Familiar Scenes and Faces.

Silver Cloud was wafted by a gentle breeze to the center of Lower Michigan. For two or three hours after sunrise there was nearly a dead calm. Then a brisk breeze from due east arose, and they started for Lake Michigan at a great speed.

"This will never do," said Dr. Jones. "We will go down and get fresh supplies and the morning papers. There lies a good-looking town a few miles west. We will anchor there. Stand by the anchor, boys."

In a few moments Silver Cloud, with her characteristic swiftness, descended upon the town, and soon was safely anchored to several large trees in the center of it. It proved to be the thrifty little town of L——r, of between three and four thousand inhabitants. Silver Cloud was drawn to within fifty or sixty feet of the earth, and the voyagers rapidly descended in the cage to the main street.

That all the men, women, and children crowded to the vicinity of the globe, and that our friends were the cynosure of thousands of wondering eyes will be readily believed. And the glistening sphere that gently oscillated in the breeze above the city excited the unbounded astonishment and praise of all. Newspaper reporters gathered eagerly about the party, and plied them with questions concerning their trip and adventures. All, of course, were acquainted with the facts concerning their sailing from Washington four months previously, and a few of them had witnessed that notable event. The travelers were informed that they had been mourned as lost for many weeks past, and Government was fitting out a party to seek them as soon as possible. The general opinion was, that the globe had collapsed or exploded, and that the foolhardy explorers had all perished in the forests of Upper Canada. This was the accepted theory, and nothing could exceed the severity with which the editors of the papers politically opposed to the administration censured it for the extravagance and all-round idiocy of the whole "Aluminum Bubble Scheme," as they termed it. Dr. Jones was voted a lunatic, and the balance of the party was commiserated in the "Ahs!" and "Dear me's!" and "Poor things!" of the whole nation.

And we can well imagine that the telegraph wires were kept busy that day all over the land. And the papers which in their previous issues had inveighed so cuttingly and mercilessly against the Government and Dr. Jones, and everybody in any way connected with the Aluminum Globe Bubble, now came out in flaming double headings, under telegraphic dispatches and in editorials, sounding the praises of Dr. Jones and company in unbounded terms of commendation. They had always predicted their speedy and triumphant return, so they had, etc.

Telegrams and phonograms poured in upon them until they were really unable to attend to them. Very numerous were the offers of engagements to Dr. Jones and Professor Gray for a course of lectures at liberal prices.

"I was satisfied, Professor, that we should stir them up," said Dr. Jones, perspiring and glowing with the excitement and hurry, "but I did not look for this avalanche. I would rather be off into our native element, the deep blue sky, than to be smothered in this fashion."

"Keep cool, Doctor," replied Professor Gray. "You may as well get used to being lionized, for you will get no end of it at Washington."

"All right, Professor. I'll do the best I can, but I really do not enjoy so much of it. Suppose we give the people a reception at the Opera House."

"O good!" cried Mattie. "And let's give them a concert. We can render them an hour of music that I am sure will please them very much."

"Good girl!" shouted Fred, who was always in for anything in the line of music and innocent pleasure.

All instantly agreed, and the town and neighboring places were informed of the fact of the intended reception that night. All necessary preparations were made, and it is needless to say that the building was packed to its utmost limits long before the appointed hour.

At eight o'clock the curtain raised, and our friends marched upon the stage and sang in their best form an anthem of praise and thanksgiving to God. All were in the pink of health, free from all carking cares and vanities of life, and they sang as if inspired. Such singing had never been heard by the audience; and this fact, added to the romance connected with the occasion, carried the thousands of listeners completely off their feet. The encore that went up at the conclusion of the piece was tremendous beyond description. Nor would the excited audience cease an instant until our friends had rendered another song. Then Dr. Jones stepped forward, and raising his hand to invoke silence, said:

"Your mayor will now address a few words to you."

The mayor, a typical aldermanic looking person, advanced to the front of the stage and began a set speech after the stereotyped fashion. He was thoroughly imbued with the idea that the navigators of the great aluminum ship had premeditatedly visited their important city before going on to Washington, and it was no matter of surprise to him that they had done so. He thanked them, however, etc. He was discussing the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers and was evidently wound up for an hour, and the audience was beginning to move restlessly. A low murmur of disapprobation ran through the house as the untimely, uninteresting speech dragged its weary length, when a gallery god cried out: "Did you bring that thing from the North Pole, Dr. Jones? Trot it off and give us some more music." The audience received this shot with shouts of laughter and approval, and they did not stop until the crestfallen mayor backed off the stage.

