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

old gentlemen Doout tnN place, and eve
some Of the yoang osss, we're fond Of tall
ing with her and psttisg her. But Colo
mel Jack welsssd. II ~ had seen her u .
did not appear to have noticed her. II
vas much given TO solitude. and did ne
spend much Of bis tine on the hotel pisa
a. Moreover although fond Of chiidrer
be could not help rsnemberiug his dis
appointment in nos bsing able 10 msrr
Evelyn Carter. and The sight Of . preii
child frequently made him melancholy b
reminding bin shss be had none Of b.
owo. Besides. hs hsd been q the hots
only two or three days when the impor
,ant event connected With Birdie tool
place. II is certain that he had not one
seen her with her mother. and did no
even know her name.
ooe afternoon. vbso brisk Wind ~
blessing ofI.shore. The colonel had son'
out iu bis boat With Bee nvsr. taking BIZ
gun .. ususi. and promising himsslf sho
Al some stray sea gull u be could Hod n'
better game Some OF the visitors wer'
bathing on the beach, others were sittinG
on the steambost wharf. and some wer,
10 front Of the hotel. wbils
. group OF children st the Indian tent. no.
far away, we're buying bead moccasins and
birch bark baskets. The versnda was
aud Mrs. TredIoe was sitting
there with little Birdie. vixen benevolent
old Dr.. Haywood happened along. and
asked the widow II he might take the
child dowu to the tent to buy something
for ber Mrs Tredloe consented, aud the
old gentleman aud his little companion
descended the steps together. Before
Ihey reached the tent, and as they were
walking along the high ground close
above the water, they met an Italian ped
iler who had q couple dozen balloons for
'ale. al. fastened by long strings to a
tick, aud bobbing merrlly 10 the air above
lis head.
Oh, beautiful big spplesl exclaimed
Birdie, rapturously, her sparkling eyes
ixed on the large elastic crimson globes,
which size seemed to mistake for fruit.
live Birdie one?
DR.. Haygood began to bargain with
he Italian, aud took the stick from him
o select balloon from the bunch. His
mall friend was delighted. imagin
ng that she Was to have the entire
lunch.
All-all for me? abe cried. and clap
ing her hands. she stretched them ont
oward the coveted treasure OF the dane
ng air globes.
This 10 amused the kind hearted doc.
or that he resolved to humor her, for a
,oment at any rate. So gathering the
ong strings together, be tied them around
'irdie's waist, then let go, and the bal-
,ons all foated up around and above her
cad and shoulders, making gsy spects-
le OF her. The doctor and italian both
TODD by, smiling at her satisfaction. when
to their amszsment, . strong
ust Of wind caused all the balloons to
way to one side, sweeping Birdie off her
set and gracefully up into the air.
1t happened SO Unexpectedly that. be
're they could do anything to prevent,
10 light little creature Was borne away
y the cluster Of fantastic looking crimson
alls, up and off over the water. And -
Ie wind was off-shore, it seemed newt
BILE that she would be carried by il |
cross the mouth OF the inlet straight
ut TO sea.
Great heavens! shouted the doctor, in
elpless horror.
The Italian, smitten with despair OF the
'ss Of his balloons, began flenzed
ance, at the same time eXclsiming to the
nhappy old gentleman:
You payee me.s for ALA those-sl you
ayes sll q.
The bathers in The water observed the
,traordinary sight Of little girl cheer
lily sailing through the air with her
nprovised flying machine, and stood gaz-
g upward 10 smaz,ment. Every body on
lore became aware Of the catastrophe 10
/ instant, and began running to and fro
q hubbub. Mrs. Tredloe, on the yer
ida, tainted. and DR.. Haygood was call
up to restore her, while the Italian
.inly tried to keep one eye on him for
curity Of payment, aud to follow with
Is other eye the fight u the balloons 10
e opposite direction.
A dozen men hurried to the waters edge
nnching row.bosts and sail.boats, with
hich they tried to chase the shadow Of
irdie and the balloons. 50 as 10 be on
md at the righ. spot whenever she
ould drop into the water. But il was .
,peless pursuit.
She dos't show any signs OF dropping.
outed Mr.. Middleby. who was steering
Q foremost boat She moves through
e air faster than We can get over the
tier; and unless those air-bags explode
fall eff. she will be swept 20 far from
I'D that we never shall get her.
All at once help came from 80 unfore-
en- quarter, and one At least Of the bal
,ns did explode. It happened 10 this
y: Colonel welstcd's big cat-bost was
IN rounding the point. with the wind on
r beam. preparing to tack into the bar
r. Ben Piver st the helm uttered
Iriled cry.
That's the queerest gsme-bird that
sr see, he declared. pointing up in The
with a big yellow thumb. It's CO.
oes and . skirt and about % hesds, /
ould judge, but no Wiass.