The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1869-01-23

So fle two baby wanderers. alone in 4
wide heavens. unavrd by darkness, imme
sity md >i-nce-by the presence of d
Il, great c"naf aud the .r,i'lionso'f unpityil
] Of starr. lifted ,hrir little claspet: hands o,
sobbed out :!rir -orrowfal "Our Father
and then that quaint little supplemental
prayer
Now lay me down to sleep,
Ipray the Lord my soul 70 keep;
ps II should die before wake. {
pray the Lord my soul to take.
~ "Thera God heard that, easy for "
be are close to him up here" said innoce,
little Johnnie.
Doubtless divine love stopped to the littl
! - ones. folded them in perfect peace-for 500
3 the younger, sitting on the bottom of th
CAR with his head leaning against bis sister
knee, slept as soundy as though he wer
lying in his own little bed at home. while til
- t.lder watched quietly through the long. Ion.
- 4ours, and the c,.r foated gently in tn,
itfight air, till it began to sway and rock O,
he fresh morning wind.
Who can divine that simple little child
thoughts. speculations and wild imagining
while watching through those hours! Sh,
may have feared coming in collision with
meteor-for many were abroad that night
scouts and heralds OF the great comet-o,
perhaps being cast away on some desolate
star island. or, more ,drcary still, floating
and floating on, night and day, till they
should both die of cold and hunger. Poor
babes in the clouds!
AT length happy chance of Providence
I've will say providence-guided the little
girls wandering hand to chord 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 vild currauls -afAins
not letting 1t drop into lake or river, leafy
wood or imptnetrable. swamp. where this
strange unchildlke experience might have
been closed by death of unspeakable hor-
ror. but causing it to descend as softly as
bird alights on spot where human care and
pity await them.
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" ri.mg
towards them," she said. But when the car
j stopped. to her great disappointment. it was
not on the ground. but caught fast in the
topmost branches of pear tree. Yet she
saw they were near house whe, ce help
might come, 80 she awakened her brother
and told him the good news. aud together
they watched and waited for deliverance,
hucging each other for joy and for warmth !
for they were very cold, .s.fA
Farmer Buxton, who lived in -a1or3Ay
house or the edge of his own private pleifit,
was a famous sleeper IN genexT, but O, this
particular morning he awok6 before the
dawn. aud though he turned and turned
again. he could sleep no mo.e.. So. 1t last
he said to his good wife, whom he had kindly |
awakened to inform her of his unaccounta- |
BILE insomnolence. Its no use; lust get |
up and dress. and have look at the comet"
The next that worthy woman heard from
her wakeful spouse was frightern
mons TO the door.' Il seems that
~ step forth from his E61ss s0O
fell ON a strange portentious shape NSlE
in large pear tree, not twenty yards dis
tant. He could see in it no likeness to any
thing earthly, and he half fancie.l it might
o. the comet, who. having put out his light,
had como down there to perch. In his fright
and perplex kitty. he did what every wise man
would do in like extremity he called on
his valiant wife. Reinforced by her. he
drew near the tree, cautiously reconnoiter-
ing. Surely never pear tree bore such fruit.
Suddenly there descended from the thing
a plaintive trembling little voice, please
take US down. We ere very cold"
Then q second little voice. And hun.
cry. too. Please take Us down - -
"Why, who are you! And where are
you!'
Phe first little voice said 1--WE nre Mr..
Harwood's little boy and girl. and We are
lost in balloon" 4,
The second little voice said ats US.
and We runned away with balloon. Please
take US down." /,
Dimly compichending the situation. the
farmer. getting bold Of a dangling rope,
in pulling down the balloon.
He first lifted out little johnnie, w-o run |
rapidly few yards towards the house. then
turned round. and stood for few moments,
curiously surveying the balloon. The faith
ul little sister was 70 chilled and exhausted
hat she had to be carried into the house, ,
where. trembling and sobbing. she told her
story.
Before sunrise mounted messenger was !!
dispatched to tae Harwood home, with the
ylad tidiugs Of great joy. He reached it in |
he afternoon, and few hours later the |
hildren themselves arrived in stnie.. with
'anners and music, conveyed in a covered I
'uv wagon.
joy bells were rung in the neighboring /.
own, and in the farmers brown house the T.
appiest family on the continent thanked
iod that night.
A WIFE's Neutrality-suspicious. years ago, t
'car Maysville, KY, there lived man by 4
he name of H.. whose greatest pleas a
re was in tormenting others. One cold. h
clustering night he retired to bed at an early j
our. his wife being absent at neighbours. i
Some time after. when returning. finding
he door closed, she demanded ndmittance.
Who are you I" cried MFR. HI.
.YOu know who am let me in, its u
cry cold" d
Begone you strolling -agabond; I want d
othing of you here.'' 4
But must come in."
What is your name J"
+" You know nay name-its Mrs. H.