Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-11-12

exclaimed, looking over the slde OF tne
Car; some one understands the manage
nent Of this thing, surely! Nobody?-
Toni she called to me, you under
stand it, don't you?'
Perfectly answered.
Come along then, she cried be
quick, before papa comes back.
After 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
were so high that the people below
looked more like specks, and she hoped
that l thoroughly understood the man
agement of the balloon. Now was my
time.
When you want to 90 up faster you
throw sand overboard,' l replied, suit
ing the action to the word.
Don't be foolish, Tom,' she said, try
ing to appear quite calm and indiffer-
ent. but trembling uncommonly.
'Foolish! ! said; oh, dear, no; but
whether l am going to the ground or
up in the air l like to go the pace, and
so do you, Fanny, know. Go it, you
cripples, and over went another sand
bag.
Why, you're mad, surely she whis-
pered in utter terror, and tried to
reach the bags, but l kept her back,
Only with love, my dear / answer
ed, smiling pleasantly; only with love
for you. Oh, Fanny, adore you'll Say
you Will be my wife
y gave you an answer the other day,
one which think you would have re-
membered.' she added, laughing u lit
tie, Notwithstanding her terror.
4 remember it perfectly answer
ed. but l intend to have u different
reply from that. You sec these five
sand bags shall ask you five times
to be my wife. Every time you refuse
, | shall throw over sand bag. Will
You promise to give me your hand?
'Neverr she answered; I will 60 to
Ursa Major first, though l got big
enough bear here, in all conscience
She looked so pretty that | was al.
most inclined to let her oft. But reso.
luton is one of the points of my char
acter, and when I've begun thing /
carry it through, so | threw over an
other sand bag and whistled the Dead
March in Saul
Come, Mr.. Jenkins she said sud-
denly; Come, Tom, let us descend
now. and I'll promise to say nothing
whatever of all this
laughed, seized another bag, and,
looking steadily at her. said:
will you promise to give ME your
hand?'
I've answered you already was the
reply.
Over went the sand, and the solemn
notes Of the Dead March resounded
through the car.
4 thought you were a gentleman,
said Fanny, rising up in terrible rage
from the bottom of the car, where she
had been sitting and looking beautiful
in her wrath. i thought you were a
gentleman, but I find | was mistaken.
DO you know you are risking your own
life as we'll rs mine by your madness?
| explained that | adored her 80
much That to die in her company would
be perfect bliss, so that ] begged she
would not consider my feelings at all.
4 command you to begin to descend
this instan,' she ordered.
After few minutes silence I took
up another bag and said:
We are getting rather high; if you
do not decide soon we shall have Mer-
curry coming up to tell US that we are
trespassins-will you promise me your
hand?
She sat in sulky silence at the bottom
of the Car. Over went the fourth bag,
and b4gan to think she would beat
me after all, for l did not like the idea
Of going much higher.
Fanny, they say that marriages are
made in heaven-if you do not care
ours will be solemnizetl there
took up the bag.
She held her face in her hands, but
did not answer. I nursed the bag in
my arms, as if it had been baby
Come, Fanny, give ME your prom
ise.' could hear her sobs. I'm the
softest- hearted creature breathing, and
would not pain any living thing, and |
confess she had beaten me. forgave