Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-02-05
A MESSAGE THROUGH THE AIR.

1t was lovely night in the month
OF August that / sat on the porch o.
old Uncle Toby's house not yet en-.
tirely recovered from the Impressions
made by a glorious sunset, which
even then left it's footprints upon the
clouds 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 I 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, l must have that
bird"
"Wa'al, neffy, ask me for anything
else in the house except that, and 1t
is yours"
81 don't want anything else, Uucle
Toby, but you must give me that"
"Waal 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'sl, boy, the bird is your'n.
You always had your own way with
old Uncle Toby
To say that l was delighted would
but family express my feelings. The
bird was beauty, as may be easily
imagined, and as I bid old Uncle To.
by goodnight and mounted my pony,
with the cage in my hand containing
the prize SO dearly coveted, l rode
home with q light heart and my
brain filled to overlooking 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 my horse, assembled to my
dark and lonely room.
was but sixteen years of age at
the time, and on the night in cues.
ton l was the sole and only occup snt
Of my fathers mansion, the other
members of the family having gone
on a 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
where in my solitude l could quietly
admire its beautiful proportions.
Distinguishing my light l sat by
the open window contentedly smok.
ing my pipe and enjoying the cool
breezes that swept across the lawn,
laden with the rich odors OF the flow.
ers when my attention was attracted
by some dark object that seemed to
be approaching the house by the road
that led past our house. / listened
intently and above the whispers oil
the wind thought l could detect
the hum of whispered conversation.
II was no unusual occurrence for
tramps to pass our house at tina,
hour and the circumstance only
caused ripple of curiosity to arise
in my bosom until | heard the latch
of our gate lifted and distinctly the
tread OF many feet fell upon my ear.
| was so surprised and startled at
this unexpected intrusion that was
momentarily dazed and before
could decide on plan of action
they had assembled the door step and
| knew from the splntering of wood
that they had already commenced
operations to force an entrance into
the house.
BY the light of dark lantern III at
they carried | discovered that they
were six in number and all wore
heavy black masks the more effectu
ally to prevent recognition in case OF
discovery. Then my voice came
back to me, and thinking to make up
for my youthful years by the volume
of my voice, yelled out in thunder.
ing tones:
'Helloa . what are you doing
there?'
The dark lantern was closed like
a flash, but yet could distinctly de.
fine the dim outline OF the robbers as
they stood like dark shadows in con.
trast with the white balcony beyond.
For moment the stiffness of death
ensued when / received a reply ut
tered in tones | shall never forget,
and with an emphasis that clearly
showed purpose to carry out what
l uQa fhraafapa1