Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-30

warn, tudU TcIuCuUeI0u sue muSC Dc COlu.
For my part, I did not believe that there
was the slightest danger; but I knew how
her fears would magnify everything, and the
nearer I came towards Islington, the more
uncomfortable I lett. After all, was such
a coward-for always am a coward where
women is concerned-that I could not tell
her that day, or even the next; and it was
only on Sunday, when we were sitting to-
gether after dinner, that found courage
to speak Of it. had expected something
Of scene; but 1 had no idea that she
would have taken on as she did and I de-
clare that, even then, if the posters had not
been already out, and myself bound in
honor to act up to our engagement, would
have gone strait to Mr.. Rice, and declined
the business 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 I gave her the only consola-
ton in my power, by solemnly promising /
would be the first man tied to the trapeze
It was, of course, the safest position, and
when assured her Of this, she grew calm
er. On all other pc ints, | 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 be-
tween the twenty-ninth and the 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 to me as if her
heart would break, and though did my
best to cheer her, I don't mind confessing
now that went out and cried tear or two
in the passage. @r
'.Keep up your spirits, Ally, dear, says
| smiling, and kissed her the last thing be-
fore l left the house, sand don't be spelling
your pretty eyes in that way. Remember
I want you to look well, and that we are to
be married to morrow. f1
The multitude in the Belvidere Gardens
was something wonderful. There they
were, men, women and children, through
ing the balconies, the orchestra stairs, aud
every available inch Of ground; and there
in the midst Of them rolled and swayed the
Wurtemburg balloon, like q sleepy, rolling
giant. The ascent was fixed for six o'clock,
that we might come down again by day
light; so made haste to dress, and then
went to the green room to see after Mr..
Rice, and learn something Of what was
going toward.
Mr. Rice was there, and three gentlemen
with him, namely, Colonel Steward, Capt
Crawford, and Sidney Baird, Esq. They
were fine, handsome looking gentlemen, all
three-especially Sidney Baird, who was,
as I have since been told, playwriter, and
one Of the cleverest men Of the day. / was
going to draw back, when I saw them sit
! ting there with their wine and segars, but
they would have me in and take a glass Of
port, and shook hands with me all around
as polite as possible, and treated me as
handsomely as any gentleman could
Heres health and success to you, my
brave fellow" said Col. Steward, sand a
pleasant trip to us ALL" And then found
that they were going up in the car with
Mr.. Staines.
And now, with their light, cheerful ways,
and pleasant talking. and what with the
glass of wine that had taken, and the hum
Of voices from the outside, was in first
rate spirits, and as impatient to be off as
racer at the starting point Presently one
of the gentlemen looked at his watch.
"What are we waiting for p said be, lit
is ten minutes past six already"
And so it was. Ten minutes past the
hour, and Grifiths had not been seen or
heard Of. Well, Mr.. Rice grew very uu-
easy, and the crowd very noisy, and 50
twenty minutes more went by. Then we
made up our minds to 60 without him, and
Mr.. Rice made little speech, and explain
ed to the people, and then there was cheer
and great hustle; and the gentlemen took
their seats in the car; and q hamper full OF
champagne and cold chicken were put in
with them, and l was made fast by one leg
to the base Of the trapeze, and Mr.. Staines
was just about to get in himself, and give
the signal to cut loose. when who should
we see forcing his way through the crowd
but Grifiths.
I Of course there was another cheer at this,
and delay of eight or ten minutes more
while he was dressing: At last he came,
and it was just a quarter before seven o'clock.
He locked very sullen when he found he
was to be the undefMost: but there was no
time to change anything now even if had
been willing so his left wrist and my right
were bound together by leather strap, the
signal was given. Che band struck UP the
crowd applauded like mad, and the balloon
rose straight and steady above the beads Of
the people.
| Down sank tie trees and fountains, and
the pavement of upturned faces. Down
sank the roof of the theatre, and fainter
grew the sound of the hurraing and the
music. The sensation was 50 strange; that
| for the first moment I was forced to close
my eyes, and felt as if must fall and be
dashed to pieces. But that soon passed
away, and by the Time vie had risen to about
three hundred feet, I was as comfortable as
| if had been bort and bred in the air; with
my head downward.
Presently We began our performances. =
Griffiths was as cool as possible never
saw him Cooler we went through every
conceivable attitude; now swinging by our
hands; now by our feet, now throwing sum-
niersaults, one over the other. And during
the whole Of the time the streets and the
squares seemed TO sink away to the right,
and tie noise from the living world died On
Che air !; and as turned and swung, chang
| a.