The Washington times., 1913-10-08
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
HOW THE PIGEON SAVED POLLY.
ET'S go over on the island and
picnic in the old lighthouse"
4 cried Polly Beverly when she

,((Y ET'S go over on the island and
picnic In the old lighthouse. -
II cried Polly Beverly when she
finished her breakfast one
bright october morning
All right" piped up May and Ada
at the same time. And Mrs. BeverI:
smiled her consent at the three chill
dren. May, Pauline and Ada were
spending the fail at Pelham Beach, on
the coast of Georgia, and as it was al
most time for their return to the city.
the three little girls desired to get ali
the fun thsy could before leaving.
Out in the water about a quarter of
mile from the farmhouse was small
island on which there was nothing but
sand, rocks ani an ancient stone build
ing, which had been used in Colonial
days for lighthouse. When the water
was low the little girls would have
nc trouble in wajing ou:. So the mother
gave her consent at once and prepared
rice basket of lunch.
When the girls We're about to set out
Polly put her. pigeon. Ray. in a small
cage and said she would take IL along
for a trip. Ray was not an ordinarv
pigeon, but of the kind called carriers,
which means that If they are taken
from home and let free they will at
once fly home. Some of the carrier
pigeons have been known TO fly hun
dreds Of miles in a few hours to get
back to their own lofts.
So the girls started. out. May who
was the eldest, taking the basket; Polly
swinging the cage, and Ada skipping
along with bucket and spade. Il will
call you before the tide begins to rise
to remind you to start home" said Mrs.
Beverly, as she kissed each rdsy cheek.
AS the girls were barefooted, they
easily waded through the surf, and in
ten minutes were climbing the rocks.
Then they ran about the old light
house, finding brokens boxes and nlher
interesting things, playing house and
pirate till the morning wore on toward
noon. May was hungry, SO they opened
the basket and ,comenced their lunch.
Suddenly the sky darkened in the
west. Polly also noticed that the water
was growing deeper
The tide is rising and mother did not
call u.s." she cried, her face white with
fear. She did not know the reason why
her loving mother had neglected this,
but the fact was that. after the children
had gone a few moments Mr. Beverly
asked his wife to take a short drive.
which she did. Unfortunately. when
about two miles from home on the re-
turn trip, the buggy broke down and
both were forced to get out. The moth
er knew that the tide would rise before
she could walk the two miles. She saw
the coming storm and began 10 run.
but her strength soon exhausted The
father set out at breakneck speed.
yet he knew he could not reach the
farm before the storm broke.
All three Of the girls dropped their
lunch at the sight Of the rising water.
And as flash of lightning tore across
the darkening sky, little Ada began to
sob.
oh, Polly sobbed the child they
called Pauline Polly. We will be
drowned. We cannot get home now"
May was just as much frightened as
Ada. but determined to be brave. Yet
she saw that the deepening water was
now impossible to wade. and that with
in half an hour the storm would strike
the island.
Il don't know what has happened that
mother did not call u.s." said Polly at
last. But | know what to do-write n
message. tie it to Rays foot, and let
him free. He will be home in two min
utes and they will see him fiutterinS
at the coop door"