East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-08-26
A NIGHT IN THE CLOUDS.

gust evening, the various roads lead
ing to the city of Mannheim were filed
with groups of cheerful, merry people,
returning from the different pleasure
gardens, which had replaced the old
fortifcations: these, in their turn, be-
came deserted and silent all but one,
where the mulmer of merry voices and
musical accomplishments still resound-
ed. This was the Cabene Gardens,
justly celebrated in Mannheim for its
balls, champetres, fire works, and bal
loon aseents. The novelty of these
last had lately attracted great crowds.
The admirable discovery made by the
Montgolfers had only recently been
turned into account as an amusement:
but the speculation had proved SO sue
cessful, that there was not public
garden in Germany without its bal
looms; and an aerial voyage had be-
( come alIrIvyt aaey and little feared
as promenade on the banks OF the
Rhine: 1t is true, these trips were
short, and allowed few chances of dan
ger. Strongly attached to the ground
by ropes that could be heightened or
shortened at pleasure the balloon rose
at the will of the aeronants, and in its
boldest ascents seldom went beyond
the tops of the trees.
The crowd had abandoned the re-
tired walks, and collected in the large
esplande, devoted to the exhibition of
fireworks. The strawberries had been
some time deserted. when a man, of
some forty years of age, accompanied
by young girl, appeared at the end
of one of the most shady walks. They
also directed their steps towards the
esplande; but proceeded slowly, and
with the air of persons buried i'll
thought.
After walking some way in silence,
the man exclaimed encrergeticly, No,
never forgive this Christian Loffman
for disputing my right of succession to
the property of his cousin For God
knows, it was not bequeathed to me
as a gift, but in payment of what the
deceased owed me-"
He ought to have said so in his
will, Michael" observed the girl.
And am / to be deprived of my
right because he did not do so, Flor
ence? Because dying man neglected
to say all he should, is Michael Ritter
to be accused of fraud by this Loft
man?"
"Alas, he does not know us, broth
er, " said the young girl gently
"Others have excited his suspicious !;
and he believes them true, because it
is his interest to do SO"
"And So" replied Michael bitterly,
81 am to be deprived Of the land have
cultivated these twenty years, and
made mino own through the work of
,Iivsv iiuuia, b9- a etronsor, who hos
no right but tllut Of the chance of
birth. -
"But YOU know brother" interrupt
ed Florehce, Judgment has not yet
been pronounced"
Her brother shook his head. All
/ have very little to hope. This Loft
man is young, active and very likely
has influential friends. Perhaps the
decree which is to dispossess me has
already passed"
Florence sighed, and Ritter observed
it. "Come, " he said with an effort,
"here | am, at tho same subject again,
after bringing YOU here to refresh your
thoughts and help you forget it. /
wish there were some exciting specta-
Gle some new sensation, which could
distract my mind from this one absorb
ing idea"
As he said these words, a sudden
turn in the path brought them out on
grassy square, which they had not
before perceived: it was the part de-
votal 10 the ascent of balloons. A
captive balloon tioateu grovof,-lls. over
their heads; and suspended to it was
an elegant car, in the form of boat,
which seemed to glide gently over the
green sward.
Florence inyoluntarily uttered cry
of surprise and admiration. Living
at distance from the city, this was
the first time she beheld balloon SC
near, and she drcw her brother closer
Room for two moren cried the pro.
prietor of the balloon and manager Of
the ropes.
Michael glanced at the car in which
young man in a traveling-dress wa'
seating himself, having in his hand
one of those Alpine sticks shod will
iron used in the ascent of mountains
Room for twor he exclaimed; ther
turning TO Florence, he said with {
smile: "Nvould you like TO take a ride
over the trees?"
Are you sure there is no danger"
dy," said the manager; Il nave alreaa.
directed the voyages of some ten thou
sand Christians
"And can we come down when W,
lilxe?"
4 Certainly. You have merely {,
pull the string of the bell you will fine
in the car.
Florence hesitatod she was still
rather afraid, yet the originality o
such a ride tempted her. Accustomed
in all things to act upon the advice o
her brother, after a moments indeci
sion, sho said she would do as he liked
"Then | vote for voyage in tn
air." said Michael; and jumping int
the car, he assisted Florence in.
As soon as they were seated, tn
manager slowly loosened the ropes
and the balloon began gently to as
cend.
On feeling the motion of the ca
the young girl uttered an involuntar.
cry, and turned pale. The strange
who was seated opposite to her, place,
his hand on the bell pull. "Shall W
return to earth?" said he with smile
"Many thanks, SIR" returned Flor
: ence, who had regained her color "
shall soon become accustomed to tn
motion"---