The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-12-01
GAMBETTA'S DEPARTURE BY BALLOON
FROM PARIS

a
day Two balloons were dispatched the Ar
mand Barbes and George Sand.
Large crowds assembled in the Place st.
Pierre and at Montmartre in order to witness
the departure. The people experienced very
great relief when Gambetta appeared in order
to take his seat in the car. A report had been
circulated to the effect that the Minister was
afraid to venture on Il journey by such con-
veyance. ...
NJ. Nadar, "the Aerial King" lost no time
in ordering the start. When the rOydgeurs
were requested to ''step in," two American
contractors entered the balloon George Sand.
The Captain of the balloon came next There
were travelling bags and bundles of newspapers
attached to lines running above the heads OF
the tourists. Baskets of carrier pigeons were
sluDg on also.
When the balloon was just ready to start the
soldiers were told to hold on to tho ropes till
the Armand Barbes was comfortably packed
When the passengers were once in there was
no chance of their getting out before tho start
The Minister of the Interior appeared at tins
moment He donned his fur cap aud entered
the car. Here he clutched the shroudina con-
vulsvely. His color changed TO livid almost
An additional line OF rope Vas passed round
the shrouds al the car, 81 us to prevent him
from falling out, willingly or unwilliagly.
Two Secretaries of the Department of the
Interior took their seats. The Captain ot the
balloon followed. Then came more bags ot
letters and more baskets of carrier pigeons
NJ Nadar gave the order. "Id che: tout" On
this the balloon George Sand rose majestically
from the earth. followed by the Armand Barbes,
amid cheers iiom the crowd The men waved
their hats and the women their handkcrchiefs.
IN fa1 forth ht
thousands OF tongues. aud re- echoed from terra
drmd toward the skies The travellers aloit
uniurl"d ilags in reply. Never Was balloon
ascent more successful.
Near Montmartrc. steep hill arises ab-
ruptly from the Place 81. Pierre. As the bnl.
l"ons passed over the spot they appeared Ia
descend rapidly Every rybody was pctriicd with
fear. Horror was depicted on the faces of the
people. The appearance at the moment is be-
yond the power ot the pen to describe. The
Minister ol the Interior contracted his arms.
aud IL was thought the letter bags. the contents
OF which were expected Ia convey hope and
ncw life Ia thousands "t persons. would fall into
the hands "t the Frussian soldiers.
From the balloon George Saud wc saw u
stream Of ballast descend. She then rose again
slightly. "Nn." 1t won't do" "Shr Is tall.
ing rapidly" was screamed from every throat.
NJ. Nadar. perfect picture OF himself as he
il in every day lir. dressed in forae,ng cap.
monkey JACKET. red shirt. and heavy boots
seized prodidgious field glass and charged up
tie steep hiIl. Men. women and children.
drcssrd lu SILKS. satius and cnrjuroys. pushed
after him. The hill side swarmcd with anxious
thousands. who tumblrd up there bat how no
one could say
The unfortunate sentinel on duty tried to bar
their passage. but was carried away by the
human torrent.
have faint recollection of my going up ON
NIL fnurs. and of saving myself from falling to
The bottom by seizing hold af somebody's leg.
and of this somebody saving himself by hang.
ing ON to my leg; also. ot women tumbling
about in wild confusion Then | can remcm-
bcr' finding myself with the breathless. painting
crowd ut the summit of the hill. aud ot seeing
the balloons sailing steadily onward and up
ward
What airelief' Every person shouted, "T'ird
Ia EcpHbliqHc' Paris GOT. y Correspond
cnce " L. Herald