East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-08-26
soon in the mist of evening.

hope of attracting attention; but when
they lost sight of, first the garden, and
then of the earth itself, kind of calm
produced more by exhaustion than
resignation, took the place of their
first desperation. They remained mo-
tionless and silent. Their situation
was indeed one of great danger. In
general, the aeronant is provided, as
much as possible, against every prob
able accident by acquired knowledge
and experience. Before entering upon
his career, he attends lectures on the
subject, gains all the information he
can, and serves an apprenticeship to
his profession; but here we have three
helpless beings suddenly cast loose
from the earth, without rudder or
compass, as it were, tossed about at
the will of every passing breeze, with
horrible death before them, yet un-
ceTt9in at wbatmQment il might come.
Florence, half fainting with terror,
hid her face on her brothers shoulder,
and he sat overpowered with fear, as
tonishment, and horror, knowing not
what consolation to offer
Christian Loffmann, seated at the
otherend of the car, seemed more calm,
and from time to time threw a look of
commiseration on Michael Ritter and
his sister; but the remembrance Of
their mutual enmity, and the recipro-
cal insults they had heaped on each
other, still divided these two men, and
held them apart, even in q common
danger.
Meanwhile the balloon abandoned
to the winds, foated at hazard through
the heavens, now cutting the air as
rapidly as a swallow returning to its
nest, anon lowering about the noun
tains, like n vulture over its prey
Now and then, when Ritter or Loft
mann mn locked oyer " r the e2Ea they behsld
flickering and confused lights of towns
and hamlets. But by degrees these
last traces of earth disappeared, and
the balloon sought still more elevated
regions, the air becoming every mo-
ment more and more rarifed. The
breathing of the travellers began to be
oppressed; they experienced violent
singing in their ears, and sharp pangs
shot through them, as the cold air be-
numbed their limbs. Florence, whose
strength was quite exhausted, gradu-
ally sank down to the bottom of the
car at her brothers feet.
What are you doing?' he exclaimed.
81 feel so overpowered with sleep"
she murmured.
awake! awakew cried the terri
fed Michael ''to sleep is death -
Rouse yourself, Florence
But she remained motionlcss.
'Florencew repeated Michael in
agony. 90 God she does not hear
me: and i have no means of warming
her.
"Iake this cloak" said n voico
He raised his head, and perceived
I4ofimann by his side, in the act of un-
fasteninga kind of furred pelisse which
he had till then been enveloped in
"But what will you do yourself?"
asked Ritter surprised and touched.
"The strong should suffer for the
weak" said he taking off his cloak.
Michael helped him to wrap his sis
ter in it, and in so doing, their hands
accidentally came in contact; Michael
siezed Loilmann's eagerly. "What
you have just done redeems all the
rest" said he; ''and l recall the hasty
words which wounded YOU"
"You have nothing to recall; / was
the most to blame," said Loilmann,
greatly moved.
'Let us forgive one another then"
said Michael. 1--WE shall soon stand
before God himself: let our hatred
cease ere we appear before Him."
"Aiine is gonew cried Christian. -
'Michael Ritter, here is my hand; it
is the hand of friendw
Ana L uUUvPt - euoh " said Mi
chael with emotion. 1--WE have both
been deceived, Loilmann; each has
believed the other a rogue, because
our interests have been opposed; and
have slandered each other though per-
sonally unknown! Alas how often
it is thus with man. Let us thank
God for uniting us in this awful hour,
enabling us to appear before Him
without bitterness Of heart one towards
another"
'Let me also add my thanksgiving,
Michael" said Florence who had re-
vived.
"Let us pray, then," said Ritter,
folding her in his arms; and may God
so forgive us, as we forgive others
At these words he uncovered his head,
and Christian doing the same, they
all three bent in prayer. When they
rose, streak of light appeared in the
east; the day was dawning.
The wind, which lad carried thon
) to such elevated regions, now gradu-
ally sank: and as the balloon gently
descended, a ray of hope stole into
their hearts. At first, though united
, in danger, they were separated by ha.
tired; but now all three joined in mu.
tual consolation and encouragement
The sun rose and they were soon able
TO distinguish the variegated country
, 1t seemed like sudden resurrection
, they were no longer wandering in the
gloomy abyss through which they hat
| passed the night; the sun shone, and
earth still exi,ted! There lay fields
rivers, mountains, cities; and ther,
{ lived their fellow men, who were, per
haps, at that very moment, following
} their course through the clouds will
anxious eyes.
, The balloon still continued to dc
; scend, and at last they were able tc
distinguish the fields, houses, and ever
: persons. All at once Ritter uttered {
cry of joy: he recognized Soorrach
and further on lay his own village
Florence clasped her hands with {
, deep sigh she saw the roof of hel
own dwelling, the lakewood where sht
had SO often sat and worked, and til,