Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-11-21


burning sun, and infinitespace around thelas
Suddenly the stranger stood upright,s his
face as pallid as that of corpse.
. Faster, fasteri' he exclaimed, in a voice
of authority; and seizing in succession three
of the bags of sand which served as ballast,
he flung them out of the car, at the same time
laughing in Strange, wild manner. Ha.''
he cried :. this is the way to travel Weshall
distance the swallow-we shall tower above
the eagle When was in the ADruzzi. with
my rifle in my hand, watching for stray trav-
elers, never felt SO excited as / do now
Then their lives were in danger, now il is my
own" ssss esa
Very pleasant thought the the owner of
the balloon have picked up some rascally
Italian brigand.
Better te fight with the elements than
with custom house officers" continued his
companion. The balloon ascended at ter
rifle rate In his turn, Dir. Brown stood up,
and, laying his hand on the strangers arm, said:
:. for Heavens sake, don't stir ! Our
lives are at stake. / must allow some of the
gas to escape, in order to repair your impru-
dence"
g How do you do that y
:. have only to draw this string. which is
connected with ihe valve"
And if you had not that resource what
would be the consequence r.
- We should continue to ascend uptil ev-
cry thing would burst Of excessive dilation."
The man continued for few moments in
deep thought; then suddenly drawing out a
| knife he cut the cord as high as he could
reach.
:. Faster, faster!.' he reiterated.
The stranger was a giant compared with
AIr. Brown, who. perceiving that he could
obtain nothing by force, began to try concili-
alton.
Sir" said he In soothing tone, ssyou
are a. christian, / make no doubt Well, our
religion forbids hornicide''
. Faster-m shouted the giant; and se;zing
the remaining sacks of sand, be scattered their
cenleiitsto The clouds. Dir. Brown fell Oh
his knees
Ah,V he exclaimed, g if you have no
regard for your own life, at least have some
pity on mine. am young, rich and happy
lave a mother and sister; IN their name
couture you to stretch your hand up to the
valve and save us from dreadful death BY
allowing some gas to escape"
Shaking his wild locks, the stranger drew
of his coat, and exclaiming, . We are not
ascending = flung itout.ss Rs
:. Your turn now p he continued and with
out the smallest ceremony, he despoled the
unfortunate Brown of his paletot and threw it
over also. !.
The balloon pursued its wild career with
out stop or stay.
:. Tia! ha." said the stranger; while we're
thus climbing so pleasantly toward the sky,
III tell yon story-shall | His unhappy
companion did not STIR. Already, from the
extreme rarity of the air, the blood was gush-
ing from his eyes and ears. :. Listenl Three
years ago l lived in Madrid. l was a widow
wer, with one little daughter a gentle, bright
eyed angel; her long curling hair is waving
| this moment before my eyes. One day
went out carly, and did not return until late
my child, my beautiful Enma was gone
banditti had come and stolen her from
Bat. my friend, have You cannon here !?
AR Brown made mechanically a sign IN the
negative. What a pity.-i would have
konibarted Spain! Ever since, have search
ed for nay child in every country Of Europe,
bu. in vain. Now think she may be in the
North of ireland. Have you a lucifer match
herc?" Mr. Brown made no reply but shook
7 his head. q You have not? All if | could
get one / would set the balloon on fire and
then, when reduced TO ashes, it would be
much lighter When you first saw me this
laorning was examining the stupid faces of
| son crowd TO see if the dark foreign one of
! my Emuia's robber might be among them"
| Il was evident to poor Dir. Brown that his
tray. ling companion was a confirmed lunatic.
! Il sudden idea struck him:
. " hat is your name = he asked.
"Gerald Annesley."
:. The very same"
s. What mean you q
g know where the wretch lives who stole
| your child /; We are now just above the spot -
] Draw the valve, AIr. Annesley. and in a
short time you will embrace Jour Emma"
:. No. no; you are deceiving me. bly,
Emma is not on earth; abe is IN Heaven
Last night She appeared to me in dream
and told Inc 50. That's the reason 1 want TO
ascend higher. and higher. Come, my friend,
! help ne; let US both blow as bard as we can
on tie balloon. AS We are beneath, our
breath must help it TO rise--Blaw Blow 2
Dir. Brown moved By terror, tried to obey
Ii does not stir Come, mount On my
shoulders and push the bailoon. And With
o1t consulting hiia any further the giant
caught hiin up as il he had been feather
aud held him above his head, saying . Now
push the balloon p The unlueky victim tried
to obey. but blood Blinded his eyes. There
was a horrible hsizziug in bis ears, and lights
flashed before him. bor a moment he thought
i ofsthrowing himself over in order TO end his
/ tornienss.
i sIIal' shouted the mailman. g It does net
4 sgo!r At that moment the trembling hand Of
Mr. Brown touched acciacntlv the cord Of the
safety valve lie lnadp Il play. the coIlap-
sing orb began todesoead rapidly. Through
the clouds it tdarted downward, and the earth
lre-appeared.
!, ~ said Anuesley. ssips.ead Of push