and, in
addition to this, he gave Gilbert so smart
q cuif on the side of the head as to send
him Keeling several PAGES.
lnsolent traducer !" exclaimed the
wrathtul Baron; dost thou dare to ma.
Ign my daughter with thy slanderous
tongue y
| have done will say no more" OBJ.
served Gilbert, rubbing the side of his
face. And from this hour | swear"
Peace interrupted his companion.
| do not care to hear your silly resolves
Peaee, say p
| am SILENT" returned the other, as.
suming, by look of humility, an appear.
ance of passive submission to the will of
his superior.