Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-08-15
A French Story.

A correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
writing from Paris says:
Here is the last balloon story: Mon
sieur GODDARD, in his last journey to the
clouds but one, was accompanied by q
single fellow traveller, who had paid one
thousand francs for the privilege OF a
place by the side OF the celebrated aero
naut. The weather was splendid and the
balloon reached considerable height.
"What effe It has it on you?' inquired
NJ. GODDARD of his companion
"None whatever" was the curt repl:.
J. II must compliment you," said n.
GODDARD. 'You are the first amateur I
have ever known to reach this altitude
without experiencing some emotion"
.'Go higher" said the amateur cody.
NJ. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon few up some sixty yards
higher.
''Now, how do yeu teel?'
"Just as usual, said the companion in
a rather petulant tone.
''By Jovei'' exclaimed NJ. GODDARD, "you
are born aeronaut, sir!'
The balloon kept On rising, and when 4
few hundred yards higher NJ. GODDARD, for
the third time, questioned his compan-
lou as to his emotions.
''Emotions! Not trace Of emotion"
replied he, with the tone of a man who
feels that he has been taken in.
'Well, so much the worse,'' said the
aeronaut. II see I shall not be able to
alarm you; we have risen high enough,
and we shall now aescend.''
"Descend?"
eyes certainly, it would be dangerous
to go higher"
81 don't care about the danger, and I
don't choose to descend. am going
higher, am. I paid thousand .rancs
to experience some emotions II! have be-
fore going down again."
N. GODDARD burst out laughing. He
thought the man was joking.
"Are you gong mp higher or not!" said
the companion. at the same time grasping
NJ. GODDARD by the throat and shaking
him violently. II intend to have my
EN- notions"
NJ. GODDARD saw at a glance that he had
to do with nladn IN. The di!ated eyes,
the furious grasp, the very tone Of his
voice leftno doubt about that.
-. But what was to be dene2 They were
some 5000 feet high among the clouds; a
struggle was out of the question, as one
violent motion Of the niadman would
be enough to upset fhe car. All these
thoughts passed NJ. GODDARD S mind in less
than a second. His adversary was pow
erful man, and without loosening his
grasp, he called out, "Ah, my fine fellow,
you have been playing the fool with me.
You have made me pay one thousand
francs and not < wen me a single emo
ton" ~ =: ..,i r.
"Well but what would you have NE
dc?" asked NJ. GODDARD, calmly and sooth-
ingiy. :.
'', I'm going to throw you over,'' said
the maniac, with wild laugh; but first,
an idea strikes me; I'll go up to the top
of the balloon" and sui,ihg the action to
the word he jumped into the rigging ot
the car. ... ....-..t
:>But, my poor friend.' said the aero
naut, you'll kill yourself like that
The mailman uttered a threat. AT
least" said Mr.. GODDARD, "!et me put a
rope around your waist to prevent an &C.
cident."'' VI ...is;..i...a... !: r..
"Well, be it so," said The madman.
who seemed to see the necessity of some
precaution, and the rope having been at:
lacked, he recommended climbing the
rigging of the balloon with the agility OF
ia squirrel, and in few moments was
seated on the apex, clapping his hands
and shouting with joy. At once he takes
out Of his pocket a large clasp knife, and
brandishing it above his head, yells out
'Now, you rascal! you wanted to descend
did you? So you shall, with a asvenge.
ance ~ And, before NJ. Goddard can ut
ter a word, four of the six ropes attaching
! the Cur, to the balloon are cut, and the
/ car r;tselt swinging llelplessly outside. Th.
4 madman's knife was now, touching the
/ other two, when the areonaut calls out K
TO him: t'Stop, one wordl"@ &af$$7-l
''No, no down YOU 60" 81 +; d ]
4. ssBut let me tell you something, my
friend; we are now three thousand fee
high it is true, but that is not higl
enough for thoroughly good fall" .
I "Mhat do you meant" asked tn
mailman, confusedly. %,,E.s $3.50, = {.
81 mean this, that q fall OF only, ,thre
! thousand feet might not kill me, and
prefer being killed to being only Grip
pied. oblige me, therefore, BY waitin,
un.il We aise three q four foeu thousand Zee
I agreed r said the til "a. mailman, ~ W
! seemed to enjoy the idea Of 80 prodigiou
i q fall.
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