Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-06-01
misrellnneons.
From the Courier lEurope.
A DUEL In A BALLOON.

ebrated and lucky nronaut, Mons. GODDARD.
Mr.. GODDARD took with him that day as his
conapagnos du uoyage, wealthy private gen.
tleman, who had paid 1000 francs for the
privilege of sharing in the perils of his expe-
dition. The weather could not have been
more propitious, and the balloon shot up
rapidly to a considerable altitude.
What effect does that produce on you ?
asked Mr.. GODDARD of his companion.
Nothing said the latter laconically.
My compliments to you,' said Mr.. God
ard. You are the first whom have ever
seen arrive at such an altitude without be-
traying some emotion
Keep on mounting said the traveller, with
gravity supreme.
Mr.. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon assembled some 500 feet higher
And nowp added Mr.. GODDARD, does your
heart beat?'
Nothing yet,' replied his companion, with
an air which approached closely to impa-
tience,
The deuce = exclaimed Mr.. GODDARD you
have really. my dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications to be aronaut.
The balloon still ascended when 1000 feet
higher, Mr. GODDARD interrogated his COM
panion-'And now?' Nothing, nothing, not
the shadow eff fear whatever = answered the
traveller discontented, and like man who
had experienced profound deception.
Goodness me- SO much the worse then,'
said the eronaut, smiling L must repounce
all hopes of making you afraid. The balloon
is high enough /; we are going to descend
Certainly; there would be danger in
mounting higherl'
That don't make the slightest difference
tn mo / do not choose m 5aSoapd
You what ? asked Mr.. GODDARD
Il say that [ wish to ascend higher; keep
on mounting. 1 have given you 1000 francs
IN order to experience some emotion [ must
! do so, aud will not descend before have felt
/ some emotion =
| Mr. GODDARD commenced to laugh; he be-
lieved at once that it was all Joke
| 'Will you ascend ? once more demanded
the traveller, seIzing him BY the throat and
shaking him with violence when shall feel
! some emotion 2
Mr.. GODDARD relates that at this moment
| he felt himself lost A sudden and dreadful
revelation broke upon HIM in regarding the
strangely dilated eyes of the conepagnon du
vOyage he had to deal with madman
To try to make a maniac listen to reason!
To ask for help amidst the clouds!
IF even the unfortunate eronaut had had
any defensive weapon, he would have been
incapable of defending himself; but it is not
usual for people to furnish themselves with
pistols for voyage in balloon, and certain
ly one would not dream of meeting with a
warlike encounter in the stars. The earth
was 5000 feet beneath-most horrible depth,
and the least movement of the now furious
madman mil ght cause the car to capsize. Mr..
GODDARD, with the presence of mind acquired
by him in SO many of his daring aerial expe-
ditions, had all these refie ctions, in the short
space of second.
'Ah! ah you are mocking me, my fine
fellow, continued the madman, without loos-
euing the grip. .Ah you think to rob me
of my 200 francs as we'll as my emotion
Very well, be quiet. It's my turn to laugh
It's you now who is going to cut caper.'
The madman was possessed of prodigiou:
muscular force. Mr. GODDARD did not ever
astempt to defend himself What do you
wish from me ? asked he, with calm ton,
and submissive air.
Simply to amuse myself in seeing you turf
a summersault,' answered the man, with
ferocious smile. But frst,' (the madmal
appeared to bethink himself) L have M
ideas. l wish to see if 1 cannot find som
emotion up there. l must put myself astrid
on the semi-circle.'
The madman indicated with his finger th
upper par. Of the balloon. Just in speaking
he commenced to climb along the cords whic
held the attached to the ballon. MI
GODDARD, who had not before trembled fo
himself, was forced to do so now for the mad
g man.
But miserable man, you are going to ki
yourself; you will be siezed with vertigo
,r No remarks hissed the madman, seizin
him again by the collar or [ will at ont
i pitch you into the abyss
AT least, observed Mr. GODDARD, ALLOW n
E. to put this cord around your body, so tn
you may remain attached to the balloon.
at BE it so.' said the madman, who SCENE
ia to comprehend the utility of the precautio
On This done, furnished with his cord of saf
e ", the madman commenced to climb the ro
ID with the agility of squirrel. He reach
or the balloon aud placed himself astride tt
~ ~ semicircle, as he said Once there, he re
NJ n the air with shout of triumph, and drt
,'S his knife from his pocket
ng What are you going to dc? !? asked N
all GODDARD, who feared that he might have
,ed idea of ripping the balloon. 10 make mys
comfortable forthwith Uttering these wol
the madman cut slowly the cord of safe
which Mr. GODDARD had attached to his boo
With single puff of wind to shake the b
loon the miserable creature must roll over
abyss. Mr.. GODDARD shut bis eyes in orr
not to see him The madman clasps
= hands; he cannot contain himself with delig
= He spurs the balloon with his heel, as if
= horseback. to guide its fight.
And now,' yelled forth the madman br
- dishing his knife, we are going to laugh
Ab, robber, you thought to make me desc'