The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-04
THE PIGEONS MISSION.

EOR days the shipwrecked crew had
fn u been starving in an open boat at sea.
kfN and no hope of seeing land had daNned
for them. Among the passengers was an
orphan, Lila Brente. who had endeared her
self to every one by her winning ways. Her
net carrier pigeon had followed her into the
boat when they escaped from the wreck. but
one day it flew away, and she was incon-
solable.
1t returned however, after few days,
and just as they had sighted a ship coming
TO their relief.
Now comes the wonderful part of my
st0ry.
The man at the wheel was steering in an
entirely opposite direction from the one
which would have brought his vessel to the
relief II the shlpWrecked crew, when
white bird flew against his face and tiuttered
its wings in such a way that the astonished
sailor did not dare to open his eyes while the
assault continued. Tie captain witnessed
the singular occurrence, and being like all
sea-faring nen-superStiti0uS-h said:
:" 1t strikes me that there is a meaning in
this. We HiUS; change our course.
Owing TO this the course of the brig was
changed, and by means OF 1t many lives were
saved, as we have seen.
After this Lilla's pet pigeon was, as is rat
nral, considered most wonderful bird,
and WIS made the theme for talks for DAYS
after the rescue, while Lila herself lay pros
IEiltee upon d Dtu VI SlChutSS. lie TtaCllOu
from despair 10 hope had done what her
. distress had not leen able TO do. and it was
long before she was we'll enough to come
upon deck.
When she did she was but a shadow of
herself; but youth rallies quickly and she
soon was as merry and blooming as before.
The captain was quite an old man and bis
heart warmed toward Lila in fatherly
manner.
y have son at home" he said to her enc
Sub ri, Il fy,y ,ai-ra
like that, pointing to Lila's pet, which was,
as usual, perched upon her shoulder. He's
that fond of studying into the ways of dumb
creatures that he's good for nothing else.
Not hut he's made good thing of it, for he
is now professor of some department Of
college which deals in just such things. He
corresponds with learned men all over the
world, and I'm proud o him, if do say SO,
who shouldn't. He is greatly taken with
this kind of carrier pigeon, and cuitea 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
lie got home, and wing his way back, bring
ing my son a letter telling of his safe
him, or hadn't when | was home lust time.
he says most probably some accident hap
pened on his homirg trip"
How long ago was it?" asked Lila.
ut was about two years since
Il found my pigeon lying almost wounded
10 death just about that time" said Lila.
And he had note tied under his wing with
the OLDEST looking writing on it ever saw.
shouldn't wonder If it came from the East
Indies; | Will get the note and show YOU. |
saved it, meaning to be honorable and let
the pigeon take it to its proper owner when
. L could make up my mind to part with the
pretty creature" And Lila put her bright
lips 10 her pets white breast with q loving
gesture.
Don't do anything of the kind. You've
got an undOubted right TO the bird. That
. would be an excess of honesty"
Lila smiled at the captains views regard
ing her intended restoration.
Your advice agrees with my wishes, but
don't quite think 1t does with my con-
science" 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.
mat time soon arrived, aud Lila was
sCon domclled with her relatives, who had
almost given up all hope of welcoming her,
thinking that the ship Hilda must have
shared the late OF others which had been
given up for lost
One evening the captain called to see her 3.
accompanied by his learned son, who was
So shy and constrained III his manner that
Lila at first thought him very uninleresting
but Size found out her mistake before the
cal! as over, as he could talk German with
Htr Ike naive, and once warmed to his
subject lost the coldneSS 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 cid friend the captain had spoken of.
Inc professor was able 10 translate the
contents Of The billet, which was written in
one of the abstruse tongues which he had
mastered. l Will copy the translation,
which had been undoubtedly penned in a
spirit Of sportful romance by some Young
scholar in foreign university and fastened
10 homing pigeon. The writer little
thought how like prophecy the ensuing
events wuuid make 1t seem.
Go forth, white bird, to whose maiden soul
Is Ike thy cleaning rlumage-whIte!
Tell her that DER the biIows' thupdero roll
One waits her coming-her true knight!
1t has proved true prophecy Lila and
the professor are to be married in the spring.
Boston Globe.