The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-05-21
A puel in a nalloon.

occasion Of the latt ascent but one of The
celebrated and lucky mronaut, Nom, GODDARD,
NJ; Goddard took with him that day, as his
comp0gHoH de- royGge, wealthy private Rrns
tloman, who paid 1000 francs for the pri,i-
lege Of sharing in the perls Of the eApcdi-
ton, The weather could not havs been more
propitious and the balloon shot up rapidly 70
a considerable altitude.
"What effect does that produce upon you 2"
asked NJ, GODDARD Of hih companion,
Nothing" said the latter hconically.
"My compliments 10 YOU" said NJ. God
ard, You are the frat whom have ever
seen arrive at such an altitude without be-
traying some emotion"
Keep on mounting" said the traveller,
with gravity supreme.
w. GODDARD threw ont some ballast, and the
balloon asoended some 5000 feet higher
"And now added NJ, GODDARD, does your
heart bcat2' Nothing yet" replied his
companion, With an air which approached
closely 20 impatience
The duec," exclaimed NJ, GODDARD, YOU
have already my dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications 10 be an Tronaut"
B The balloon sill assembled when 1000 feet
higher, VI. GODDARD iutcrrogaied his compan-
ion" and nov Pr " Nothing, nothingi not
the shadow Of fear whatever 4" answered
/ the traveller, with a tone positively discomfort
ed, and like a man who had experienced
/ profound deception.
Goodness me so much the worse, then"
% said ths wronaut, Amillug but must re-
nounes all hopes Of making you afraid. The
balloon is high cneugh We are going to de-
scchd."
ITO dcsccnd!'
/ "Ceuainlyi there would be danger in
mounting higher" THAT don't make the
. slightest difference TO me do not choose to
descend
. "Ysu, what" asked VI. GODDARD. 81 say
wish to ascend higher keep on mounting,
! have given 1909 francs in order TO expert
ence some emotion | must do 30, and will
not descend"
NJ, GODDARD commenced TO laugh hc be-
lioved at once, that il was all joke
VIII you ascend ?" once more demand
ed the traveller, seizing him by the throat and
shaking him with ,iolencci "when shall |
feel some emotion ?'
VI. GODDARD relates that nt this moment hc
felt himself lost A sudden and dreadful rev
elati1n broke upon him in regarding the
strangely dliatcu vyUs ur nia tv,ayuyH.,, -.
royage; he had to deal with madman
To Try 20 make mAdman listen TO reason
To ash Tor help amidst the clouds
II even the unfortunate uronaut had had
ans defensive weapons, he would have been
capable Of defending himself, but il is not
. hNAhl i'A llN'IilN W 4AlltiNli lUtNlNflNth Win
pistols for voyage in balloon, and certain
ly one would not dream Of meeting with a
warlke encounter in the stars. The earth
was 5000 feet hcncath--most horrible depth,
and the least movement Of the now furious
mailman might cause the car 10 cnpsze. NJ.
GODDARD, with the presence of mind acquired
by him in so many of his daring wrial ,xpc-
ditiohs, made all these reflections in short
/ space OF a second.
"Ah ah you are mocking me, my fine
fe!llll, Continued the mathematician loos.
ening the gripc. All. you think to rob me
Of 1000 francs, as well ~ my emotion. Very
we'll, be quiet. It's my turn to laugh It's
ycn row who are going to cut cnpcr."
The msdGhu was possessed of prodisious
muscular force. NJ. GODDARD did not even at
tempt TO defend himself What do YOU
wish from me?" asked he, with calm tone
and submissive air.
Simply to amuse myself in seeing you
turn a summcrsault" answered the mailman,
with a icrdcous smile. But first, CHE mad
man, appeared to bethink himsclO have my
idea, wish TO see if cannot fnd some
emotion up there. must put myself astridt
on the semicircic.'
The madman indicated with his finger the
upper part OF the balloon. Just in speaking.
he commenced ia climb along the cords
I which held the cur attached TO the balloon
NJ. GODDARD, who had not before tremblcd for
himself, was forced to do so now for the mad
man.
but miserable man, YOU will be seized
with the vertigo"
" No remarks" hissed the madman, seizing
him again by the collar, " or will at once
pitch you into the abyss"
4" At least" observed VI. GODDARD, "allow
me to put this cord around your body, SO
that you may remain attached to the balloon"
" BE it So" said the rnndman, who seemed to
comprehend the utility Of the precaution,-
/ This done, furnished with his cord of safety,
the madman commenced to climb along the
ropes with the agility of squirrel lie
reached the balloon and placed himself astride
/ the .semieircle, as he had said. Once there,
he rent the air with n shout OF triumph, and
drew his knife from his pocket.
What are you going TO do" asked NJ
GODDARD, who feared that he might have the
idea of ripping open the balloon. "1'o make
myself comfortable forthwith Uuering
these words, the man cut slowly the cord of
safety which NJ. GODDARD had attached to his
body. With a single puff Of wind TO shake
the balloon, the miserable creature must roll
over into the abyss NJ GODDARD shut his
eyes in order not to see him. The madman
clasps his hands he cannot contain himself
with delight. He spurs the balloon with his
heel as If on horseback to guide its flight
"And now,' yelled forth the madman,
brandishng his knife, we are going to laugh.
All, robber, you thought to make me descend
Very well. 1t is you who are going to tumb
lie down in q moment and quicker than that"
NJ. GODDARD had no time to make move
ment or put in a single word. Before he was
able to divine the infernal intention of the
mndman,the latter, still astrde tie semi-circle, /.
had cut-oh horfor -four ci the cordages
which suspended the caf - the balloon. The /
car inclines horribly it only holds by two
] was going to say by one cord, so slight do 1
they appear! II would have been all over
with NJ. GODDARD il he had not grnsred des- .
perateiy nt the two remaining. The knife Of |
the madman approaches the last eords--yet .
a moment and all will be over
- word--a single word" cried NJ. God