Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-10-13
A Pleasant Adventure.

Museum library for book he had long
sought, but had been unable to obtain.
He was so preoccupied that he did not
notice the approach of stranger behind
him. and, feeling touch upon his arm,
he turned i'm some considerable surprise.
He found himself face to face with a
medium sized, thick-set person of thirty
or so, whom, so well as he remembered,
he had never seen before. The man
said:
"Can you tell me whether there is a
work in this library by Armand lie
Compte, 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 into
the catalogue, under the head Of"
The stranger interrupted him by
placing both hands upon his shoulder,
and staring, with a quiet laugh, into his
face.
"Don't you recognize me, Henry
Thavies?''
''Not exactly, but l perceive you
recognize me-"
'sThis is a merry jest" returned the
lou uon
Joseph Steele?"
"What! idle, good-natured, perfectly
worthless Joe Steele," exclaimed Tha-
vies; my former schoolfellow, the very
best and worst scamp in the world.
Where, in the name of heaven, have
you been since those happy days when
we got fiogged together? Let me think.
Why, Joe, l haven't set eyes upon you
since that night you ran away, when
we were caught stealing cherries, have
II"
ssIndeed Won have not. The truth is,
Henry, | have been everywhere-all
over the world, nearly-even to Austria
liza, and China too. That was getting
low enongh, wasn't it? But let's go
away from this, | live very close by.
Quarters not particularly gorgeous, but
certainly comfortable.
Thavies signi;ied assent, and 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 almost
white, his shoes and hat the color of
ashes.
Joe's quarters were composed OF
little ill-furnished room up four pairs
of stairs in neighboring boarding
house. The reaching of the apartment
was like ascending the Monument.
"Here, you perceive" said Joe, look
ing cheerfully around, when he and his
friend had made the ascent, 'are my
chambers! l feel quite as if L were
lord of castle. Now take a seat if you
please"
Mr.. Thavies examined about him,
somewhat embarrassed.
"Ah?'' aid Joe, quietly, ''yOu don't
see chair, do you? Very well didn't
saw take a chair-I said take seat
Fling yourself at full length upon the
divan."
The visitor seated himself upon
box.
Snow, Joe, teli me your story" he
said; ''but don't make it long"
"At once, Well, as j said to you i'm
the library, | have been everywhere
since ran away from school that night
of the cherries. Now l am going to the
NOON"
$50 the moon?"
PRECISELY" returned Joe, taking a
newspaper from his pocket. ''Read for
yourself
Mr.. Thavies read an advertisement,
indicated under Joe's brown finger,
setting forth that on that very afternoon
a balloon ascension would be made from
Vauxhall Gardens, by Professor Lepo-
relic, at precisely two O'Clock.
"Are YOU the aronaut?"
"Harry, you will easily recall to your
mind that from boyhood's happy hour
have had fancy for being high up in
the world My ambition was of the
most exalted character. This taste de-
veloped with my years. 1t Is apparent
in my regular choice of ftall-heeled shoes.
Ii is apparent even now in nv selection
of the attic of this mansion rather than
any other portion of the house."
"How many ascensions have you
made?''
"This will be the first on my own
responsibility. L have, however, been
up at divers times under the direction of
others. Now meet my frankness in
kind; tell me how old friends are getting
on, and about your own affairs, too, II
You choose"
"Well," returned Thavies, slowly, as
if about to touch on a doubtful subject,
''you know, suppose, that | am mar
ried?'
Joe Steele became suddenly grave.
"To whoms - he asked, looking
steadily at the wall before him.
"To Mary Graham, of course"
The shabby aronaut paled visibly,
and sank against the wall.
"At last-at last" he murmured,
brokenly.
Thavies went toward him quickly.
my dear Joe, did not expect this.
You must not give way to nonsense, you
know. L thought you had got over your
whim for Mary's love long since"
"The dream is over" returned the
other, recovering himself with an effort.
"All is past, Thavies.'