The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-12-27


crept softly out into the hall, and
leaning over the railing, looked
down: Oh, beavensl what did /
see?
Four strong men, wearing black
masks, and armed with revolvers,
dragging along my dear old fatherl
"You villainsl" l heard poor, dear
papa say. 81 shall never, never do
i'll"
"You won't see the sun rise again,
thenl" said one of the men, with an
oath.
I'D rather die than have you sue.
coed in your nefarious planl" was
papa's reply.
THAT'S game, boss" said another
rough voice, "But wait till we get
there. We've got the cashier in our
clutches, and when he caves In you
will, too"
Gag him, boys, before we put hinA
in the wagon!" ordered the leader.
Papa's struggles were of no avail,
and gagged and bound, he was CARR
ed out of the house, and soon l heard
wheels rolling away.
Two of the Burglars stayed behind
to ransack the house, l supposed
Hearing their voices, l turned and
fled into my room, locking the door
behind me.
"Oh, what could l do2 At that
moment l realized how weak u wo.
man isl oh, if there were only some
way whereby might save my faith
er from death Or infamyl
Crouching upon the floor, l wrung
my hands in agony ofspirit, striving
TO think OF some plan.
Footsteps were heard coming up
the stairs. held my breath in sus
pense. Would the rutlians try the
door, and finding it locked; force it
open? No, they passed on.
Just then a little rustic in one cor
ner of my room made my heart beat
with renewed terror; but relief came
instantly, when l perceived that the
noise was made by my little pet, the
carrier-pigeon.
! knelt down beside its cage, sob.
bling softly.
ooh, you poor, little thingw l
whispered. Helpless and tiny as
you are, you are safer than l ami"
Suddenly, like divine revelation
there came a thought:
Could not Bijou, the pigeon, carry
a message to Larry? Larry had said
that the little creature could do such
a thing. Why not try him?
With trembling fingers, l seized
pencil and paper, and wrote the fol,
lowing words:
Larry! Larryl for Gods sake go to
the bank. Take plenty of men with
you. Burglars have carried papa
there to compel him to open the safe.
Hurry Your MEG.
up. 81 send this by Bijou."
This put in an envelope and tied
the letter around the birds neck
The little creature did not seem the
least bit frightened, but looked in.
diligently AT me with its bright,
gentle eyes. AS quietly as possible,
| opened the window and set the
bird on the sill.
For minute it stood there turn
ing its pretty head irresolutely; then
spreading its wings, it slowly rose
and soared away, oh, heaven be
thanked! in the direction of Elm.
wood.
Just then there was violent rack
ct at the door, succession of kicks,
which soon splintered the panels.
An instant later, as ! stood there
paralyzed by terror, the two burglars
burst into the room.
Course i'll" cried one, chat chloro.
form didn't fix her, after all"
blind and gag her like we did the
old lady; then she'll be SAFE" said the
other.
81
When my senses came to me, l
found myself lying on the couch in
the sitting room down stairs.
1t was bright daylight, and the
soft summer wind, laden with the
breath Of flowers, was stealing in at
the open window. Larry's face,
kind, loving anxious, was bending
o,,ar mn Tban ha,,J dam ia n.