Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-06-15
gor unu,rg Readtrs.
4 HOLIDAY In A BALLOON.
BY CHARLES Z. HURD.

clear and clOudleSS, and the air like June
There was just breeze enough to family
stir the swinging boughs of the trees; and
the broad fields stretched out beneath the
sun like carpet of emerald. In the
wood, and by the side of the pasture
fences, the pink and white blossoms of
the trailing arbutus peeped timidly out as
if they knew the day, and were waiting
for the fingers that were to come and
pluck them.
May Day had always been holiday in
| Brightview. and such 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 forest, hunting for May flowers and
evergreens. Some of the more adventur-
Gus of the latter took wide range, ex-
tending their ramble mile or two be-
yond the village, and toward the town
which lay twice that distance away from
home. Among them were the two whom
this. story especially concerns-Joh nny
Carter and Willie Adams. Johnny was
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 compan-
ion in disposition.
81 don't like to stick round with the
girls all the time,'' said Johnny
They're always wanting you to go into
wet places for 'enl, or to climb after some
thing, or poke in among the bushes and
briers after leaves and things
eff / had sister I'd get things for
her." said Willie, but I amt related to
a 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 clump of
willows near, and cutting some Of the
shoots they sat down upon the bank and
were soon engaged in the mysteries of
whistle making.
g Hullo!" suddenly exclaimed Johnny,
pointing down the road. Here comes
Tom and Joe Billings with their fathers
old mare. And all dressed up, too. l
wonder where they're going"
To town, of COURSE" said Willie, in
a half contemptuous tone of voice.
"They feel so big because their father lets
'em drive round that old rackabones |
Just as if nobody else in Brightview
owned a horse"
81 wish they'd ask us to ride" said
Johnny, as the team drew near.
Amt room enough" was the COM
ment of Willie
We could sit in behind and let our
legs hang over" insisted Johnny. {" Pm
going to ask 'em, anyway"
By this time the carriage had reached
the spot where the two boys were sit
ting.
81 say, Joe," shouted Johnny
Joe pulled up with sudden jerk,
which almost threw his smaller brother
over the dasher, and turned his head to-
ward Johnny, who now came running
down the bank into the road
"Where are you going? Give US a
ride, will you?" ne asked in the same
breath.
We're going to town" answered Joe :;
90 me and Tommy. Father told us this
morning that if we'd take hold and help
him mend the fence around the calf-pas-
ture we might have the mare to go and
see the 'cension,
"'Censioni what 'cension? What IS a
'cension?" inquired Johnny; and Willie,
oh N in inf in fha
shut up his knife and came down into the
road.
Why, a 'cension is a-'cension.
thought everybody knew what that was"
g Is it aliye?" asked Willie.
"AliYe 'cension aliveI' and Joe gave
contemptuous shout. Why, it's bal
loon. Tommy knows more'n that"
"Say, now, Joe," said Johnny, coax
ingly, "mayn't we go with you? Willie
and me never saw balloon"
81 don't believe the old mare would
draw four fellows,' said Joe, doubtfully.
go, pshaw; yes she will, urged Johnny
"We'll 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 con-
sented. The two boys climbed in behind,
| and once more the team logged along to-
ward the town.
Long before they reached it they could
see the crowd in the great field Just out
side, where all the circuses pitched their
tents, and where the annual county fairs
were always held, and swaying, half
| filled, above the heads of the people,
though held close to the ground by ropes,
was the balloon. The excited boys urged
| the mare to her utmost speed with clucks
| and shouts, and the spot was soon reached
| at last.
Johnny and Willie, with little Tommy
at their heels, sped across the field which
| lay between, leaving Joe to fasten the
mare to the fence among crowd Of other
| teams. That done, he followed after, and
the four were soon engaged in the inspec-
| ton of the won derful object.
It was not big balloon, by any means,