Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-06-14
ADUEL OON.

CASTOR OF the LAST ascent but one OF the ceie-
brsted and lucky erOnaut Mons. GODDARD, in
Paris. Mr.. GODDARD took with him that day rs
his oompagHOU dU royage, a wealthy private
gentleman. who had paid 1 200 francs for the
privilege Of sharing in the perils of his expedi-
ton. The weather could not have been more
prOpitiOus, and the balloon shot up rapidly IL
a considerable altitude.
What effect does that produce upon you %
asked Mr.. GODDARD to his companion.
Nothing" said the latter, laconically.
MY compliments to you, " said Mr.. GODDARD
.. You are the first whom L have ever seen ar
rive at such an altitude without betraying some
emotion"
gravity supreme.
NJ. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and the
balloon assembled some 500 feet higher "And
now added NJ. GODDARD, ''dOes your heart
beat - - Nothing yet" replied his cOmpan-
ion, with an air which approached closely to
impaticnce.
=, The deuce" exclaimed NJ. GODDARD; s'you
have really, my dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications to be an eronaut."
The balloon still assembled; when l ZOO feet
higher, NJ. GODDARD Intercepted his eompan-
ion" And now" . Nothing, nothing; not
traveller, with tone positively discontented,
and like man who had experienced pro-
found deception.
''tiOodness me, so much the worst then, - said
the Hronaut smiling; must rcnounce all
hopes If making you afraid. The balloon is
high enough; we are going to descend
= To descend -
Certainly; there would be danger in mount
ing higher
That don't make the slightest difference to
me; do not choose TO descend"
You, whatI' asked NJ. GODDARD
Il say that wish to ascend higher, keep on
mounting. / have given 600 francs in order
10 experience some emotion; must do 50, and
will not descend before have felt some emo
ton
NJ. GODDARD commenced to laugh; he believed
at once that it was all joke.
viii you ascend?" once more demanded
the traveller, seizing him by the throat and
shaking him violence; when shall feel some
emntiOnl'
NJ. GODDARD relates that at this moment he
felt himself lost. sudden and dreadful rev
citation broke upon him in regarding the
strangely dilated eyes of the compagH0n d,s
rOyES', he hal to deal with a mad man:
TO try to make maniac listen to reason.
70 ask for help amid the clouds
If even the unfortunate 9ronaut had had
any defensive weapon, he would have been in
capable Of defending himself; but it is not usu-
al for people to furnish themselves with pistols
for n voyage in a balloon and certainly one
would not dream of meeting with a warlike
encounter in the stars. The earth was 5000
feet beneath-most horrible depth, and the
least movement of the. now furious mad man.
might cause the car to eapsize. NJ. GODDARD,
with the presence of mind acquired by him i'm
20 many Of his daring 9rial expeditions made
ali these reflections In the short space of a Sec
UHd.
All, alb, You are mocking me, my fine fell
low continued the mad man, without loosen
ing the grip. All you think to rob me of
loo francs as well as my emotion. Very we'll,
be quiet. Its my turn to laugh. It's you
now who Is now going TO cut a caper."
The mad man was possessed Of a prOdigious
muscular force. NJ. GODDARD did not attempt
TO defend himself. What do you wish from
me-" asked he, with calm tone and submis-
sive air.
Simply to amuss myself in seeing you turn
sumDeTsault,' answered the man, with a fe-
r"ciOus smile. d" But first (the mailman ap-
peaTed to bethink himseif) L have my ideas.
i wish to see If 1 cannot find some emotion ND
there L must put myself astride on the semi
circle
The madman indicated with his finger tie
upper part Of the balloon. Just in speaking
he commenced to climb along the cords whic
held the ear attached to the balloon. NJ. God
dard, who had not before trembled for himself
was forced to do 50 now for the mailman.
But, miserable man, you are going to kill
yourself; you will be seized with vertigo"
&c No remarks Kissed the mailman seiZing
h'm again by the collar, "or will ut once
pitch you into the abyss
'' N least, observed NJ Goddard allow
me to put this cord around your body, so that
You may remain attached TO the balloon"
" lie IT 81, said the mailman, who seemed
I" comprehend the utility of the precsution.
luis done. furnished with his cord of safety,
the mailman commenced TO climb the rope with
the agility Of squirrel. lie reached the bal
loan and placed himself astride the semi-circle
as he said. Once there, he rent the air with a
shout Of triumph, and drew his knife from his
pocket.
What are you going to do? ?" asked NJ God
daF,l, who feared that he might have the idea
dripping the balloon.
- To make myself comfortable forthwith
Jttering these words the mailman cut clogly
the cord of safety which NJ. Goddard had at
t'ched To has body. With single puff of wind
u shake the balloon, the miserable creature
must roll over into the abyss, VI. Goddard
shut his ewes in order not to sec him. The
Inaduian clasps his hand; he cannot contain
himself with delight lie spurs the balloon
with his heel. As If on horseback, to guide its
flight.
And now, yelled forth the mailman. bran.
dIshing his knife, I'VE are going to laugh. All
fobber' you thought TO make me descend, Very
well IT IL you who are going to tumble down
IN moment, and quicker than that"
VI GJdard hsd no time TO make a movement
or put in word. Before he was able to divine
the Internal intention Of the mailman the lat.
Oh. hcrTOT'-fOur of the cords which suspended
the ear To the balloon. The car incIines hor.
ribly' IT only holds by two-it was by one cord
- slight do they appear, Ii would have been
ali over with VI ,iodard If he had not grasped
desperately at the remaining two. The knife
OF the madman approaches The last eords-yet
moment and all will be over.
Il do not ask for pardon; on the contrary. :"
What Is il You wish, them said the mad
man, astOHished.
At this moment; now" continued the zero
naut, hurr1edly, 1--WE are at height of ,OOC
feet
stop said the mailman. THAT will be
charming H. tumble down from such height .
y e. said NJ. GODDARD, my experience a.
all vronaut has taught me that death is no
'rrr-iu Ia cnSUc from fall from that elevation
Tumble for tumble. much prefer TO fall from
such height as to be killed outright, rather
ihan risk being only famed; have the charity
I" Frccipitste me from height Of 900 only )
An, that will do, - said the mailman, whiel
the mention Of a more dreadful fall charmed
amazingly
Nor GODDARD follows heroicaly his purpose
Anb throws over an enormous quantity Of bal