Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-05-28

not let him hurt them. he was tranquiliz-
ed but soon afterward, said, 81 wish he
would come a little nearer, SO l could
warm myself-rm SO cold ~
Jennie took off her apron, and wrapped
it about the child. saying tenderly This
is all sister has to make you warm. dar-
ling, but she'll hug you close in her arms
and we will say our prayers andyou shall
90 to sleep"
why how can say my prayers before
have my supper'" asked little Johnnie.
Sister hasn't any supper for you, or
herself, but we must pray all the harder,
solemnly responded Jennie.
So the two baby wanderers, alone in
the wide heavens, unawed by darkness.
immensity. and silence. by the great comet
and the millions Of Implying stars. lifted
their little clasped hands, and sobbed out
their sorrowful "Our Father" and then
that quaint little supplementary prayer.
Now lay me down to sleep,
Ipray the Lord my soul to keep,
III should die before wake,
Ipray the Lord my soul TO take.
There! God heard that, easy; for we
are close to him, up here" said innocent
little Johnnie.
Doubtless Divine Love stopped to these
little ones, folded them perfect in peace
for soon the younger, sitting on the
bottom of the car, with his head leaning
against his sisters knee, slept rs soundly
as though he were lying in his own little
bed. at home, while the elder watched
quietly through the long, long hours. and
the car foa,ed gently on in the still night
air, till it began To sway and rock on the
fresh morning wind.
Who can divine that simple little child's
thoughts, speculations. and wild imasin-
ings, while watching through those hours
She NAV have feared coming in collision
with meteor-for many were abroad
that night, scouts and heralds oithe great
comet-or perhaps, being cast away on
some desolate star island, or more dreary
still, fioating and floating on, night and
dav. till they should both die of cold and
hunger Poor babes in the clouds
At length, happy chance, or Provi-
dence-we will say Providence-guided
the little girls wandering hand to cord
connected with the valve; something 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 the wild
current of air, not letting it drop into lake,
or river, leafy wood, or impenetrablc
swamp, where this strange unchildlike
perienc might have been closed by death
of unspeskable horror; but causing it to
descend as softly as bird alights on
spo, where human care and pity await 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
towards them" she said. But when the
car.stopped, to her great disappointment
it was not on the ground, but caught fast
in the topmost banches ofa pear tree. Yet
she saw they were near house whence
help might come, so she awakened her
brother and told him the good news, and
together they watched and waited for de-
liverancc, huggipg each other for JOY and
for warmth; for they were very cold.
Farmer Buxton, who lived so quietly
in lonely house, on the edge OF his own
private prairie, was famous sleeper in
general, but on this particular morning he
awoke 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 insomno-
lence, ats no use just get up and dress,
and have look at tne comet"
The next that worthy woman heard
from her wakeful spouse was frightened
summons to the door. 1t seems, that no
sooner did he step forth from his house,
than his eyes fell on strange portentous
shape hanging in large pear. tree, not
twenty Yards distant He could see in il
no likeness to anything 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 per-
plexity, he didwhat every wise man would
do in like extremity: he called on his
valiant wife. Reinforced by her, he drew
near the tree, cautiously reconoitering.
Surely never pear tree bore such fruit.
Suddenly there descended from the thing
plaintive trembling little voice. Please
take us down. We are very coldm
Then second little voice, and hungry
too. Please take US down."
"Why, who are You and where are
you'"
The first little voice said: I'VE are Mr..
Harwood's little boy and girl, and we are
lost in balloon"
The second little voice said: "It's US,
and we runned away in sballoon. Please
take us down."