The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-03-08
THE BABES IN THE CLOUDS.

THE BABES IN THE CLOUDS.
Years ago tliore suddenly burst upon
the western world magnificent stranger
from foreigc parts, "with all his travelling
glories on. II was the great comet Of
1858, on the grand tour OF the universe.
We remember that comet summer, not
30 much for its great astronomical event
rs for two singular incidents that more
nearly touched our human sympathies,
which will groyel in poor earthly affairs,
even within sight Of the most august
celestial phenomena.
One pleasant Saturday afternoon dur
ing the comets appearance, an aeronaut,
after q prosperous voyage, descended
upon farm in tho neighborhood Of u
large market town in one Of the Western
States. He was soon surrounded by n
curious group of the farmers family and
laborcrs, all asking eagerquestions about
the voyage and the management OF tho
balloon. That secured by IN anchor and
rope in tho hand OF the aeronaut, its
car being foot or two above the ground,
was swaying leisurely backward aud for
ward in the evening air. II was good
deal out Of wind, and was d sleepy and
innocent monster in the eyes Of the
farmer, who, with the owners permits
sion, led It up to his house, where, ns he
said, ho could hitch II to his fence. But
before he had thus secured it, his three
children, aged respectively ten, eight
and three, begged him tolift them "into
that big basket" that they might "sit
on those pretty red cushions"
While the attention Of the aeronaut
was diverted by more curious question.
ers from neighboring farm, this rash
father lifted his darlings one by one into
thecar. Chubby little Johnny proved the
"ounce too much " for the aerial camel,
and brought him to the ground; and
then, linluckily, not .th1 baby, but the
eldest hope Of tile family, was lifted out.
The relief wastoo great for the monster.
Tho volatile creatures spirit rose atonce,
he ierked his halter out Of the fathers
hand, and, with wild bound, mounted
into the air Vain was tho aeronaut's
anchor. II caught for moment in o
fence, but it tore away, and was of,
dangling uselessly after the runaway
balloon, which 80 swiftly and steadily
rose that in few minutes those two
little white faces, peering over the edge
OF the car, grew indistinct, and those
piteouscries OF Papa" and Mammal"
grew faint and fainter, up in the air.
When distance and twilight mists lad
swallowed up voices anil faces, and
nothing could be seen but the dark cruel
shape, sailing triumphantly away, with
its precious booty, like an aerial priya-
teer, tho poor iather sank down helpless
md speechlcss; but tho mother, frantic
with grief, still stretched her yearning
arms towards the inexorable heavens,
and called wildly into the unanswcring
void.
The ,aeronaut stroye to console the
wretched parents with assurances that
the balloon would descend within thirty
miles Of the town, and that all might be
well with the children, provided that it
did not come down in water or in deep
woods. In the event Of its descending
in q favorable spot, he thought that the
older child might step out leaving the
younger in the balloon. Then it might
again arise and continue its voyage.
"Ali, no, 4" replied the mother, "Jen-
mic would never stir from tho car with
out Johnny in her arms. y
The balloon passed directly over the
market town, and tho children seeing
many people in the streets, stretched out
their hands and called loudly for help.
But the villagers, though they saw the
bright little heads, heard no calls.