Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-11-11
THE BABES IN THE CLOUDS.
AN AMERICAN TRUE STORY.

Just ten years ago, there suddenly burst
upon the Western world magnificent stran
ger from foreign parts, with all his travel
ing glories on" 1t was the great comet of
1858, on the grand tour of the universe.
1t seemed strange that petty human life
could go on as usual. with its eating and
drinking, toiling traf1icking and peasuring,
while that flaming minister, on his bill
lion leagued circuit, was preaching the Won
ders of Infinite immensity and power, and
the nothingness of earth But science has
robbed celestial aspirations of their old Dor-
tentous significance. The comet 20 longer
runs his kindling race. like Vich-AlpIae's :
heuchman, with his fiery cross, announcing
war and disaster.
Herald of battle, fate. and fear.
He Is on his own business: not ours
Uuder the tail of this particular comet
doubtless many tale Of love was toid-in
the light Of his swift splendors msny ten
der look exchanged. The astronomer cody
swept the stsrry field with his glass, uuawe1
by the irregular night guard patrolng the
heavens, and the robber and murderer dis
dslned the awful witness. He left US as he
found us-joined to our mortal idols, wise in
our own conceit, weak, and worldly, and
wicked, but no castaways of the universe
after ALL
We remember that comet-summer, not SO
much for its great astronomical event, as
for two singular incidents that more nearly
touched our human sympathies, which JciU
grovel in poor earthly affairs, even within
sghtofthe most august celestial phenomena.
One pleasant Saturday afternoon during
the comet appearance, an aeronaut, after a
prosperous voyage, descended upon farm
IN the neighborhoed of large market town,
In one Of the Western States. He was soon
surrounded by curious group Of the far
mer family and laborers, all asking eager
questions about the voyage and the manage
ment OF the balloon. That, secured by an
anchor anu rope in the hand of the aero
naut, Its car but foot or two above the
ground was swaying lazily backward and
forward IN the evening air. 1t was good
aea! out Of wind, and was sleepy and in
nOeent monster in the eyes OF the farmer,
Who With the owners permission, led it up
70 his house, where, as he said. he could
hitch 1t to his fence But before he thus
secured 1t, his three children, aged respec-
tIVey ten, eight and three, begged him to
MT them into that big basket, that they
might sit on those pretty red cushions. y
while the attention of the aeronaut was
diverted by more curious questioners from a
4Hsh0oFlng farm, this rash father lifted his
1aThngs one by one into the car. Chubby
.!tte johnnie prove the ''ounce too much
l'T the aerial camel, and brought him to the
ground; and then, unluckily, not the baby,
cut 'he eldest hope of the family. was lift
Gu out The relief was too great for the
monster. The volatile creature 5 spirit rose
Il once, he jerkcd his halter out of the far.
tAeF hand and with wild bound mounted
'I'o the air. Vain was the aeronaut's S an.
Vaor 1t caught for moment in fence,
cut 1t tore away, and was off, dangling use
'7''y after the runaway balloon, which SC
swiftly and steadily rose that in few min
C'es those two little white faces peering ovel
tue edge of the car grew indistiuct, and
'hoSe pIteous cries of Mamma !" Papa T.
grew faint and fainter up in the air.
When distance and twilight mists hat
swallowed up voices and faces, and nothing
could be seen but that dark cruel shape, sail
ing tiIumphantly away, with It's precious
Doo'y, like an aerial privateer, the poo
father sank down helpless and speechless
'ut the mother, frantic with grief, still
stretched her yearning arms toward the in
etoFa0ie heavens, and called wildly up int
'ne unanswering void
Ihe aeronaut tried to console the wretch
ed parents with assurances that the balloon