Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-04-03
A DUEL A BALLOON.
fProm the Courier T. Europe.

An affair Of this nature took place
on the occasion Of the last ascent
but one of that celebrated and
lucky mronaut Mons. GODDARD. Mr..
Goddard took with him that day, 80
his compagnon da royage, . wealthy
private gentleman. who paid 1000
francs for TIE privilege Of sharing tie
perils of his expedition. The weather
could not have been more propitious,
aud the balloon shot up rapidly to a
considerable altitude.
"What effect does that produce up
on you p asked Mr.. GODDARD Of his
companion.
Nothing" SAID the latter lanconi-
cally.
My compliments to you" said Mr..
GODDARD. "You arc the first whom |
have ever seen arrive at such an alti-
tude without betraying some emotion"
" Keep on mounting" said the trav-
eler, with gravity supreme.
NJ. Goddard threw ont some ballast,
and the balloon ascended some 500
feet higher. And now" added NJ.
GODDARD, "does your heart beat ~
i" Nothing yet" replied his companion.
with an air which approaches closely
to impotence.
"The dencc," exclaimed NJ. God
ard "you have really, my dear sir,
the most perfect qualification to be an
rronaut."
The balloon still assembled when
1000 feet higher, NJ. GODDARD inter-
rogated his companion" And now y
Nothing, nothing; not the shadow
of fear whatever !" answered the
traveller, with tone positively discon-
tented, and like q man who had cxpe-
rienced profound deception"
Goodness me so much the worse,
then said the eronaut smiling; 'must
rcnounce all hopes Of making you
afraid. The balloon is high enough;
1--WE are going to descend"
ITO descend !" = r.
"Certainly, there would be danger
in mounting higher" p.
| "That don't make the slightest diff
ference to me; l do not choose to de-
sccnd."
"You! What! !" asked NJ. GODDARD.
I" say, | wish to ascend higher !;
keep on mounting. have given 1000
francs in order to experience some
emotion | must do SO |; and will not
descend before | have felt some emo
tion."
NJ. GODDARD commenced to laugh !;
he thought at once, that it was all a
joke.
Will you ascend 2" once more de-
mandcd the traveller, scizing him by
the throat and shaking him with vio-
lencc; when shall feel some cmotion?"
NJ. GODDARD relates that at this mo-
mcnt he felt himself lost. A sudden
and dreadful revelation broke upon
him IN regarding the strangely dilat-
ed eyes of his compagnon du voyage ::
he had to deal with a mailman
rotry to make . maniac listen to rsasoni
| To ask for help amidst the cloud,
If the unfortunate eronaut had any
defensive weapon, he would have been
capable Of defending himself; but it is
not usual for people to furnish them
selves with pistols for voyage in q
balloon, and certainly one would not
dream Of meeting with warlike en-
counter in the stars. The earth was
5000 feet bencath--motst horrible
depth, and the least movement of the
now furious mailman might cause the
car to capsize. NJ. GODDARD, with the
presence Of mind acquired by him in
SO many Of his daring AERIAL expeditions,
made all these reflections in tho short
space of a second.
"Ah,! ah ! you are mocking me, nv
fine fellow continued the mailman.
without loosening the grippe. "Ah !!
yon think to rob me of 1000 francs,
as we'll as my emotion. Very we'll, be
quiet. It's my turn to laugh: It's
you now who are going to cut ca
per.
The mailman was possessed of pro-
digious muscular force. NJ. GODDARD did
not even attempt to defend himself
"What do you wish from me :" asked
he, with calm and submissive air.
Simply to amuse myself in seeing
You turn summersanlt," snswered the
man, with a ferocious smile "But
first, (the mailman appeared to bethink
himself) Ihave my ideas. wish to
see if cannot find some emotion mn
there:- Unjust put myself.astride on
the semicircle."
The mailman indicated with his fin
ger the upper part Of the balloon
Just in speaking, he commenced to
climb along the cords which held the
car attached to the balloon. NJ. God.
ard, who had not before trembled for
himself was forced to do 60 now for
the mailman. 4.
But, miserable man. you are going
to kill yourself; you will be seized
with vertigo" -, : ,es
mo remarks" Kissed the mailman,
selling him again by the collar, ''or i
will At once pitch you into the abyss"
"At least" observed NJ. GODDARD, al.
low me to put this cord around your
body, so that you may remain attach
cd to the balloon" .Be it co." SAID
the mailman, who seemed to compre-
hend the utility Of the precantion.-
This done, furnished with his cord Of
safety, the mailman commenced to
climb along the ropes with. the agility
of squirrel- He reached the. balloon
aud placed himself astride- the semi