An hour was then spent in solos, duets, quartettes, choruses, etc. Then Dr. Jones made a speech of a few moments' length, in which he gave an account of the leading incidents of their wonderful trip. He especially dwelt upon the planting of the aluminum flagstaff at the North Pole, and when he assured them that the flag of our Union, as they sat in that comfortable opera-house, was flying at the peak of that superlatively splendid shaft at the very apex of the earth, the emotions of the assemblage could not be restrained, and they broke forth in thunders of applause.

Their return to the ship was a triumphal procession. The streets were packed with people who waited to see them ascend to their cabin.

Early the following morning the wind had shifted to the northwest, and the anchors were hoisted immediately. How beautiful the little town and surrounding country appeared to the aeronauts in the early morning light from their one thousand feet elevation.

"I had no conception of the beauty of this world until I saw it from the balcony of the Silver Cloud," observed Professor Gray.

"There is but one trouble in this beautiful world, and that is with its inhabitants," replied Dr. Jones. "We should have the restoration of Eden immediately if all men would but serve God and observe the Golden Rule. Not another tear or sigh would ever be seen or heard again upon earth. But O the pity of it! Man, willfully blind, goes stumbling on through the short span of life, blighted and blighting everything about him with unbelief. Full of misery and heartaches here, he goes into Eternity to stand at the bar of God, naked and undone, and hears the fearful sentence, 'Anathema Maranatha!' or 'Cursed and banished from God!' And all this in the lovely world that lies spread out before us this morning like the primitive Garden of the Lord, fresh as it came from His bountiful hand. It fills my soul with sadness when I think of our infinite foolishness. I do not wonder that Jesus wept over Jerusalem."

The whole company were assembled upon the balcony, and drew in long inspirations of the balmy morning air.

"What a panorama!" cried Mrs. Jones. "I am forever spoilt for living a terrestrial life again. We are Children of the Skies, and those low vales are well enough for those who are contented therewith. But this is our native element!" and she spread her hands toward the upper blue. "Why, if I were to be confined to that humdrum existence again, I should be like—like—"

"—a fish out of water," suggested Fred.

"Now that is real mean," pouted Mrs. Jones. "I was trying to give expression to the inspiration excited by this lovely scene in the form of poesy, but you have spoilt it all with your prosaic comparison."

"I am just too sorry for any use at all," returned Fred, looking anything but regretful. "But, really now, Mrs. Jones, how could you possibly express the idea better?"

"We are moving straight for Washington," said the Professor, consulting a map in his hand, "and at this speed we shall not be far from it at bedtime to-night."

"We can prepare ourselves for a grand reception," remarked Denison. "The good people of L——r gave us an earnest of what we may expect."

"It is rather pleasant to be lionized, but we shall be obliged to draw the lines somewhere," said Dr. Jones.

"We can always retreat to Silver Cloud when tired of being interviewed, wined, and dined," interposed Will.

"Let's plant another flagstaff at the South Pole, Doctor," cried Mattie. "I never feel so well as when afloat upon this boundless sea."

"Well done, Mattie," returned the Doctor, patting her on the head. "What a bold little navigator you have grown to be! And boundless sea is quite poetic, too. But as to starting immediately for the South Pole, I do not think we can do so. Perhaps we may, however, and you can rest assured that this sort of life suits me amazingly. I shall favor sailing for the South Pole at the earliest practicable moment."

"One thing is certain, and that is, that if we are to be the first to reach the South Pole, we cannot put the expedition off too long," said Will. "Others will imitate us and get there before us if we give them time. We must sail within a few weeks at farthest."

"That is true," assented Dr. Jones. "But let us see what Sing has for breakfast."

So they entered the dining-room and ate with appetites known to but few terrestrials. And why shouldn't they? Their sanitary environments were perfect; their minds were free from all worldly cares. Ennui and monotony were entirely unknown aboard Silver Cloud, because of the constantly changing panorama of land and sea. There were no heartaches nor burning envies among them, for all were pure-minded and lived as God's children should live the world over. Why shouldn't they be plump and pure and clean, inside and out? "We have all outgrown our clothes," as Dr. Jones expressed it.

