The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-02-03
By Z. T. TAGGARD.

+ = = -
:. nos lovely night in the month
.ugust that sat on the porch OF
I. 1-rcle Toby's house. not yet entire
: recovered from the Impressions
' s.as by a glorious sunset which even
Ssu Loft its prints upon the clouds
hat lowered in the western SKY.
~ horse stood at the gate already
.ailed awaiting me, but was de-
mined not TO leave Uncle Toby's
.ou.e until | had carried my point,
~ being his nephew, | had enough
- tho same old blood in my veins TO
make me as persevering as he was oo-
einate.
@Irncle Toby, must have that bird
wal, neffy, ask me for anything
Jse in the house except that, and II is
rours."
g, don't want anything else, Uncle
roby but that you must give me.
wal, no, neffy, you know that ere
srier pigeon took the first prize at
he county fair"
which fact will only make me prize
dearer, Come, now, Uncle Toby, be
generous"
WAL, boy, the bird is yOurn. You
lvays had your own way with Uncle
toby"
To say that | was delighted would
nt family express my feelings. The
drd was beauty, as may easily be
imagined, and as bid old Uncle Toby
goodnight and mounted my pony, with
he cage in my hand containing the
,rize l so dearly coveted, l drove home
With a light heart and a brain filed
o overAowing with plans in which the
birds speed would be tested. Numer-
Jus valuable prizes seemed already TO
10 within my grasp as reached home,
md, having stabbed my horse, ascend
ID to my dark and lonely room.
I was but sixteen years of age at the
line, and on the night in question
vas the only occupant Of my fathers
mansion, the other members of the
family having gone on a summer trip
to the mountains, leaving me in
:harge. My room was on the second
ioor, overlooking the road, and thith-
r | had taken my bird, where in my
solitude could quietly admire its
beautiful proportions.
Extinguishing my lamp, sat by
he open window, contentedly smoking
ny pipe and enjoying the cool breezes
mat swept across the lawn laden with
ne rich odors Of the flowers, when my
attention was attracted to some dark
objects that appeared to be approach
ne BY the road that led past our
aouse.
! listened intently and above the
whispers Of the summer breeze
sought could detect the hum of |
whispered conversation.
i was no unusual occurrence for
ramps to pass our place at that hour,
mo the circumstance caused only a
1pple OF curiosity to arise in nv bos-
~ until ! heard a latch of our gate
uled, and distinctly the tread Of many
set Tell upon my ear.
was 50 surprised and startled at
~ unexpected intrusion that | was
l0mentarily dazed, and before / could
zoe on q plan OF action, they had
'cended the door steps, and | knew
om me splintering Of wood that thew
q already commenced operations to
=" az entrance into the house.
y me light Of dark lantern. which
q carried. discovered that they
ae six IN number, and all wore
~ oiack masks, the more effectual-
prevent recognition in case OF
'covery Then my voice came back
me- and. thinking to make up for
youthful years in the volume of
VICE. ! yelled out, in laundering
= nelio! What are you doing there?"
Iae dark lantern was closed like a
:: out yet | could distinctly define
um outline Of the robbers as they
|, IKE dark shadows in contrast
!. me white balcony beyond. For
!. the stiffness of death en-
=, when I received a reply. utter
J. = zones shall never forget, and
: IN emphasis that clearly indi-