The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-11-22
THE YOUNG BALLOONiST.
A Story OF France.

1t was very unfortunate thing. At
the very Inst moment, when everything
was ready, Killick the balloonist met
with IN accident and could not go up
in the balloon. H.
1twould seem the most natural thing
to apologize to the crowd and have the
affair postponed until the balloonist
recovered, but the unfortunate fellow de-
clnrod that the mob would not submit to
this, and to my surprise proposed that
l should go up in his place.
he'd made one or two trips with him
and had learned from him to manage the
valves and ballast, the rudiments Of the
:rt OF balIooiing. I was young, active,
and had steady head, aud the owner OF
the Defiance was quite willing to intrust
her to mo, il I would so faf oblige him.
A rich landed proprietor Of the neigh
borhood-a vainyoung man, with ataste
for notoriety-hid offered fifteen louis
dor to be taken up rs q passenger; and
to disappoint N. Victor de Viileneuve
and lose three hundred francs was also
IN unwelcome contingency.
With scarcely a thought Of the result
said would go. NJ. dc Villeneuve
was not to arrivo till the last moment,
when up We would 60.
l was now in the rocking, swaying car,
and, STOPPING down, I asoertained that
the bags of ballast, the coil OF spare
rope, the flags, and telescope wero at
my feet; then assured myself that the
grapnel was provided with its tough
cord, and tho whizz Of rocket and q
descending shower Of colored spangles
OF fire gave warning note Of prepara-
ton.
Rockets now soared aloft, amidst the
huzzas OF the crowd, and then, spring
ing from tho driving seat Of light
open carriage drawn by gray horse,
there appeared the figure Of stout,
well-dressed man, who elbowcd his way
80 quickly through the throng that !
had scarcely time to conjecture that this
must be the volunteer companion OF my
aerial voyage, NJ. Victor de Villeneuve,
before he scrambled into the car, and
was at my side.
Let go = he cried, in sharp, I'M.
perious tone, to the mGn who held the
ropes.
4 voice raised in accents Of command
seldom fails Of its effect, however ques-
tionable may le the right OF him who
uplifts it, aud the men addressed, in
their astonishmont, mechanically obey.
cd. The balloon rose little, nothing
now restraining its upward flight save
tho trigger.cor,l, firmly moored to
post below, the spring being in my
grasp.
"OAf We go!' exclaimed the passen-
ger, with jovial laugh that had scarcely
tho ring Of honest mirth in it.
Perhaps NJ. do Villeneuve, for oil his
swaggrring dcportment, was ill at ease
NJ TO the results Of our voyage, and
strove to carry it Off gayly; such were
my thoughts us the Catherine wheels be.
gun to revolve in cascades OF whirling
fro and the crowd to cheer. II was the
moment for our start, but I hesitated to
pull the trigger. for now astrange hustle
and confusion below attracted my atten.
ton.
4 mounted gcndarmc, his saber and
carhine clankiug, had ridden up at the
full sallop Of his reekius horse, followed
ut some distance by three others, who
spurred furiously forward. There were
afew hurried questions, then n smother
cd outcry. roar Of voices, and sway
ing backwards and forwards OF the ex-
cited populace.
I looked down at the crowd OF up.
turned faces.
"stopl stopi Englishman, stayl"
cried out the brigadier Of the foot
police. ~
Let go, fool" thundered the man
who sat beside mo in tho car.
"But it is the police that began,
thinking that NJ. de Villeneuye had sud-
denly taken leave Of his senses.
/ "Come down. stop-haul the rope !"
was the shout from below; but as the
words reached my ear my companion
bent forward. Something flashed in his
hand-a dagger.kniie-and the cord
was cut, aud tho balloon dartcd up
wnrds.
"In the name Of the law-ah you
WON'T" cried n gendarme, discharging
his carbine, nm example that was follow
cd by his comrades; but the balls
wlIstled idly by, while we rose and
rose uutil the inn and the gardens and
tho shouting crowd and the sputtering