Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-07-27
WITH A MADMAN.
The Latest story about VI. GODDARD,
the ParIsian Aeronaut.
Here is the last balloon story:

MOuSleGT OOudTu, III nlS ldSt JOURNEY 10
the clouds but one, was accompanied by
single fellow traveller, who had paid
one thousand francs for the privilege OF a
place by the side of the celebrated eron-
aut The weather was splendid, and the
balloon had reached a considerable hight.
"What effect has it on your" inquired
NJ. GODDARD of his companion.
None whatever" was the curt reply.
al must compliment you," said NJ.
GODDARD; 'you are the first amateur
have ever known to reach this altitude
without experiencing some emotion" +"
"Go higher" SAID the amateur coolly
NJ. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon few up some sixty yards
higher.
"Now, how do you feelT"
"Just as usual" said the companion,
in rather petulant tone.
"By Jove !" excia imed NJ GODDARD,
"you are born eronaut. sir 7"
The balloon kept on rising, and went
up a few hundred yards higher, Mr.. God
ard, for the third time, questioned his
companion rs to his emotions.
"Emotions not trace of emotions, !"
replied he, with the tone of man who
leels that he has been taken in.
"Well, so much the worst" said tho
eronaut. 81 see shall not be able to
alarm you; we have risen high enough,
and we shall now descend"
"Descend?"
"Yes, certainly; it would be dangerous
to go higher"
Il don't care about the danger, and |
don't choose to descend. I'm going
higher, l am. paid one thousand francs
in order to experience some emotions,
and emotions I'll have before going down
again"
NJ. GODDARD burst out laughing. He
thought the man was joking.
"Are you going higher or not?" sand
the companion, at TIE same time grasping
NJ. GODDARD by the throat, and shaking
him violently. IL intend to have my
emotions"
M. GODDARD saw at a glance that he had
to do with madlnan. The dilated eyes,
the furious grasp, the very tone of his
voice left no doubt about that.
But what was to be done? They we're
some 5000 feet high among the clouds; a
struggle was out Of the question, az one
violent motion Of the madman wodld be
enough to upset the car. All these
thoughts passed through NJ Godard's
mind in less than a second. His adver-
sary was powerful man, and, without
loosenng his grasp, he called out. "Ah,
my fine fellow, you have been playing
the fool with me. You have made me
pay 1000 francs and not give me single
emotions"
"WeE, but what would you have me
do?" asked Nj. GODDARD, calmly and
soothingly.
II m going to throw you overheard. ."
said the madman with avid laugh; "but
first An idea strikes me; I'll go to the
top >f the balloon" and, suiting the nc.
ton to the word, he jumped into the rig
gHg of the car
"But my poor friend said theeronaut,
you'll kill yourself like that''---
The madman uttered threat. "At
ieast," said NJ GODDARD, "let me put a
rope around your waist to prevant an
acc ideut"
"Well be it so," said the madman
who seems to see the necessity Of some
precaution, and the rope having been at
tacbed he recommended climbing the
rlggiHg with the agility Of a squirrel, and
IN few moments was seated or the apex
clappiue his hands and shouting with
joy. Al at once he takes out of his poek
ct a large clasp-knife, and brandshed il
above his head, yells out; "Now, you
rascal you wanted to descend, did you !
So yol shall with vengeance - and be-
fore NJ. GODDARD can utter word four out
ofthe six ropes attaching the car Of the
balloon are cut, and the car itself swing
ing heplessly onlside. The madman's
knife was now touching the other two,
when the @ronaut calls out to him: "Stop!
one word!"
"Ne, no; down you CO."
"But let me tell yoG something, my
friend; we are now 5000 feet high, it is
true, but that is not high enough for
good fall" "
"What do you meanH" said the mad
man confusedly.
81 near this, that fall Of only 5000
feet might not kill me, and | prefer being
killed to being only crippled. 0bige mo,
therefore, by waiting until we rise three
or four thousand feet higher"
agreed !" said tho nadman, who
seemed to enjoy the idea Of so prodgious
fall.
The eronaut keeps to his word; he
throws out nearly the whole Of his ballast,
and the balloon shoots up rapidly. But
while the madman sttentively watches
this operation, Mr. GODDARD observed that
among the cordage AS yet untouched is
the pulley of the gas escape. He gently
draws the cord. and the gas begins to eS-
cape Immediately under the spot where
the lunatic is perehed, In few moments
the combined effects of the gas and the
now intensely rarihed air are apparent,
and the madmad sinks into state of
lethargy. The eronaut cautiously brings
down his balloon, and the terrible crisis is
ended Paris Cor. Baltimore Sun.
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