The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-02-02

5r5 w UUDOf I'LL
natural to him.. "We're ready for any
thing. Is it the flying business you spoke
about the other day7" -
Better than that, said the manager,
filing up the glasses. "It's new French
feat thathas never yet been done in this
country, and they call it the trapeze.-
Patagonians, your healthl"
So we drank his in return, and Mr..
Rice explained all about it. 1t was to be
an exhibition of posturing and balloon
ascent both in one. At some distance
below the car was to be secured triangu-
lar wooden framework, called the ira
peze. [, From the lower pole, or base of
this triangle, one Of us was to be suspen-
ded, with a ligature of strong leather at
tached to his ankle, in case of accidents.
just as the balloon was rising and this
man ascending head downwards, the 9TH
er was to catch him by the hands and go
up also, having, ie he preferred it, some
baud or other to bind him to his compan-
ion.e In this position we were then to 60
through our customary performances, con-
tinuing them so long as the balloon re-
NAMED in sight ia. - ai
"All this" said Mr. Rice, "sounds
much more dangerous than it really is
The motion of balloon through the air
is SO steady and imperceptible that, but
for the knowledge of being up above the
housetops, you will perform almost as
comfortably as in the gardens. Besides,
I am speaking to brave men who know
their business, and are not to be dashed
{ by a trife-hey, Patagonians?"
Iay Grifiths brought his hand down heav-
fly upon the table, and1made the glasses
ring again. s..9 yea
t.I'm ready, sir" said, he with an oath.
"I'm ready to do it alone, if 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 more afraid than
Yourself; and. if that's all about it, I'll
60 up to-nightw
If was to try from now till this day
next year, | never could describe the ex-
preston that came over his face as
spoke those words. 1t seemed to turr
all the currents of my blood I could
not understand IL then-but / under
stood it well enough afterwards. -
We'll, Mr.: Rice was nightly pleased
to find us SO willing, and few NOR,
words ended the matter. q Mr.. Staine
and his famous Wartemberg balloon wer
to be engaged; fifteen hundred additiona
lamps were 10 be hired;, and Griffith
and l were to receive twelve pounds a
1picce for the evening, over and above ou
general salary 4.ssf.,.s yte "a l.fd
Poor Ally! In the midst of the ex
citement I, had forgotten her. and it wa
mot until | was ont of the. theatre ant
walking slowly homewardsl that remem
bered she must be told. For my owl
tpart, | did not believe. there was tn
Eslightest danger; but I knew how he
fears would magnify everything, aud tn
nearer came towards Islington the NOR
uncomfortable | felt.g After all, 1 wa
such coward-for always am cow
A ard where women are concerned-that
could notrtell her that day. nor even tn
next and it was only on, Sunday, whe
we were sitting together after dinner, tina
found courage to speak of it, ha
no idea that she would have, taken on q
she did, and I declare that, even then,
the posters had not been already out, an
myself bound in honor, to act up to m
engagement, would have gone straigh
to Mr.. Rice and declined the business al
together. Poor little soft-hearted dai
ling! twas a sore trial to her and to m
also, and I was an inconsiderate Idle
MOTTO have thought Of, her. feelings in ,th
frs. instance. But there was no bel
:. for it now; 80 gave her the only conse
lation in my power, by solemnly promis
ing that fwould be the first man tied t
!, the trapeze,. 1t was. of course the safes
{ position, and when had assured her
this she grew calmer. On ali other point
kept my own counsel, as you may b
certain; and as to John Grifiths, sa
less of him than ever. He even took b
meals in the city now, and during th
lseven days, that elapsed between th
! twenty ninth and sixth, never once can
! face to face with me except upon Il
stage 2s s''' o .,..s...sjt1 al. qsis
' ! had q hard matter to get away fro
: home when the afternoon of3the sixt
+ came round. My darling clung about n
as if her heart would break, and althoue
III did my best to cheer her, don't min
confessirg now that I went and cried
!. tear or two in tie passage. tsif III eat
Ell Keep up your. spirits. Ally dear
!, said I, smiling and kissing her the la
q thing before I left the house. car
t don't be spelling your pretty eyes in th
/, way. Remember that Il want you ,
: look well and that We sare,to be ma
!; ried Tomorrow sss 2aliasial ~
The multitude in the oBelvidere Ga
Z danc wao comathino uondarful q, Tho