The globe was anchored at but fifty feet from the earth. The cage had been enlarged so that the voyagers now ascended four at a time. This they did a few minutes before noon. The organ was taken out upon the balcony, and "God be with you till we meet again," was sung by our friends. The three Bartons stood just below and opposite the choir, tears of friendship and gratitude streaming down their faces. We will state here (quite privately be it understood) that Will and Jennie had come to an understanding that seemed to be very satisfactory to them, and their leavetaking was more affectionate than is usual with mere acquaintances, or even intimate friends. It is the old story. Cupid has done his work again. Well, God bless them, and may a parson step in and complete the love god's work very soon after Silver Cloud shall have returned. And Fred visited Grace at the mayor's house in New York. There may be trouble of the same sort brewing there.
But the bells and whistles have announced the hour for Bailing. The anchors were tripped, and Silver Cloud arose with the majesty of the Queen of Night, nearly perpendicularly above the city to the height of three thousand feet; there, to the extreme satisfaction of Dr. Jones, a brisk breeze from the northeast was encountered, and away sailed the beautiful globe until the straining eyes of the multitude saw it as a bright star-like point in the heavens, and then it disappeared--bound for the SOUTH POLE.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Doctor Jones' Picnic, by S. E. Chapman