Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-20
LiIIa'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 Hida and her pretty
face and W ming ways had won
warm place for her N all hearts.
She had brought on board white
carrier pigeon. which had luttered
helplessly down at her fee, 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 carelesslY away had
it no been saved b. 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 ndulgent
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 II partial prisoner.
l. las courage and fort tuje had
been the one right spot on board dur
ing the terrible hours of suspense which
followed the furry OF the storm
VIII ch had wrecked the staunch
ship. No murmur came from
his lips, and she refused TO take
more than just food enough to sus-
tain fe. saving that those who had
the work of pumping and manag ne
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 90 down with such freight on
board.
But weary days passed W thout sign
of succor; and. hungry and cold,
their courage sank at last.
Lilla's cheeks were no longer like
rose They rivaled her name. But
her eyes seemed to grow brighter and
clearer with each passing day.
One morning. with only a piece of
BUSCH + between each man and starva-
ton, Lila threw off the shyness VIII ch
had thus far kept her silent on the sub
jet. and SAID, LET us all knecl down
and pray 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 gaming little of their natural
color in the elevation of the moment
She commenced with the first words
of that prayer-the most eloquent
md comprehensive one in the whole
world-and without one exception, the
other voices added their quota of
sound; those who had forgotten it, or.
Il 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 partic pants IN it.
After they had risen from their knees
again, sudden cry broke from Lilla's
lips and look ng towards her. to the
surprise Of all, the cause was seen.
The pet geon had broken a link of
It's OBTAINING chain, and had iluttered
of into the blue skv which arched
above. in seeming sunny mockery of
the desolate state.
INV bird has deserted me- was
Lilla's pathetic cry. And tears, which
suffering had failed to call to her eyes.
filled them now.
Don't cry. little one. You've kept
up so lar, aud If you give way there's
not man of us but will bluDber too
Don't set Us bad example now"
With "A 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 |
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 the loss of her
pet
But marvellous to relate, when the
MONDAY sun was glazing down upon
the famshed group, white speck APP
poared in the skv and coming nearer,
soon attracted attention. Then. i'm
few seconds. il came huttering down.
with coo Of content and lighted up
Oh Lillas shoulder.
1t seemed to their wondering eyes
like a sp rit
1T is a good omen" was whispered
around anon them. God has has
not forgotten MS!
And. inspired by this thought.
tho sailors again turned their dim eyes
across the broad expanse Of waters, to