Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-12-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
A NIGHT IN THE CLOUDS.
Translated for the Boston Atlas from the French.

l. was Sunday evening in the month Of August.
The inhabitants of Mannheim were returning in
joyous troops to the city. All the gardens which
had been recently established on the site of the dis
mantled fortiicatons were silent and deserted, with
the exception Of one, which re-echoed with the
noise of voices and sound of musical instruments
This was called the Jardin de la Cabdne, and
celebrated at Mannheim for its rustic balls its mock
tournaments, its fireworks, and its ballons.
These last had long attracted the crowd,
from their novelty. Although the admirable dis
covery of the brothers Montgolfer was not a new
one, yet nobody had till recently thought of it
as a means of amusement, its success had been so
general and rapid in Germany, that all the public
gardens soon had their balloons, and an ascension
had become almost common and as little feared
as a sail on the Rhine
1t is true these aerial voyages were Short and
offered but few dangers Securely fastened to the
ground by cords which could be heightened or
shortened at pleasure, the balloon rose only to the
height the aeronaut might desire, and hardly ever
mounted higher than the tops of the trees, in its
boldest ascensions.
The crowd had already abandoned the more re-
mote parts OF the garden for the grand esplanade,
where the fireworks were prepared. The shrubbery
had been deserted some time, when a man of about
forty years of age appeared in one of the most
shady paths. He held young girl by the hand.
Both appeared to be approaching the esplanade but
they came slowly, and as if much occupied by some
serious affair.
After long silence the man spoke abruptly,
and SAID, with an energetic gesture:
No, sister, so long live can never pardon
Christian Lotin4n for contesting with me my right
to the estate OF his cousin For God knows that
this heritage is not gift, but lawful ndemnif-
cation which was due me from the deceased"
" His will ought so to have declared it, Michel, "
observed the young girl.
Sand because il has not / shall be despoiled Of
Mt S me- Elornncal Ivin
has neglected to tell all, Michel Ritter is to be &C
cused Of using unfair influenced"
"Alas he does not know us brother" said the
young girl, mildly: "some one has excited these
suspicious and he has received them, because il
was his interest"
$50" replied Michel, bitterly, "the grounds
which | have cultivated for twenty years, and tc
which have acquired my title by hard labor, are
to be taken from me by stranger who has no 9th
er claim than by the accident of birth"
The judgment is not yet prononnced,' inter
rupted Florence.
Her brother shook his head.
All! have but slight hopes" said he; 8" tina
Lothian Is young, actrye-he has, without doubt
friends, who will solicit for him. Perhaps the de
cree, which is to despoi me, is already pronounced
Florence sighed; Ritter perceived it.
Come" said he, with an effort, " after having
brought you here to amuse you, and forget it, an
again liking Of this affair. i want some exciting
ePeStuOlc, sumo new SENSATION, winch can draw INT
from dwelling on this subject"
As he spoke, they had arrived at a turn in thu
path, and found themselves at the entrance of
verdant arbor, which they had not before perceived
II was the place used for the ascensions A cap
i've balloon moving gracefully some feet allow
their heads sustained an elegant car, which follow
ing It's oscillations appeared to float softly tn
turf
Florence could not restrain cry of surprise an
admiration. Brought up at distance from tn
cry, 1t was the first time she had seen balloon i
all us parts She approached with her brother
Ihere are yet two places remaining" exclam
ed the attendant.
Michel looked at the car, where Young man i
travelling costume had Just seated himself IL
was holding IN his hand one of those iron sLo
stalls which are used in mountainous countries.
"Two places" he repeated with n smile tnrnin
towards Florence, "would you like to take sal
above the trees?
is there no danger?" asked the hesitotino maid
en-.
"None, my pretty miss" said the attendant, "mor
than ten thousand Christians have already perform
ed the journey under my care"
Sand can we descend at peasure?"
1t is only necessary to pull the bell rope in tn
car"
Florence appeared to hesitate Although natu
rally somewhat timd, yet the novelty of such sal