Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-12-11

ter and his sister; but the remembrance of their
enmty and of their late reciprocal reproaches fill
ed these two hearts, and kept them at a distance
from each other, even in their common danger.
MEANWHILE the balloon, abandoned to the night [
winds, floated at chance in the heavens, now rapid
ly ceavng the air, like swallow returning to its .
nest, now resting above the mountains, like vu- |
ture which hovers over its prey. Sometimes Rit-
ter and Lolnan bent the car and in the depths
Of that gulf of darkness could see the lights which
marked the towns and hamlets But, by degrees,
these last traces of earth disappeared the balloon
had reached the upper regions, and each moment
the air became more rare. Our three travellers
began to feel oppressed. Low noises sounded in
their ears painful sensations ran through their
bodies; and the air each moment grew colder, and
chilled their benumbed limbs. Florence, whose |
strength was exhausted, slid down to her brothers
feet
"What are you dong?" he exclaimed.
81 wish to Sleep murmured the young girl.
" Awake! awake" continued Michel, ffighten- |
ed "to sleep is death. Rise! Florence"
But she remained immovable.
"Florence!" repeated Michel, dismayed; ooh /
my God she does not hear me; and no means of
warming her"
"Take This MANTLE" said voice.
He raised his head and perceived Loffnan, who
was taking off fur cloak, in which he was wrap
ped.
"But yoursef?" asked Ritter, surprised, and
little touched.
1t is for the strongest to suffer-" replied Chris
tian, unfolding the mantle.
Michel assisted him to envelope his sister in it.
and while taking this care, his hand met that of the
young man; he seized it quickly and pressed it.
"What you do, redeems all the rest" he SAID,
"and regret having spoken the words which Of
Tended YOU"
"Do not regret anything" replied Loffman, 4" for
the greatest wrong has come from me.'
"Let us then be indulgent to each other" an
swered Michel d" Each of us will soon have to
justify himself before God, for his sentiments and
actions. Let us, at least dismiss hatred before
appearing before Him.
81 no longer have any," exclaimed Christian
"There is my hand, Michel Ritter, and it is that of
friend"
81 accept it, as such," SAID Michel with emotion.
awe have both been deceived, Hoffman each Of
us has believed that the other was wicked person,
because he had interests opposed to ours, and we
have illuminated each other, because we did not
know better Alas! it is too often so, among men
their hatred is only ignorance, or misunderstanding
Let us both thank God for having united us, at this
last hour that we may present ourselves before
Him without anger II our hearts"
cob! | would thank Him with you, Michel"
said Florence, who had revived.
"Let us pray to Him, them" said Ritter, taking
her in his arms; "and may He pardon US, as
pardon each other"
At these words, he uncovered himself as well as
Christian, and the three hearts were mingled in n
common prayer.
As they finished, a pale light colored the East /;
it was day.
The wind, which till then had borne them towards
the upper regions, appeared all at to subside ;
the balloon began to descend softly, and little
hope returned to their hearts.
The reconciliation had besides terminated their
courage. Isolated till then by hatred, neither of
them had had any other CONSIDER and support but
himself, whilst now they found three could sustain
and support each other
| The sun rose and they soon saw the fields of
Baden.
1t was like resurrection for them; they were
no longer alone in that abyss of darkness, in which
they had foated all nights the shone The ,cortd
/ get remained! They it under them they per-
ceived the rivers, the mountains, the cities there
were men like them, whose eyes, perhaps. followed
them in the Clouds whose wishes called them.
The balloon was still descending.
At length they could distinguish fields, houses,
men. All at once, Ritter uttered an exclamation
of Joy. He had recognized Loerrach, and farther
on, on the summit of the hills his own village and
fields! The wind carried them towards it. They
soon arrived above the meadows which border the
/ hills.
Florence, who was sobbing, had joined erhands,
She distinguished the roof of their house, the grove
of oaks, where she wont to sit and work, the
little rivulet which wound around the rocks. Mi
chel himself wept AT that moment the balloon,
which, till then, had continued to descend, slowly
rose, borne up by the breeze The young girl and
her brother uttered cry of despair, bent over the
sides of the car and stretched out their arms, if
they wished to spring towards their dwelling
"Ohi is there then no means of descending
my Godr cried Florence, weeping
"There is one" replied Loijman but it is dan
gerous."
"Whatever it may be, any thing is better than
this agony" replied Ritter, quickly. "Think OF
last night"
"Yes,' said the young man; "besides, it is our
last resource. Come ="
He rose With precauton, raised the iron shod
staff, which h. had till then kept near him, and
pierced through the covering of the balloon
1t appeared to utter sigh, and was convulsively
; agitated, like human being who receives wound
For a moment the uncertainty terrible. The
gas escaped inpetuously from the opening which
had Just been made; the balloon descended with q
frightful rapidty if it would be buried in space
The three travellers, frightened and benumbed witt
terror, shut their eyes.
All at once long, rending sound was heard, fol
lowed by violent shock; they raised their head.
; in terror-the balloon had just caught in the lower
l. branches of fir tree, and the car was suspended
only few feet from the ground.
Towards the close of the same day, Hoffman anC
Ritter were leaning against the window OF house
built on the slope of hill 1t was Mchel's, whc
had conducted his travelling companion there, i'm
medately alter their common dellVerance
The brother and sister had, at first, only though
2, of rejoicing with him at their happiness but, thu
S first Joy once passed, Ritter felt the remembrance
8 Of his interests severely threatened rise in him
J Supported on the wooden balusrade, which serv
n ed as a balcony, he had remained silent for som'
time, when Christian, whose eyes wandered owe
fields, turned and said
How far does 20 If domain extend, Mr. Ritter !"
IS He started up as if this question had REVEALED
II the secret thought OF his guest.
e, "Ah you wish to know how much land the gail
y of your law suit will bring you" he replied, witt
: some bitterness
Upon my SOUL had no such thought" replie
l. Hoffman, disconnected.
e You need not blush for that" continued Ritter
IS "every body feels confidence in his right. | vii
n show you the bounds OF the estate"
2 And he pointed out 10 him, one after another