Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-04-26
LilIa'S White Pigeon.

Terrible, indeed. was the fate which
menaced the passengers and crew of
the wrecked ship Hilda.
Lila Brente, an orphan maiden.
with her widowed aunt. had taken pas
sage upon the Hlda, and her pretty
face and winning ways had won a
warm place for her in all hearts.
She had brought on board white
carrier pigeon, which had fluttered
helplessly down at her feet some time
before, manned by shot from an UNI
skilful sportsman. A billet had been
fastened under its wing. but its con-
tents were in tongue unfamiliar to
those who perused it, and it would
have been thrown carelesslv away had
it not been saved By Lila. She had
nursed the bird back to health. and, al
though eventually meaning to again
put the billet in its place under its PIN
ion and send it forth into the realms of
space, she had not yet schooled herself
into parting with it. An indulgent
relative had procured for Lila deli
cate chain of silver so that she could
fasten it about one slender leg, and
thus keep the bird partial prisoner.
j las courage and fort.tude had
been the one bright spot on board dur
ing the terrible hours of suspense which
followed the furry of the storm
which had wrecked the staunch
ship. No murmur came from
his lips, and she refused to take
more than just food enough to sus-
tain life, saving that those who had
the work of pumping and managing
the manned vessel needed it more than
an idler like herself.
The sight of her gave the sailors
courage. They felt that no craft
would go down with such freight on
board.
But weary days passed without sign
of succor; and. hungry and cold,
their courage sank ut last.
Lilla's cheeks were no longer like q
rose. They rivalled her name. But
her eyes seemed to grow brighter and
clearer with each passing day.
One morning. with only piece of
biscuit between each man and starva-
ton, Lila threw off the shyness which
had thus far kept her silent on the sub
jcct. and said. LET us all kneel down
and prav together. We can surely say
the Lords prayer. every one of us. ="
Then Lila knelt down, her white
dove upon her shoulder. and her
cheeks gaining little of their natural
color in the elevation of the moment.
She commenced with the first words
of that prayer-the most eloquent
and comprehensive one in the whole
world-and without one exception, the
other voices added their quota of
sound those who had forgotten it, or.
it NAV be, had never known it, follow
ing after. word by word.
1t was solemn and touching scene.
never to be forgotten by those who
were participants IN it.
After they had risen from their knees
again, a sudden CRY broke from Lila
lips. and looking towards her. to the
surprise of all. the cause was seen.
The pet pigeon had broken link of
its OBTAINING chain, and had iluttered
off into the blue sky which arched
above, in seeming sunny mockery of
the dcsolate state.
MY bird has deserted mel" was
Lilla's pathetic cry. And tears. which
suffering had failed to call to her eyes,
filed them now.
Don't cry. little one. You've kept
up SO far, and If you give way there's
not man of us but will blubber too.
Don't set us bad example now"
With brave effort Lila controlled
herself. But she could not put tho
sorrow of her bird out of her heart.
She kept thinking to herself. 'Now l
can never do my duty and send the
billet"
Strange, that at such time she
could bear ANYTHING IN mind but her
own suffering! But so it was, and it
added keener pang to tho loss OF her
pet
But marvellous to relate, when the
MONDAY sun was glazing down upon
the famished group, white speck APP
pcared in the sky. and coming nearer,
soon attracted attention. Then. in a
few seconds. it came Tutoring down,
with COO of content and lighted up
OH Iilla's shoulder.
10 seemed TO their wondering eyes
like sp rit
cit is good omenr' was whispered
around among them. God has has
not forgotten us!
And. inspired by this thought,
the sailors again turned their dim eyes
across The broad expanse Of waters. 10