Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-04-21
PerilOus Balloon Ride.

celebrated and lucky Rronaut, Nj. GODDARD.
Mr.. GODDARD took with him that day as his
coa7pognon du yoyage. wealthy private
gentleman, who paid 900 francs for the
privilege of sharing the perils of the voy-
age. The weather could not have been
r more propitious. and the balloon shot up
rapidly to a considerable altitude
What effect does that produce upon
vou?' asked Mr.: GODDARD of his compan
ion.
Nothing said the latter laconically.
My compliments to you,' said Mr.. God
ard. You are the first that | have seen
arrive at such an altitude without betraying
some emotion
keep on mounting said the traveller
with gravity supreme.
4 M. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon asceEded some FIVE hundred
feet higher.
And now.' said NJ GODDARD, does your
hear beat?'
Not yet.' replied his companion, with
az air bordering close to impatience
The deuce!' exclaimed NJ. GODDARD,
you have. my dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications to be an 9ronaut'
The balloon mounted still higher; when
900 feet higher, NJ. GODDARD interrogated
his companion
And now?'
Nothing, nothing; not the shadow of a
fear Whatever answered the traveller in
tone positively disconiented, and like a
man who had experienced profound de-
cept;on.
Goodness ma! so mach the worse then,
said NJ. GODDARD. smiling; Il must renounce
all hopes of making You afraid. The bal
loon is now his enough we are going to
descend
TO descend'
Certainly; there would be danger in
mounting higher
That does not make the slightest differ
ence to me; do not choose to descend
You! What?' asked &.
Il say wish to ascend higher; keep on
mounting. | gave one thousand francs in
order TO experience some emo; ion; L must
do SO, and will not do so until have felt
some emotion
GODDARD commenced to laugh, believing
it all joke.
will you ascend?' once more demand
ed the traveller, seizing him by the throat
and shaking him with violence when
shall begin TO feel some emotiun?'
M. GODDARD relates that at this moment
he felt himself lost. a sudden revelation
broke upon him regarding the strangely
dilated eyes of his companion; he had to
Geal with madman.
If even the unfortunate ;eronaut had had
any defensive weapon, he would have been
capable Of defending himself; but it is not
usual fol people to furnish themselves with
pistols for voyage in IA balloon, and cer-
tainly one would not dream of meeting
with warlike encounter in the stars. The
earth was 5000 feet beneath-most horri-
BILE depth, and the movement of the now
ferocious mailman mi ght cause the car to
capsze. NJ. GODDARD, with the presence
of mind acquired by him in so many eri-
rial voyages, made all these reflections in
the short space of a second.
ALI all you are mocking me, my fine
fellow continued the madman, without
loosening his gripe. 'Ah, you think to
rob me of l 900 francs as well as my emo
ton. Very WELL be quiet. It's my turn
10 laugh now. LIS you who are going to
cut caper.'
The madman was possessed of pro.
digious muscular force. NJ. GODDARD did
not attempt to defend himself
What do you wish from me? asked G.
in calm tone and submissive voice.
Simply to amusc myself in seeing you
turn somersault, answered the man with
a ferocious smile But first (the mad.
man appeared to bethink himself.) Il have
my ideas | wish to see if cannot find
some emotion up there. must put my
self astride on the semi-cirole.'
The madman indicated with his finger
the upper part of the balloon. Just in
speaking, he commenced to climb along
the chord which held the car attached
to the balloon. Nj, GODDARD, who had not
before trembled for himself now trembled
foa the madman.
But, miserable man, you are agoing
to kill yourself; you will be seized with
vertigo
No remarks Kissed the mailman. seiz
ing him again by the collar, 'or | will
at once pitch you into the abyss.
AT least. observed NJ. GODDARD, "alow
me to put this cord around your body. so
that you may remain attached TO the bal
LOOM
BE it SO, said the mailman, who seer
ed to comprehend he utility OF the pre-
caution.
This done, furnished with his cord of
safety. the mailman commenced TO climb
along the ropes with the agility OF sqrir-
rel.
He reached the balloon. and put himself
astride the semi circle, as he said. Once
there, he rent the air with shout of tri
umph, and drew his knife from his pock-
ct.
What are you going to doY' asked G.,
who feared that he might have the idea of
ripping open the balloon.
TO make myself comfortable forth
with
Uttering these words. the madman cut
slowly the cord Of safety which Nj. God
ard had attached to his body. With SIN
gle puff of wind to shake the balloon. the