Year: 1868

ing, with that ''aaming minister" on his


billion leagucd circuit. was preaching
the wonders of infinite immensity and
power, and the nothingness of earth
The comet no longer runs his kindling
race, like Vich Alpine's henchman, with
his fiery cross announcing war and disas-
ter,


'sHerald of battle, fate and fear"


He is on his own business. not ours.


Under the tail of this particular comet,
doubtless many tale of love was told
in the light of his swift splendors many a
tender look exchanged. The astronomer
coolly swept the starry field with his
glass. unawed by the irregular night
guard patrolling the heavens, and the rob-
Der and murderer disdain the awful wit
ness. He left us as he found us-joined
to our mortal idols, wise in our conceit,
weak and worldly and wicked, but no
cast-aways of the universe after all.


We remember that comet-summer, not
so much for its great astronomical event
as for two singular incidents that more
nearly touched our human sympathies,
which will grovel in poor earthly affairs,
even within sight of the most august celcs-
tial phenomena.


One pleasant Saturday afternoon dur
ing the comets appearance, an aeronaut,
after prosperous voyage. descended upon
a farm in the neighborhood of large
market town in one of the Western States.
He was soon surrounded by a curious
group of the farmers family and laborers,
all asking eager questions about the voy-
age and the management of the balloon,
that, secured by an anchor and rope in
the hand of the @ronaut, with its car but
a foot or two above the ground, was sway
ing lazily backward and forward in the
evening air. It was good deal out of
wind, and was sleepy and innocent mon
ster in the eyes Of the farmer. who. with
the owners permission, led it up to- his
house, where, as he aid, he could hitch
it to bis fsnce,R ,Rst hos Sc.
cured it his three children, aged respect
fully ten, eight and three. begged him to
lift them Into that big basket" that they
might ''sit on those pretty red cushions. :"


While the attention of the aronaut was
diverted by more curious questioners from
a neighboring farm, this rash father lift
ed his darlings one by one into the car.
Chubby little Johnny proved the "ounce
too much" for the aerial camel, and brought
him to the ground; and then, unluckily.
not the baby. but the eldest hope Of the
family was lifted out. The relief was two
great for the monster. The volatile crea-
ture's spirits rose at once; he jerked his
halter out Of the farmers hand, and with
a wild bound mounted into the air. Vain
was the aronau!'s anchor. It caught a
moment in fence, but it tore away and
was off, dangling uselessly after the run
away balloon, which SO swiftly and stead :
ily rose that in few minutes these two
little white faces peering over the edge of
the car grew indistinct, and those piteous
cries of "papa!' and mammal grew
faint and fainter up in the air.


When distance and twilight mists had
swallowed up voices and faces, and moth
ing could be seen but the dark cruel shape
sailing triumphantly away with its preci-
GUS booty. like an aerial privateer, the
poor father sank down helpless and speech
less; but the mother, frantic with grief,
still stretched out yearning arms towards
the inexorable heavens, and called wildly
up into the unanswering void.


The eronaut strove to console the
wretchcd parents with assurance that the
balloon would descend within thirty miles
Of the town, and that all might be we'll
with the children, provided it did not
come down in the water or deep woods.
In the event of its descending in favor
able spot. it was thought that the older
child might step out. leaving the younger
in the balloon. Then it might again rise
and continue its voyage.


"Ah. no" replied the mother, "Jen-
ME would never stir from the car without
Johnny in her arms"


The balloon passed directly over tbs
market town, and the children, seeing
many people in the streets. stretched out
their hands and called loudly for help
But the villagers. though they saw the
bright little heads. heard no call.


Amazed at this strange apparition, they
might have thought the translated little
creatures small angel navigate tors on some
voyage of discovery, some little cherubic
venture of their own, as heading towards
the rosy cloudlands and purple islands of