Worcester daily spy., 1859-06-11
lQ(ortcstrr 1ailp Spp.
A DUEL IN A BALLOON.

brated and lucky eronaut, Monsieur GODDARD
M. GODDARD took with him that day, as his
co"71Isgfoa da royage, wealthy private gentle
man, who paid 1000 francs for the privilege of
sharing in the pcrils Of the expedition. The
weather could not have been more prOptious,
and the balloon shot up rapidly to a considera-
BILE altitude
"W has effect does that produce upon you 90
asked NJ. GODDARD of his companion.
Nothing" said the latter, aconically.
f'My compliments to you, said NJ. GODDARD.
"You are the first whom have ever seen ar
rive at such an altitude without betraying
some notion
"Keep on mounting" said the traveller, with
gravity supreme
M GODDARD threw out some ballast, and the
balloon ascended some five hundred feet high
er. "And now," added NJ. GODDARD, 'does
your heart beats" Nothing yet, replied his
companion, with an air which approached
closely to mpatience
'The deuce p exclaimed NJ GODDARD, 'you
have really, my dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications to be an arOnaut."
The balloon still ascended when one thou
sand feet higher, NJ GODDARD interrogated his
companon-"And now 2"
Nothing nothing; not the shadow of a
fear whatever" answered the Traveller, with
tone positively DISCONTINUED, and like man
who had experienced profound deception.
Goodness me SO much the worse then"
said the @ronaut, smiling; "but l must re-
nounce all hopes of making you afraid. The
balloon is high enough we are going to de-
scend."
"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"
60u what I" asked NJ GODDARD
81 say, wish to ascend higher; keep on
mounting. have given 1000 francs in order
to toeXperience some emotion; | must do so,
and will not descend before have felt some
emotion"
M. GODDARD commenced to laugh he believ-
ed, at once, that it was all joke.
"Will you ascend 2" once more demanded
the traveller seizing him by the throat and
shaking him with violence "when shall ] feel
some emotion 90
M. GODDARD relates that at this moment he
felt himself lost a sudden and dreadful rev.
elation broke upon him in regarding the
strangely dilated eyes of his compdgnoa d,t yoy-
age he had to deal with mailman
To try to make maniac listen to reason:
Ioask for help amidst the clouds.
If even the unfortunate aronaut had had
any defensive weapon, he would have been
capable Of defending himself; but it is not
usual for people to furnish themselves with
pistols for a voyage in balloon, and certainly
one would not dream of meeting with a war
like 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 capsize NJ Go
dard, with the presence of mind acquired by
HIM In SO many ofhis daring erial expeditions,
made all these reflections in the short space of
second,
"Ah ah you are mockng me, my fine
fellow" continued the madman, without loos-
ening the gripe. 'Ah! you think to rob me
OF 1000 francs, as well as my emotion. Very
well, be quiet. It's my turn to laugh. It's
you now who is going to cut a caper."
The madman was possessed Of pr0digious
muscular force, NJ. GODDARD did not even
attempt to defend himself "What do you
wish from me % asked he, with calm tone
and submissive air.
''Simply to amuse myself in seeing you turn
a summersault" answered the madman with
a terocious smile But first, (the madman
appeared to bethink himself) | have my idea.
l wish to find if | cannot find some emotion
up there. must put myself astride on the
semicircle."
The madman indicated with his finger the
upper part of the balloon. NJ GODDARD, who
had not before trembled for himself, was fore
ed to do so now for the madman.
"But, miserable man, you are going to kill
yourself; you will be seized with vertigo"
"No remarks, hissed the mailman, seizing
him again by the collar cor l will at once
pitch you iuto the abyss"
cat least, observed NJ GODDARD, ''allow me
to put this cord about your body, SO that you
may remain attached to the balloon" ''Be it
So" so said the mailman, who seemed to COM
prehend the utility Of the precauton This
done furnished with his cord of safety the
mailman commenced to climb along the ropes
with the agility of a squirrel. He reached the
balloon and placed himself astride the SINH
circle, as he had said. Once there, lie rent
the air with a shout of triumph, and drew his
knife from his pocket.
''What are you going to do ~ asked M.
GODDARD, who feared that he might have the
idea of ripping open the balloon. "To make
myself comfortable forthwith" Uttering these
words, the madman cut slowly the cord of safe
ty which NJ. GODDARD had attached to his body.
With a single puff of wind to shake the bal
loon, the miserable creature must roll over in
to the abyss NJ. GODDARD shut his eyes in or
der not to see him. The madman clasps his
hands he cannot contain himself with delight.
He spurs the balloon with his heel, as if on
horseback to guide its flight.
"And now" yelled forth the madman, bran
dshing his knife, eve are going to laugh. All,
J
Very well. 1t is you who are going to tumble
me down in a moment and quicker than that. )"
M. GODDARD had not time to make a move
ment or put in a single word Before he was
able to divine the inteIna intention of the mad
man, the latter, still astride of the semcircle,
had cut-oh horror -four of the cordages
which suspended the car to the balloon. The
car nclines horribly it only holds by two
was going to say by one cord so slight do they
appear 1t would have been all over with M.
GODDARD if he had not grasped desperately at
the two remaining The knife of the mailman
approaches the last cords--yet moment and
all will be over.
"a word-a single word, cried M. GODDARD.
"No-no pardon" vociferated the mailman.
Il do not ask for pardon on the contrary"
"What is it, you wish, then :" said the mad
man, astonished.
"At this moment now" continued the ero-
naut hurriedly, eve are at height of 5000
feet"
"Stop," said the mailman, chat will be
charming to tumble down from such a
heightP'
at is still too low" added M. GODDARD"
GLOW so asked the mailman, stupeted.
eyes" said Nj. GODDARD "my experience as
an aronaut has taught me that death is not
certain to ensue from fall from that elevation.
Tumble for tumble, l much prefer to fall from
such height as to be killed outright, rather
than risk being only lamed have the charity
to precipitate me from height of 5000 only.
"Ah, that will do, said the madman, whom
the mention of more horrible full charmed
amazingly.
Mons. GODDARD follows heroically his pur
pose, and throws over an enormous quantity
Of ballast. The balloon makes q powerful