It was a busy day aboard ship. The whole country was on the lookout for them. The Doctor lowered to within five or six hundred feet of the earth, and the cries of the multitudes that gathered in every town and country corner continually rang in their ears.

"Detroit lies directly in our course. Do you see it yonder?" said Professor Gray.

"O yes!" cried Mrs. Jones. "I am glad that we shall get a good view of the beautiful city of Detroit. Away to the left is Lake St. Clair, isn't it?"'

"Yes," answered the Professor, "and that is the Detroit River. There is the city. Across upon the opposite side is the city of Windsor. Just see the crowds of people! We are being well advertised by telegraph."

The squares, streets, and housetops of Detroit were black with people. Such cheering was never heard in that city as when Silver Cloud majestically passed over it. The guns of the fort below the city poured out thundering salutes of welcome.

"The poor, dear people!" said Mrs. Jones. "I am so glad that we can give them a few moment's pleasure."

"And yet we have done nothing marvelous," returned Dr. Jones. "We have only made use of one of God's laws, and without any hardship or special exertion, have been to the North Pole and back through the kindness of Providence, who furnishes us with extraordinarily favoring gales. The people, as well as ourselves, should give all the glory to God."

"You are too modest by far, Doctor," replied Professor Gray. "You may as well prepare yourself for unstinted praise and honor. What you have done is simple and easy enough now that it has been accomplished; but it is the conception of the idea, and courage and faith that you have exhibited, that the world will honor. It was precisely so with Christopher Columbus. To cross the Atlantic was a comparatively easy affair after he had led the way. You may as well prepare yourself to stand in the niche beside the discoverer of America. You are in for it, sir, and I am exceedingly pleased that you are. For I know that you are worthy of these honors, and will not become spoilt and puffed up thereby. Accept my heartfelt congratulations, Doctor Jones," and the two shook hands cordially.

"And mine," said Denison, also shaking the Doctor's hand. So they all expressed their spontaneous and sincere respect for the hero of the expedition who had so evidently excited the praise and honor of the entire civilized earth. The little man was deeply affected.

"I should be but an arrant humbug to affect to despise the honor that the world seems disposed to bestow upon us. I say us, for I cannot and will not take it all to myself. I may have been the originator of the idea, but I could have done nothing without your co-operation, dear friends. But this is very unprofitable conversation. Let's talk about something else. There's my old duck pond, Lake Erie. Scores of times have I sailed from one end of it to the other; and hundreds of times have I bathed in its limpid waters. There is no spot on earth that I love as I do beautiful, historic Lake Erie."

This was the grand and peculiar feature of Dr. Jones' character—an utter disregard for his own aggrandizement and self-interest, and a sincere desire to make everybody about him happy and comfortable. And, underlying it all, was a sublime faith in Almighty God. These three essentials make the great man: modesty, unselfishness, and faith in God. Anyone is great who possesses them, and no one is great who lacks either of them. If the reader has not gathered that Dr. Jones' character was a most happy combination of these cardinal virtues, then we have in no degree done him justice. And while he was kind and loving to all about him, yet he was terribly severe with the incorrigibly mean and vicious. If he had a great fault, it was in this particular. No one could be more loving and tender with a penitent; but the stiff-necked and haughty, the oppressors of the poor, were an abomination unto him.

"I used to fear that I was too savage when I came into contact with such people," said he; "but one day, while reading the 15th Psalm, I received a flood of light upon the subject. This psalm begins by asking: 'Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?' In enumerating the qualifications of such person, the psalmist says: 'He that contemneth the evil man, but he honoreth them that fear the Lord,' Now that word 'contemn,' for the first time, attracted my special attention. I had read it scores of times, but had never realized how strong a term was here used. No stronger is to be found in the language. It means to despise, detest, spurn, etc. I was startled, but I was at the same time glad. I could not help it, but I always did despise and detest a man who would grind the face of the poor, or who would keep back the wage of the laborer. Not that I would judge him, or take vengeance upon him; and I must forgive him and receive him as my brother when he repents. But until he does turn from the evil of his ways, and does his best at making restitution, I can do a jolly good job at 'contemning' him."

