The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-03-17
The Carrier Pigeon.
A Legend OF the Rhine.

at Svnnerberg nObleman called the
Baron Won Altenfeldt. AS far as stature
and strength of limb went, he was fine
specimen OF the ancient German nobility.
At the time of my legend he was pacing
the decliyity of years, nevertheless he
possessed remarkable strength and activ-
ity for man of his age. The baron
was, however, clear headed and success
full in his enterprises, because he was
wary In his calculations. He had receiv
ed substantial proofs of the favor of his
sovereign, and did not fail to exact from
those around him the respect due to his
age, wealth and station.-He had within
MS castle of Sonnerberg an inestimable
treasure--a priceless jewel-this was his
imperious as was his 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 call
ed him father But the love of the old
baron had In il a certain amount of sell
tishness he was proud Of his daughter,
and ii he disdained to look beyond HIM
sell for honor, qualification and comfort,
he found so pleasing and SO influential u
portion of that self in the beauteous Odel
la, that in lavishing upon her the most
unbounded affection and even Difference,
he fell into the common delusion, and
never doubted but he was enrichlng her
with indnlgences that he was in reality
bestowing upon himself. It 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 thenceforth the divided cur.
rents wrenched asuuder.
The indulgent father at once became a
fierce denouncer-an exacting domestic
tyrant. At Wiesbaden there resided a
family by the meme Of Herberger. Every
member of this house the imperious bar
on deemed his mortal enemy. An an
cient feud, which had been bequeathed
from sire to son, existed between the AL
tenteldts and the Herbergers. Unhappily
for my heroine, as years went on it in
creased rather than diminished. Odella
tondly hoped to heal un the breach be
tween the two houses. She had exchang-
ed vows of unfading constancy with
Frauke Herberger, scion of the race
who was so detested by her parent
The lovers held secret meetings, and tor
long time the Baron was in utter igno
rance 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 otherwise
Odella, for the first time in her life,
was thwarted by her father in the mat
ter on which the happiness of her life
depended She was peremptorily ordered
to think no more of FRANKIE Herberger at
time when she could think of but little
else. She had some consolation in the
wretched position in which she found
herself. On several occasions she mana
ged to have one of her carrier pigeons,
together with a note, conveyed secretly
to her lover, who each time returned her
an answer, written on thin tissue paper,
which he adroitly bound round one of
the birds legs, Franks Herberger bid
her not give way to despair, as, sooner or
later he would find the means of propi-
tiating the angry Baron, whom he declar-
ed would eventually relent. Odella knew
too much of her fathers indcmnitable
will, and his deep set hatred, to ever
dream of altering his re-
solve. Days and weeks pass
ed over in sad and wearisome monotony
with the Baron's daughter, who vainly
strove to catch one faint ray of hope
through the clouds that lowered over
her head.
During this time Gilbert was not idle.
Well used to dissimulate, he pretended
to sympathise with his cousin, while he
was doing all in his power to widen the
breach between the father and young
Herberger The following briefdialogue
between the dependent and his superior
will prove how assiduously the former
poured the poison in the ears of Baron
Won Aitenfeldt
tell you, sir" observed Gilbert, in
low, mysterious tone, "that despite
your watchful guardianship, she contin-
ues to receive letters from Wiesbaden; by
whom these are penned, you may readily
guess"
u :" Is she so utterly lost to sense of her
own duty?" calculated his ompanion.-
But no, it cannot be. 1t is impossi-
ble."
81 am 10th to pain you, which, certes,
shall if I speak the truth, which for
many reasons, it were best to conceal
"Say what thou knowest without more
ado" said the Baron, with an impatient
stamp of the foot
Since you desire it, must perforce
obey. The carrier pigeons your daugh-
ter's pets, are adroitly used as medium
of communication between the lovers"
"Ill have them destroyed !" thunder
ed forth the Baron Won Altenfeldt, in a
paroxysm of rage "They shall be des-
troyed at once"
Be patient while watch and wait.
Assure yourself that this is the case,
and do not rests content with my bare