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


his arm, he turned in some considerable
surprise
He found himself face to face with
medium 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 me whether there is 6
work in this library by Armand LIE
Comte, entitled Seven voyages to the
Moon? 1t is rather a rare affair, even
in the way Of curious literature; but
do not despair of getting it "
= "Oh, yes" returned Mr.. Thavies: 81
have seen the book myself. Look in
to the catalogue, under the head Of
The stranger interrupted him by
placing both hands upon his shoulders,
and staring, with quiet laugh, into his
face.
Don't you recognize me, Henry Tha,
vies 2
Not exactly; bu, preceive that YOU
recognize me.
This is a merry jest" returned
the man, looking heartily. "Gou don't
remember Joseph Steele"
What! idle, good natured, perfectly
worthless Joe Steele exclaimed Tha.
vies: INV former schoolfellow the
very best and worst scamp in the world!
Of course I recognize you now, dear
old bov, Where, in the name Of heaven
have YOU been since those happy days
when we were flogged 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, nave been everywhere-all
over the world, nearly-even to Aus
tralia, and China, too. That was get
ting low enough, wasn't it? But let us
20 away from this live close by
Quarters not particularly gorgeous but
certainly comfortable,
Thavies signitied assent aud they
started off together. As they went
along the streets, it was rather evident
that in old.Joe's case the rolling stone
if it had not gathered much moss. had
unquestionably accumulated plentiful
quantity of dust. Joe's coat was al
most white, his shoes and hat the color
Of ashes
.Joes quarters were composed IN a
little ill-iurnlshcd room up four pair OF
stairs in ncighboring boarding house
The reaching Of the apartment was
like ascending the Monument
Here you preceive," said Joe, look
ing cheerfully aroand, when he,and his
friend had made the ascent, ARE my
chambers feel quite as if ! were
lord Of castle Now take a seat if
YOU please.
Mr.. Thavies examined about him,
somewhat embarrassed.
"Ahr' said Joe, quietly, you don
see a chair, do YOU? Very well |
didn't say take a chair said take a
seat-Fling Yourself at full length upon
the divan.
The visitor seated himself upon Il
box.
"Now Joe, tell me your story. he
said: "but don't make it long.
"At once Well, as | said to YOU in
the library, ! have been everywhere
since ran away from school that nj ght
of the cherries Now am going to the
moon.
TO the moon?
Precisely" returned Joe, taking a
newspaper from his pocket. Read for
Yourself
Mr. Thavies read an advertisement,
indicated under Joe's finger, setting
forth that on that very afternoon bal
loon ascension would be made from
Vauxhall Gardens, by Professor Lepor-
clio, at precisely two o'clock.
care YOU the aeronant.
Harry, YOU will easily recall to your
mind that from boyhoods happy hour
have had a fancy for being high up
in the world. My ambition was Of the
most exaulted character. This taste
developed with my years. 1t was APP
parent in my regular choice for tall
heeled shoes. 1t is apparent even now
in nv selection OF the attic of this man.
sion rather than any other portion o!
this house.
How many ascensions have you
made 2
This will he the first on my own
responsibility. | have, however, been
up at divers times under the direction OF
others. Now meet my frankness in
kind; tell me how old friends have been
getting on, and about your own affairs,
too, if you choose"
"Well, returned Thavies, slowly, As
if about to touch upon doubtful sub
iect "you know, | suppose that am
married =
Joe Steele became suddenly grave.
"To whom he asked looking steadl-
ly at the wall before him.
TO Mary Graham, Of course.
The shabby aeronant paled visibly,
and sank against the wall.
AT last-at last" he murmured bro
kenly.
Thavies went toward him quickly.
NV dear Joe | did not expect this
You must not 9 i've way 10 nonsense, you
know. | thought that You had got
over your win for Marys love long
since.
The dream is over" returned the
other, recovering himself with an effort
ALI is past, Thavies!'
What do you mean?
What do | mean he cried his
voice rising almost into shrill scream.
81 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. Oh, !
loved her so, man! loved her better
than my soul And, Thavies, You re-
member how jealous was Of you? |
fasred she might be false in my absence.