Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-09

Terrible Adventure of an Aeronaut.

Terrible Adventure of an Aeronaut. /
Tie Courier 5de Z Eurreo1pd tells the follow
ing, which took place some short time since
on the occasion Of the last ascent Of that
celebrated and lucky eronaut, NJ. GODDARD.
Monsieur GODDARD took with him on that
day, as his compag,son de yoyage, a wealthy
private gentlemen, who paid 1000 francs
for the privilege Of sharing in the perils Of
the expedition. The weather could not
have been more propitious, and the balloon
shot up rapidly to = considerable altitude.
M" What effect does that produce upon
your" asked NJ GODDARD Of his companion.
e'Nothing ? said the latter, laconiacally.
II t'My compliments to YOU" said NJ. God
ard. ssYou are the first whom have ever
seen arrive at such an altitude without be-
traying some emotion" .lsl@g ."+
sas''Keep on mounting" said the traveller,
with gravity supreme. 'saI Aieae@AsR
M. GODDARD threw over some ballast, and
the balloon assembled some 500 feet higher.
IS 'sAnd now," added NJ. GODDARD, .'does
your heart beat - si'H9 ? asa4i T7
Nothing yeti" replied his companion,
with an air which approached closely to i'm
patience sia3 ~ Y8W woL .faoei
{ s'The devil r. exclaimed NJ. GODDARD !;
styou have really my dear sir, the most
perfect qualification to be an aronaut..' 'a21I
The balloon still assembled when 1000
feet higher, GODDARD interrogated a third
time his companion. lh1lfs.se
now 7" a4 ny aai5f ifa sl
Nothing, nothing !; not the shadow of
fear whatever! !" answered The traveller with
a tone perfectly discontinued, and like a
man who had experienced a profound de-
ception:i9 srgsaiaro aai ~ 5aHAl~ni 1ls
VI Goodness me- !so much the worse then"
said the aeronaut, smiling "but must
renounce all hopes of making you afraid.
The balloon is high enough. We are 60
ing to descend" TEN A7i itsfal. nm
9a7s'To descend ~ sasi Haai ,@oH ~
Certainly; there would be danger in
mounting higher ihHt sl1 F 1nn CO..
\ sThat does not make the slightest diff
ference to me do not choose to descend.
You what?" asked NJ GODDARD. 6sa'
81 say wish to ascend higher; keep on
mounting. I have given 1000 francs to
experience some emotion; / must do So
and I will , not descend before have felt
some emotion. ,.a. 7.na.4. III,
NJ. GODDARD commenced to laugh; he be-
lieved at once that it was all joke.
"Will you ascend once more ?" demand
ed the traveller, selling him by the throat
and shaking him with violence; when shall
feel some emotion?" ~ .,-..
NJ, GODDARD relates that at this moment
he felt himself lost. A sudden and dread
full revelation broke upon him in regardin g
the strangely dilateda eyes of his 'coanpag-
NON de voyage; he had to do with mad
man
II even the unfortunate aeronaut had had
any defensive weapon he would, after all,
have been capable Of defending himself
but it is not usual for people to furnish
themselves with pistols for voyage in
balloon, and certainly one would not dream
Of meeting with a warlike encounter in the
stars. The earth was 5000 feet beneath
most horrible death and the least move
ment Of the now furious mailman might
cause the car to capsize.,g 4a39t gf.u
''Ah !! ali you are hooking me, my fine
fellow continued the madmaE, without
loosening his grip. '.Ah you think to
rob me Of 1000 francs, as well as my emo
ton. Very we'll, be quiet. It's my turn to
laugh. It's you now who are going to cut
caper.''a adF HS 1s#sfsl $685.
The mailman was possessed Of prodigious
muscular force. II 80 -.r;ly,,, H.,
NJ GODDARD did not even attempt to de-
fend himself. !" What do you. wish from
mey' asked he with a calm tone, and sub
missiye air sit abHs 0g "1Et4adf auo
Simply to amuse myself in seeing you
turn a somersault," answered the mailman
with, ferocious smile.
"But first (the mailman appeared to b e.
think himsel) I have my idea. I wish to
sec if | cant find some emotion up there. -
I must put myself astride on the semicircle. >
n The mailman indicated with his finger
the upper part of the balloon, Just in
speaking he commenced to climb along the
the cords which held the car attached to the
balloon. 4esT l@ AiR isH "
NJ GODDARD, who had not before trem-
bled for himself, was forced to do SO now
for the mailman ,.n,t.a.,a .7s ,~,-f -io}
ssBut, miserable man, you are going to
kill yourself. You will be seized with YER
tigo +" ze3 aai ~ .sfA' effa 4aN
.'No remarks" Kissed the madman, seiz-
ing him again by the, collar, g or I will at
once pitch you into the abyss"
AT least" observed NJ. GODDARD, "allow
me to put this cord around your body, so
that you may remain attached to the bal
LOOM" yf-.
''Be it So" said the mailman, who ap-
peared to comprehend the utility Of the pre-
caution. e a 's 'F 2
This done, furnished with his cord of
safety, the mailman commenced to climb
among the ropes with the agility of SPUR
rel. He reached the balloon, and placed
himself astride the semcrcle, as he had
said Once there, he rent the air with
shout of triumph, and drew his knife from
his pocket. fa sE A4a DIS a.I
sWhat are you going to d." asked NJ.
GODDARD, who feared that he might have the
idea Of ripping open the balloon.
s'To make myself comfortable forthwith
Uttering these words, the mailman cut
slowly the cord of safety which NJ GODDARD
had attached to his body. With single
puff Of wind to shake the balloon, the mis-
cradle creature must roll over into the abyss.
~"And now,' yelled forth the mailman,
brandishing his knife, we are going to
laugh. All, rohber, you thought to make
me descend !! Very well. It is you who