Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-10-17

authority and seizng in success ION three OF the
BAGS of sand which served as ballast,he flung them
out of the car, at the same time laughing In
stranue wild manner "Ha!" he cried, that's
the way to travel! We shall distance the swa-
low. we shall tower above the eagle. When
was in the Abruzzi with the rifle in my hand,
watching for stray travellers, never fell 50 excited
as do now Then their lives were In danger,
now it is my own"
Very pleasant thought the owner of the bal
loon. have picked up some rascally Italian brl-
gand.
custom house olficers" continued his companion.
The balloon ascended at a terrific rate In his
turn. Mr.. Brown stood up and laying his hand on
the strangers arm, said-
..For Heavens sake don't sirl Our lives are
at stake mus, allow some of the gas to escape,
in order to repair your imprudence."
elbow do you do that 2"
81 have only to draw this string which is con-
aocted with the valve"
"AnG if you had not that resource, what would
be the consequence Z"
ave would continue to ascend, until every
thing would burst from its excessive dlIation =
The man continued for a few moments IN deep
thouoht then suddenly drawing out knife, he
cut the cords as high as he could reach.
.Fas,er f,ster" he reiterated The stran-
ger was giant compared with MIR. Brown, who
perceiving that he could obtain nothing by force,
began to try couciliatlOn.
..Sir." said he in a soothing tone, ''you are
Christian. | make no doubt. Well, our religion
forbids homicide!"
Faster !" shouted the giant; and seizIng the
remaining sacks of sand, he scattered their con
tents to the clouds. Mr. Brown fell on his
knees.
..Ahl" he exclaimed. elf you have no regard
for your own life. at least have pity on mine. !
am Young, rich, happy; have mother and SIS
ter in their name, conjure you to stretch your
hand M to the valve, and save us from dread
full death. by allowing some gas to escape"
! Shaking his wild locks, the stranger drew oil
his coat. and exclaIming: eve are not ascend
ing ~ flung it out.
the smallest ceremony, he Gespnlled The unlortu-
nate Brown of his paletot, and threw 1t over
The balloon pursued It's wild career without
stop or stay
fla, ha ~ said the stranger: while we're thus
CLIMBING SO pleasantly towards the sky, I'll tell
you story, shall 2"
His unhappy companion did not stir. Already,
|
gushing from his eyes and ears.
"I,isten! Three years ago, lived in Madrid.
was wIdower, with one little daughter, gen
tie. bripht eyed angel her long, curling hair is
waving this moment before my eyes. One day,
I went out early. and did not return until late
nv child. nv beautiful Emma, was gone; BAN
ditti had come and stolen her from me. But my
friend have YOU cannon here? Mr.. Brown
made mechanically sign in the negative
what pity! would have bombarded Spain !!
Ever since. have searched for my child in ev-
ery country of Europe, but in vain. Now
think she may be in the North of Ireland. Have
Won n ucifer match here ?" Mr.. Brown made no
renlv but shook his head. "YOu have notE All,
ifJ could oct one, would set the balloon on fire
and then when reduced to ashes, it would be
much hohter When you first saw Inc this
morning. was examining the stupid faces OF yon
crowd. 10 see if the dark foreign one OF my EN-
mas robber might be amongst them"
II was evident to poor Mr.. Brown that his trav-
ellinq companion was a confirmed lunatic. A
sudden idea struck him.
| "What is your name 2" he asked.
General Annesley."
"The very same!"
..Vhat mean you ?"
! . q know where the wretch lives who stole
your child we are now just above the spot
| Draw the valve. Mr. Annesey and in short
time you will embrace your Emma !"
"No no. you are deceiving me. My Emma is
not on earth she is in heaven. Last night she
appeared to me in dream. and told me So
That's the reason want to ascend higher and
higher. Come, my friend, help me; let us both
| blow as hard as we can on the balloon. AS we
are beneath. our breath must help 1t 10 rise
! ~, ~, Ynnvau hv tried
! to ODey.
1t does not stir! Come, mount on my shoul-
ders and push the balloon!" And without con-
sultiuc him any farther, the giant caught him up
as if he had been feather, and held him above
his head, saying -'Now, push the balloon p
The unucky victim tried TO obey. but the blood
| blinded his ewes. There was horrible buzzlng
! in his ears, and lights flashed before him. For
moment, he thought of throwing himself over, In
order to end his torments.
"Ha!n shouted the madman ;"it does not go!'
! At that none ut the trembling hand OF Mr. Brown
touched accidentally the cord OF the satety-vaIve.
! He made it play, and the cOlIapslng orb began to
descend rapidly. Through the clouds 1t darted
downwards, and the earth reappeared.
"Ha!" cried Annesey. ''inSlead OF pushing
the balloon, as told you you drew it downwards.
Push upwards -push, say!"
"You see that am pushing as hard as
can"
"No; for here is the earth +"
at is only that The clouds are rising towards
the upper regions"
"Well, let US do the same. Let US throw out
! all the ballast"
"We have no MORE" General Annesley laid
MIR. Brown gently in the bottom of the ear.
ave have no more ballast, you say 2" he ask
ed, looking fiXedly at him.
"No more"
"How much do you wegh?" This question
fell on poor Brown like u stunning blow. How
much do you wegh2" repeated his companion in
a louder tone.
.Ah! very little-nothing that could make the
slightest diference-a mere trife."
"A mere trfle! Well, even that will make
some difference" The immuence of the peri
gave our erOnaut presence of mind.
/, "My FRIEND" said he, "your child is not dead
saw her last week near Belfast; she is living
with family who love her, and treat her as thel
own. In very short time, if you will allow u:
to descend, you will meet her." The madmar
: looked at him with wild, doubling gaze.
"Yes," continued Brown, eagerly, anxious t
D confirm the impression he had made; "you viii
see her, your darling Emma, running to meet yo'
with outstretched arms, and her iair, golden curl
waving in the wind"-
''Y0u lie! you el Emma's hair was as blacl