Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1911-11-24

chimes from the hiring stock, painting
them over with crimson enamel paint,
replacing the bells by the loudest sort
Of motor horn and doing ride about
to begin and end the entertainment.
They decided their costumes should
be brown stockings and sandals and
cheap unbleached sheets with hole
cut in the middle and wigs and boards
of tow-the rest their normal selves!
"The Desert Deryishes" they would
call themselves, and their chief songs
would be those popular ditties I'm My
Trailer" and what Price Hairpins
Now| They decided to begin with
small seaside places and gradually, as
they gained confidence, attack larger
centers. To begin with they selected
Littlestone, in Kent, chiefly because of
its unassuming name.
So YOU will understand the sudden
apparition that surprised rather de-
lighted, the quiet informally of Dym-
church sands
Ladies' and gentlemen" they said,
Eve beg to present ourselves, the Des-
ert Dervishes." They bowed profound
ly and struck into the cheerful strain
of What Price Hairpins Now:"
As Bert and Grubb bawled their
chorus for the third time they became
aware OF very big golden brown bal
loon low In the sky to the northwest
and coming rapidly toward them.
They finished their dance and then
stood frankly staring.
Everybody now was looking at the
balloon, drawing rapidly nearer before
Il brisk northwesterly breeze. The song
and dance were n dead FROST" No
body thought any more about it. Even
Bert and Grubb forgot it and ignored
the next item on the program alto
gether. The balloon was humping as
though its occupants were tryin. to
land 1t would approach, sinking slow
| ly. touch the ground and instantly
jump fifty feet or so in the air and
Immediately begin to fall again. Its car
touched Il clump of trees. and the black
figure that had been struggling in the
ropes fell back. or jumped back, into
the car. In another moment 1t was
quite close. 1t seemed Il huge affair,
| iS us IT'S ii IouSt. anu III HOatcu uo"h
swiftly toward the sands. A long rope
trailed behind it. and enormous shouts
came from the man in the car. He
seemed TO be taking Off his clothes;
then his head came over the side of
the car. Catch hold of the rope.' they
heard quite plain.
Salvage, Bert cried Grubb and
| tortaI IN haaI off fLa rnpa
Bert followed him, went down on all
fours and achieved grip. In half
dozen seconds the whole diffused popu-
lation OF the beach had, rs it were,
crystaIliZed on the rope and was pull
ing against the balloon.
Pull her in" said the man in the
ear. she's faintel"'
The balloon ceased to struggle and
sank downward. Bert dropped the
rope and ran forward to catch it in
a new place In another moment he
had his hand on the ear. Lay hold
OF it." said the man in the car. and his
face appeared close to Bert's-a
strangely familiar face. fierce eye
brows. Il finttish nose. Il huge black
mustache. He had discarded coat and
wastcoat--perhaps with some idea of
presently having TO swim for his life
and his black hair was extraordinarily
disordered.
will all you people get hold round
the carr" he said. There's a lady
here tainted or got failure of the
heart-heaven alone knows which.
My name is Buttoridge. Now. please
all on to the edge. This is the last
time | trust myself to one of these
paleolithc contrivAnces The ripping
cord failed, and the valve wouldn't
act"
In the car. sprawling upon sort OF
bed bench. in an attitude of elaborate
self abandonment. was Il large blond
lady. wearing fur coat and 4 big
foriferous hat. Her head lolled back
against the padded corner of the car.
and her eyes were shut and her mouth
open. NE dear" said Mr.. Butteridge
in common, loud voice, 1--WE are
safe.' /,
She gave no sign.
He swept the lady together by n /
powerful movement of his arms and
lifted her. "Keep the car from jump
ing" he said to those who clustered
about him. Keep your weight on it.
She IS no light woman. and when she
is out of it 1t will be relieved
Bert leaped lightly into IL sitting po-
sition on the edge of the car. The
others took tirmer grip upon the
ropes and ring. Are you ready?"
said Mr. Buttcridge.
He stood upon the bed bench and
lifted the lady carefully. Then he sat
down on the wicker edge opposite to
Bert and put one leg over to dangle
outside. 1t was Just ut this moment.
with Mr.. Butteridge and the lady bal
anced finely on the basket brim that