Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-02-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
Saved by a Pigeon.

Saved by a Pigeon.
1t was the sweetest little thing you
ever saw wee carrier-pigeon, with
pure white breast, its wings a soft
pearl-sgray, and its arching neck
cleaning with iridescent hues.
A boy had brought it over from
Elmwood that morning in a dainty
willow basket, lined with pink cotton
wood, and its handle adorned with
bows of pink ribbon.
"From Larry, of course?'' cried
Aunt Judith, as entered the break
fast-room- ''I don't believe earth
ever produced so gallant a lover!''
she continued in her teasing way. al
believe he sends you present every
day. Yesterday it was a beautiful
boquet of flowers, the day before a
box of bon-bons, and the day before
that-well let me see-he come him
self And what have you now, pray,
turtle-dove?''
'tNo; a carrier-pigeon, and Larry
says it is trained one, too,'' 1 re-
piled, referring to the letter, a dainty
billet which had accompanied the
gift.
. s.Aha, Now we shall have tender
missives flying over our heads, pre-
sumo! Away with prosatc postage
stamps, and all that!''
az wish Larry had sent her n big
bulldog instead of the Bird" said
papa, as he helped himself to the
toast.
"why, papa.'' gasped. ''How
unpoeticali''
VERY useful, my dear. Especial
" just now when there are SO many
burglars about
"I heard Mr.. .Sayre's house has
been robbed, and Golden's jewelry
store, too,'' said Aunt Judith.
Goodness me, hope they won't
come herel We're in such lonely,
out-of-the-way place, tool don't you
think that you had better take the
spare silver and the family diamonds
to a more secure placer
"I've been thinking about that very
thing" said papa. 1--WE shan't need
them till Meg here,'', turning to me,
with smile, ssbecomes Mrs. Law
renee Carroll. So I might as well
take them down to the bank and lock
them up in the Safe
'.But what if they break in the
bank?'' 1 asked.
Papa laughed derisively. He was
always boasting of the safety of the
bank.
'SThey couldn't open the safe un-
less the cashier and were both there.
It's one of the best combination locks
made I'm positive that anything
put in that safe is perfectly secure. "
Poor papai How little he
thought But there, that's just like
me, always getting ahead of my
storyl
Larry didn't spend that evening
with me, and so went to bed quite
early soon fell to sleep, but some
how / didn't rest very well, and was
glad when awoke, for L was dream
ing that Larry and L had an awful
quarrel.
But the sick, wretched feeling
didn't pass away with my awaking.
l had a smothered, suffocated feeling
that made me actually gasp for
breath. Thinking that the bead
clothes were lying across my face, /
reached up my hand to draw them
away, and found there, instead. a
handkerchief saturated with a subtle,
oyerpowering scent.
Chloroformi Yes, that was it. But
what did it mean? Shivering with a
nameless terror, but with my senses
all aroused, 1 sprang from the bed
and went to the door.
1t was slightly ajar, and through
the opening a light shown family.
L crept softly out into the hall, and
leaning over the railing, looked down.
Oh, heayensI what did see?
Four strong men, wearing black
masks, and armed with revolvers,
dragging along my dear old father
''You villiansi What is the use of
this2" 1 heard poor, dear papa say.
stI- shall never, never do iti''
'.You won't see the sun rise again,
then1'' said one of the men, with an
oath.
ard rather die than have you sue
ceed in your nefarious plant" was
papa's reply.
tsThat's game, boss" said anothe,
trough voice. sERut wait iii We sna,