The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-12-29
/ FIGHT IN 4 BALLOON.

book which he had long sought but never
yet had been able to obtain. He was SO
preoccupied that he did not notice the APP
proach of a stranger behind him. and, feel
ing a touch upon his arm, he turned Ia
some considerable surprise.
He found himself face to face with me
dunn sized, thick-set person of thirty or
so, whom, as well as he remembered, he
had never seen before.
The man said:
Can you tell ne whether there is work
in this library by Armand lie Compile, en-
titled Seven voyages to the Noon 1t is
rather rare affair." even in the way of Gu
rious literature; but do not despair of
getting it."
"Oh, yes" returned Mr. Thavies, 81 have
seen The book myself Look into the cata-
logue, under the head Of
The stranger interrupted him by placing
both hands upon his shoulder and staring,
with quiet laugh, into his face.
Don't you recognize me, Harry Tha-
vies?'
"Not exactly; but I perceive that you
recognize me-"
That is merry icstg' returned the
nan, laughing heartily You don't re-
member Joseph Steelel'
what, idle, good -natured, perfectly
worthless Joe Steele," exclaimed Fhavies !;
my quOndOm schoolfcllow the very best
worst scamp in the world OF course,
recognize you now. dear old boy! Where,
in the name of heaven, have you been
since those happy days when we were
! il0gged together: Let me think. Why,
Joe, ! haven't set eyes upon you since that
night YOU ran away, when we were caught
stealing cherries, have ="
Indeed YOU have not The truth is,
Henry. | have been everywhere-all over
the world nearly, even to Australia and
China, too-that was getting low enough,
wasn't il? But let us go away from this.
live near by. Quarters not particularly
gorgeous, but certainly comfortable"
Thavies signi6ed assent, and they started
off together. As they went along the
street, it was rather evident that in old
! Joe's ease the rolling stone, if it had not
gathered much moss, had unquestionably
accumulated plentiful quantity of dust
/ Old JOe's coat was almost white his shoes
and hat the color of ashes.
Joe's quarters were comprised in a little
room up five pairs of stairs in a neighbor-
! ing lodging house. The reaching Of this
apartment was like ascending a nlonu-
ment.
Here, yOu perceive" said Joe, looking
| cheerfully around, when he and his friend
/ had made their ascent, 81 are my chambers,
| [ feel quite as if | were a lord Of castle
! This is my library-a single volume, and
that volume On almanac; this is my bu
reau-a hat-box; and this my bed-a cot
fee-bag III the corner! Not altogether an
! elaborate display of furniture; but my
| Oh 1o-,lh nj al IN
AMI unassumingl Now take seat if you
! ple ase"
Dir. Thavies examined about him, some
W isi s'nba-:assed.
AIR said old Joe, quickly, you don I
see chair, do YOU? Very well!'I didn't
say take & chair, | said take seat Hey,
presto, change! The bureau, at my com
mand, transforms itself into divan,
The visitor seated himself upon the hat
box Now, joe he said, tell me your
story but don't make it long"
At oncel Well, as l said to You in
the library, have been everywhere since
that night of the cherries. Now | am
going to the moon!"
ITO the moon:"
PRECISELY" returned Joe, taking q
newspaper from his pocket. Read fol
yourself"
Mr. ThagieS read an advertisement, In
dicated under Joe's brown finger, setting
forth that on that very afternoon a balloon
ascension would be made from Green 5
Gardens by Professor Leporello at pre-
cisely two O'Clock.
Arc YOU the aeronaut?'
Harry, you will easily recall to youl
mini that from boyhood's happy hour
have had a fancy for being high up in the
world. My ambition was OF the most eX
allied character. This taste developed with
my years. 1t was apparent in my regular
choice of tall-heeled shoes. 1t is apparent
even now in lay selection OF the attic OF
this mansion rather than any other por-
ton of this house
How many ascensions have you made: 2
"This will be my first on my own re
! spOnsibility. l have, however, been up
stairs at divers times under the direction OF
others Now meet my frankness in kind
tell me how old friends have been getting
eli, and all about your own affairs too, il
you choose"
We'll" returned Thavies, slowly, as il
about to touch upon Il doubtful subject
| you know | suppose, that l am married
Joe Steele became suddenly grave. &c
whom" lie asked, looking steadily at the
man before him.
"To Mary Graham, of course"
The shabby aesonaut palcd viSibly and
fell against the wall.
AT last, at last" he murmurcd broken
ly.
Thavies went toward him quickly. MY
dear Joe, / did not expect this. You must
not give away to foolishness, you know.
thought you had got over your little whim
for Mary's love long since"
"The dream is overt" returned the other
recovering himself with an effort. "All
is past, Thaviesi"
"What do you mean:"
"What do | meang' he cried, his voice
rising almost into a shrlll scream.
mean that she promised me when left
school that night to be true to me until we
should meet again-nay, if we did not meet
until after DEATH O, | loved her SO, man
| loved her better than my soul, And
! Thavies, Y, u remember how jealous | was
of youl | feared she might be false in my
absence. So | brought a Bible with me
and compelled her to swear-then and
there-that she would never be your wife
Through all my long, weary pilgrimage il
has been comfort in trial, vcxatlOn, and
disappointment to think one day perhaps
should go back to her and find her still
keeping her iroth! But now you tell me
she has been false
He burst into wild tears and hid his
bronze face in his arms az ainst the wal
of the room.
Thayies was much moved. "My dear
Joe" he said kindly, think how foolish
it was to rest the happiness of your life
upon such a school-boy vision. My wife
has told me that she loved you very truly,
and at one time believed she would W il
in patience until you came back to claim
her hand or release her from tho. VOW she
made But after a few years, as she had
never heard from you since the night OF
your departure, she concluded you had for
gotten your absurd engagement, and so
she married me-"
The aeronant brushed away his tears
and looked up.