Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-02-27


in the clouds felt still more forlorr
However, the bright comet shone out
cheer them a little. Johnny was afrai
at first that they would be driven clos
to it, and it would burn them up, bu
his sister told him that ''it was NOR
than twenty miles away, and that Goo
would not let it hurt them.
II wish he would come a little near
er, if he wouldn't hurt me, then," sal,
Johnny, $50 I could warm myself, I'm
so cold.''
On hearing this Jenny took off he
apron, and wrapped it round him.
This is all sister has to make yor
warm, darling," she said; Shut shell
hug you close in her arms, and we viii
say our prayers, and shall go to Sleep
why, how can I say my prayers be-
fore 1 have my support" asked little
Johnny.
"Sister hasn't any supper for you, OIL
for herself, but we must pray all the
harder" was Jenny's answer.
Johnny then did as he was told. The
two clasped their hands, repeated "Our
Father" and the evening hymn they
were accustomed to use:
snow l lay me down to sleep.
Ipray the Lord my soul to keep;
If shOuld die before I wake.
pray the Lord my soul TO take"
"There! God heard that easy; fol-
we are close to him up here" said
Johnny, when he had ended.
Jenny then told him to sit down at
the bottom of the car, and lean his
head against her knee. He did so, and
in a few minutes was almost as COM
fortably asleep as though he were lying
in his own little bed at home.
Throughout the long, silent hours of
the night Jenny watched patiently
while the car floated gently onwards in
the still air. Sometimes a falling star
shot quickly past and startled her lit
tie. do not know what her thoughts
were at that time. 1t may have been
that God revealed to her some of those
mysteries he sometimes deigns to dis
close to babes and sucklings. Very
likely she continued to pray from time
to time for his assistance.
And he answered at last, as he always
does each faithful, fervent prayer,
though he does not always assist his
children in the exact way that they ex-
pect. He put it into little Jenny's mind
now to examine the balloon more close
ly than she had yet done. She noticed
a cord hanging down, which she had
not before seen. Should she pull it
gently, very geutly, and see what effect
it had? So soon as she touched it the
the balloon began to sink quietly, as
though let down by tender hands.
Yet, o where will it alight? That is
now the danger. An angel guided its
course, doubtless, to place where sue
cor was at hand.
The morning twilight had just ar
rived when the little girl, looking over
the side of the car, saw, as she express
ed it, "the dear earth rising towards
them." A strange spot indeed was it
on which the balloon alighted. Where
do you think? On the topmost branches
Of large pear tree, where it fortunate
ly stuck fast. Jenny felt at first disap-
pointed that it had not descended on
the earth, so that they could have got
out directly; but when she discovered
that the pear tree was situated but about
twenty yards distant from house, she
to wait patiently until the in
mates awoke. She reused little Johnny |
to tell him the joyful tidings, and they |
hugged one another closely to keep as
warm as they could.
They were not required to wait so
Iong as they expected. Somewhere
lbout this time Farmer Barton, the
master of the house near the pear tree,
became completely aroused from sleep,
through some unaccountable reason.
He was usually an excellent sleeper, but
now, try all he might, he could not
rest. First he turned on one side, then
IN the other, but it was of no use. His
awoke his wife, but she
could not help him. At last he said:
"It's no use. I'll just get up and
lress, and have look at the comet"
His toilet completed, he let himself
,ut of the door, hoping the cool air
night have beneficial effect.
But why does he pause on the thresh-
I'D, and stare so fixedly before him?
What has happened to that pear tree
Is it new, strange animal which has
iettled on the top, or can it be (here
,ovel idea shot through the farmers
nind) the comet itself, which has fallen
o the earth, its light extinguished?
He felt by no means inclined to en-
counter so "uncanny" an object alone,
10 hastily summoned his wife to his
ide. Somewhat fortified by her pres
,nce, they advanced together towards
he monster. When they came within
,arshot, very gentle little voice greet
d him.
"Please take us down; we are very
old"
A second, still more babyish, chimed
n:
"And hungry too. Please take US
town."
"Why, who are you? and where are
-ou?" exclaimed the farmer and his
wife, in breath.
The first voice answered:
ave are Mr.. Harwood's little boy
md girl, and we are lost in balloon"
"It's us, and we have ruined away
With balloon" said the second voice.
Mr.. Barton guessed little now how
matters stood. Looking about he saw
rope dangling, which he took hold of,
md succeeded in pulling down the bal
DON.
The children then appeared inside.
first he lifted out little johnny, who
an some yards towards the house, then
topped and remained staring wonder
ngly at the strange creature which had
,arried them away. He seemed but lit
lie the worse, but poor Jenny was so
,hilled and exhausted that she was OBJ
iged to be carried into the house. Kind
Mrs. Barton warmed and fed her, and
hen, though still trembling and sob
)ing, she contrived to tell her wonder
'ul tale. The farmer Immediately sent
,ff n p,o,cannar On .. |