Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-06-22
Srlerf Storp.
A Holiday iH a Balloon.


! III Was the ISL OF May. Inc SKY
was clear and cloudless. and the air
! like June. There was just bree {
enough to family stir the swinging
/ boughs of the trees; and the broad
/ fields stretched out beneath the sun
/ like "a carpet of emerald. In the
wood, and by the side Of the pasture
fences. the pink and white blossoms
of the trailing arbutus peeped timidiy
out as il they knew the day, and were
waiting for the fingers that We're to
come and pluck them.
May Day had always been holi-
day in Brightview, and such "a day
had not been seen for years As
soon as the dew was off the grass the
girls and boys wandered off into the
neighboring fields and along the for
est, hunting for May flowers and
evergreens. Some of the more adj
venturous OF the latter took a wide
range, extending their ramble mile
or two two beyond the village, and
toward the town which lay twice
that distance away from home.
Among them were two whom this
story especially concerns - Johnny
Carter and Willie Adams. Johnny
was Il stout, chubby faced boy of
twelve, good -natured and full of fun.
and always ready for an adventure.
Willie was two years younger, and
very much like his companion in dis
position.
Il don't like 10 stick around with
the girls all the time" said Johnny
"They're always teasing you to go in
to wetplaces for 'em, or to climb after
something, or poke in among bushes
and briers after leaves and things"
If | had Il sister I'd get things for
her." said Willie, but L air't related
to single one of the little girls, and
the ones bigger'n [ am can help
themselves"
During this and much more talk Of
the same kind the two got separated
from their companions, and finally
climbed the wall into the road
There was "a clump OF willows near
and cutting some Of the shoots they
sat down upon the bank and We're
soon engaged in the mysteries of
whistle making.
"Hullo!" suddenly exclaimed John
ny. pointing down the road. Here
comes Tom ana Joe Billings with
/ their fathers old mare. And all
dressed up, toe. / wonder where
they're going?'
ITO town, of course said Willie
in half contemptuous tone of voice.
They feel so big because their faith
er lets 'em drive round that old rack
abones Just as Il nobody else in
Brightview owned horse"
Il wish they'd ask us to ride said
1 Johnny, as the team drew near
"Ain't room enough" was the COM
ment Of Willie.
I'VE could sit in behind and let our
legs hang down." insisted Johnny.
Il am going to ask 'em anyway"
BY this time the carriage had
reached the spot where the two boys
We're sitting.
II say, Joe," shouted Johnny.
Joe pulled up with sudden jerk,
which almost threw his smaller broth
er over the dasher, and turned his
head toward Johnny, who now came
running down the bank into the road.
Where are you going? Give us "a
ride, will you?" he asked in the same
breath.
Were going to town." answered
Joe; me and Tommy. Father told
us this morning if we'd take hold and
help him mend the fence around the
calfpasture we might have the mare
to 20 and see the 'cension."
'Censionl what 'cension? What
is 'cension?" inquired Johnny; and
Willie, showing "a growing interest in
the subject, shut up his knife and
came down into the road.
why, 'cension is a-'cension. 1
thought everybody knew what that
was"
rs it alive?" asked Willie.
"Alivel 'cension alivel" and Joe
gave contemptuous shout. "Why,
its balloon. Tommy knows more
than that"
Say, now, Joe, said Johnny, coax
ingly, "mayn't we we go with you?
Willie and me never saw a balloon"
II don't believe the old mare would
draw four fellows said Joe doubt.
fully.
90, pshaw; yes she will" urged
Johnny. well bear up just as light
as we can; won't we Willie?"
Willie declared that he would hold
his breath all the way, and finally
Joe consented. The two boys climb
ed in behind. and once more the team
logged along toward the town.