Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-12-03
NIISCELLANY.
The Babes in the Clouds.
An American True Story.

Just ten years ago there suddenly burst upon
the western world a magnificent stranger from
foreign parts, with call lis travelling glories
on" It was the great comet of 1858, on the
grand tour of the universe.
1t seemed strange that petty human life
could 90 on as usual, with its eating and drink
ing. toiling trallicking and pleasuring, while
that " flaming minister" on his billion-leagued
circuit. was preaching the wonders of infinite
immensity and power, and the nothingness of
earth. The comet no longer runs his kindling
race. like Vich AIpine's henchman, with his
fiery cross announcing war and disaster.
Herald OF battle, fate and fear.
He is on his own business, not ours.
Under the tail of this particular comet,
doubtless many tale Of love was told-in the
light of his swift splendors many tender look
exchanged. The astronomer cooly swept the
starry field with his glass, unawcd by the ir-
regular night-guard patroling the heavens, and
the robbcr and murderer disdain the awful
witness. He left us as he found us-joined to
our mortal idols wise in our concet, weak and
worldly and wicked but no castaways Of the
universe after all.
We remember that comet-summcr, not so
much for It's great Astronomical event as for
two singular incidents that more nearly touch
ed our human svmpathos. which will grovel
in poor earthly affairs, even within sight OF the
most august celestial phenomena.
One pleasant Saturday afternoon during the
comets appearance, an Tronaut, after a pros
porous voyage, descended upon farm in the
neghborhood Of large market town in one OF
the Western States. lie was soon surrounded
by a curious group Of the farmers family, and
laborers, all asking eager questions about the
voyage and the management Of the balloon
That secured by an anchor and rope in the
hand of the arouaut, its car but foot or two
above the ground, was swaying lazily back
ward and forward in the evening air It was
good deal out Of wind and sleepy and in
nocent monster in the eyes Of the farmer, who
with the owners permission, led it mp to his
house. where. as he said he could hitch it to his
fence. But before he thus secured it, his three
children. aged respectfully ten, eight and three
begged him to lift them "into that big basket,
that they might sit on those pretty rcd cush-
ions" While the attention Of the @ronaut
was diverted by more curious qucstoners from
neighboring farm, this rash father lifted his
darlings ore by one into the car. Chubby lit
tie johnny proved the "ounce too much " for
the arial camel and drought him to the ground
and then. unluckily, not the baby, but the
eldest hope of the family, was lifted out. The
relief was too great for the monster. The vola-
tile creatures spirit rose at once, he jerked his
halter out of the farmers hand, and with
wild bound mounted into the air Vain was
the pronaut's anchor. 1t caught for amoment
in fence hut it tore away and was of, dang
ling uselessly after the runaway balloon, which
so swiftly and steadily rose that in few min
utcs those two little white faces peoring over
the edge Of the car grew indistinct, and those
piteoas cries Of "papa" mammal grew
faint and fainter up in the air.
When distance and twilight mists had swal-
lowed up voices and faces, and nothing could
be seen but the dark cruel shape, sailing tri-
umphantIy away with its precious booty, like
nm aerial privatccr, the poor father sank down
helpless and speechless; but the mother fran
tic with grief, still stretched out yearning arms
towards the inexorablo heavens, and called
wildly up into the unanswering void.
The aronaut stroyo to console the wrctched
narents with assurance that the balloon would
descend within thirty miIesof the town, and that
all might be well with the children, provided il
did not come down in the water or in deer
woods. In the event of its descedug in IA
vorable spot, it was thought that the Older
child might step out, leaving the younger II
the balloon. Then it might again arise anC
continue its voyage.
Ah, no" replied the mother; JENNIE
would never stir from the car without Johnny
in her arms"
The balloon passed directly over the marke
tower, and the children seeing many people II
the streets, stretched out their hands and ca.ie'
loudly for help. But the villagers though the!
saw the bright little heads, heard no call
Amazed at the strange apparition they nigh
havethousht the translatedlittle creatures small
angel nayigators, on some voyage Of discovery
some little cherubic venture Of their own, a
heading towards the rosy cloudlands and purPl
Islands Of sunset splendor, they sailed deepe
and deeper into the west and faded away
Some company they had, poor little skywaIil
Something comforted them and allayed the
wild demonstrating whispered them tbs
below the night and clouds was home; th'
st..r~f frTf