Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-03-03
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1853.


appear before Him without bitterness of
heart one toward another
Let me also add my thanksgiving, Mi
chacl,' said Florence, Who had revived
Let US pray, then, said Ritter, folding
her in his arms and may God so forgive
us, as we forgive others At these words
he uncovered his head, and Christian doing
the same, they all three bent in prayer
When they rose, streak of light had APP
peared in the east; the day was dawning.
The Wind which had carried them to
such elevated regions, now gradually sunk I;
and as the balloon descended, raw of hope
stole into their hearts. AT first, though
united by danger, thes were separated by
hatred but now all three joined 10 mutual
consolation and encouragement. The sun
I rose and they were soon able to distinguish
4 the variegated country. 1t seemed like a
sudden resurrection; they were no longer
wandering in the gloomy abyss through
which they had passed the night the sun
shone, aud earth still existed There lay
/ fields, rivers, mountains, cities; and there
( lived their iellow-men, who were, perhaps,
at that very moment, following their course
/ through the clouds with anxious eyes
The balloon continued to descend. and
at last they were able to distinguish the
| fields, houses aud even persons. All at
once Ritter uttered cry of Joy he recog-
nlzed Soerrach and further on Law his own
village Florence clasped her hands with
a deep SIGH; she saw the roof of her dwell
! ling the lakewood where she so often sat
and worked, aud the little mountains rnulet
! Michael himself wept At this moment the
/ balloon, which I'LL then had continued to
descend, again began to rise with fresh
/ breeze. The young girl and her brother
uttered a cry Of despair, and leaning over
the car, extended their arms towards their
I home
My God is there no means Of descend
/ ing ! cried Florence; the Tears streaming
down her cheeks.
There Is one answered Lofnan, but
it Is dangerous
Oh, let Us try it anything rather than
this agony, said Ritter, hurriedly; re-
member last night
Yes SAID the young man; it is our
only chance; now for it,. He rose eau
tiously, raised his Alpine stick, which had
laid by his side, aud with the iron point
/ pierced the silk of the balloon The latter
emitted a sound like deep sigh, and way-
/ ed to and fro like a wounded animal. That
moment Of suspense seemed an hour. Then
the gas rushed cut with impetuosity, and
the silk OF the balloon shrunk with fearful
rapidlty. The travellers closed their eyes
overcome with terror. Before long a sharp
explosion was heard, followed by violent
{ eI,t.G urrtrh nd tha,,, tko.
aud they discovered that the netting had
become entangled in the branches of will
low, aud the car, hung within few feet OF
the ground.
Towards the end of the same day, Loft
mann and Ritter were sitting in the window
of a house on The hill side. Ii was Michael 5
dwelling, to which he had conducted his
companion after their common deliyerance
Til brother and sister at first could find
room IN their hearts only for grateful Joy at
their wonderful preservation; but presently,
in Ritter awoke the remembrance of the
coming danger to his interests.
Resting his elbows on the wooden balus-
trade which served as a balcony, he remain
ed tor long time silent. when Christian,
chose eyes had been wandering over the
landscape, suddenly exclaimed How far
does your property extend Herr Rrler ?
The latter shuddered as he saw on what
his guests thoughts were bent. All. you
wish to see what will be yours if your suit
be successful said he bitterly.
'Upon my honor, | was not thinking of
that SAID Lotimann, Disconnected.
You need not blush to own ii, said Rit-
ter; every one believes IN the Justice of
his own cause. Twill show YOU the bound
aries Of the estate;' and he pointed cut,
one after another, the woods, fields, and
meadows which composed the property.
Ii seems in excellent order, observed
I Christian.
Yes, have devoted all my time aud en-
ergy to it, replied the farmer. | had
planned many olher improvements; but
who knows how many days have to remain
here the land, perhaps, has already ceased
to be nine
As the words left his mouth, Florence en-
tered-she seemed troubled, and held in
her hand letter bearing the Mannheim
posimark
Is it from Herr Litoffr said Michael,
turning pale.
1t u.s. she replied
Then Judgment is pronounced, and we
shall know our lie held out a lremb-
, ling hand for the letter, but Florence selz-
ed 1t between her own, aud gIancing timld-
ly at Lofimann, said, All but remember,
: whatever happens, you have sworn friend
ship for each other
The letter give me the letter 7 inter-
rupted the agltated Michael.
Florence stepped back pace. First
promise, that you will submit to the de-
cIsion, whatever il may be, said she with
: energy; aud pointing at the foot of the hill,
I and the willow on which still hung the re-
mains of the balloon, she added Have
} you already forgotten the night passed in
the cloudsP
Ritter and LofTmann looked at each 9TH
er, and, after an iaslants hesitation, held
out their hands.
MOI exclaimed Michael 1t shall not
: be said that danger alone incllnes our hearts
to mercy. Saved as we have been by the
, goodness of God. let us prove by our hum
bic submission, that we are grateful. Chris
tian Lofimann, We threw away our enmlty
; above--do not let il return on earth
WhatPyer that letter may contain | declare