The blue south shore of the lake soon became visible. A more entrancing picture than that of Silver Cloud floating swiftly over the great lake, so thickly dotted with steamers and sailing vessels, cannot be imagined. The exhilaration of the occupants as they looked from their commanding altitude upon this delightful scenery was extreme. Many adjectives are used in describing the scenery and experiences connected with this notable voyage, but language is far too feeble to do the subject full justice.

The Doctor pointed out the various islands, lakeports, etc., with all of which he was perfectly familiar. The wind became more westerly, and they passed into Ohio away to the east of Cleveland.

"I would have been glad to have stopped a little while at Cleveland," said Dr. Jones, "but we must hasten on while the wind is favorable."

"Is it absolutely necessary that we take Silver Cloud to Washington?" asked Denison. "Suppose the winds should be contrary for a considerable time, could we not anchor, and Professor Gray, the ladies, and yourself take the train for the Capital?"

"Yes, and we will do that if necessary. But I much prefer that we sail there together. It would then look as if we could come and go as we liked, and give some degree of color to my theory, that we can find any current we wish by hunting for it."

"That is all right in America, but doesn't hold good in Russia, Doctor," said Will, laughingly.

"Never mind, sonny," good-humoredly replied the Doctor. "All rules have their exceptions, and we happened to strike a full-grown, lusty one that time. But I shall always be thankful that my rule failed for once. I think more of the seed I sowed there than I do of our planting the flagstaff at the North Pole."

The wind continued very brisk, a little north of west, and the ship was heading considerably north of Washington.

"We are pointing straight as a gun barrel for New York City," said Will, who was consulting a map.

"New York is considerably east of Washington," remarked the Doctor, looking over the map with Will. "I will tell you what we will do. If the wind continues as it now is we will go on to New York and await a favorable wind. What do you all think of that proposition?"

"Nothing could be more appropriate, since we must anchor, than that it should be at the metropolis of America," answered Professor Gray.

So it was agreed that they should make New York their next anchorage if possible. Along in the afternoon they were near the center of Pennsylvania and were approaching a large town. The people were evidently looking for them, for immense crowds could be seen gathered in many places.

"I think that I will send a telegram from here to the mayor of New York that we will try and make that city to-night. At what time should we arrive there at our present speed?" he inquired of Professor Gray.

The Professor consulted his watch and map a moment, and replied, "About eight o'clock this evening, Doctor."

The telegram was written accordingly. Silver Cloud descended to within four hundred feet of the earth, and when over the center of the city, the Doctor leaned over the balustrade and shouted, "Will you please forward this message for me?" As he said this he dropped the message, wrapped about a silver half dollar. One of the thousands of willing hands caught it, and a voice answered, "Aye, aye, Doctor Jones!"

"They all have your name, Doctor. You are the best known man in America to-day. And I doubt if there is one in the world so much talked of as you are," said Professor Gray.

"And that just shows how small a matter makes one famous. A few months ago I was an humble, inconsequential country doctor. My greatest delight and ambition at that time was to find the indicated remedy, and see the sick recover. And I declare to you now, that while I enjoy this racing through the skies, and the roar and acclamation of the multitudes, yet all these are but secondary and insignificant to my mind, when compared with that other great ambition of my life—the recognition by the medical world of the fact that there is an immutable law of God for our guidance in the selection of the remedy for the sick. And my daily prayer now is that my Father will keep me humble, so that he can use me to this end. For I tell you, friends," and the Doctor struck the table near him a mighty blow with his fist by way of emphasis, "that God can use no man who feels his own importance, and is inclined to take all the glory to himself. He is simply a weak-minded bungler, who gets into the way and frustrates whatever designs God might otherwise have worked through him."

The Doctor was upon his favorite theme—the propagandism of the peculiar system of medicine of which he was so faithful and successful a practitioner—and they had left the city far behind them, when he again paid attention to the rapidly changing scenery below. The wind had increased to a strong gale, and they were crossing the full length of Pennsylvania at astounding speed. They passed over the mountain ranges of the eastern part of the state, with as little concern or thought as if they had been level plain or water. So greatly had their speed accelerated, that by six o'clock the smoke of the great city was discernible immediately before them. The beautiful Hudson looked like a silver ribbon trending away to the north. New York bay with its shipping from all quarters of the earth, Liberty Lighting the World, the suspension bridge, and the tall buildings of the city, were all distinctly seen by the voyagers at a great distance. The booming of cannon announced to our friends that they had been sighted by those upon the lookout for them. A few moments later they had crossed the river and were skimming over the housetops, looking for an anchorage.

