The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1868-11-17
MISCELLANY.
THE BABIES IN THE CLOUDS.
AN AMERICAN TRUE STORY.

ago, an aeronaut, after a prosperous voy
age, descended upon farm in the neigh
borhood Of large market town in one
OF the Western States. He was soon sur
rounded by a curious group OF the farm
ers' family and laborers, oil asking eager
questions about the voyage and the man.
agement of the balloon. That, secured
by an anchor and rope in the hand OF
the aeronaut its car but foot or two
above the ground, was swaying lazily
backward and forward in the evening air
1t was a good deal on. OF wind, and was
sleepy and innocent monster in the eyes
of the farmer, who, with the owners per-
mission, led it up to his house, where. rs
he said, he could hitch it. TO the fence
But before he thus secured it, his three
children aged respectively ten, eight and
three, begged him to left them "into that
big basket, that they might sit on "those
pretty red cushions" While the atten
ton of the aeronaut was diverted by
more curious questioncrs from neigh
boring farm, this rash father lifted his
darlings one by one into the car, Chubby
little Johnny proved the "ounce too
much" for the aerial camel aud brought
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 volatile
creatures spirit rose at once, he jerked
his halter out of the farmers hand, and
with bound mounted into the air /. Vain
was the aeronaut's anchor II caught
for a moment in fence but it tore away,
and was Off, dangling uselessly after the
runaway balloon, which swiftly and stead
ily rose, that in few minutes those two
little white faces peering over the edge
of the ear grew indistinct, and those pite-
Gus cries Of Pappaw Mamma" grew
faint and fainter, up in the air
When distance and twilight mists had
swallowed up voices and faces, and moth
ing could be seen but that dark cruel
shape, sailing triumphantly away, with
its precious booty like an aerial privateer,
the poor father sank down helpless and
speeches.; but the mother, frantic with
grief, stiIl stretched her yearning arms
toward the memorable heavens and called
wildly up into the unanswering void.
The aeronaut strove to console the
wretched parents with assurances that
the balloon would descend within thirty
miles of the town, and that all might be
well with the children, provided it did
not come down in water or in deep woods.
In the event of its descending in favor
able spot, there was but one danger to DE
apprehended he thought that the elder
child might step out leaving the younger
in the balloon. Then, it might again rise
and 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
market town. and the children seeing
many people in the streets, stretched out
their hands and cried loudly for help.
But the villagers thought they saw the
| bright, little heads, heard no call.
Amazed at The strange apparition, they
might almost have thought the translated
little creatures small angel nayigators on
some voyage OF discovery, some littl,
chcrubic venture OF their own, as, head
ing toward the rosy cloud lands, and pur.
pie island Of sunset splendor, they sailed
deeper and deeper into the west, and fad
ed away.
Some company they had, poor little
skywaifs Something com orted them
and allayed their wild terrors--somethina
whispered them that below the night and
clouds was home that above was God
that wherever they might drift or clash
living or dead, they would still be in His
domain and under His care--that thought
borne away among the stars, they could
not be lost, for His love would follow
them.
When the sunlight all went away, and
the great comet came blazing out. littl,
Johnnie was apprehensive that the com
ct might come too near the airy craft, anC
set it on fire with whisk Of its dreadfu
tail But when his sister assured hin
that the lircry dragon was "as much as
twenty miles away and that God wouldn't
let him hurt them, he was tranquillized
but soon aiterward said, 9" wish h,
would come little nearer, 50 could
warm myself--I'm so cold"
Then Jennie took Off her apron. ant
wrapped it about the child, saying tender
IL, a. This is all sister has to make you
warm, darling, but she'll hug you close
in her arms and we will say our prayers
and you shall 60 to sleep"
"Why, how can | say my prayers, be
fore ! have my supper?" asked little
Johnnie.
"Sster hasn't any supper for You OF
herself, but We must pray all the harder,
solemnly responded Jennie, ....
SO tire two baby. wanderers alone in the
wide heavens, unawcd by darkness, i'm.
mcnsity and silence, by the presence OF
the great comet and the millions of un.
plying stars, lifted their little claspcd
hands, and sobbed out their sorrowful
sour Father and then that qusint little
supplementary prayer
Now lay me down TO sleep,
pray the Lord my soul 10 keep,
ri should die before wake,
pray the Lord my soul to take.
"There God heard that easy, fer W,
are close to Him up here, said innocent
little Johnnie.
Doubtless Divine Love stopped to thu
little ones, and folded them in perfec
peace--for soon the younger, sitting OF
the bottom Of the car, with his head lean
ing against his sisters knee, slept Al
sountlly MS though he were lying In hi
. own little bed at home; while the eide
watched Quietly through the long. Ion!