Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-11-04

so we drank his In return, and Mr.. Rice
explained all about it. It was to be an ex.
hibition of posturing and balloon ascent,
all in one. At some distance below the car
was to be secured triangular wood frame
work called the trapeze. From the lower
pole, or base of the triangle, one of us was
to be suspended, with igature of strong
leather attached to his ancle, in case of ac-
cident. Just as the balloon was rising, and
this man ascended head downwards, the
other was to catch him by the hands and 90
up also, having if he preferred it some band
or other to bind him to his companion In
this position we were then to go through
our customary performance, continuing
them so long as the balloon remained in
sight.
''All this,' said Mr.. Rice, sounds much
more dangerous than it really is. The mo-
tion of balloon through the air is so stea-
dy and imperceptible, that but for the knowl-
edge of being above housetops, you will per-
form almost as comfortable as in the gar
dens. Besides, I am speaking to brave
men, who know their business, and are not
to be dashed by trife-hey, Patagonians?'
Grifiths brought his hand down on the
table, and made the glasses ring.
''I'm ready, sir, said he. with an oath.
"Im ready to do it alone, if any man here
is afraid to 60 with me-
He looked at me as he said this with a
sort of mocking laugh that brought the
blood up into my face.
''If you mean that for M John" said
[, quickly, Il am no more afraid than
yourself, and if that's all about it, I'll go up
tonight -
If was to try from now till this day
next year, [ never could describe the ex-
preston that come upon his face as spoke
those words. It seemed to turn all the cur
rents Of my blood. could not understand
it then-but I understood it well enough af-
terward.
Well, Mr. Rice was nightly pleased to
find us SO willing, and few more words
ended the matter Mr. Staines and his fa-
nous Wurtemburg balloon were engaged !;
fifteen hundred additional colored lamps
were to be hired and Grifiths and I were
to receive twelve pounds apiece for the even
ing, over and above our general salary.
[ had forgotten her, and it was not till was
out of the theatre, and walking slowly home
ward, that [ remembered she must be told.
For my part, [ did not believe that there
was the slightest danger; but I knew how
her fears would magnify everything, and the
nearer [ came towards Islington, the more
uncomfortable I felt. After all, I was such
a coward-for always am coward where
women is concerned ed-that I could not tell
her that day, nor even the next; and it was
only on Sunday, when we were sitting to-
gether after dinner, that found courage to
speak of it. I had expected something Of a
scene; but [ had no idea that she would have
taken on as she did !; and [ declare that,
even then, if the posters had not been al
ready ont, and myself bound in honor to act
up to our engagement, [ would have gone
straight to Mr.. Rice, and declined the bust
ness altogether Poor, little, soft-hearted
darling. It was sore trial to her and to
me also, and [ was an inconsiderate idiot not
to have thought of her feelings in the first
instance. But there was no help for it now;
so [ gave her the only consolation in my
power, by solemnly promising that I would
be the first man tied to the trapeze. It was,
of course the safest position, and when I as
sured her of this she grew calmer. On all
other points I kept my own counsel, as you
may be certain ; and as to John Grifiths, I
saw him less than ever. He even took his
meals in the city now. and during the seven
days that elapsed between the twenty ninth
an sixth, he never once came face to face
with me except upon the stage.
[ had hard matter to get away from
home when the afternoon of the sixth came
around My darling clung te me as if her
heart would break, and though I did my
best to cheer her, don't mind confessing
now that went out and cried tear or two
in the passage.
keep up your spirits, Ally DEAR" says
smiling, and kissed her the last thing be-
fore I left the house, 'and don't be spelling
your pretty eyes in that way. Remember
want you to look we'll, and that we are to
be married tomorrow.
The multitude in the Belvidere Gardens
was something wonderful. There they
were. men, women, and children, thronging
the balconies, the orchestra stairs, and every
available inch of ground; and there in the
midst Of them. rolled and swayed the Wur-
tembuarg balloon. like sleepy, rolling
giant. The ascent was fixed for six clock,
that we might come down again by daylight;
SO made haste to dress, and then went to
the green room to see after Mr.. Rice, and
learn something of what was going forward.
Mr.. Rice was there, and three gentlemen
with him, namely, Colonel Steward, Captain
Crawford, and Sydney Baird, Esq. They
were fine, handsome looking gentlemen, all
three especially Sydney Baird, who was,
as [ have since been told, a play-writer, and
one of the cleverest men of the day. Twas
going to draw back, when l saw them sit