Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-30

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sleep"
Why, how eau say my prayers before
have my supper ?" asked little johnny.
Sister hasn't any supper for you, or for
herself but we must pray all the harder"
solemnly responded Jennie.
So the two baby wanderers, alone in the
wide heavens, unawed by darkness immen-
siiy and silence, by the presence Of the great
comet and the millions Of Implying stars,
lifted their little caspcd hands, and sobbed
out their sorrowiul " Our Father and then
that quaint supplementary prayer
Now lay me down to sleep,
pray the Lord my soul 10 keep
II ! should die before wake.
pray the lord my soul to take"
There God heard that easy for we
are close to him up here" said innocent lit
Ole johnny.
Doubtless Divine Love stopped to the little
ones, and folded them in perfect peace, for
soon the younger, sitting on the bottom of the
ear with his head leaning against his sisters
knee, slept as soundly as though he were ly.
ing in his little bed at home, while the elder
watched quietly through the long, long hours,
and the car foated gently on in the still night
air till it began to sway and rock on the
fresh morning wind.
Who can imagine that simple little child's
thoughts, speculatious, aud wild imaeininrs
while watching through those hours Sho
may have feared coming in collision with a
meteor, for many were abroad that night.
scouts and heralds of the great comet, or per.
haps being cast away on some desolate star
island, or more dreary still, floating aud float
ing on night and day, till they should both
die Of cold and hunger Poor babes in the
clouds
At length, happy chance, or Providence,
we will say Providence, guided the little
girls wandering hand to a cord connected
with valve some thing told her to pull it.
At once the balloon began to sink, slowly and
gently, as though let down by tender hands
or as though some celestial pilot guided it
through wild currents Of air, not letting it
drop into lake or river lofty wood, or impen-
etrablo swamp, where this strange unchild-
ike experience might have been closed by
death Of unspoakabe horror but causing it
to descend as softly as a bird alghts, on a
spot where human care and pity awaited it,
The sun had not yet risen, but the morn
ing twilight had come, when the little girl,
looking over the edge Of the car, saw the dear
old earth coming nearer rising toward
them" she said. But when the car stopped,
to her great disappointment is was not on
the ground but caught fast in the topmost
branches Of tree. Yet she saw they were
near house whence help might soon come,
so she awakened her brother and told him
the good news, and together they watched
and waited for delivcrance, hugging each
other for JOY and warmth, for they were
cold.
Farmer Burton, who lived in lonely
house on the edge Of his own private prairie,
was famous sleeper in general, hut on this
particular occasion he awokc before the dawn,
and, though he turned and turned again, he
could sleep no more So at last he said to
his good wife, whom he had kindly awakened
to inform her of his unaccountable nsom-
nolence, " It's no use I'll Just get up and
dress myself and have a look at the comet"
The next that worthy woman heard from
her wakeful spouse was hasty summons to
the outer door. 1t seems that no sooner did
he step forth from his house than his eyes fell
on a strange portentous shape hanging in a
large pear tree about twenty yards distant.
lie could see 40 likeness in il to any thing
earthly, and he half fancied it might be the
comet, who, having put out his light had
come down there to perch. In his fright
and perplexity he did what every wise man
would do in a like extremity he called upon
his valiant wife. Reinforced by her he drew
near the tree, cautiously reconnotering-
Surely never pear tree bore such fruit.
Suddenly there descended from the thing
a plaintiye, trembling little voice Please
take US down We are very cold !"
Then a second little voice said And
hungry too please take US down."
Why who are you2 And where are
you p
The first little voice said " We are Mr..
Iarwood's little boy and girl, and we are
lost in a balloon
The second little voice said, at is US, and
We runued away with balloon. Please take
us down"
Dimly comprehending the situation the
Farmer, getting hold of dangling rope, sue
ceeded in pulling down the balloon.
He first lifted out little johnny, who ran
rapidly few yards toward the house, then
turned around and stood for few moments
curiousy surveying the balloon. The faith
ul little sister was so chilled and exhausted
that she had to be carried into the house,
where, trembling and sobbing, she told the
wonderful story.
Before sunrise mounted messenger was
DISPATCHED to the Harwood home with glad