The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-10-29


1 May you, whose life-destinies have
been Joined together at this altitude,
! be always lifted above the adversities
of life. Hence you look down upon
! the multit1des below, who appear. as
pigmies from your elevation, and you
] see that the sun is fast going down
upon them shadows lengthen and
darkness will quickly enwrap them.
Upon you the sun shines with greater
brilliancy than we have seen is at any
time to-day; so may it be in. life, and
| you be exempt from shadows and
darkness, though you see them fall
upon others. As you here serenely
float above the hills, the rocks and the
roughness below, so may your united
destinies bear you above the rugged
places of life; may you have no hills
of sorI ow to scale, no valley OF adver-
sity to pass through, no rock of pas
sion TO stumble upon, no treaeherOus
ditch of contention to fall into.
Soon we shall all descend to earth,
as we must sthortly all go down to the
grave. AS, upon leaving this vessel
you two will pass forward in cOmpa-
ny while you live, 30 when you have
both crossed to 'sthat bourne from
whence no traveller returns" may your
united souls in company explore the
glorious paradise of GODS redeemed." !"
The party had been as joviaI as we'd
ding parties always are, with the add
ed enthusiasm of those who for the first
time see the glory of Gods world from
balloon. They eat grapes, and
pledged in sparkling wine the brides
health and happiness. They laughed
at the cock fight and the dog fight
which they distinctly saw going on
below. They grew solemn in their
admiration as they. saw below them
both sun and moon and clouds, and
drank in the awful grandeur of the
scene. When they left the balloon
which Mr.. Donaldson succeeded in
towing back to the city, gas and all,
ready for to-day's sail, "a feat seldom
accomplished) it was to drive to the
Cathedral, where Father Quinn, in
obedience to the brides religious
scruples, performed
SECOND oEREMoY.
He married them "with the ring"
and prefaced the solemnity with few
impressive remarks, complimenting
the bride on having in q strange city
sought to find priest to marry her
in the clouds and the husband on hav-
ing yielded to his wife's share of right
"Both things" said Father Quinn, ''ar-
gued future prosperity" The bridal
party were then Briefly received by
His Grace, the most Rev. Archbishop
Purcell, who impressed them, as he
does all men, with the cordiality and
kindness, which goes hand in hand
with his distinguished learning and
piety.
Later in the evening, at the Craw-
ford House, there was
ALITTLE RECEPTION,
At which there was bounteous table
and more than bounteous good will
1t was a reunion of those who are en-
deared to each other by professional
as well as personal ties, and there
mingled with them, in brotherhood,
Messrs. Hurd, Coup, Thomas and 9TH
prominent managers of the show
There were there, too, newspaper men
and others who have a weak side for
the better phases and kinklier hours
of human nature. Many were the
contributions, i'll every way, to the en-
joyment of the memorable night,
among which we may quote the fol.
lowing extempore writing by Mr.. A
Sellers, treasurer of the Hippodrome,
to the bride:
TO MARY,
Up where the thunder sleeps,
Up where the angels rest,
Above the clouds.
Our bonnie bride retreats;
Our fairest, sweetest, best,
A mist enshrouds
Matches in heaven are made.
Aud hand to hand they clasp
As seemets best;
Far from US, undismayed,
Her happy chains are cast,
And she is blest.
Down, down once more to earth
We welcome her again.
Our bonnie bride;
To hope and joy and mirth.
Exempt from care and pain,
Whate'er betide.
THE CERTIFICATE
Given by Mr.. Jeffries to the bride
reads as follows:
CHARLES NJ. CoLToN,( 1ra;a:
MISS MARY E. wALsHS Married
In Balloon "P. L. Barnum,"
:oNE MILE HIGH OYER CINCINETI, o..
October 10, 1874.
Rev. Fl. B. JEFFRlEs,
Officiating Clergyman.
Aud such is brief, plain history of
the first mid-air marriage on record.