The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-04-20
A DUEL IN A BALLOON.

An affair OF this nature took place on
the occasion Of the last ascent but one
Of the celebrated and lucky aronaut,
Mons. GODDARD. Mr.. GODDARD took with
him that day, as his compagaoa du pog-
age, wealthy private gentleman, who
paid 1000 francs for the privilege Of shar-
ing in the perils Of the expedition. The
weather could not have been moro propi-
tious, and the balloon shot up rapidly TO a
considerable altitude. s. N .E-t ra;
"What effect does, that have upon
your asked M. Goddard Of his compan-
ion.
Nothing" said the latter laconically.
"My compliments 10 you," said NJ.
GODDARD. -. H r.f.t..
"You are the first whom I have ever
seen arrive at such an altitude without be-
traying some emotion"
Keep on mounting" said the traveller,
with gravity supreme. s7sm
M. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon ascended some 500 feet high
or. And now," added NJ. GODDARD,
(" does your heart beat n
"Nothing yet" replied bis companion,
with an air which approached closely to
impatienee.
aThe Deuce" exclaimed NJ. GODDARD I;
" YOU have really, my dear sir, the most
perfect qualifications to be an @ronaut."
The balloon still ascended; when 1000
feet higher, NJ. GODDARD interrogated his
companion" And now y "Nothing,
nothing; not the shadow Of fear what
every' answered the traveller, with n tone
positively discomfort, and like man who
had experienced a profound deception.
"Goodness me! so much the worse,
then, said the eronaut smiling; "but !
must renouncc all hopes of making you
afraid. The balloon is high enough; we
arc going 10 descend" & .--
"To descendr w
Certainly; there would be danger in
mounting higher"
"That don't make the slightest differ
ence TO me; don't choose TO descend"
"You, whatg" asked M. GODDARD.
q say l wish to ascend higher; keep
on mounting. l have given 1000 francs
in order 10 experience some emotion; l
must do so, and willnot descend before /
have felt some emotion" , af..5
NJ. GODDARD commenced TO laugh; he
believed, at once, that K was all joke.
Will you ascendl" once moro de-
manded the traveller, seizing him by the
throat and shaking him with violence;
when shall feel some emotion
NJ. GODDARD relates that at this moment
he felt himself lost. A sudden and dread
fll revelation broke upon him in regarding
the strangely dilated eyes of his COM
pagnon du vogage, he had to deal with
a madman!
To try TO make mania, listen to reason; 4.
To ask for help amidst the clouds!
If even the unfortunate @ronaut 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 a bal
loon, and certainly one would not dream
of meeting with warlike encounter in
the stars. The earth was 5000 feet be-
neath-most horrible depth, and the least
movement Of the now furious mailman
might cause the car TO capsize. M. God
ard, with thepresence Of mind acquired by
him in SO many Of his daring erial expe-
ditions, made all these reflections in Tho
short space of second.
"Ah! ah! you are mocking me, my
fine fellow" continued the madman, with
out loosening his gripe. "Ahl 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 are 90
ing TO cut q capcr." s -,
The madman was possessed Of prodig-
ious muscular force. M. GODDARD did not
even attempt to defend himself, "what
do you wish from me n he asked with a
calm tone and submissive air.