Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-03-12

worshipsd the eagle Doubtless the
barbarous spelling OF your old book
has led you astray but the Professor
can toll you the object Of that great
gathering better than ] can, What
was It Professor 7
Prof. It was certainly not a rellgi'
Gus festival 1t was only Of 4 series OF
bazars, or gigantic iairs, which was
eonsidcredt to advance the arts and
sciences, and were held In various
countries of Europe during tho latter
half Of this same century of which we
have been speaking Nothing more
than that,
Mrs. Il. Well all these things are
very interesting to know, but ! am re-
ally glad when ] think that ! was not
born in such q stupid age.
Miss, Il Yes indeed VIC have a
great deal to DO thankful for when We
consider how uncomfortable liie must
have been with such bare surround
ings,
Mrs. +. Iwant to ask II they had
no balloon travelling in those days 7
Surely ! have read Of balloons in the
history Of ancient America although
| am not sure Of the date.
Prof. You are right they were
partially known before the year 1900,
but 10 defective and imperfect was
that knowledge that they were regard
ed as playthings, rather than useful
and necessary conveyances. Of course
there were some adventurous spirits
who made balloon voyages, and aston
ished all beholders with their temerity |;
but the balloon was not utilized until
the close of the twenty sixth century,
almost the twenty.seventh.
Mrs. r. What a pity, for it IL GER
tainly most charming way Of travel
ing far superior to that gloomy tunnel
| if one wishes to cross the ocean.
DR.. T. ] differ with you there. i
vastly perfer the tunnel, and then the
time you save is quite a consideration
You know that the express trains are
making through trips IN thirty hours.
Mrs. Il. Well, the balloon only
takes forty.eight, and that is fast en-
ough for me- Besides, am always
so fearful while in the tunnel that the
light will be exhausted, and then i'm
agjne the darkness / should die OF
fright in such case.
Prof. No danger of that, Mrs. Trevor
The company send an extra supply Of
light put up in the most convenient
jars you ever saw, with every train,
in fact l found the light too intense
for me, and was obliged to turn it of
several times to rest my eyes.
Mrs. II. Still, | think l shall travel
by balloon feel so much safer.
Miss r. Edith, you are real a COW
ard. What would you have done if
you had been obliged to cross in q
steamship, with the great wave buffet
ing you on every side, aud threaten
ing to swallow up the vessel and pas
sepgers7
Mrs. r. Why, l should have stoid
at home, | suppose, rather than en-
counter such horrors.
Prof Excuse me ladies if | remind
Remington that we are engaged to dine
with an old friend in Charleston this
evening, and the day is already tar
spent. But l have something for
you Miss Clara, (aklng some tiny
packages from bis coat pocket) which
know you will enjoy | did not see
you at the opera last evening, so l
Brought you few of the gems. This
aria from the second act is especially
fine, and bids far to be very popular.
Miss I. Oh, thank you, how kind
you were to remember me was so
anxious TO go last night as it was the
first representation, but it was quite
impossible. However this is very
conso'ing. Suppose we open the ara
you mentioned and enjoy it now. Will
you unseal it, please
Prof. Certainly. (Prof. taking
up one of the small packages carefully
breaks the SEAL Immediately char
ming soprano voice executes difficult
aria. All listen attentively. The
voice ceases.)
Miss T. How charming! / am
so much indebted to you. Now
want to ask a favor which the music
reminds me, although my request has
nothing to do with operas. Won't
you give me your last speech before
the Historical Society! The package
Edith purchased was not good-some
..o, ,,,ora anita inaudih 10