Des Arc citizen., 1859-05-25
In . Balloon with a Mailman.

A French paper tells the following relative to the last balloon ascension of M. Goddard:
 Monsieur Goddard took with him on that day, as his compagnon du uoydge, a wealthy, private gentleman, who paid 1000 francs for the privilege of sharing in the perls of the expedition. The wealh CT could not have been more propitious, and the balloon shot up rapidly to con- siderable altitude.
 !" What effect does that produce upon you?" asked NJ. Goddard of his compan- ion.
 Nothingn said the latter laconicaly.
 My compliments to you" said M. Goddard. You are the first whom have ever seen arrive at such an altitude with out betraying some emotion"
 "Keep on mounting" said the traveller, with gravity supreme.
 NJ. Goddard threw over some ballast, and the balloon ascended some 500 feet higher.
 'And now," added M. Goddard, does your heart beal?"
 Nothing yet?' replied his compan- ion, with an air which approached closely 10 impalience.
 .sThe devIr' exclaimed M Goddard, you have really, my dear sir, the most perfect qualification 10 be an aronaut."
 Tie balloon still ascended; when 1000 feet higher M. Goddard intemogaled third time his companion.
 " And now!"
 Nothing. nothing; not the shadow of a fear whateverr answered the traveller, with tone positively disconnected, aud like a man who had experienced a pro found deception.
 "Goodness me! so much the worse then" said the @ronaui, smiling; bat 1 must renounce all hope of making you afraid. The balloon is high enough. We are going to descend"
 ''To descend :"
 " Certainly; there would be danger in mounting higher"
 "That does not make tke slightest diff ference to me; 1 do not choose to de- scend"
 " You what g asked NJ Goddard.
 Il say wish to ascend higher; keep on mounting. Ihave given 1000 francs 10 expeuence some emotion; must do so, and l will not descend before 1 have felt some emotion.
 M. Goddard commenced to laugh; he believed al once that 1t was all joke.
 .Wiil you ascend. once more Y de- manded the traveller, seizing him by the throat and shaking him with violence. ' When shall feel some emotion"
 NJ Goddard relates that at this moment he felt hmselflost. A sudden and dread- fuI revelation broke upon him in regard ing the strangely dlated eyes of his compagnon du Uoyage he had to do with a madman.
 If even the unfortunate 9ronaut had had any defensive weapon, he would after all have been incapable of defending hlm- self; but it is not usual for persons to fur nish themselves with pistols for voyage in balloon, and certainly one would not dream of meeting with warlike en- counter in the stars. The earth was five thousand feet beneath--most horrible depth and the least movement of the now 11Tufious mads4aA might cause the car 10 capsize!
 "Ah ah! you are mocking me, my fine fellow" continued the madnan, with out loosening his grip. An! you think to rob me of GOO francs, as well as emo- ton. Very well, be quIet. It's my turn to laugh. Its you now who are going tc cut caper." The madman was possessed of prodig- ious muscular force.
 M. God I'd did not even attempt to de- fend himself.
 What do you wish from me P asked he, with calm tone and submissive air
 Simply to amuse myself in seeing you turn summersault," answered the mad man, with felocious smile. But, first, (the madman appeared to bethink him.