Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-23
9 Tbrilling Stu:g,
THE AER0NAUT;
The Fate Of Count Ludwig Paulder.

On the 10th OF June, 10, an announce
ment, stating that an aeronant would ascend
in balloon, startled the inhabitants of Mu-
Mich.
The irst-in fact, the grand triumph which
Nlontgolfer achieved, had given 10 the idea
an impulse which, through the medium Of
public journals, had spread over Europe.
This impulse was the great ruling princi-
pie which had always governed mankind, and
which is called curiosity. The excitement
caused by this first great success in aeronau-
tics, had set half the world as much in fer
ment as the assumed discovery of the load
stone, of the South Sea bubble, or of steam,
or of California had or has done.
1t had become subject for lectures and
expositions. 1t was talked of in the college
and the c!oister. Fashion made it subject
of conversation, and those ignorant Of the
laws of nature were in state Of the most
profound astonishment.
Young ladies and young gentlemen who
could make silk balloons, and aerify or rarity
them, from the soap-bubble blower to the more
profound amateur in the art, were sending up
their aimsy fabrics into the heavens, when
this astonishing act of daring was first an.
nounced as a thing that could be attempted
and done, as it were, by sound Of trumpets.
1t aroused the whole city, and by the appoin-
ted time, and indeed long before, vast con.
course of people had assembled.
Much admiration was bestowed upon the
gaily.colored and elegant machine, whose We.
ry peculiarity of construction elected their
astonishment, and whose strange interlacing
and wild purport reused every passion for the
wonderful and the surprising in their breasts.
1t was one Of the largest then made, and
its improved car, deep and wide, capacious
enough to hold two Or three persons with ease,
became source of much conjecture with the
curious. They tancied themselves borne aloft
into the space beyond the clouds, aud shud.
dered with dismay at the contemplation OF
trusting life to so appalling height in so
frail machine, subject to accidents as it was
aud yet TO him who could keep his brain cool,
aud collec. his faculties of observation and
watchfulnesS, nothing could be more secure,
more delightful.
Ideas and thoughts sach as these were cx.
changed among the groups OF well-dressed
people whom an overpoweriny sentiment had
drawn in large numbers. The professor OF
the art had also become invested, in their
eyes, with marvellous attributes. lie Wis
something more than human; and as the time
approached when he should appear to conduct
the process Of initiation, expectation mad raised
itself on tip-toe, and the passion of the crowd
was at its utmost height.
A disappointment, however, or what was
feared would ultimately prove to be such, now
of Tbo orda
laid out in beautiful walks, above which arch
ell and overhung in many places the branches
of stately trees, and which now held half the
thought had assembled to enjoy music and
dancing instead OF balloon ascent-these
began to grow dark and sombre all at once.
The bright and glorious sunshine was sue
ceeded by q broad bank Of threatening clouds
gathering in the horizon, which gradually
overspread the heavens, and made the change
by contrast, sad and dismal in the extreme.
\ storm of wind and rain was expected, and
almost all came to one very unsatisfactory
conclusion, namely, that there could be nu
balloon ascent.
The storm, however, did not appear, but
the long.expected professor did. lie was a
calm expression Of concentrativeness about
his mouth, which indicated a Command over
the nervesthat must be wonderful, considering
how they were at times tried. There was no
pretension in dress, person, or manner. Of the
slightest kind. lie merely bowed his ac.
acknowledgement to the spectators, who saluted
him warmly, and in quiet, unassumiug way,
went on with the business Of preparing his
aerial car.
In the meantime, there appeared going from
group to group remarkably handsome young
man, whose light, easy,.and lofty air, eltgan,
dress, and the somewhat naughty expression
rank and pretens;ons. Such, indeed, was the
fact, for he was named Count Ludwig Paulder
the desccndent Of an ancient family, very
wealthy, young, handsome, liberiine, and
powerful at court. No wonder, then, that as
us he gaily went from one to another, nod.
ding tamiliarly to one blushing beauty, and
bowing lowly to another of more aristocratic
pretcnsions-no wonder, we say, that with
the prestige of his name he should have sud.
denly become subject for conversation among
the assembled crowd. The chief reason OF
this was, that he was going TO ascend in the
balloon with the professor; and rash and dan
gerouS as the determination was, his daring
and coolness commanded admiration.
Leaving Count Ludwig to swagser from one
to another, the groups to distract themselves
with apprehelsions about the storm, which
yet seemed undecided, OF to speculate still!
more upon the presumptive fate OF the bal
loon with its designed carso--!eaving, also,
the professor to regulate the filling of th'
machine--we must beg the reader ~ retrac,
his sless with US for b lew hours, in order IT,
relate to him what took p!uce between tht
professor and na unknown individual, mpre
important to our story, during the past morn.
ing.
The professor, who was staying at one Of
the principal hotels, while perusiny The news
paper after la!e breakfast, Was informed tina,
stranger was without desiring to see him.
Men, in the position vi the aeronant, have
6ften experienced the annoyance Of imperti
nent curiosity. Thinking that this was some
such mattery the professor was about tn plead
business or particular engagement, when he
suddenly altered his mind, and desired the
waiter to show the stranger in.
A tall man, clad in a vast cloak, with q
face and teu ures the most remarkably stri.
king of anythe professor had ever bcheld, was
thea ushered into the room. There was such
an air Of majesty and command about him,
that the aeronaut received his unexpected
guest with the most profound respect. We
will endeavOt to sketch him as he appeared.
He was not more than five Or six anI twea
ty, but lookel in reality forty years of age.
His hair, which must have bcen magnificent,
ut one time, was dry and matted, and sprinkled
with gray locks. His broad and massive fore.
head was ploughed with turrows, his cheek,
white and sunken, the angles Of his finely
chiselled mouth contracted, as il with oft re-
peuted spasms of agony, and sadness-a
deep unutterabe despair-was so visible above
al, that he looked like noble and majestic
ruin. Ills great apparent grief commanded
instant sympathy aud respect.
"What may Le your pleasure with me, sir?
demanded the professor, after al nwk k.ard
pause Of few moments, during which he
handed his visitor chair, who declined it