The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-11-06


have believed it! We've struck cur
rent that's going to carry us right
smack over the fair grounds"
1t was true; the race track, crowd.
booths and stalls, were almost directly
below them, and lay in their line OF
advance. Hubbard began to descend.
The shouting of the crowd could now
be heard. the crowd itself was visible,
and disentangled itself into individu-
ais. like ants running about an ant
heap.
Hester chung in silence to her lovers
arm. She was dressed in all the hnery
a mountain belle could command. for
she had expected to go to the celebra-
ton at Garyville-indeed, she was 60
ing to it now, and to her own wedding
as well. you reckon FANS down
there" she inquired finally, looking at
the ant hill and the ants. 1t was very
difficult to be afraid of a brother az
such long range, and when your unin-
terrupted view was permitted to re-
duce him to such contemplate dimen-
sions.
| IQc UallOOu, AOWCSCA, "oo AO' -
| much lower that people began to look
like people, though strangely fore
shortened and distorted. Hester, Mace
and Brother Pusey gazed fascinated,
and no wonder; for, from this height,
a man directly below presented him.
self as a hat moving along upon the
ground, from which were thrust pair
of feet, and beside which two short
arms waggled.
Hubbard undid a package of hand
bills, and all four Joined In throwing
them out The aeronaut. knowing
nothing of mountain people and noun
tain ways, failed to appreciate the dan
ger in which not only his passengers
but his beloved balloon might be from
Bushares' rifle. The Reverend Zeb.
however, touched his sleeve, caution
ing, Better not git down too close.
Fsin Bushares is q good shot; but the
way this here thing wobbles. he's
mighty apt to miss Mace an hit you
or me-"
How far will q rife ball carry?"
Hubbard inquired in some alarm
4 II 81 lukuh uG uOu6ut HI q A10AA
1T 600 or 500 yards; but this old bal
loon is a far mark-looks like he
mought hit it's fairs cd see 1t. That
OF Winchester o. his'n II kerry .
plump mile"
81 don't want the Bird o. Paradise
shot into, of course" Hubbard SAIL.
"but q rifle ball wouldn't make hole
l L. I'LL
keep 800 or 400 feet above the crowd;
but ort to get where / can boiler Z,
'em, and tell 'em that the marryin' is
COIN on. Ill go down close first
won't do any harm till the man recog-
nizes you folks-maybe he amt there
anyhow"
They could hear the popping OF fire.
crackers now, the band playing away
for dear life, and the hoarse, delighted
shouts of the people below them. AZ
the last handful went over the edge Of
the car Hubbard took out the big tin
horn Of the spieler.
THE wedding Is now taking place, -
he roared. 81. 900 feet In a-a-air!" This
latter was simply . rhetorical -four
ish. but 1t pleased the crowd, which
roared again.
Join your right hands," Hubbard
prompted irritably, turning from his
horn. Stand up before the preacher.
and join your right hands
Il Nothing loath. the young people did
%. During the arrangement Of the
wedding scene the balloon had de-
scended perilously close to the settle
ment. Suddenly the bride-it is al
ways the woman who has her wits
about her At such times-saw q man
i. run = little away from those about
him. pick up rife and bring 1t to his
shoulder. ITS Fain," she cried. Hes
j saw MS and knows US. Oh, please.
; Mr.. Balloon man, make 1t go up quick
The frightened Hubbard heaved
overheard most of his sand; and Sc
close was he above the heads of the
gaping crowd that the sand descended
upon them in cloud. The balloon
shot upward, leaving choking. sput-
tering group belcw-and 1t was nearly
J = thousand feet in air that Mace Tai
lent and Hester Bushares were mar.
. ried.
They could see other atomies run to
!. Fain and disarm him; before they goi
too far away they could even hear the
} laughter with which this unexpected
turn was received.
. Hubbard radiated satisfaction. "1'll
! bet that's the most successful ascent
ever made" he remarked. 81 neyeI
seen q crowd so ticiled."
You could drap US wherever you
choose now" the happy bridegroom
: suggested The boys has got c-holt
! Of Fnin. an we're all right
Il reckon" unused the Reverend
! Pussy, whose good humor was quita
, restored, that these young friends .
+ yoErn will be wantin' you to changs
] the name o your balloon from the Brit
. o. Paradise to the Gyardeen Angel"
And four people. one thousand fee
in air. laughed together as they set
: tied gracefully toward Folks Station
{ and the railway which was to carr,
. -