Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1900 — ELOPED IN A BALLOON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ELOPED IN A BALLOON.

TEXAN’S DARING WAY TO WIN A BRIDE. Lovers Have, Eloped on Horseback, Escaped Irate Fathers by Boat—They Have Also Used Railroad Trains, bnt in Mexico They Ballooned It. Since the r world began lovers have always ben equal to the task of uniting their destinies and fortunes in spite of opposing parents and guardians. They have eloped on horseback, escaped the vengeance of irate fathers by sailing across stormy waters, and they have used special railroad trains to put themselves beyond the reach of angry pursuing parties, but in Mexico for the first time a heroic young man and a brave girl used a balloon to elope. Randall Howard, a wealthy young man, whose home is in Marion County, Mo., went to Southern Texas about a year ago to get the benefit of the salubrious climate of the valley of the Rio Grande. He divided his time between Eagle Pass and Del Rio, frequently making excursions into old Mexico. He seemed to be well supplied with money, and being of a jolly, liberal disposition he soon became well known and popular with the best classes of people, both in Texas and Mexico. He was fond of hunting, and nothing pleased him better than to collect a crowd of young people and make a trip to the Santa Rosa Mountains, where game Is abundant and the finest fish in the world are easily caught in the clear waters of the numerous beautiful streams. During one of these pleasure excursions young Howard made the acquaintance of Don Antonio Sanchez, a wealthy ranchman, and was invited to visit his hacienda. Howard accepted the invitation, and he was warmly welcomed by the old don’s wife and beautiful daughter, who had just returned from a convent school in the City of Mexico. Not many little walks had been taken through the orange groves of the old hacienda, where the frost never gleams and the flowers bloom forever, before the young Missourian became satisfied that the beautiful Spanish girl reciprocated his affection for her. He abandoned his Texas friends and moved his effects to the little village not far from Don Antonio’s ranch. Howard had been warned by his sweetheart that her father’s remarkable politeness and apparent warm friendship for his guest could not me relied upon to withstand the test of parting with his daughter. “He likes you very well, Senor Howard,” the young girl would say, “but he is the son of'one of the veterans that Santa Anna led into Texas, and it is hardly probable that he will ever permit me to marry an American.’’ The ardeu( lover soon discovered that the young girl was well informed. One day wheu the old don was gradually falling Into one of his most hospitable and affectionate moods over a bottle of wine the young man baldly approached the subject. The glass dropped from the old don’s trembling hand and his eyes (lashed with rage. The hilarious, amiable host of the previous moment was Instantly transformed into a furious human tiger. “What!” he roared. “My daughter marry a Texas American? Never! Such audacity! I invite you to my hacienda and you take advantage of my hospitality to steal the affections Of my innocent child.” As Howard prudently began to rise to his feet, Don Antonio, began to shout orders to his peous. To one he said: “Bring me my pistols;” tp -another, “Lock up my daughter/ w»d to aootliex. “Gall the

dogs.” It suddenly occurred to the young Missourian that Texas was a nice country, and it did not take him long to find a trail that led towards a crossing on the Rio Grande. After sending his sweetheart a letter by a faithful peon he set out for St. Louis, where he developed a plan to accomplish his purpose, which has succeeded after one of the most desperate and perilous adventures that two eloping lovers ever experienced. Mr. Howard secured the services of an accomplished aeronaut, aud after purchasing a good balloon he returned to Texas. Taking several faithful friends into his confidence, he sent a trusty Mexican to the little village of Santa Rosa, which is only a short distance from Don Antonio’s ranch, to distribute circulars announcing that Prof. Le Roy, a famous aeronaut, would make a balloon ascension from the plaza of the little pueblo on a certain day. Senorita Alma

was well Informed as to the part that she was expected to act la the plan that her daring lover had devised. Promptly at the appointed time Prof. De Roy appeared on the plaza of Santa Rosa and began to inflate his monster balloon. The well-disguised lover mingled with the great crowd that bad assembled to witness the ascension. Tbe old don’s curiosity had drawn him to the plaza, where he walked about, paying little attention to Ills daughter, for he thought that lie had scared her audacious lover away. As the big balloon began to sway In the air, the lovers drew closer together, and at a signal from the aeronaut they approached the balloon. When the air ship was ready to start on its voyage Prof. Le Roy stepped into the basket and a secret sfgnal was giveu. Before any one realized what was taking place, the daring lovers sprang over the side of the car and accomplices cut the ropes. The airship shot towards the clouds, but not before Don Antonio had seen bis'daughter in the arms of the hated

American. With the agility of a youth, he seized one of the ropes and, drawing his revolver, he shouted: “My daughter,” and instantly fired. Le Roy seized a knife to cut the rope, but the girl caught his arm. She realized that the balloon was already so high in the air that the fall would kill her father, Howard grasped the situation, and with heroic generosity he turned to Le Roy and commanded him to let the airship descend. “I will doubtless lose my life,” he said, “but I cannot consent to be responsible for the death of Alma’s father. Don Antonio was still clinging to the rope .and rapidly sending pistol bails into the car. The balloon slowly descended until the feet of the enraged father were almost upon the earth. Howard bent over the side of the car, aud after cutting the rope he waved his hat at the old don, and shouted: “I will be good to Alma, and when you wish It we will come to see you.” The airship, relieved of the weight of the defeated and furious old man, shot upwards again. The lovers could only, hear howls of rage mingled with oaths, and they were glad to be beyond the reach of the desperate man who was clenching his fists and shaking his pistol towards them. Some hours afterward the balloon descended near the little city of Del Rio, in Texas, and the lovers took the evening train for San Antonio, where, they soon found a priest, who made them happy.

HOW A TEXAN WON A BRIDE.