Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-04-26
see If any sign of life should appear ip

see II any sign OF life should appear ID
sight.
Several hours went by, and thcn a
dim shadow appeared in the distance
1t grew larger and more distinct. and
Mt last proved TO be brig bearing
down towards them.
Oh. that tho man on .he look out
should see tho signal raised by the dis
tressed crew! The suspense was sick
ening. but at last. to certainty, they
were observed, for the brig paused and
lowered her boats. which, manned by
a competent crew were soon propelled
towards them. They were reached.
fter Il time. and taken on board.
Now comes the wonderful part OF
my story.
The man at the wheel was steering
in an ent RELY opposite direction from
the one which would have brought his
vessel to the relief of the shipwrecked
crew. when white bird flew against
his face. and fluttered its wings in such
n way that the astonished sailor did not
dare TO open his eyes while the assault
continued. The captain Witnessed
the singular occurrence. and baing.
like all sea-faring men. superstitous.
he said:
lit strikes me that there is a mean
ing in this We must change our
course
Owing to this the course of the brig
was changed. and by means of it many
lives were saved. rs we have seen.
After this. Lilla's pet pigeon was. as
is natural, considered most wonder
fu bird. and was made the theme of
talk for days after the rescue, while
Lila herself lay Frustrated upon bed
of sickness. The reaction from de-
spair to hope had done what her dis
trcss had not been able TO do, and it
was long before she was we'll enough
to come upon deck
When she did so she was but shad-
ow of herself; but youth rallies quick
". and she soon was as merry and
blooming as before.
The captain was quito an old man.
and his heart warmed towards Lila in
a fatherly manner.
II have II son ut home" he said 10
her one day, "who would give his eyes
for pigeon like that" pointing to
Lilla's pet, vii CHI was, us usual, perch
ed on her shoulder He's so fond of
STUDYING into the WAYS of dumb
creatures that he's good for nothing
| else. Not but he's made good thing
of it. for he il now teacher in some
department of II college which teaches
such things. He corresponds with
learned men all over the world. and |
am proud, if do say 1t, who shouldn't.
He is greatly taken up with Tn kind
of carrierpigeOn, and n while ago he
let an educated East Indian take home
one of his pet birds, with the under
standing laat he should let him loose
when he got home, and wing his way
back, bringing my son n letter tell ng
of his safe arrival. But Perry has never
heard from him, or hadn't when | was
at home last time. He says most prob
able some accident happened on his
homing trip"
How long ago was itP" asked
Lila.
alt was about two years since
al found my pigeon lying almos
wounded to death just about that time, "
said Milla. "And he had note tied
under his wing with the oldest looking
writing on il / ever saw. | shouldn't
wonder if it came from the East Indies;
will get the note and show YOU.
saved IT. meaning to lie honorable and
let the pigeon take TO is proper owner
when could make up my mind to part
with the pretty creature"
And Lila put her bright lips to her
pets white breast with loving gest-
ure.
Don't do anything of the kind.
You've got an undoubtod right to the
bird. That would be an excess of hon
estv."
Lila smiled at the captain views
regarding her intended restoration.
Your advice agrees with my wishes.
but | don't quite think it does with my
conscience" she said. But l will get
the billet"
1t proved to be as much of puzzle
to the captain as to Lila. So they had
to wait for its solution until land was
reached.
That time soon arrived. and Lila
was soon domiciled with her relatives.
who had almost given up all hope of
welcoming her. thinking that the ship
Hilda must have shared the fate of
others which had been given up for
lost
One evening the captain called to see
ner, accompanied by MS learned son,
who was so shy and conslra ned in his
manner that Lila at first thought him
very embarrassing; but she found out
her mistake before the call was over.
Once warmed to his subject, he lost
the GOODNESS which had at first seemed
to chill Lila.
The pet pigeon came in for his full
share of interest. although he did not
prove to be the old friend the captain
had spoken of.
The captains son was able to trans
late the contents of the billet. which
was written in one OF the tongues which
he had mastered. l will copy the trans
lalion, VIII CHI had been undoubtedly
penned in spirit of sportful romance,
by some young scholar in foreign
university. and fastened to homing
| pigeon. The writer little thought how
| ike II prophecy the ensuing events
would make it seem.
go forth, white bird, to one whose maiden
| soul
! is like thy cleaning plumage-white
| Tell her that DER the pillows thunderOus roll