The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-12-17
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A TALE OF THE FUTURE.
Something That Is Very Likely to Hap
pen Later On.

Something That Is Very Likely to Hap
pen Later On.
There was trouble in the Texas Cen
tral Rain Producing company.
The last order for a two hours rain had
not been satisfactorily filed.
The rain had only lasted twenty min
utes, and as this company made spe.
cialty of guaranteeing the length Of
storms, or money refunded, this job had
been losing one for them, both in pocket
and reputation.
Wallace Carlton was held to blame for
the failure, as he had used his new ex-
plosive in the balloon that was sent mp
without consulting the company who
employed him.
Wallace had insisted that there was
no fault in his explosive, but that the
failure was wholly due to the fuse being
too long, thereby allowing the balloon to
get too far away before exploding. His
explosive in balloon travelled more
rapidly than the other kind used.
But Mr.. Wilson, president Of the com
pany, was not to be appeased, and Wal
lace was officially notified that the com
pany no longer desired his services.
This is only an excuse" Wallace
muttered; "the real reason for my dis
charge is that he knows love his
daughter. But will prove the value Of
my explosive TO his cost, and | will win
Ethel yet"
A week from that day was the time
set for grand fete on Mr.. Wilson's
grounds, in honor Of certain influential
political friends.
Wallace determined that the fete
should be deluged with such rain as
the most successful explosions had never
yet brought upon Texas.
But fate had another victory in store
for him.
That same morning Ethel Wilson had
started homeward on the airship Peg
asus. 1t proved most disastrous voy-
age, for few minutes after the start
sent up for a small local shower, which
exploded as it struck the Pegasus.
Fortunately it was of the smallest size
0tnown as the lawn sprinkler balloon,
and the Pegasus, though badly shaken
up, was not blown to atoms, as would
have been the case had the balloon been
of the regular rainstorm size.
One Of her gas compartments remained
unhurt, and the Pegasus still hoated
slowly along, though entirely unman-
ageable,
Floating thus it came into the view of
Wallace Carlton, who was watching the
slow ascent of rain balloon just sent
up by the man who had been promoted
to his place.
Wallace saw with horror that the air
ship must be blown to powder when the
balloon exploded,
Suddenly he remembered that Ethel
was coming home on the Pegasus this
very trip.
There was no thought in his mind OF
| his own risk; his only thought was that
| he must save Ethel.
His private flying machine was an
chored near. He looked at his watch.
In just two minutes the balloon would
explode; he knew exactly the workings
of these slow, old fashioned things.
Could he possibly reach it and extin
guish the fuse in time?
Springing into his machine he weighed
anchor and darted upward, steering
straight for the slowly ascending bal
Icon.
1t seemed ages to him as he flew up
ward, straight and true as bullet.
On came the Pegasus. Would he b,
in time, and would he do it?
| There was no time for slackenin,
speed as he neared the balloon. He mus
sail by close enough to reach the fuse, ye
not to collide with the balloon, or h
would explode it with tho conclusion.
1t was beautiful piece of airman
ship.
Now he could see the fuse. 1t WI
burning not four inches from the bal
loon.
He leaned far out rs he swept by an,
firnly grasped the fuse in one hand
His hand will carry through life til
scar where that slow match burned dee
into it before it was extinguished.
But Ethel was safe!
Re could see her leaning over the sid
of the Pegasus, white with terror.
Wallace sailed up to the disabled air
ship, and threw her rope; then b
slowly descended with the Pegasus il
tow and landed on the firm earth i
safety.
Continued and concluded after tn
manner Of the Nineteenth century nov
els; for the onward march of scienc
makes no change in human hearts y
Boston Globe.