Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-12
fore have my SUPERB asked little

solemnly responded Jennie.
So the two baby wanderers, alone In
the wide heavens, unawed by darkness,
immensely and silerce, by the presence of
the great comet, and the millions of un-
pitying stars, lifted their little ciasped
hands and sobbed out their sorrowful
Our Father and that quaint little sup,
Elementary prayer:
Now lay me down to sleep.
| Ipray the Lord my soul to keep,
II should die before wake, .
Iplay the Lord my soul 20 take
'There God beard that easy; we are
close to him up here, said innocent little
Johnny.
Doubtless Divine Love stopped to the
little ones, and folded them in perfect
peace, for soon the younger, sitting on
the bottom of the car, with his head lean.
ing against his sisters knee, slept as
soundIy 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 fioated gently on the
still night air, till it began 10 sway and
rock on the fresh morning wind.
Who can divine that simple lite child's
thoughts, speculations, and wild imagin-
iugs, while watching through these hours.
She may haye feared coming in collision
with meteor-fcr many were abroad
that night, scouts and heralds of the
great comet-or, perhaps, being cast
away on some desoIate star island, or
more dreary still, floating on, night and
day, until they should both die of cold
and hunger. Poor babies in the clouds.
AT length happy chance of provi-
dence-we say pfovidence--guided the
little girls wandering hand TO a cord con-
nected with the valve; something told her
to pull it. AT once tue balloon began to
sink, slowly and gently, as though let
down by gentle hands, or as though some
celestial pilot guided it through the wild
currents of air, not letting it drop into
lakes or rivers, leafy wood, or impenetra-
bic swamp. where this strange, unchiId-
like experience might have been closed by
a death of unspeakable horror; but caus-
ing it to descend as softly as bird alights,
on spot where care and human pity
awaited it.
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
rising toward them,' she said. But when
the car stopped. to her great disappoint
ment, it was not on the ground, but
caught in the topmost branch 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
aud waited for deliverance, hugging each
other for JOY and warmth; for they were
very cold.
Farmer Buxton who lived in lonely
house on the edge of his own private
prairie, was famous sleeper in general,
but on this particular morning he woke
before the dawn, and, though he turned
and turned again, he could sleep no mere.
So, at last he said to his good wife, whom
he had kindly awakened to inform her
of his unaccountable insomnolence. It's
no use; I'll get up and dress, and have
a look at the comet.
The next that worthy woman heard
from her wakeful spouse, was frighten-
ed summons to the door. 1t seems that
no sooner did he step from his house,
than his eyes fell on a strange portentous
shape hanging in large pear tres about
twenty yards distant. He could see in
it 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
perplexity, ne 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 recon-
noitering. Surely, never pear tree bore
such fruit!
Suddenly there descended from the
thing plaintive, trembling little voice.
PLEASE take us down. We are very
coldp
Then a second little voice, And
hungry, too. Please take US down!
Why, who are you? And where are
youP
The first little voice said: We are
Mr.. Harwood's little boy and girl, and
we are lost in balloon
The second little voice said: It's US,
and we ruined away in a 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 lifted out little Johnny, who
ran rapidly few yards toward the house
then turned round and stood for few
moments, curiously surveying the balloon
The faithful little sister was so chilled
and exhausted that she had to be carried
into the house, where, trembling and sob.
bling, she told her wonderful story.
Before sunrise mounted messenger
was dispatched to the Harwood home,
with glad tidings of great joy. He
reached it in the afternoon, and few
hours later the children themselves arriv.
ed, in state with banners, and conveyed
in covered hay-wagon and four.
Joy bells were rung 10 the town, and
in the farmers brown house the happi.
est family on the continent thanked God
that night.
! Anvbodv wishing to uroduce new