The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-08-29

"A TRENCM sTOkX.
A correspondent of the Baltimore
Sun writing from Paris says:
: Here IL the latest balloon story:
Nonsisur GODDARD, in his last journey
to the clouds but one, was accompan.
led by single fellow traveller, who
had paid one thousand francs for the
privilege Of . place by the side Of the
celebrated aeronaut. The weather
was splendid and the balloon reached
. eonsiderable height
What effect has it on you p inquir-
Cd II. GODDARD Of his companion.
None Whatever was the curt 70.
ply.
Il must compliment you,' said M.
GODDARD. 'You are the first amateur !
have ever known 10 reach this alti.
tude without experiencing some
emotion
Go higher" said the amateur cody.
n. GODDARD threw out some ballast,
and the balloon flew up some sixty
yards higher.
Nov, how do you feel?'
just - usual said the companion
in rather petulant tone.
By Jovep exclaimed NJ. GODDARD,
you are . born aeronaut, sirp
The balloon kept on rising, and
when few hundred yards higher M.
GODDARD, for the third time, question
cd hls companion a. to his emotions,
sEmotionsi Not a,trace Of emotion
replied he, with the tone of man who
feels that he has been taken in.
We'll. 30 much the worse said the
aeronaut. I see I shall not be able
to- alarm you; we have risen high
enough, and we shall now descend
Descend p
Yes certainly. it would be danger.
ous to 60 higher
Il don't care about the danger, and
/ don't choose to descend. l am 90.
Ing higher, 1 am. 1 paid . thousand
francs TO experience some emotions
I'll have before going down again.
II. GODDARD burst out laughing, He
thought the man was joking.
Are you going up higher or not p
said the companion, at the same time
grasping N. GODDARD by the throat and
shaking him violently. Il intend to
have my emotions.'
n. GODDARD saw at q glance that he
had to do with . -madmau. The d.
lated eyes, the furious grasp. the very
tone of his voice left no doubt about
that.
But what was to be done? They
were some 3,CC0 feet high among the
clouds; . struggle was out of the
question, ~ one violent motion of the
madman would be enough to upset
the car. All these thoughts passed NJ.
Godard1 mind in less than q second.
His adversary was . powerful man,
and without looseniug 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 given me q single emo
ti0n.'
Well, but what would you have
me do p asked NJ. GODDARD, calmly and
soothingly.
I'm going to throw you over said
the maniac, with . Wild laugh; But
first, an idea strikes me; I'll 20 up to
the top of the balloon and suiting the
action to tho word he jumped into the
rigging of the car.
But, my poor friend said the aero.
naut, you'll kill yourself like that
The madman uttered threat. AT
least said NJ. GODDARD, let me put
rope around your waist to prevent an
accident
We'll, be it so,' said the madman,
who seemed to see the necessity of
aome precaution, end the rope having
been attached, he recommended climb.
ing the rigging of the balloon with
tho agility Of . squirrel, snd in few
moments was seated ON the apex,
clapping his hands and shouting with
joy. At once he takes out Of his pock-
ct large clasp knife, and branishing
it above his head, yeIls out: 'Now,
you rascalI you wanted to descend,
did you2 So you shall, with q ven.
geanceP Aud, before II. GODDARD c.n
utter . word, four of the six ropes at.
taching the car to the balloon are cut
and the car itself swinging helplessly
outside. The madman's FDife was
now touching the other two, when the
areonaut calls out to him: Stop, one
wordY
No, NO; down you co.
Bot let me tell you something my
friend We are now three thousand |
feet high it is true, but that is NOT
high enough for thoroughly good !
fall
What do you mean?' asked the |
confusedly.
'Imean this, that . fall of only three |
thousand feet might not k''l me, and
I prefer being killed to being only
crippled. Oblige me, therefore, wait.
ing until we rise three or four thous.
and feet higher
'AgreedP said the madman, who |
seemed to enjoy the idea of SO prodig-
ious Q fall.
The aeronaut keeps to his word he |