The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-12-05
A TRAGEDY IN THE AIR.

n sHAuLDI iN III hiD.
The following thrilling story is going the
round of the papers, but with so many mac
culucies, that we publish it as corrected by
authority.
I am an old man. now, but there is one
incident which occurred during the course
of early life that | shall never forget
was only about twenty years of age when ii
happened, gnd the fearful peril of that one
occurrence acused many OF my (then) black
hairs, to assume the gray otage.
A we'll known eronant rislding at D.,
named DeLacy, was among the first of those
scientific men with whom became ac.
quainted after my arrival in that city. He
owned a large aud elegant mansion in
Rou--, and being a great man among the
inhabitants, his rooms were almost cons
tantly filed with scientific explorers, inter
csted citizens, and eminent scholars of all
grades. As he was not q married man, he
threw open his door to all, and patiently
answered and explained the numerous in
ouiries that were 'propounded to him. y
By degrees | became his bosom friend
his affahle manners, generous disposition,
and ready intellect, gradually drew me into
his constant society. He evinced great
liking for me, and at certain hours of the
evening, he would imperatiyely close his
doors to all visitors, leading me to his pri
vate library, bring forth wine and cigars,
and thus spend hours in cheerful volatiye,
conversation. "-. 'H'
1t was by these means / remained much
longer in D. than | at frs intended,
but as my business did not prevent the
passing few days leisure at each place
visited, | was in no great hurry to resume
my Journey to Paris.
Thus three weeks slipped by before | was
hardly aware of it, and finally, one pleasant
clear morning; | announced to DeLacy MY
intention tf leaving his gay city for Paris.
He expostulated with me, begged and
rged nelly turns to postpone my depar'
ture little longer; but | was graciously
firm in my determination, and ther he pro
posed that should allow him to convey me
thither in tie immense balloon. ...'
| was at first surprised by this strange
prot osal, lut the thought Of delightful
Journey of some twenty miles between
heaven and Garth, on a pleasant day, was
to me both novel and interesting and
readily asscnted. But as the wind was moi
favorable that day, We postponed tbe journ
ev until the next. De Lacy expressed his
opinion that it would be a fine day, and
that the wind would be in north"r'y
direction -toward Paris. EEf- a -
True to his conjecture, it was favorable
and ty eight o'c clock in the morning bii
immense balloon, Comet" was being. in
ffated in the spacious grounds adjoining hi'
residence. Many ofthe inhabitants having
heard of our extended ascension, had begar
to, assemble on the grounds, and within
three hours, some three hundred spectators
were present. le
Finally, every thing was in readiness ,fo1
the start, and the ropes were about to b
cut loose. We had taken our seats in the
finely furnished car, aud were in exoellen
spirits, in contemplation of a splendid jour
ney. '' ~. '''
DeLacy had provided a sufficient nun
her of warm garments IN which we we're tt
array ourselves when we reached that alti
tude where they voud be needed, to pro
tect our forms from the cold. My trient
was about to give the word to let go, whel
commotion was heard among the Assem-
hled crowd. and finally a tall man, dressed
in suit of deep black, with the exception
of high conical white hat, emerged tt
view. shouting r..- ..-, ...
Hold! hold" "sl.t a. . .n ..
DeLacv made gesture to that effect
and as The individual approach cd the car
he asked,
"What is it, nv man? .a ..r.... a.,
II understand YOU are starting for Paris. :
was the renlv. y0F l. .n '0..1 ~ ~
s.We are. sir ;" "',,a4 6'@ '' "f
| "Haye YOU any objections to taking
nassepcer--an eronant by profession.
aes;re 70 take final trip ere | leave for til,
Tinted States. [ should enjoy it YER,
mncb, and as [ am going to Paris, ven
tnre to Ask nermission to company YOU, ;
Very well. Mons.-what NAV | cali YOU
name9, asked DeTacv.
J I'M Canon. sir, Nj Canon is my name
have resided in Bordeaux until lately. ;
"Ab vcs, / have heard Of you,n exclaim
od n.I Iacv cord;allvT CASA nrofessiono
brotbar i an hannv to accede to your re-
nnest Nv car is ut your service, sir"
Wb;le tb;s conversation was going on
corofallv studied the features Of the t,ey
camar and was ANYTHING but pleased will
L;s a,,naarance There was q strange Wild
nas nass n XII ave which made me think If Al
tLo tIo' manaes n, / ever read of 'Fr, M tho firs
glance | conceived a dislike for the man