Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-05-12
SAVED By A PIGEON.

IL y
saw-a wee carrier-pigeou with pure
white breast, its wings u soft pearl-gray,
and its arching neck cleaning with rides
cent hues.
A boy had brought it over from Elm
wood this morning in a dainty willow
basket, lined with pink cottonwood, and
it's handle adorned with bows Of pink rib
bon.
"From Larry, of courser' cried Aunt
Judith. as / entered the breakfast room.
81 don't believe earth ever produced so
gallant lover!' she continued in her
teasing way. 81 believe he sends you
present every day. Yesterday 1t was a
beautiful bouquet Of flowers, the day be-
fore that-well let me sse-he came him.
self?" And what have you now, pray,
a turtle-dove?"
ono; a carrier-pigeon, and Larry says
it's trained one, too," | replied, refer
ring to the letter, dainty billet which
had accompanied the gift.
"Aha. Now we shall have tender mis-
sives flying over our heads, | presume
Away with prosaic postage stamps, and
all that"
"I wish Larry had sent her big bulldog
instead OF the Bird" said papa, as he help
cd himself to the toast.
"Why, papa" gasped. Glow unpo-
eticalw ~
every useful, my dear. Especially just
now when there are so many burglars
about
81 hear Mr.. Sevre's house has been rob-
bed, and Golden's jewelry store, too, said
Aunt Judith. Goodness me, hope they
won't come here! We'ro in such lonely,
out-of-the-way place, too Thomas"
turning to my father, "don'r you think
that you had better take the spare silver
and the family diamonds to more secure
placer"
"I'ya been thinking about that very
thing" said papa. 1--WE shan t need them
till Meg here, turning to me with a
smile, "becomes Mrs. Lawrence Carroll.
So might as well take them down to the
bank and lock them up in the safe"
"But what if they break in the bank?"
ask.
Papa laughed dersively. lie was al
ways boasting OF the safety ofthe bank.
"They couldn't open the safe unless the
cashier and l 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 papa! How little he thought-but
there, that's just like me, always getting
ahead of my story.
Larry didn't speEd that evening with
me, and SO went to bed quite carly. 1
soon fell asleep, but somehow didn't rest
very well, and was glad when 1 awoke,
for was dreaming that Larry and | had
an awful quarrel.
But the sick, wretchsd feeling didn't
pass away with my awakening. had a
smothered, suffocated feeling that made
me actually gasp for breath. Thinking
that the bedclothes were lying across my
face, reached up my hand 10 draw them
away, and found there instead handker-
chief saturated with 4 subtle overpower-
ing scent.
Chloroform, Yes, that was it. But
Whist did it mean! Shivering with name
less terror, but with my senses all aroused,
1 sprang from the bed aud went to the
door.
1t was slightly ajar, and through the
opening light shone family. crept
softly cut into the hall, and leaning over
the railing looked down. Oh, heavens
what did see?
Four strong men, wearing black masks
and armed with rsvolvers, dragging along
my dear old father
''You villains What is the use Of this:"
l heard poor, dear papa say. 81 shall
never, never do it,"
'sYou won't see the sun rise again,
then :" said one Of the men, with an oath.
"I'd rather die than have you succeed
in your 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 him, boys, before yod 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 heard wheels roll
ing away. s.-I,
Two OF the burglars stayed behind to