The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-19

A MESSAGE THROUGH THE AIR.

covered from the impressions made by
a glorious sunset, which even then left its
footprints upon the clouds that hovered
in the western sky.
My horse stood at the gate already
saddled, awaiting me, but was de-
termined not to leave Uncle Toby's
house until l had carried my point, and
being his nephew, | had enough of the
same old blood in my veins to make me
as persevering as he was obstinate.
"Uncle Toby, / must have that bird"
'Wa'al, netfy, ask me for anything
else in the house except that, and it is
YOURS"
81 don't want anything else, Uncle
Toby, but that you must give me-"
"Wa'als now, neffy, you know that ere
carrier-pigeon took the first prize at the
county fair"
(Which fact will only make me prize
it dearer. Come, now, Uncle Toby, be
generous"
"Wa'al, boy, the bird is your'n. You
always had your own way with old Uncle
Toby"
Tosay that | was delighted would but
family express my feelings The bird
was beauty, as may easily be imagined !;
and as bid old Uncle Toby good night
and mounted my pony, with the cage in
my hand containing the prize ! 50 dearly
coveted, | drove home with light
heart and brain filed to overhowing
with plans in which the birds speed
would be tested. Numerous valuable
prizes seemed already to be within my
grasp as | reached home. and having
stabbed nay horse, assembled to my dark
and lonely room.
was but sixteen years of age at the
time, and on the night in question | was
the sole and only occupant of my fathers
mansion; the other members of the fami-
ly had gone on summer trip to the
mountains, leaving me in charge. My
room was on the second floor overlooking
the road, and thither had taken my
bird, wherein my solitude I could quiet
ly admire its beautiful proportions.
Extinguishing my lamp, I sat by the
open window, contentedly smoking my
pipe and enjoying the cool breezes that
swept across the lawn laden with the rich
0d0r5 Of the flowers, when my attention
YVES attracted to some dark objects that
appeared obe approaching by the road
that led past our house.
/ listened intenty, and above the whis-
pers Of the summer breeze | thought
could detect the hum Of whispered con-
veTsation.
1t was no unusual occurrence for tramps
TO pass our place at that hour, aud tie
circumstance caused only ripple Of GU
rioslty to arise in my bosom, until heard
latch Of our gate lifted, and distinctly
the tread Of many feet fell upon my ear.
l was 50 surprised and startled at this
unexpected intrusion that ] was moment
'Tiiy dazcd, and before could decide on
plan of action they had ascended the
'iDoc-steps, and / knew, from the splinter
ne OF wood, that they had already COM
:icaced operations TO force an entrance
"u,o The house.
'y the light of dark lantern, which |
they carried, discovered that they were
>iX la number, and all wore heavy black !
masks, the more efectually to prevent
etpgnition in case of discovery. Then |
ny voice came back to rue and, thinking
% make up for my youthful years in the
volume of my voice, yelled out in thuu-
Gering tones:
"Hello! What are you doing thereY'
The dark lantern was closed like a
fash, but yet ! could define distinctly
the dim outline of the robbers as thev
stood like dark shadows in contrast with
the white balcony beyond. For a mo-
ment the stiffness of death ensued, when
| received q reply, uttered in tones shall
never forget, and with an emphasis that
Clearly indicated purpose to carry out
what was threatened:
81 say, yOungster, just take in that
head OF your'n and keep that baby mouth
closed or ri blow the top of your head
off,"
The sharp eli k of q pistol followed,
and you can rest assured that needed
no second warning. What should I do?
| was at least half d mile from the near
est neighbor, but the house was sur
rounded and escape was impossible. There
was certain death in the very attempt
itself.
The shotgun Ahl that was a good
idea. | would get the gun and defend
the mansion to the bitter end. The shot
gun / had left in the parlor SO as to have
it within reach during the long hours of
the day when tramps were as thick as
huckleberries, and had forgotten to
bring il upstairs that night My mind |
had been so much absorbed by my carrier
pigeon that had incau tiously overlooked
the making of my usual preparations for
,eif-defense.
| thought I would go down and get it,
and actually opened my bedroom door
for that purpose, when | heard a loud
crash below, which told me az plain as
words could utter it, that the hall door
had been successfully forced, and that the
robbers were then actually in the house
! retreated to the shelter of my little
room, locked and bolted the door, prey
to my worst apprehensions | remem-
bered the cruelty Of these masked men,
and l knew that if they did not murder
me outright they would, by binding and
gagging, 50 torture me as to make even
death itself desirable,
OF one thing was satisfied, that the