Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-14
SHE WALKED WITH ME TO TIRE HOUSE OF
My FATHkR.

MY fAIHkN.
you properly I'm this extraordinary sit
uation. but II might have been more
KIND TO give you bit OF information
hrst. My name Ia Harold Latimer. I
am doctor, a bachelor. a ball player
and an amateur balloonist, like your
self. having just made my first ascen-
sion. nm six feet tall and weigh 200
pounds except when fall out OF a
balloon as did just now; then weigh
ton"
Where is IT." she said. with a shud-
der.
THE balloon?" said !. at IL gone
wrecked, l fear, but that's my fault.
for l should have fastened II. will
assume the financial responsibility for
Its loss. Who owned itr'
Father" said she. 1T was n very
old one. am glad IL Is gone. I don't
want any one I care for TO 20 up I'm
one again"
III we should become friends" said
i. so that / might be included In the
suburbs OF that wish. so to speak. YOU
have my promise that Will not navi.
gate the air. Once il enough for mo-"
And then told her how she had
come sailing across the field ana how
the good beech troe which was now
our roof against the storm had stood
In her path 80 that she might come to
no hurt
MY name is Lucy Calderwood,. said
she.
John Calderwood's daughter.p 1 ex-
claimed. why, remember him.
say him make an ascent from this
very held fifteen years ago or more. I
would have given the tip OF my ear
to go up with him then, but prudence
comes 10 us with age. / have not
heard Of him lately"
He gave up ballooning for some
years until recently" said she. There
~ 80 much OF IT now In the papers that
he took IL up again, hoping to make
some money"
she proceeded 10 tell me that the
Fourth Of July committee OF Stockton
had offered her father good sum for
an ascent and that she had received II
just before leaving the earth's surface
with very little hope Of returning 10
1t alive, 1 judged-and that she had
sent the money home by her small
brother, who was present. But why
sie had done this suicidal act she
would not say. 1t was not for tho
mere money.
Tho rain was nov over, and she
walked with mo 10 the house OF my
f9tbeF. where then lived. My father
iYsoq, rock ribbed Yankee aud impcr-
ylPpSi-to surprises. but my mother is
Alsouthern woman bred In the extreme
OF conyentonallty, Her emotions at
sight OF her son, coming home nj . IN
ibe morning With n very beautiful girl
Wlom he had met In n manner so ir-
regular leave TO the Imagination.
Now, the rest OF this * love story.
and ] have no art 90 tell that sort OF
tale. Moreover, ID ran very smoothly
ana might seem tame in print There
IS. however. mystery 60 be cleared
~. aud here is the fact about II.
John Caldcrwood had become
dlunkard-nOt a steady topper. but
victim OF periodical sprces. Under the
Influence OF liquor, on the afternoon Of
July 3. he had stolen sum Of money
from his employer In an absurdly open
manner. For this offenso he was ar
rested on the morning Of the Fourth.
or been robbed OF IT,
There was but one way 90 return
That money. and Lucy took that way
She gave her life for g. MS I may
fairly declare. She sent 1t by her
brother 10 her fathers employer. u
kindly person whom have seen turn
pale at the mere mention OF this oc-
curronce
John Caldcrwood was released. and |
" there is n man on earth who can bc
depended upon 70 go 10 his grave with.
out touching liquor again think my
recently acquired fathcr-in-law IS that
man.