The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-05-02

. tu huku. iurh tue coiohti EFcN u""'
. He perceived nov that the harbor va
full Of boats coming out toward him, an'
thai there was big crowd on the shcr'
. watching the proceedings.
/ II don't hit this time. said he to Ben
Is hs put fresh cartridge into the breeeh'
my populations gone. sud ] leave Refers
Point 10 night.
Crsch went the secopd shot The col
onel and Ben heard its mournful "whoo'
- 1t sped through the bright air; aud al
,nost instantly ona Of the balloons collaps.
cd and shriseled up An audible cheer
came blowing out from the people on
shore and in the boats; and Colonel Jack
loaded Aesin.
i But JUS, imagine how Mrs TredIoe felt
shen nhe saw thst puff OF gun smoke from
the cat boat, aud realized that some one
vAa 6ring st Birdiei She bad barely re
covered from her faintipg fil when this
happened. Better let her drown or blow
away beyond recovery than do that. she
gssped in anguish. Why. II is murderl
Cant any one stop that man from shoot
ing?
DR.. Hsygood and her friends tried to
explain the matter to her, but she fainted
again before they could do so. And it was
lucky for her that she became unconscious
because the gallant colonel was blszing
swsy again with his rifle at closer range
Another Of the balloons was punctured
and seemed to vanish. Colonel Jacks
cat boat all the time drew nearer to q spo,
on the water just below the lowering baby
who now hung suspended, fortunately
very close TO q long sandspit that jntted
out into the inlet just beyond the harbors
mouth.
One more shot finished of a third bal
loon, aud there were not enough left in the
bunch now to hold Birdie up. Slowly,
steadily, softly she began to descend, pre-
cisely as II she were being let downward
by q pair OF arms moving gently, and in a
few minutes Colonel Jack had the salts
faction OF seeing her sink quietly and COM
fortsbly down on the sand heap, with the
remaining balloons still fluttering around
her like so many huge bubbles OF gorgeous
color.
His boat was the first to reach the point
of sand Ben Piver leaped out, ran to thr
child, and turning waved his hat as he
shouted to the assembled fleet, Gentlemen
she's alive and kickiogl whereat another
cheer arose. long and loud.
Colonel Jack oil but wept over the child
as be caught her up and kissed her, But
Birdie. on landing amid the sand had
calmly and unconcernedly begun playing
with it. Her hands were full Of little
SHELLS. Desc for mamma, she remarked
cbeerfully.
He hurried her into bis boat, and sailed
back 70 tho wharf, accompanied by the
rest Of the feet There was a tremendcu us
press Of men and women on the wharf
Mr.. Middleby. who received Birdie as she
was handed up, started to rush with her
to her mother. But, strangely enough, in
the crush and confusion OF the crowd, be
missed his way, and stepping sccidently
over the side, fell with plunge into the
water, carrying Birdie along with him.
The colonel and Ben Piver were overheard
in moment, and soon had her safe ashore
30 that before they brought her to Mrs.
Tredloe she had been rescued twice. Some
one had run ahead to tell the poor mother I
that Birdie was all right. With DR.. Hay
goods help she rose up on her couch to
welcome the little maiden back; and as the
colonel entered with Birdie in his arms
there was cry OF recognition on both
sides.
Jack Welstedl exclaimed the widow, in
As for Colonel Jack, be stood gazing
from Birdie TO her mother, in whom he
beheld his lost lore. formerly Evelyn Car
ter. Her husband. Mr.. Tredloe, had
died not long after Birdie was born; but
Colonel Jack had known nothing about
Ibis, having heard no news OF them for
three years or more
The end oft was that Colonel Jack Wei.
sted and Mrs Tredloe we're married before
The season at Refers Point was over, and
that was how be came to bs the step-fatLer
81 Baby Balloon"
All this happened some fifteen years be
lore our conversation with the colonel that
evening on the piazz, The day after be
had recited the circumstances to us Joe 5
rerrill came TO him and said. Colonel,
vas very much interested in the story you
old us last night, but it spoiled q little
plan Of mine. have been intending TO .
ave Miss Brides life myself as soon %
,ould get good chance to do so, prepsra-
ory to asking her to marry me. But IS /
ound you had already saved her life twice,
fifteen years ago, the wind seemed to bave
,een taken clean out Of my sails. II oc I
.lrred to me that il were TO attempt saw /
ng her again might be OVERRIDING mat d
ers. 30 have spoken to her to day, and :
be agrees with me. She says IDS no use o
ny waiting around to rescue her, bccause :
he opportunity might not occur in long !
rhile, aud she has consented to marry d
us il you'll give your approval. Will 6
our c
Colonel Jack gave 1t. I'm glad l saved '
on the trouble. Joe. said be. It's hard II
nough 10 win good woman's love any a
vsy, and il you ve done that much, you've =
oDe enough to sr,it me a