The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-09-22
LOVE IN A BALLOON.

day when We were out together fishing
on the laks went down on my knees
smong the gudgeons, seized her hand,
pressed 1t 10 nv waistcoat, and in burn.
ling accents en,rea,ed her to become my
| wife.
"Don't be fool" she said. SNOW
d:op 1t, do, and put me fresh worm
on"
"Oh, Fanny" l exclaimed, "don't
talk about worms when marriage is in
lquestion Only cay"
IL tell you what it is, now" she re-
piled, sngrilv. "if you don't drop it Ill
pitch YOU out OF the boat"
| Gentlemen, did not drop il, and l
give you my word of honor, with sud
den shout she sent me flying into the
water; then seizng the sculls, with 8
stroke or two she put several yards be-
tween Us, and burst into fit Of laughter
taat fortunately prevented her from 60
ling any 70 ther.
4 Iswam up and climbed into the boat.
"Jenkins," said to myself, '.revenge.
revenge!" disguised my feelings. l
laughed-hideous mockery Of mirth.-
vent to the house and changed my
clothes.
There was 10 be balloon ascent from
1.-THE lawn, and Fanny had tormented her
father into letting her ascend with the
seronaut. / instantly took my plans,
bribed the aeronau, to plead illness at
1.-THE moment when the machine should
have risen; learned from him the man
agement OF the balloon, though l under
stood that pretty we'll before, and calmly
awaited the result.
The day came. The weather Vas fiue
The balloon was inflated. Fanny was in
the car. Everything was resiy when
the aeronaut suddenly tainted. He was
carried into the house, and Sir George
accompanied him. Fanny was in des-
pair.
"Am I to lose nv air expedition p
she exclaimed, looking over the side Of
the car; "some one understands the msn.
SEGMENT Of this thing, surely2 Nobody ?
Tom" she called to me, "you under
stand 1t, don't you?'
Perfectly" / answered.
"Come along then,' she cried; "be
quick. before papa comes bask"
After decent show of hesitation
climbed into the Car. The balloon was
cast off aud rapidly sailed heavenwarll..
There was scarcely breath of wind,
and We rose almost straight up. We
we're SO high that the people below look
ed mere specks. and she hoped that
thoroughly understood the management
OF the balloon. Now was my time.
"WheD you want to GO up faster you
throw sand overheard" replied, suit
ing the action to the word.
"Don't he foolish, Tom," she said.
trying to sppea, quite calm and indiffer-
ent, but trembling uncommonly.
Foolish - said: .soh, dear, no but
whether 60 along the ground or up 10
the air like to 90 the pace, and 80 do
you. Fanny. ! know. Go it. you Grip
ples," and over went another sand bag.
"Why, "you're mad, surely" she
whispered iu utter terror, and tried to
reach the bags, but kept her hack.
"Only with love, my DEAR" l answer
ed, smiling pleasantly; "only with love
for you. o., Fanny, adore you'll
Say you will be my wife"
II gave you an answer the other dav,
ore which | think YOU would have re.
membered," she added, laughing little,
notwithstanding her terror.
Stv 20 \ ono-ov
ed. "but intend 10 have different rec
Dly from that. You see these five eand
bags. shall ask you FIVE times to be
my wife. Every time you refuse shall
throw over sand bag Will you prom :
lse to give me your hand !"
"Nevei!' she answered; "I'll 60 to
Ursa Maj'r first, though I've got big
enough bear here, 10 all conscience
Sle looked 80 pretty that was almost
inclined to let her of. But resolution
is one Of the poin's of nv character,
and when I've begun thing l carry It
trough, 80 | threw over another sand
bag and whistled the Dead March in
"Saul."
"Come, Mr.. Jenkins" che said sud
denly "come, Tom. let us descend now,
and I'll promise to say nothing whatever
of all this"
l laughed. seizsd another bag and
looking steadily at her, said:
"Will you promise to give roe your
hand ?"
1--we answered you already" was the
reply.
Over went the sand. and the solemn
notes of The Dead March resounded
through the car.
81 thought you were q 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. 81 thought you were gen.
tleman, but find was mistaken. Do
you know you are riskine your own life
as well as mine bv vonr madness ?"
! explained that adorei her 80 much |
that to die in her company would be per-
feet bliss, so that | begged she would
not consider my feelings at all.
II command you to begin to descend !
this instant" she ordered. ;,
After few minutes silence 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
trespassing-will you promise me your
hand p
She sat in snlky silence at the bottom
Of the car Over went the fourth bag.
and began 10 think she would beat me
after all, for l did not like the idea oil
going much higher.
"Fanuv, they say tirat msrriages are
made in heaven-if you do not ,ake care
ours will he solemnized there"
Itook up the fifth bag.
She held l,er face in her hands. but
did not answer. ! nursed the bag ia my 4
arms, as if It had been baby.
"Come, Fanny, give me your prom.
ise" could hear her sobs. I'm the
sofiest hearted creature breathing, andl
would not psin any living thing, anil l