Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-08
PERILoUs BALLOON ADVENTURE.

An affair of this nature took place on the oc-
casion of the last ascent but one of the cee-
brated and lucky eronaut, Mons. GODDARD. Mr..
| GODDARD took with him that day as his coupag-
non du Uoydge, a wealthy private gentleman,
who had paid 1000 francs for the privilege OF
sharing in the perils Of his expedition. The
weather could not have been more propitious,
ard the balloon shot up rapidly to a consider
able altitude.
s.What effect does that produce on you 20
asked Mr.. GODDARD Of his companion.
ssNothing,'' said the latter laconically.
s;My compliments to you," said Mr.. God
ard. ':You are the first whom / have ever
seen arrive at such an altitude without betray
ing some emotion"
stkeep mounting said the traveller,
with gravity supreme.
Mr.. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and the
balloon assembled some 500 feet higher. Sand
now 10 added GODDARD, ,ssdoes your heart beat p
ssNothing yet,'' replied his companion, with
an air which approached closely TO impatience
ssThe deuce i'' exclaimed Mr.. GODDARD; ssyou
have really, my dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications to be an aronaut.'
The balloon still ascended when 1000 feet
| higher Mr.. GODDARD interrogated his compan-
| ion-"And now ?'' sNothing, nothing, not
| the shadow of fear whateverl'' answered the
traveller discontented, and like man who had
| experienced profound deception.
SsGoodnesS me so much the worse then,
| said the ;eronaut, smiling ssI must renounce
| all hopes of making you afraid. The balloon
! is high enough; we are going to descend"
/ ssTo descend!''
n ssCertanly there would be danger in noun
l1g higher!''
That don't make the slightest difference to
5 me- do not choose to descend
: Sou what % asked Mr.. GODDARD
81 ~ that l wish to ascend higher; keep
: on menting. have given you 1000 francs
In ordt to experience some emotion; must
ii do so, al will not descend before l have felt
d some ention ~
! Mr.. G'ard commenced TO laugh; he be-
lieved at ice that it all joke.
% s'Willyr ascend 20 once more demanded
N the traveil', seizing him by the throat and
l. shaking hinwith violence, s.when shall feel
"a some emotio ?''
Mr.. Godar relates that at this moment he
III felt himself 1t. A sudden and dreadful rev.
r elation broke upon him in regarding tne
strangely dila.d eyes of the compagnon dG
- royage; he hado deal with mailman
eI To try to mai maniac listen to reason.
" To ask for he2 amidst the clouds
e IF even the unfounate Hronaut had had any
lc defensive weapon,e would have been lncapa-
es BILE Of defending lmself; but it is not usuai
d, for people to furniS themselves with pistols
for a voyage in b4loon, and certainly one
II would not dream OF meeting with warll6e
nd encounter in the stas. The earth was oooo
feet beneath--most horrible depth, and the
- least movement OF the now furious hiauhiaii
Q might cause the car TO capsize. Mr. Gooafo,
Id with the presence of mind acquired by him
re in so many of his daring arial expeditions,
to had all these reflections, in the short space Vi
~ second.
= ssAhl ah you are moeking me, my nne
Gil fellow continued the mailman, without zoos
tn ening the grip. "Ah! You think to roo lile
he of my 1000 francs as well as my emo'ion'
l., Very well, be quiet. It's my turn TO iaugn'
y It's you now who is going to cut caper.
Is, The madman possessed OF prodiglous
he muscular foice. Mr.. GODDARD did not even at =
of tempt to defend himself ssWhat do you Wlsi
from me r." asked he, with calm tone ano
,o submissive air.
by ssSimply to amuse myself in seeing you
art turn a summersault,'' - answered the man, will
"a a ferocious smile. "But 6rst,9 (the madmaI
"' anpeared to bethink himself.) 81 have my
'h- ideas. / wish to see if cannot find somt
5er emotion up there. must put myself astrd,
be. of the semi-circle
or The madman indicated with his Rnrer tht
upper part of the balloon. Just n shaking
$50 he commenced to climb along the Gods which
in held the car attached to the batlNn Mr.
lad GODDARD, who had not before trenged fo
lcl, himseii' was iofoeo " uo - We mao
-, man.
COD ssBut miserable man, you are gotneto XII
est Yourself; you will be siezed with Vertleau
er: s.No remarks,'' Kissed the madman, &zin
-. him again by the collar, ssor L VIII q Snc
pitch you into the any IS. -,
an ia seat boast. observed Mr.. GODDARD, ssallos =,
,le. to nnt this cord around your body, so thal :,
o. NAV remain attached to the baioon.
..Be it so" said the madman, vino sets
INC to comprehend the utility OF the precautle
rge This done, furnished with his cora OF
tv. the madman commenced to climb the