Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-07-17
IN DREAMLAND.

1t was the blacklist night ever saw
The vino. soughed through the trees in
fitful gusts, and the boughs bent their
heads before it in harmony. 1t was a
night l shall never forget, as coupled
with it is one of the strangest adven-
lures of my eventful career
I was seated on the veranda of the
house in which boarded. 1t was quite
late-yes, I remember hearing the tower
clock strike II. There is nothing in the
world that will occupy a mans atten-
ton when seated alone in the dark like
meditation. Suffice it to say that I was
thinking.
How long would have sat there do
not know. But as happened to glance
at the sky l noticed faint light far off
coming toward me. At first it was moth
I ing but speck dotting the heavens, but
as it approached it grew momentarily
larger. Bewildered, watched it come
on, and, as it got within 200 feet of me,
l noticed that it was a gigantic balloon.
AT last it arrived within 80 feet of me
and landed At the expiration of five
- 1ol LII ouU VI tIlO DttS-
ket, and as the person got between my
self and the light which hung from the
balloon l noticed that it was a woman
She walked straight up the garden path
and on to the veranda and then to me-
Placing her hand on my shoulder, she
said:
My dear Henry, would You like to
take journey with me i'll my balloon
Oh a peculiar errand?'
Her dear Henry! The woman was
evidently mistaken, as my name was not
Henry.
But before had time to reply or COL
lect my thought she went on:
Il knew you would, and it was need
less to ask you. Henry, when stated l
loved you centuries ago it was indeed
true, and when you died and left me I
thought my heart would break, and l
vowed then and there to watch over you
and sacredly guard your remains. When
you came-returned from-well, when
you entered upon this second life I knew
your heart was no longer for me, but I
still maintained my watchfulness, and
what did l see? beheld you week aft
er your return to life-in room with
your arms around her. Well, to make a
long story short, have come tonight to
show you her infidelity."
My God, was the woman insane?
What did she mean by a second life?
What did she know about centuries ago?
And, then, who did she take me for?
However, l made up my mind to see
the thing out, so 1 replied:
'Well"-I was going to address her
by name, but l knew none and would
not make a foolish guess-''pet, how
was l to know where you were? In vain
did l seek you. p
But she interrupted me with:
"Let it pass, Henry; let it pass. 1t
can make no material difference now.
But answer me. Would you like to see
your present lover"
| admitted that would, and seated
myself in the basket and watched her
manipulate the machinery of the bal
loon. 1t was unlike any other balloon I
had ever seen-very large, but square in
form. She inflated it by simply touch
ing lever and then reversing it. There
was IlO DlIlflSl III VIC UdSket. 1 WttCneu
her preparing for our aerial flight and
scanned her face closely. 1t was beau
tiful one, one which haunts me to this
very day
She touched a small button, and the
massive structure swayed for moment,
then with the gracefulness of bird
sprang into the air and started upon it's
journey.
l will not attempt to describe what
followed. l remember vaguely of hold
ing that strange being in my arms and
rashly kissing her pretty lips as we
swOoped through the air.
Releasing herself from my embrace,
she sprang to the mechanism of the bal
loon and pulled back the largest lever
with quick jerk. We seemed to hover
in one spot for Il moment and then shot
swiftly downward. How far we dropped
had no means of ascertaining. But
had the satisfaction of seeing the thing
settle easily down and Heavens, how
did the woman know that house? We
had settled by the side of the house in
which the young lady lived to whom I
was then engaged.
About ten feet from where we We're
was window, through which bright
light shone. This was very unusual in
this house, considering the lateness of
the hour.
Climbing out of the basket, walked