Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-06-24


drinking, for his face was flushed and his
balance unsteady When the rehearsal was
over, Mr.. Rice called us into his private
room and brought out adecanter of sherry.
with which, must say, he was always as
liberal as any gentleman could he.
"Patagonians," says he. for he had
wonderfully merry way with him, and al
WAYS called us hy that name al suppose
YOU would make no objections to little
matter of extra work and extra pay on the
sixth--iust to end the session with some
thing stuuniDg-hey"
mo, no, sir, not we" replied Griffiths,
in sort of hearty manner that wasn't nat
ural to him. "NVe're ready for anything
Is it the ilying business you spoke about
the other day."
"Bettcr than that" said the manager.
filling up the glasses lisa new French
feat that has never been done in this .coun-
try, and they call it the trapeze. Patago
mans, your health
So we drank his in return, and Alr. Rice
explained all about it. Itwas to be an ex
hibition of posturing and a balloon ascent
both in one. At some distance below the
ear was to be secured n triangular wooden
framework, which framework was callel
the trapeze. From the lower pole. or base
of this triangle, one Of us was to he sus
pended, with ligstnre of strong leather
attached to his ancle, in case of accidents.
Just as the balloon was rising and the man
ascending with his heal downwards, the
other was to catch him by the hands and
go up also. having, il he preferred it, some
band or other to bind him to his compan-
ion. In this position we were then to go
through our customary performances. con-
tinuing them so long as the balloon remain
ed 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 steady
and imperceptible that. but for the knowl-
edge of being above the housetops, you
will perform almost as comfortably as in
the gardens. Besides. / am speaking to
brave men who know their business. and
are not to be dashed by trihe-hcy, Pata
gonians?"
Griffiths brought his hand down heavily
upon the table, and made the glasses ring
again
I'm really, sir. sail he. with an oath,
"I'm ready To do it alone. ii any man here
is afraid to go with mel
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 me. John" said
quickly, 'I'm no moro afraid than your
SELF anil. il that's oil about it, Ill SO up
tonight
Iii was 10 uy from now till thus day
next year., / ncve, could describe the ex-
preston that came over his face rs | spoke
those words. 1t seemed to turn all the cur
rents of my blood could not understand
it then; but understood it well gh af
forwards
Well, Mr. Rice was nightly pleased to
find us 50 willing. and very few words
ended the matter Mr. Siaincs and his ia
nous Wurtembefg balloon were to he en-
gagged; fifteen hundred additional colored
lamps were to be hired; and Griffiihs and
| were to receive twelve pounds apiece for
the evening, over and above our general
salary
Poor Allvl In the midst of the excite
ment had forgotten her, and 1T was NOT
till was out of the theatre and walking
slowly homewar,ls. that remembered she
must be told. For my own part, | did
not believe there was the slightest danger;
but knew how her fears would magnify
everything. and the nearer | came towards
Isington, the more uncomfortable | felt.
After all. was such coward-for | al
ways am coward where women are con-
cerned-that l could not tell her that day,
nor even the next; and it was only on Sun
day, when we were sitting together after
dinner, that found courage to speak OF it.
had expected something of scene; but l
had no idea that she would have taken on
as she did, and declare that. even then, if
the posters hal not been already out and
myself bound in honor to act up to my en-
gsgement, would have gone straight to
MIR. Rice and declined the business alto
gether Poor. little. so(t-hearted darling!
it was a sore trial to her and me also, and
l was an inconsidcrate 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 trapezc. 1t was, Of
course, the safest position, and, when had
assured her Of this, she grew calmer. On
all other points kept my own counsel, as
you may be certain; and as to John Grif-
fiths, / saw less of him than ever He even
took his meals in the city now, and during
the seven days that elapsed between the
twenty ninth and the sixth. never once
came face to face with me, except upon the
stage.
i had hard matter to get away from
home when the afternoon of the sixth came
round. My darling clung about me as if
her heart would break, and. although did
my best to cheer her, l don't mind confess
ing now that went out and cried tear OF
two in the passage.
keep up your spirits. Ally dear" says
l. smiling and kissing her the last thing be-
fore l left the house. "And don't be spoil
ing your pretty eyes in that way. Re-
member that want you to look we'll, and
that we areto be married to morrow"
The multitude in the Belvidere Gardens
Was something wonderful. There they
were, men, women and children, thronging
the balconies, the orchestra stairs, and ev-