Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-11-06


ly through the long, long hours, an>
the car floated gently on in tho still
night air, till it began to sway NM
rock on the fresh morning wind.
Who can divine that simpls little
child's thoughts, speeulations, and
wild imaginings, while watching
through those hours2 She may haye
feared coming in collision with o
mcteof-for many wero abroad that
night, scogts and beralds of tho great
eomet-or perhaps being cast away
on some desolate stap-island, and
more dreary still, floating and floating
on, night and day, till they should
both die of cold and hunger, Poor
babes in tho clouds!
Atlcnght, happy chance, or Prov
idcnce-we will say Providence
guided the little wandering hand to
a eoFd connected with the valve ;
something told her to pull it. At
oncc the balloon began to sink, SLOW
~ and gently, as though let down by
tender hands; or as though some
celestial pilot guided it through
the wild currents Of mir, not letting
IT drop into lalc, or riyer, lofty wood,
Or impcnetrahle swamp: where this
strange qnchild-likc experience might
have been closed by a death of un-
speakable horror; but causing it to
descend rs softly as bird alights, on
n spot where human care and rity
awaited it.
The sun had not yet risen, but the
morning twilight had come, when the
little girl locking over tho edge of the
car, saw the dear old earth coming
nearer-''rising towards them" she
said: But when the car stopped to
her great disappointment, it was not
on the ground, but caught fast in the
topmost branches of " troe. Yet she
saw they were near a house WHENCE
help might soon conc, so she awaken
cd her brother and told him the good
news and together they watched and
waited for deliverance, hugging each
other for joy and for warmth: for
they were very cold.:
Farmer Burton, who lived in a lone
ly house, on the edge of his own pri-
vato prairie, was famous sleeper in
general, but an this particular morn-
ing he awoke before tho dawn, and,
though ho turned and turnod again.
he could sleep no more. So at last he
aid to his good wife, whom he had
kindly awakened to inform her of his
unaccountable inso,Rnalcnro. sits no
Asei I'll just get up and dress, and
have look at the comet"
The next that worthy woman heard
from her wakeful spouse, was fi.igh
tened summons to the outer door. 1t
seems that no sooner did he step forth
from his h9usa, than his eyes fell on u
strange portentous shape hanging in
large pear-tree, about twenty yards
distant: Hc could see in it no like
ness to anything earthly, and he has
fancied it might be the comet, who
having put out his light, had come
down there to perch. In his fright
and pcrplcxity, he did what every
wise man should do in a like extremi,
ty; he called on his valiant wife. Re-
inforced by her, he drew near the
tree, cautiously reconnoitring. Sure
ly never pear tree bore such fruit!
auddenly there dcscendcd from tho
thing, a plaintive trembling little
voice. "Please take us down. we
are very caldl"
Then second little voice. nAud
hungry, too. Please take us down"
2 "Why, who are you? Andswhat are
yaa2"
The first little voice said: We are
Mr.. .Harwood's little boy and girl,
and we are lost in a balloon"
The second little voice, said: otis
us, and we ruined away with q bal.
loon: Please take us down.
Rimly, comprshending the situation,
the farmer getting hold. Of a dangling
rope, sueceeded in pulling down the
balloon: : - =
He first lifted out little Johnnie,
who ran rapidly. q, few yards to. the
hoase. then turned round, and stood
r for a few moments, curiousiy survey
ing the balloon. The HaithftI little
sister was go aEchhiiled and exhauated
that che had to- he carried into the,
house, where, trembling and sobbing
che told her wonderful ngsdees5fGl stosy.
Before sunrise Q mounted inessen-
ger MAS dispatched to the Harwood
home, With elsd tbaipgt Of great JOY,
He reached II IN tie afternoon; and q
fsw hours later ethe children them
selves arrived. in ststas ws.h bsnnsrs
ne 3 81