, 1879-09-04
A Message Through the Air

footprints upon the cIouuS l"'V H''''o"
in the western sky.
Ny horse stood 1T the gate already
saddled, awaiting me, but | was deter
mined not to leave Uncle Tobys house
until | had carried my point, and being
his nephew, had enough of the same
old blood in my veins to make me as per
severing as he was obstinate,
"Uncle Toby, must have that bird
"Wa'al, neffy, ask me for anything
else in the house but that, and it is
yours"
u don't want anything else, Uncle
Toby, but that you must give me.
"Wa'al now, neffy, you know that ere
carrier pigeon took the first prize at the
county fair"
(Which fact will only make me prize
it more. Come, now, Uncle Toby be
generous" )"
"Wa'al, boy, the bird is yourn. You
always had your own way with old
Uncle Toby"
To saw that 1 was delighted would
but family express my feelings The
bird was beauty as may easily be i'm
agined, and as 1 bid Uncle Toby good
night, and mounted my pony, with the
cage in my hand containing the prize l
so dearly coveted, / rode home with my
heart light and brain filled to over
flowing with plans in which the birds
speed would be tested. Numerous val
liable prizes seemed already to be with
in my grasp as I reached home, and hav-
ing stabbed my horse, ascended 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 fam
lily having gone on Summer trip to the
mountains, leaving me in charge. My
room was on the second floor, overlook
ing the road, and thither l had taken
my bird, where, in my solitude, could
quietly admire its beautiful proportions.
Extinguishing my lamp, l sat by the
open window, contentedly smoking my
pipe and enjoying the cool breezes that
swept across the lawn laden with the
rich odors of the flowers, when my at
tention was attracted to some dark OBJ
jects that Appeared to be approaching by
the road that led past our house.
/ listened intently, and above the
whispers of the Summer breeze | thought
I could detect the hum of whispered con-
Yersation.
1t was no unusual occurrence for
tramps to pass our place at that hour,
and the circumstance caused only rip
pie of curiosity to arise in my bosom,
until l heard the latch of our gatelifted
and distinctly the tread of many feet fell
upon my ear.
I was SO surprised and startled at this
unexpected intrusion that was momen.
tarily dazed, and before I could decide
on q plan Of action, they. had assembled
the door steps, and knew from the
splinterings of wood that they had al
ready commenced operations to force
an entrance into the house.
By the light Of dark lantern, which
they carried, / discovered that they were
six in number, and all wore heavy black
masks, the more effectually to prevent
recognition in case Of discovery. Then
my voice came back to me and thinking
to make up for my youthful years in the
volume of my voice, I yelled out, in
laundering tones:
"Hello! What are you doing therel"
The dark lantern was closed like
fash; but yet could distinctly define
the dim outline of the robbers as they
stood like dark shadows in contrast with
the white balcony beyond. For moment
the stiffness Of death ensued, when re.
ceived reply, uttered in tones L shall
never forget, and with an emphasis that
clearly indicated purpose to carry out
what was threatened
81 say, youngster, just you take in
that head of your'n and keep that baby
mouth closed or I'll blow the Top of your
head OFF,
The sharp click Of pistol followed,
and you can rest assured that / needed
no second warning. What should dol
was at least half 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