"There is Central Park. We shall pass over the south end of it. That is the place for us to drop anchor," said the Professor.

"All right, Professor. Stand by boys! Let them go!" cried the Doctor.

Down to the earth went two anchors. They almost immediately caught in the strong limbs of the shade trees and Silver Cloud was again safely anchored. It was well that this immense park had chanced to be their stopping place, for the people were wild with excitement, and poured into it like a mighty flood. The shout that went up was deafening as the Doctor and Professor descended to the ground. The whole party came down, two by two, the fastenings of the globe were made doubly secure, a posse of policemen put in charge of it, and then they submitted themselves to the committee of reception appointed by the mayor. Carriages awaited them, and they were conveyed to a hotel as rapidly as the densely crowded streets would permit. No conqueror ever received a more tremendous ovation! Frequently the carriages were brought to a dead standstill, and only the most strenuous efforts of scores of policemen could make a passage for them. But finally their enthusiasm broke through all barriers. The horses were taken from the vehicles, and hundreds of friendly hands grasped the ropes attached to the ends of the tongues, and then better progress was made. The Doctor bore his honors with gentle dignity, taking off his hat, and bowing frequently to the right and left to his excited and enthusiastic countrymen who thus delighted to do him honor. If Mrs. Jones' eyes filled with tears of pride and delight as she witnessed this outpouring of the hearts of the people to the man whom she loved above anything upon earth, surely no one will censure her for that. The travelers had met with some hearty receptions, but never with anything like this. It was not the male portion only who were demonstrative, but the ladies were equally active in their expressions of appreciation. The carriages were literally filled with rich bouquets of flowers that rained into them. And when they could bring them to a standstill, the crush about the vehicles almost threatened their destruction. They shook hands with as many as climbed up within reach, not a few of whom were ladies.

"Upon my word, girls, I don't know but they will eat us up," said the Doctor to his wife and Mattie, who sat beside him in the leading landau.

But all things earthly have an end, and the party finally landed at the entrance of the hotel. Here the press was tremendous, and it was with extreme difficulty that they at last reached the parlor, where the mayor and many distinguished citizens awaited them.

"I fear you have had a rough passage through our streets," said the mayor.

"I give you my word, sir, that we have been in more danger during the last half hour than in all the balance of our voyage," replied Dr. Jones.

"You have stirred the world, and turned it upside down, and you will have to stand the consequences of your unprecedented popularity. It is so refreshing to see a man do the impossible with the nonchalance and ease that you have displayed that you must not complain if we nearly kill you with the best intentions in the world. But I promise that we will endeavor to make it as easy for you as possible, while with us."

"I have lived all my life in New York, but I am sure that I never saw our city so excited as it is to-night," said another gentleman. "Just listen to them! Come out upon the balcony and look at them."

As they stepped out and looked up and down Broadway, far as they could see the great thoroughfare was filled with people. The voyagers were instantly recognized, and such a roar as went up from that vast multitude! It continued until the mayor stepped forward and raised his hand to command silence.

"Speak to them a few words, Doctor, and send them home," said he.

The Doctor stepped forward and cried at the top of his powerful voice:

"Friends and fellow countrymen. Of course, I expected you would be glad to see a party who travel in so splendid a chariot as the great aluminum ship. And I take it for granted that you are all aware that Silver Cloud, as we have named the globe, carried us to the North Pole and back safely and pleasantly. And to-night, as we stand in the great metropolis of the Western hemisphere, there flies from the most splendid flagstaff upon earth, located precisely at the northern extremity of the earth's axis, the Flag of our Union! (At this point, the patriotic enthusiasm of the hearers could not be restrained, and for several minutes the Doctor stood and awaited the subsidence of the cheering.) But I have a proposition to make you. The Mayor desires that you all retire now to your homes, and I promise you that to-morrow night we will tell you all about our trip, and show you how we planted the flagstaff at the North Pole. I bid you all good night."

"That was good, Doctor, and I think that now they will disperse quite satisfied," said the mayor. "You are the city's guests, remember, and we are extremely desirous of rendering you every possible honor and pleasure. I do not doubt that you are all fatigued with so much excitement and sightseeing as you have been through to-day, and we will let you retire. Good-night."