The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-08-18

A strange presentment came over me thai
danger was in store for us and they had
ceased talking, and the stranger commenced
climbing into the car, SO sfrong did that feel
ling become ttat would have reno lstrated
but the cordial manner OF De Lacy partially
dampened the courage" had mustered tc
express my fears, and I contented myssF
with keeping in the further corner Of the car
When De Lacy was ready, he gave the word
and the ropes that held the impatient mon
ster to the earth were cast oil, and with q
sudden bound We shot upwards toward the
deep blue sky, amid the enthusiastic cheers
of the multitude. | had never before en-
tered balloon and never shall forget the
feeling | experienced as we soi-ed upward
into space, while the numt rous domes,
church spires, and the residences of D.
Egrew smaller and smaller to the eve.
The people below us, as we sailed over
the city, appeared like 30 many ants crawl
ing along the street, and in short time we
left them far behind.
Al we attained a certain height, current
OF cool air struck the balloon, and bore US
away in northerly direction, over the
thriving fields Of France.
No rough motion was perceptibie in our
conveyance. We sailed along with gentle
undertaking speed, which enabled Us to
view the scenery below us, with perfect
ease.
SO fascinated was | with the scene, that
for considerable length Of time, he'd no
thought Of our strange passenger. DeLaey,
too, was SO busy watching the world below
that he paid no attention TO him.
Finally | saw q small dark body shoot
~ ~
followed by another, until some seven or
rapid rising of the balloon. DeLacy noted
it also, aud simultaneously we looked
around. What a sight met our gaze
Our passenger stood on his feet bare
headed-his hat having been thrown over
while his eyes seemed about bursting from
their sockets. Never scall forget the look
of that man. Froth, Shiny froth, upon his
lips, and a demonical leer covered his
countenance. His lower Jaw had fell and
remained in that position as though " lock-
ed" more horrid spectacle | never wit
messed
! He had thrown over the last sand bag,
and thus partially relieved, the balloon was
shooting heayenward with great velocity.
The cold air rushed past us with a dull
whizling sound, and chilled our bodies
most uncomfortably.
One glance satisfied rs as to the charac-
ter Of our friend. He was a raving maniac !
| inovluntarily glanced at De Lacy. He
edged close to me whispering:
"What is to BE- done? be is mad manr'
"Can we not secure hsm 20 asked.
"Nol ne he would throw himself ouer-
board, and that would be the end Of him.
But see, he has knife and revolver p
Taue enough. NJ Canon mad drawn a
knife from one pocket in his pants, and a
six shooter' from the other. He Rugged
them to bis bosom, kissed them, and NUT
tered some unintslligibls gibberish, and
then pointed them at US, with q long chuck
ling laugh.
" Yes, yes ~ he cried in fierce, horrible
tones that made me start. sYes, up we'll
go TO the demons of hell, or to the throne
Of him! Won't nv angel sister be astonish-
ed when we dash into heaven in monstrous
balloon, the famous Comet Ha ha, ha !!
up to the golden gates Of the Eternal City,
or off to the road Of sulpLurous fires Look
out Beelzeh ub, my friend, VIC re coming say
now, boys and be bent towards US, while
he assumed q low tone, +" shall we 20 to
Beelzebub or to hesvenp Ii we 90 to the
latter place, we'll dig up the stones Of eme-
raid ard topaz, with which the streets are
lined, an carry them down to earth we'll
be .ich, rich men, yes that's the word,
rich %
He paused a moment, and resumed his
seat on the bottom Of the car, with his head
bent upon his hands.
"Now B." said De Lacy, addressing
me, "we must secure him. have some
strong cord in my pocket. five leave him
alone there is no knowing what will become
of US. Careful now and we'll seize him
Come"
Accordingly we started cautiously for the
strange being. Ny friend held the cord in
his hand, while the other was cautiously
stretched toward the foe. But hardly had We
made q movement, when NJ. Canon sprang
into an upright position, and with glaring
eyes, levdlled the revolver at Us.
Something warned us that if we made any
further attempts at present, it would cost
one life at least, and neither knew who the
victim might be. A deadly fire burned in
the maniac's once handsome eye, and We
we'll knew that he would not hesitate to
shoot one or both OF us, rather thar be con-
fined. He knew what the strong cord was
for. ,9
"We can do nothing at present" re-
marked De Dacy, when he heheld the result
of his plan; I'VE shall be obliged to wait for
more convenient time"
only nodded an assent; my mind was
occupied by thoughts Of increasing peril.
We were still shooting upwards into the re-
gions Of intense cold, and our forms were
chilled through, every article Of clothing we
had brought for the purpose was now upon
our bodies. And what was more fearful to
contemplate, was the fact the rope which
/, connected with the safety valves could
not be reached without incurring great
danger.
4 The maniac had it in his possession I II
was fastened securely to the balloon netting
at his back. Thus we had TO contemplate
our approaching fate the best that we might
After the balloon had risen certain height
liz would explode, a. wen knew, and
shuddered to think Of our probable end.
Thoughts Of my distant home, ths kind
loving friends that were even then awaiting
my return TO their midst, together with al
the pleasant remembersnces Of my early life
rushed across my mind in that eventful hour
and gave rise 10 emotions that would be vair
|, to describe. The more dwelt upon sucl
- Al. n hn~ Asek~ kaA