Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-03-03

/ a ny
Il fear the law will not decide in favor of
the cause which has the right on its side
And am afraid that intrigue will be
stronger than Justice
'Ah, | see,' cried Michael our positions
are the same you also have a cause against
some Christian Loilnann.'
Christian Hoffman repeated the stran-
ger; why that is my own Dame.'
Yours
And my adyersays Michael Ritter.
! Why | am he =
The two men regarded each other in as
constituent, and with such mixture of an
ger and hatred, that Florence became
frightened. Let US descend brother, said
she, laying her hand on her brothers arm (;
but he did not hear her.
I What Herr Hoffman says of his oppo-
nent is false ? he cried, fixing his sparkling
eyes on the stranger.
Aud what Herr Ritter says Of his, is a
lie fercely returned the young man.
Ia the name of heaven, let US 90 down p
reiterated the girl.
So be it,, salo Michael 1T will be ca
ser to come to an explanation on solid
ground.
hope it will be decisive one, added
Hoffman, in a significant tone.
He had already rung the bell, and all
three awaited the descent of the balloon IN
silence but it remained moiionless. The
young man rang again second time, and
then third with no better success.
The man must have heard he muir
INJURED, as he again pulled the string.
lie has disappeared = exclaimed Flor
ence, who had been looking over the car
So he has, said Michael, looking IN his
turn: the cmeafc has alarmed him. See /
they are making a bonfire of the benches.
Aud look at that party Of young men pa
radlng the garden, breaking tie lamps
See they are under the balloon. Good
God
What are they doing
They are cutting Tie ropesp
What are you saving l---what do you
mean
Look Cor yourselves.
Al three hung over the car, and raised
fearful cry, waving their hands at the same
time but II was too late. Imagining that
the car was Gnoccupled, the students had
cut the ropes which secured the balloon;
and the latter, using with fearful rapidly,
was soon lost IN the mist of evening.
Our three travellers at first wearied them
selves with loud shouts IN the hope Of at
tracing attention but when they lost sight
of, first the garden, aud then of the earth
itself, kind o. calm, produced more by ex-
hausuon than resignation, took the place of
their first desperation. They remained
mouonless and silent. Their situation was
indeed one Of great danger. In general,
the Rronaul is provided, as much as posi-
Bile, against every probable accident by ac-
CURED knowledge and experience.
: Before entering upon his career, he at
tends lectures on the subject, gains all the
information he can, and serves an appren-
, tlceshp to his profession, but here were
three helpless beings suddenly cast loose
from the earth, without rudder or compass,
as it we're, tossed about at the will of every
passing breeze, with a horrible death be-
fore them, vet uncertain at what moment II
might come.
Florence, half iaintIng with terror, hid
her face on her BROTHERS, shoulder and he
sat oyerpowered with fear, astonlshment,
and horror, knowing not what consolation
to offer
Christian Hoffman, seated at the other
end of the car seemed more calm, aud
from time to time threw a look of commits
serailon on Michael Ritter aud his sister ;
} but the remembrance OF their mutual enmi-
) ty, aud the reciprocal insults they had heap
. ed upon each other, still divided those two
men, and held them apart, even IN COM
mon danger.
Meanwhile the balloon, abandoned To the
wind, hoaled at hazard through the heay-
ems, nov cutting the air as rapidly as the
swallow returning 10 its nest, anon lowering
r above the mountains, like a vullute over It's
prey. Now aud then, when Ritter or Loft
man looked over the car, they beheld at the
bottom Of the gloomy golf, the pickering
and confused lights OF towns and hamlets.
e Bot by degrees these last traces of earth
disappeared and tie balloon sought more
= elevated regions, the air becoming every
= moment more aud more rarified. The
breathing of the travellers began to be OPP
; pressed; they experienced a violent singing
e IN their ears, and sharp pangs shot through
them, as the cold AIR benumbed their limbs.
e Florence, whose strength was quite exhaust
ed, gradually sank down to the bottom Of
= the car at her brothers. feet
What are YOU doingP
| feel so oyerpowered with sleep she
murmured.
a Awake! awake = cried the terrified
j Michael; to sleep is death Rouse your
self, Florence
e But she remained motonless.
: Florence repeated Michael in agony
e o God she does not lear me, aud
9 have no means of warming her -
d Take this cloak said a voice.
; lie raised his head, aud perceived Loft
1 mann by his side, in the act of christening
e kind of lurred pelisse he had till then
= been enyeloped in But what will you dc
d yoursefP asked Ritter, surprised and
o touched.
: The strong should suffer for the weak,
said he, taking off his cloak.
5 Michael helped him to wrap his sister in
e II, aud IN SO dong, their hands accidentlJ
came IN contact Michael seized Loft
mann's eagerly. What you have Just done
redeems all the rest sand he. and recall
: the hasiy words which wounded you
You have nothing to recall | was the
most 10 blame said Hoffman. greatly moy.