The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-09-11

staring intently down, his hand on the
valve rope. by George! | wouldn't
have believed it, We've struck a cur
cent 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 o
be heard, the crowd itself was visible.
and d~isentangled 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 finery
a mountain belle could command, for
she had expected to go to the celebra-
ton at Garyyille-indeed, she was go
ing to it now, and to her own wedding
as we'll. You reckon Fain's down
there" she inquired finally. looking at
the ant hill and the ants. 1t was very
dificult TO be afraid of a brother at
such long range, and when your unin-
terruDted view was permitted to re-
duce him to such contemplate dimen-
sions.
The balloon, however, was now so
much lower that people began to look
like people, though strangely fore
shortened and distorted. Hester, Mace
and Brother Pussy 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 a 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.
Fain Bushares is a good shot: but the
way his here thing wobbles. he's
mighty apt to miss Mace an hit you
or me-"
How far will a rifle ball carry?"
Hubbard inquired in some alarm.
81 sh'd think he mought hit a man
at 500 or 500 yards; but this old bal
loon is a far mark-looks like he
mought hit it's FAIRS cd see it. That
OF Winchester O. his'n IL kerry a
plump mile"
Il don't want the Bird O Paradise
elDt ;rf> &C c,rr LI,bS>,rJ co;l
but a rifle ball wouldn't make hole
enough to do us much damage. I'll
keep 300 or 400 feet above the crowd;
but I ort to get where | can boiler to
EN-, and tell EN- that the marryin' is
gOin' IN. III 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. AS
the last handful went owe the edge of
the car Hubbard took out the big tin
horn of the spieler.
THE wedding is To- taking place
he roared. q, 900 feet in a-a-air!" This
latter was simply a rhetorical -four
ish, but it 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,"
Nothing loath, the young people die
so. 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 oma who has her wit!
about her at such times-saw a mar
run a little away from those abou
him, pick up a rifle and bring it to hi!
shoulder. tits Fain." she cried. He
saw us and knows us. Oh, please
Mr.. Balloon man, make it go up quick.
The frightened Hubbard heave,
overheard most of his sand; and 81
close vas he above the heads Of tn,
gaping crowd that the sand descende,
upon them in a cloud. The balloon
shot upward, leaving a choking, sput
tering group belcw-and it was nearl
a thousand feet in air that Mace Tai
lent and Hester Bushares were mar
ried.
They could see other atomies run t
Fain and disarm him; before they go
too far away they could even heal th
laughter with which this unexpecse
turn was received.
Hubbard radiated satisfaction. .I'
bet that's the most successful ascent
ever made" he remarked. 81 neve
seen a crowd so tickled."
You could drap us wherever yo
choose now" the happy bridegroom
suggested. THE boys has got a-hol
of Fain, an we're all right"
Il reckon" unused the Reveren
Pusey, whose good humor was quit
restored. that these young friends,
yourn will be wantin' you to chang
the nameo' your balloon from the BiI
0 Paradise to the Gyardeen Angel"
And four people, .one thousand fe,
in air, laughed together as they Sc
tied gracefully toward Folks Static
and the railway which was to- carr
Mace and Hester Talent tossafety, an
irdiracfly 10 thoNlitf1n waafyup % hi