The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-05-19


Elections in the short space Of a second
"Ah ! ah! you are mocking me, my
fine fellow" continued the madman,
without loosening his gripe. All you
think to rob me of my 1000 francs, as
well as my emotion. Very well be quiet.
It's my turn to laugh. It's you now who
are going to cut caper."
The mailman was possessed of pro-
digious muscular strength. GODDARD did
not attempt to defend himself. "What
do you wish Of me ?" he asked, with a
calm voice and submissive air. f..ff
Simply to amuse myself in seeing
you turn summersault," answered the
man, with ferocious smile. 60 But first
(the man appeared to bethink himself). !.
l have my ideas. l wish to see if l CAM
find some emotion up there. I must put
myself astride the semi-circle."
The madman indicated with his finger
the upper part OF the balloon. Just in
speaking, he commenced to climb along
the cords which held the car to the bal
loon. M. GODDARD, who had not before
trembled for himself, was forced to do so
now for the mailman. a'e# sm3 $3.50
But, miserable man !" he exclaimed,
&c you are going to kill yourself; you
will be seized with vertigo"
g No remarks" Kissed the madman,
seizing him by the collar. cor l will
pitch you into the abyss"
AT least" said GODDARD, !" allow me
to put this cord around you, so you may
remain attached to the balloon.''
y" Be it so,'' replied the man, who
seemed to comprehend the utility Of the
precaution. This done, the madman
commenced to climb along the ropes
with the agility of squirrel. He reach
ed the balloon, and placed himself astride
the semi-circle. Once there, he rent the
air with shout of triumph, and drew a
knife from his pocket.
=" What are you going to do % asked
NJ GODDARD, who feared that he might
have the idea of ripping up the balloon.
" To make myself comfortable forth
with" Uttering these words, the mad
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 ! M. GODDARD shut
his eyes in order not to see him. The
madman claps his hands he cannot con-
tain himself with delight. He spurs the
balloon with his heels, as if ON horse
back. 10 guide its fight.
And now" yelled forth the mailman,
brandishing his knife, 'we are going to
laugh. All. robber, you thought TO make
ME descend !! Very well. 1t is you who
are going tumble down in moment, and
quicker than that" 80 aHsa-
M. GODDARD had not time to make a
movement or put in a single word. Be-
fore he was able to divine the Internal
intention of the madman, the latter, still
astride of the semi-circle, had cut--oh !!
horror -four of the cordages which
suspended the car to the balloon. The
car inclines horribly 1t only holds by
two-it is as if by one cord, so slight do
they appear. 1t would have been all
over with NJ. GODDARD if he had not
grasped desperately at the two remaining.
The knife of the madman approaches the
last cord--yet moment and all will be
over. $50 sl> bsal a.i bls
"I do not ask for pardon /; on the con-
trary-"
What is your wish, then ?" said the
mailman. i hae aibI tead 3ii mur
sat this moment, now, we are at a
height of 5000 feet -'7o4 7'i = ''ah-
"Stop," exclaimed the madman,
that viii be charming to tumble down
such a height 80 eogsaas u esms.aag
I" Yes," said M. GODDARD, "but my
experience as an eronaut has taught me
that death is not certain to ensue from a
fall from that elevation. Tumble for tum,
bic. much prefer to fall from such a
height as to be killed outright, rather
than risk being only lamed; have the
charity to preeipitate me. from a height
Of 5000 feet" .ns,a3T bae .bl,a-a,
"Ah, that will do" said the mad
man, whom the mention of more hor-
rible fall charmed amazingly. ,,e.
Mons. GODDARD follows heroically his
purpose, and throws over an enormous
quantity of ballast. The balloon makes
a powerful bound, and mounts 500 fee,
in few seconds. And while the, mad
man surveys this operation with men.
acing air-the eronaut thinks to accomp-
lish another quite contrary. The quick
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