Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-20
see II any sign of life should appear in

at last proved TO be a brig bearing
down towards them.
Oh. that the man on the look out
should see the signal raised by the dis
tressed crew! The suspense was sick
| ening. but at last. To q certainty. they
were observed. for the brig paused and
| lowered her boats. which. manned by
competent crew. were soon propelled
| towards them. They were reached.
after "A time, and taken on board.
Now comes the wonderful part of
my story.
The man at the wheel was steering
| in an entirely opposite direction from
tho one which would have brought his
vessel TO the relief of the shipwrecked
crew. when white bird flew against
| his face. and fldttered its wings in such
way that the astonished sailor did not
dare TO open his eyes while the assault
continued. The captain witnessed
the singular occurrence. and being.
like all sea-faring men, superstitious.
he said:
at strikes me that there is 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. Lila's pet p geon was, as
is natural, considered most wonder
ful 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
SPAR to hope had done what her dis
tress had not been able to do. and il
] l...t. l.
TO come upon deck.
When she did so sho was but shad-
ow of herself; but youth rail- es gu ok
". and she soon was as merry and
blooming a before.
The captain was quite an old man.
and his heart warmed towards Lila in
fatherly manner.
Il have son at home" he said 10
her one day. "who would give his eyes
for pigeon like that. pointing to
Lilla's pet, VIII ch was. as 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 is now teacher in some
department Of college which teaches
such things. He corresponds with
learned men all over the world. and |
am proud. il do say 1t, who shouldn't.
! He is greatly taken up with tn kind
| of carrier pigeon. and n while ago he
| let an educated East Indian take home
one of his pet birds. with the under
standing that he should let him loose
when he got home. and wing his way
back, bringing my son letter tel NJ
of his safe arrival. But Perry has never
| heard from him, or hadn' when | was
at home last time. lie says most prob
able some accident happened on his
homing trip
How long ago was it?" asked
Lila.
at was about two years since
81 found my pigeon wing almos
wounded TO death Just about that time, "
said Mila. and he had note tied
under his wing with the oldest looking
writing on it | ever saw. | shouldn' I
wonder if IL came from the East Ind cs:
/ 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 10 part
with the pretty creature"
And Lila put her bright lips to her
pets white breast with a loving gest-
ure.
Don't do anything of the kind.
You've got an undoubtcd right TO the
bird. That would be an excess of hon
esty."
Lila smiled at the captains views
regarding her intended restoration.
Your advice agrees with my wishes.
but | don't quite think it does with my
conscience" she said. But | will get
the billet
II proved to be as much Of n puzzle
TO the capita II 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 gwen 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 10 see
her. accompanied by his learned son,
who was so shy and cOnStra ned in his
manner that Lila at first thought him
very undressing; 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 10 be the old friend the captain
had spoken Of
The captains son was able to trans
late the contents of tho billet. which
was written in one OF the tongues which
he had mastered. | will copy the trans
la!ion. VIII CHI had been undoub cdly
penncd in spirit of sportful romance
by some young scholar in a foreign
university, and fastened to a homing
pigeon. The writer little thought how
Ike prophecy the ensuing events
would make it seem.
"Go forth. white bird, to one whose maiden
soul
Is like thv cleaning plumage-whitcl
Tell her that DER the bllows' thunderous roll
One waits her coming her true knight"
1t has proved true prophecy. Lila
and Perry are to be married in the
spring.