The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1868-11-17

collision with a meteor-for many we're
abroad that night, scouts and heralds OF
the great comet--or perhaps beng cast
away on some desolatc star islapd, or
more dreary still, floating and floating on.
night and day, till they should both slle Of
cold and hunger Poor babies id the
clouds.
At length a happy chance, or Proyi
dencc--we will say Providence-guided
the little girls wandering hand to aeord
connected with the valve; something told
her to pull it. At once the balloon be-
gan to sink slowly and gently, as though
let down by tender hands, or as though
some celestial pilot guided il through the
wild currents OF air. not letting u drop
into lake or river, leafy wood or I'm
pene.rable swamp, where this strange 0s
childlike experience might have been clio
sed by death Of unspeakablc horror; but
causing il to descend rs softly as a bird
aiights on a spot where human care aud
pity awaited IL.
The sun had not yet risen, but the
morning twilight had come when the little
girl looking over the Edge Of the car, saw
the dear old earth coming nearer" ris'
ing toward them" she said. But when
the car stopped, to her great disappoint
ment il was not on the ground, out 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 delverance, hugging each
other for JOY and for warmth, for they
were very cold
Farmer Buxton, who lived In lonely
house on the edge oi his own private pra-
rie, was a famous sleeper in general, but
on this particular morning he awoke be
fore 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 insomolence, "lts no
use I'll just get up and dress. and have
look at the comet" .r
The next that worthy woman heard
from her wakeful spouse was a frightened
summons to the outer door. 1t seems
that no sooner did he step forth from his
house, than his eyes fell on strange
portentious shape hanging in large peal
tree about twenty yards distant lii
could see in II no likeness TO anything
earthly, and he half iancied ii mig be tb'
comet, who having put out his light. hat
come down there TO perch. In bis frigh
and perplexity, he did what every wis'
man would do in like extremity h,
called on his valiant wife. Reinforced
by her, he drew near the tree, cautiously
accommodating Surely never peartre'
bore such fruit!
Suddenly there descended from th,
thing plaintive trembling little voice
" Please take US down. We are verl
cold"
Then q second little voice /" And hun
CRY too. Please take us down.
"Why, who are your And where ar
ybu ?"
The first little voice said: "We ar
Mr.. Harwoods little boy and girl and W
are lost in a balloon" as 4.ti
The second little voice said: /" It's us
and we ruined away with balloon
Please take us down"
Dimly comprehending the situation
the farmer getting hold of dangling
rope, succeeded in pulling down the bal
loon.
He first liftsd out little Johnnie, VIII
TN rapidlya few yards towards the hous
then turned round and stood for a fe'
moments curiously surveying the balloon
The faithful little sister was 80 chille'
and exhausted that she had to be carries
into the house, where, trembling and sob
bing, she told her wonderful story.
Before sunrise a mounted messenge
was dispatched to the HIwood HON
with glad tidil of great JOY. He reach
ed it in the afternoon, and few hour
later the children themselves arrived i
state, with banners and music, and con
veyed in a covered hay wagon and foul
i JOY bells we're rung in the neighborin
town, and in the farmers brown house
the happiest family on the Continen
thanked God that night All The Yea
Round. ..