The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-04-24


hands, sound asleep, An empty ale-bottle
and glass stood close beside him. and his stick
had fallen near his chair, ! could not be mis-
taken in him, though his face was hidden 10
/ went up and touched him smartly on the
shoulder
- fine morning, JohnP' says !. 81
thought was here early but II seems that
you we're before me, after ALL"
lie sprung to his feet at the sound Of my
voice, as II he had been struck, and then
turned imputienty away,
"what did you wake me ior7" he said,
sullenly.
Because have news to tell you. You
know that the sixth Of August will be our
last night here, ~. Well, mate, an the sew
enth please God, I'm going TO be married,
and"
/ Course you" he interrupted turning a liy-
| I'd face upon me, and an eye that glared like a
tigers "Curse you How dare you come
TO me with that tale, you smooth-iaeed houndP
Ito me, Of all men liyingP"
was so little prepared for this burst Of
passion, that had nothing to suyi and 30 he
went on;
"why can't you let me alone Why do
you tempt me for' I've kept my hands of Of
you ill now ...."
lie paused and bit his lip, ard saw that
he was trembling from head to foot. am
no cownrd-it's not likely that should be a
] Patagonan Brother if | was-but the sight
OF his hatred seemed to turn me, for the mo-
ment, quite sick and giddy.
"My God :" said J. leaning up against the
table, "what do yuu mean Are you mad ?"
lie made no answer but looked straight
at me, and then walked away. | don't know
how It was but from that moment knew
ALL II was written, somehow, in his face
"Oh Ally dear 2" said TO myself with n
kind Of groan, and sat down on the nearest
bench; believe that, at that moment, !
scarcely knew where was, or what. was do.
ing.
did not see him again till we met on the
stage, about an hour afterwards, TO 60 through
our scene in the rehearsal. 1t was a grind
Easter piece with n great deal Of firing, and
'rcat water, and live camel in the last act
and GliHths anil ! were Mozambique slaves
performing before the ltajah in the Hall of
Cundeabras. Excepting that il cost a great
deal Of money, that is oil ever knew about
the plot and, upon my word, don't believe
that anybody else knew much more. by this
time had, of course, recovered my usual
composurc; but could see that GrifIiths had
been drinking. forh face was flushed and his
balance unsteady. When the rehearsal was
over. Mr.. Rice called US into his private
room and brought out dccanter Of sherry
with which, | must say, he was sMays as lib
-eral Us any gentleman could he
Patngonians," says he, for he had won
derfully merry way with him, and always call
cd us 10y that name, suppose you would
make no objection TO a li,tle matter of extrr
work aud extra pay on the sixth-just TO emo
the season with.something stunning-hey ?
mo, no, sir, no, we, replied Griiiiths, il
} a sort of hearty manner that wasn't natura
to him. "Were ready for anything. Is /
the gying business you spoke about the othei
day ?"
' Hrttrr than that Said the nIrrnger,-ill
: ing up the glasses. "It's n new French fea
that has never yet been done in this country
and they call it the trnpeze Patugonians
your hcalth!'
So we drank his in return, and Mr.. Ric,
explained all about il. 1t was to bd an exhi
bition of posturing and balloon ascent botf
in one. At some distance below the car wa,
to be secured triangular wooden framework
; which framework was called the trnpczc.--
d, From the lower pole, or base of this triangle
one of us was to be suspended, with ligaturt
, Of strong leather attached to his ancle, il
case of accidents. Just as the balloon wa,
rising and this man ascending head down
, wards, the other was TO catch him by III,
hands and go up also, having, if he preferred
it, some band or other to bind him to hi
companion. In this position we were ther
to go through our customary performances
continuing them so long as the balloon re
manned in sight
"All this" said Mr. Rice, "sounds mucl
more dangerous than it really is. The motion
Of the balloon through the air is so stead,
and imperccptible that, but for the knowledg,
OF being up above the housetops, you vii
perform almost as comfortably us in the gar
dens. Besides, am speaking to brave mel
who know their business, and are not to b,
dashed by trihe--hey, Patagonians?" ?"
Grifliths brought his hand down heavil,
upon the table, and made the glasses rinl
4 again.
t I'm ready, SIR said he, with an OATH
"I'm ready to do it alone, if any man here il
+ afraid to go with me"
E He looked ut me hs he said this, with sor
: of mocking laugh that brought the blood "
into my face.
5 "If you mean that for me, John" said
quickly. "I'm no more afraid than Yourself