Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-12-23
aroused, I sprang from the bed and
went to the door. $780,

1t was slightly ajar, and through the
opening light shone family. crept
softly out into the hall, and leaning
over the railing, looked down. Oh,
heavens! what did see?
Four strong men, wearing black
marks, and armed with revolvers,
dragging along my dear old father!
"You villains! What is the use of
this?" Iheard poor, dear papa say. 81
shall never, never do itp'
"You won't see the sun rise again,
then!' said one of the men, with an
oath.
"I'd rathei die than have you sue
ceed in yonr nefarious plan!' 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 hims boys, before we put him
in the wagon ordered the leader.
Papa's struggles were of no avail,
and gagged and bound, he was carried
out Of the. house, and soon 1 heard
wheels rolling away.
Two fthe burglars stayed behind to
ransack the house, supposed. Hear
ing their voices, turned and fled into
my room, locking the door behind me.
Oh, what could do ? AT that mo-
ment realized how weak woman isl
Oh, if there were only some way
whereby I might save my father from
death OF infamy!
Crouching upon the floor, l wrung
my hands in agony of spirit, striving
to think of some plan.
Footsteps were heard coming up the
stairs. / held my breath in suspense.
Would the ruffians try the door, and
finding it locked, force it open? No,
the passed on.
just then little rustic in one corner
of my room made my heart beat with
renewed terror; but relief came in
stantly, when I perceived that the
noise was made by my little pet, the
carrier-pigeon.
| / knelt down beside its cage, sob
bing softly.
"Oh, you poor, little thingw 1 whis-
pered. Helpless and tiny as you are,
you are safer than am!''
Suddenly, like divine revelation,
there came thought:
Could not Bijou, the pigeon, carry a
message to Larry? Larry had said
that the little creature could do such d
thing. Why not try him?
With trembling fingers, seized pen
Gil and paper, and wrote the following
words:
LARRY! Larry! 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
"P. ST. send this by Bijou."
This put in an envelope, and tied
the latter around the birds neck. The
little creature did not seem the least
bit frightened, but looked intelligently
at me with its bright, gentle eyes. AS
quietly as possible, opened the win
dow and set the bird on the sill.
For a minute it stood there, turning
its pretty head irresolutely; then
spreading it's wings, it slowly rose and
scared away, oh, heaven be thanked! in
the direction of Elmwood.
Just then there was violent racket
at the door, a succession of kicks,
which soon splintered the panels.
An instant later, as l stood there
paralyzed by terror, the two burglars
burst into the room.
course it!'' cried one, "that chloro-
form didn't fix her, after ALL"
"Bind and gag her like we did the
old lady; then she'll be safe,' said the
other.
II y x y
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. Larrys face, kind, loving
anxious, was bending over me. Then
1 heard dear old Doctor Rogers kindly
voice say, Drink this, little girl, and
and you'll feel BETTER" pressing tum-
bier to my lips.
"Where's papa?' 1 murmured,
family.
"Your fathers all right, darling
said Larry.
"And did Bijou come to you? Oh, l