The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-30
LOVE IN A BALLOON.

A Curious story.
Some time ago was staying with Sir
%. p go, Peach House, Pembrokeshire
Great number of people there-all
kinds of amusements going on Driv-
ING, riding, fishing, shooting-every-
thing in fact. Sir Georges daughter
Fanny was often my companion in
these expeditions, and l was consider
ably struck with her; for she was girl
to whom the epithet stunning" applies
better than any other that am &C
-quainted with. She could ride like
Nimrod, she could drive like Jehu, she
could row like Charon, she could dance
like Terpslchore, she could run like
Diana, she walked like Juno and she
looked like Venus. All! she was a
''stunner." You should have heard
that girl whistle and laugh-you should
have heard her laugh. She was truly
a delightful companion. We rode to-
gether, drove together, fished together,
walked together, danced together; |
called her Fanny and she called me
Tom. All this could have but one de-
termination, you know.
l fell in love with her, and deter
mined to take the first opportunity of
proposing So one day when we were
out together fishing on the lake, went
down on my knees amongst the gud-
geons, seized her hand, pressed it to
my waistcoat, and in burning accents
entreated her to become my wife.
Don't be fool - she said "Now
drop it, do and put me a fresh worm
on"
80, Fanny" I exclaimed, "don't
talk about worms when marriage is in
question. Only say
Il tell you what it is, now," she re-
piled, angrily, ''if you don't drop it I'll
pitch you out of the boat"
Gentlemen (said Jenkyns, with
strong emotion), did not drop it, and
| give you my word of honor, with a
sudden shove she sent me flying into
the water; then Selling the skulls, with
a strc]e or two she put several yards
between us, and burst into fit of
laughter that fortunately prevented her
from going any further. / swan up
and climbed into the boat. "Jenkyns, "
said [ to myself, Revenge! revenger'
| disguised my feelings, | laughed
hideous mockery of mirth-I laughed,
pulled to the bank, went to the house
and changed my clothes. When | APP
peared at the dinner table perceived
that every one had been informed of
my ducling; universal laughter greeted
me. During dinner Fannie repeatedly
whispered to her neighbor, and glanced
at me. Smothered laughter invariably
followed. ''Jenkyns," said /, re
venge." The opportunity soon offered.
There was to be balloon ascent from
the lawn, and Fanny had tormented
her father into letting her ascend with
the aronaut. | instantly took my
plans; bribed the eronaut to plead i'll
ness at the moment when the machine
should have risen; learned from him
the management of the balloon Though
l understood that pretty well before)
and calmly awaited the result.
The day came. The weather was
fine. The balloon was inflated. Fan
ny was in the car. Everything was
ready, when the 9ronaut suddenly
tainted. He was carried into the house
and Sir George accompanied him to
see that he was properly attended to-.
Fanny was in despair.
"Am L to lose my air expedition ?'
she exclaimed, looking over the side of
the car. ''Some one understands the
management of this thing, surely? No
.bodyp"
Tom" she called out to me, 'you
understand it, don't you?h
Perfectly" answered.
"Come along, then ~ she cried; "be
quick, before papa comes back.
The company in general endeavored
to dissuade her from her project, but of
course in vain.
After a decent show of hesitation |
climbed into the car. The balloon was
cast off, and rapidly sailed heavenward.
There was scarcely a breath of wind,
and we rose almost straight up. We
rose above the house, and she laughed
and said, Elbow Jolly"
We were higher than the highest
trees, and she smiled and said it was
very kind of me to come with her. We
were so high that the people below
looked like mere specks, and she hoped
that thoroughly understood the man.
agement of the balloon.
Now was my time.
81 understand the going up part" I
answered.; ''to come down is not so
easy" and | whistled.
NV nat 90 you mean, Sne crled.
''Why, when you want to go up
faster, you throw some sand over
board" L replied, suiting the action to
the word.
Don't be foolish, Tom" she said,
trying to appear quite calm and indif-
ferent, but trembling uncommonly.
"Foolish?" / said, 80, dear no; but
whether l 90 along the ground or up
in the air, | like to go the pace, and so
do you, Fanny, l know. Go it, you
cripples," and over went another sand
bag
"Why, you're mad, surely" she
whispered, in utter terror, and tried to
reach the bags, but kept her back.
's'Onlv with love my dear - | answered