Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-01-20
A TALE OF TERROR.

Tie following story had from the lips Of a
well known Aeronaut, aud nearly in tie same
words.
1t was in one of my ascents from VauXhal and
a gentleman Of the name OF MavOr had engaged
himself rs companion in NY Gria excursion.
But when the time came his nerves failed him,
and looked vainly around for the person who
was to occupy the vacant seat in the car. HAY
ing waited fer him till the last possible moment,
and the crowd III the gardens becoming impatient,
prepared TO ascend alone; and the last cord that
attached me to the earth about to be cast oil,
when suddenly strange gentleman pushed for
ward and volunteered to GO up with me into the
clouds. He pressed the request with much
earnestness, that having satisfied myself, by few
questions, of his respectabiliiy and received his
promise TO submit in every point to my directions,
| consented to receive him in lieu OF the absen-
tee; whereupon he stepped with evident eagerness
and alacrty into the machine. In another minute
! we were rising above the trees; and i'll justice to
| my companion, must say that In all MY expert
ence, no person at a first ascent had ever shown
such perfect GOODNESS and seli-possesslon. The
sudden rise Of the machne the novelty OF the Stu
alton the real and exaggerated dangers ofthe voy-
| ace and the cheering OF the spectators, apt to
| cause some trepdation, or at any rate excitement
| in the boldest individuals; whereas the stranger
was as composed and comfortable as ii he had
been sitting quiet at home in his own library chair.
! A bird could not have seemed more at ease, or
more in its element, and yet he solomnly assured
me upon his honor, that he haG never been up be-
fore in his life. Instead of exhibiting any alarm
at our great height from the earth, he evinceG the
ivelest pleasure whenever emptied one of nay
bags Of sand, and even once or twice urged me 10
part with more of the ballast. In the meantime
the wind, which was very high, carried us gently
along in northeast direction, and the day being
particularly bright and clear, we enjoyed delight
ful brdseye view of the great metropolis, and thu
surrounding country. Fly companion Listened
with great interest while pointed out TO him th,
various objects over which we passed, till / hap
pened casually TO observe that the balloon mus
be directly over Hoxton. My fe)ow-;raveiie
then for the first time betrayed some uneasiness
, and anXiously inquired whether thought he cou!
be recognised by any one at our then distance fror
earth. ltwas,l told him, impossible. Neverthe
less he continued very uneasy, frequently repeat
ing IL hope they don't see," and enireatng III
/; earnestly to discharge more ballast. 1t the
s flashed upon me for the first time that his offer
). ascend with me had been a within o, the momen
and that he feared the being seen at that perilOr
! elevation by any member OF his own family.
therefore asked him if he resided at UoXton,
5 which he replied in the affirmative, urging aga
IS and with great vehemence the emptying Of u
IS remaining sandbags.
> This however, was out of the question, consl
&c eriDg the altitude of the balloon, the course of q
:, wind, and the proximity of the sea coast. Il
= my comrado was deaf to these reasons, he insist
u; OH going higher, and on my refusal to discbar
id more ballast, deliberately pulled ofand threw /
ne hat, coat, and wastcoat overheard.
IT, "Hurrah, thatligbteDed her!' he shouted ''t
r. il's nor enough yet" and he began unloosing
js craygt
90 "Nonsense," said ], tiny good fellow, nobo
can recognise you at this distance, even wit
u !, telescope"
IT. "Don't be too sure Of that," he retorted raj,
ed simply;' "they have sharp eyes at Mt'ns's"
er 'At wherc7"