The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-24

= My dsar Joe, he sald kindly, thlnk
how foolish s,to rest the happiness
of your life on such a schoolboy VISION
My wife has told me that she loved you
very truly, and at one time believed that
she would wait in patience until you
came back to claim her hand, or re-
lease her from the VOW she made. But,
after few year,, she had never heard
of you since the night of your depart
! ure, she concluded you had forgotten
your absurd engagement, and so she
married me.
"Thavies, you are right" he said, with
q short, hysterical laugh. 1.-THE shadow
being gone, am man again For
give my weakness. Tears, idle tears, !
know not what they mean; and, to be
plain old boy, don't care. Away with
melancholy, then! Let us be joyful
while we may. Ask me to lunch with
You, Harry. l can't ask you, You
know. Where shall the banquet be set
forth p
His manner had totally changed.
The old restles gayety had come back,
more startling and CHASTITY than ever.
Anywhere you choose. But how
can we lunch together, since you are to
make your ascension at two clock, and
it is now a quarter past oneY
at Is?' exclaimed Steele, in surprise.
"Then | must be off instantly" He
moved towards the door, but suddenly
turned and came back ave a thought
Thavies Go up in the balloon with
me, won't YOU? 1t is a rare offer. |
know the ropes as well as | do my own
name and there'll be no danger. The
fact is, ! want to talk to you.
'Thavies was taken little aback'
81 should like to try such an advent
ure," he said. What time shall we
come down and where?'
Amy time, anywhere Some time
and somewhere; all right, be assured
Come
After little further hesitation Tha-
vies agreed. They set off for Vauxhill
Gardens at once, stopping by the way
only to purchase bottle of cherry and
some sandwiches, and on arriving al
their destination, found the balloon al
ready inflated, and a crowd gathered to
see it off
"Just in the nick OF time, said Steele.
Jump in old boyr
Thavies stepped into the swaying bas-
ket, looking very curious and doubtful,
and the aeronant followed. - 4 band Of
music commenced to play, and the null
titude cheered Justify.
"Cut off! shouted Steele We've
got every thing, | believe. Yes; all
right-Now, don't be nervous, Harry
take hold Of the rope: thatll DO. Give
way
And swaying slowly from side to side
up they went. rhavies chung to the edge
of the basket, at first, in great alarm, but
Steele laughed
. "Pooh you cant be pitched ont
he said Look at me sit very camly
on this fiying-trapcze arrangement, and
drink your health.
He opened the bottle and took a hug"
swallow
Now to business. Is the ballast all
correct? Quite Ell? Everything in its
place. ] believe Yes! Then let lis
make ourselves comfortable.
But the advice was quite thrown away
upon Thavies.
81 don't feel very comfortable, must
confess, Joe, he returned, clinging to
the side of the basket with both hands
81 wish | hadn't come.
They were rising at a great rate row.
No speed in the world could have been
as rapid
"Pshaw, That sort OF feeling will
easily were of. | experienced it at
first.
But it don't wear off in the least
Higher, higher and higher they flew,
Suddenly Steele who had been de-
vouring the sandwiches and di-posing Of
more wine, cried ont
Look over the edge, Harry
Thavies by a great effort of will,
steadied himself with his feet, and peep
ed down The sight was strange beyond
all description All London, in one vast
picture, lay below.
"lt's grand" he murmured
Grand it is p repeated Steele, glanc-
ing down from his side OF the car. so it
it!
He got mp, and stood with folded
arms.
"Now, my dear boy, let me tell YOU
something; You will never see London
again
lie burst into a wild peal OF laugh
ter.
Il didn't seem anxious when ! asked
YOU to take a voyage with me, did | :?
But my heart stood still while YOU WAS
making mp your mind
Thavies started at him perfectly una
bic TO comprehend. lie had fallen in
to the extremity Of dread terror. His
blood seemed to freze in his veins.
Yes, old boy, your time has come.
You will never 90 back to Mary Ora
ham again. We are alone here. ]
shall pitch you out, and then sink down
comfortably myself, and say you jumped
over a rope and fell. Who will known
the difference
Then the whole truth flashed upon
Henry Thavies-his companion was
mailman
"Get up friend Of my soul = continued
Steele, with horrible laughter, rolling
up his sleeves; I'VE are called to the
stage and then addressing an immagi-
nary audience. Ladies and gentlemen,
YOU will now witness the rare feat OF
strength, produced only on this occa-
sion, entitled. "A Struggle TOR Lille =
Thavies still held ia - the basket
paralyzed.
There is 40 time'o lose, Harry. The
higher We rise the further YOU shall fall,
if YOU drop heels upward, YOU will be