Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-02-05
THE CHILDREN IN THE CLOUDS.


ct appearance ten years ago, the Hronaut,
after n prosperous voyage, descended on
a large farm in the neighborhood of
large market town in one of the Western
States. He was soon surrounded by
curious group OF the farmers family and
hborcr's, all asking eager questions about
the voyage md the management of the
balloon, that, secured 10y an anchor and
rope in the hands OF the acrouaut, its ear
but foot or two above the ground, was
swaying la2ily backward and forward in
the evening air. 1t was good deal out
OF wind, and was n sleepy and innocent
monster in the eyes of the farmer, who,
with the owners permission, led it up to
1 the house, whore he said he could "hitch
it ~ to the tence. But before he thus So
cured it, his three children, aged respect
lively ten, eight and three, begged him to
lit them into that big basket that they
might sit on the pretty red cushions.
While the attention of the wrouaut was
diverted 10y some curious questions from
II neighboring farmer, this rash father
lifted his darlng~ one 10y one into the cor.
Chubby littlo Johnny proved the ounce
/ too much for the aerial camel and brought
him to the ground and then, unluckily,
not the baby, but the eldest hope Of the
family was lifted out. The rclet was too
great for the monster. Thovolatilc Great
ure's spirits rose at once, he jerkod the
halter out OF the farmers hand aud with
a bound mounted in the air. Vain was
the Wronauts anchor. 1t caught for IA
moment in the fence, but il tore away
and was OIL, dangling uselcss after the
runaway balloon, which SO swiftly aud
steadily arose that in few minutes those
two little faces peering over tho edge of
the ear grew indi>tinct, and those pitcous
cries of" Papa - and Mamma !" grew
fainter up in the air
When the distance and twilight mi.ts
had swallowed up voices and faces, and
nothing could bo seen but the dark, cruel
shape, sailing triumphantly away with its
precious booty, like nm aerial pliyatoer,
the poor father sank down hclple,s aud
spcechcss, but the mother, frantic with
grief stil stretched hor yearning arms
toward the heavens, and called wildly up
into the uuans woring void
The ueronaut strovo to console the de.
jected and wrctched parents with a-sur-
anco, that the balloon would descend
within thirty miles Of the town, and that
all might be we'll with the children, pro-
vided it did not come down in deep water
or in the woods. In the event of its de-
scending in a favorable spot, there was
but one danger 10 be approhouGed, he
thought the older might step out, leaving
the younger in the balloon. Then ii
might rise and continuo its voyage.
All, no, ;" replied the mother. "Jen-
ME would never stir from the car without
Johnnie in her arms !"
The balloon passed directly over the
market town, and the children, seeing
many people in the streets, stretched out
their hands and called loudly for hclp.-
But the villagers, though they saw tho
bright littlo heads, heard no call
When the sunlight all went away, and
the great comet came blazing out, little
Johnny was apprchcn,ive that the comet
might como too near the airy craft and
sot it on fire with II whis. Of its dreadful
tail. But when the sister assured him
that the fiery dragon was as much rs
twenty miles away, and that God would
MT let him hurt them, he wa, tranquil,
/ szed, but he soon after said, wish he
would come little nearer SO | could
warm myself am so cold -
Then Jennie took of her apron and
wrapped it about the child, saying ton
dery:
This is all sister has to make you
warm, darling, but -ho'll hug you close
in her arms, and wen say our prayers,
and you shall 60 to sleep"
Why, how can say my prayers be
fore have my supper?' asked Johnny.
"Sister hasn't any supper for you or
herself, but we must pray all the harder, "
solemnly responded Jennie.
So the two baby wanderers, alone in
in the wide heavens, unawed 10y darkness,
mmensity and silence, by the presence Of
the great comet and the millions Of un-
plying stars, lifted their little clasped
hands aud sobbed out their sorrowlul
soar Father" and then that quaint little
supplementary prayer;
" Now | lay me down to sleep,
| pray tho Lord my sOul to koep
If / should die before | wake,
! pray tho Lord my soul to take"
"There q! God heard that easy ) for we
are close 10 him up here" said innocent
little johnny.
Doubtless divine love stopped to the
little ones and folded them in perfect
peace, for soon the younger, sitting on
the car bottom with his head leaning
against his sisters knee, slept as soundly
as though he were lying in his little bed
at home, while the elder watched quietly
through the long hours, and the car float
ed gently on the still night air, till it be
gan to sway and rock on the fresh morn
lag wind.
At length happy providence guided
the little girls wandering hand to the cord
connecting with the valve something
told her to pull it, AT once the balloon
began to sink, slowly and gently, as
though let down by gentle hands, or as
though some celestial pilot guided it
through the wild currents Of air, not let
ting it drop into lakes or rivers, lealy
l.. NH