Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-03-11

over its prey. Now and then, when Ri!-
ter or Loffman looked over the cor, they
beheld at the bottom Of the gulf, the flick.
ering and confused lights of towns and
hamlets. But by degrees these last traces
of earth disappeared, and the balloon
sought still more elevated regions, the air
becoming every moment more and more
rurefed. The breathing of the travellers
began to be oppressed; they experienced
a violent singing in their ears, and sharp
pangs shot through them as the cold air
benumbed their limbs. Florence, whose
strength was quite exhausted, gradually
sank down 10 the bottom of the car at her
| brothers feet.
| What are you doing!' he exclaimed.
81 feel SO overpowered with Sleep she
murmured.
Awake awake = cried the terrified
Michael. TO sleep is death Rouse
yourself, Florence!'
But she remained motionless.
'Florencen repeated Michael, in ago>
ny. % God ! she does not hear me, and
l have no means of warming her
Take this cloak said a voice.
He raised his head, and perceived Loft
man by his side, in the act of unlasten-
ing kind Of furred pelisse he had till
then been enveloped in. But what will
you do yourselfr asked Ritter, surprised
and touched.
The strong should suffer for the weak
said he, taking off his cloak.
Michael helped to wrap his sister in it,
and in so doing, their hands accidentally
came in contact; Micheal seized Loft
mans eagerly. what you have jus'
done redeems all the rest,' said he; and
recall the hasty words which wounded
you =
'You have nothing to recall; was the
most to blame,' said Loffmann. greatly
moved,
| Let US forgive one another, then,' said
Michael. I'VE shall soon stand before
God himself: let our hatred cease ere
we appear before him.
] .Mine is gons y cried Christian, Mi
chael Ritter, here is my hand; 1t is that
of friend y
And accept it as SUCH said Michael,
with emotion. 'We have both been de-
ceived, Loffmann each has believed the
other rogue, because our interests have
been opposed; and have slandered each
other, though personally unknown Alas!
how often it is thus with man. Let us
thank God for uniting us i'll this awful
hour, enabling us to appear before him
ano'her.'
'Let me also add my thanksgiving, Mi
chael,' 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 W ,rds
he uncovered his head, and Christian do
| ing the same, they all three bent in pray
er. When they rose, streak of light
had appeared in the east; the day was
dawning 81 .." ...
The wind, which had carried them t
such elevated regions, now gradually sank
i and as the balloon gently descended, a ray
Of hope stole into their hearts. At first
though united in danger, they we separa
! ted by hatred; but now all three joined ii
3 mutual consolation and encouragement
: The sun rose, snd they were soon able tt
: distinguish the variagated country.
3 seemed like sudden resurrection the,
: were no longer wandering in the gloom!
f abyss through which they had passed tn
night; the sun shone, and the earth still
] existed ! There lay fields, rivers, noun
. tains, cities; and there lived their fellow
t men, who were, perhaps, at that very
8 moment. following their course through
E the clouds with anxious eyes.
e The balloon still continued to descend
and at last they were able to distinguish
!. the fields, houses, and even persons. AL
a, once Ritter uttered cry of Joy: he re
$ eognised Soerrach, and further on lay hi:
e own village Florence clasped her hand
!. with deep sigh; she saw the roof Of he
: dwelling, the lakewood where she had 81
!, often sat and worked, and the little noun
j tain rivulet. Michael himself wept. A
j. this moment, the balloon, which till thel
s had continued to descend, again began te
: rise with fresh breeze. The young gir
4 and her brother uttered cry of despair
e and leaning over the car, extended thei
: arms toward their home. s tg s
my God is there no means of descend
ing!' cried Florence, the tears streamin,
o down their cheeks. aH aa.# a.
Il There is one,' answered Loffmann
a bu' it is dangerous. aj 42 9s u
%, let us try it--any thing rather tina,
r this agony said Ritter hurrisdIy; 'remem
! Der last night is. alaj h. ty
Yes said the young man, it is our on
: lv chance; now for it. He rose cautious
/ ly, raised his Alpine stick, which had lai,
y by his side, and with the iron point pierc
d ed the silk of the balloon. The latte
n emitted sound like deep and wav
ed to and fro like wounded animal.--
That moment of suspense seemed an hour
. Then the gas rushed forth with impetuos
: lily, and the silk Of the balloon shrulk witt
friphtful rapidity. The travellers close,