The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-08-23
UP IN A BALLOON.
The Pleasure of an Aerial Ride with
Luuatic,

The Pleasure of an Aerial Ride with
a Lunatic.
Paris Letter to the Baltimore Sun.
Here is the last balloon story :
Mr.. GODDARD, in his last journey to
the clouds but one, was accompa-
MED by a single fellow-traveler,
who had paid 1000 francs for the
privilege of place by the side of
the celebrated aeronaut. The
weather was splendid, and the bal
loon had reached a considerable
height.
"What effect has it on your' in
quired Mr.. GODDARD of his compan-
ion.
"None whatever" was the curt
reply
81 must compliment you," said
Mr.. GODDARD. "You are the first
amateur 1 have ever known to
reach this altitude without expert
encing some emotion"
"Go higher" said the amateur
coolly.
Mr.. GODDARD threw out the ballast
and the balloon flew up some sixty
yards higher.
"Now, how do you Seel?"
"Just as usual" said his COM
ponlon in rather a petulant tone.
SPY Jovep exclaim ed Mr.. God
ard ''you are a born aeronaut."
The balloon kept on rising, and
when a few hundred yards higher,
Mr.. GODDARD for the third tim :,
questioned his companion as to
his emotions.
"Emotions2 not a trace of emo
tlon," replied he, with the tone of
a man who feels that he has been
taken in. r-s .-F r
swell, so much the worse" said
the aronaut. al see / shall not be
able to alarm you; we have risen
high enough, and we shall now de-
scend."
"Descend?''
Eyes, certainly; it would be
dangerous to go higher"
al don't care about the danger,
and 1 don't choose to descend.
I'm going higher, / am. 1 paid
1000 francs in order to experience
some emotions, and emotions I'll
have before going down sgain."
Mr.. GODDARD burst out laughing.
He thought the man was joking.
care you going up higher OF
notp said the companion, at the
same time grasping Mr.. GODDARD
by the throat and shaking him
violently. 81 intend to have my
emotions.s s-~ t-
Mr.. GODDARD saw at glance that
he had to do with q mailman. The
dilated eyes, the furious grasp, the
very tone Of his voice left no doubt
about that.
But what was to be done? They
were some 5000 feet high among
the clouds; struggle was out Of
the question, as one violent motion
of the mailman would be enough
to upset the car. All these thoughts
passed through Mr.. Godard's mind
in less than q second. His adver-
sary was a powerful 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
1000 francs and not given me q
single emotion" ..
"Well, but what would you have
me doT asked Mr.. GODDARD. calm
ly and soothingly.
al am going to throw you OYER,
said the mailman, with a wild
laugh; shut first an idea strikes
me; I'll go up to the top of the
balloon" and, suiting the action
to the word, he jumped into the
rigging of the car.
'.But, my poor friend,o said the
aerounat, ';yoam kin yourself like
thar
The mailman uttered a threat
"At least" said Mr.. GODDARD, sslet
me put rope round your waist to
prevent an accident"
ttWell, be it So" said the mad
man, who seemed to see the neces,
sity Of some precaution, and the
rope having been attached he re-
commenced climbing che rigging
OF the balloon with the agility of a
squirrel and in a few moments
was seated on the apex, cIapping
his hands and shouting with joy.
All at once he takes out of his
pocket, . large clasp knife, and
brandishing it above his head,
yelis out, sNow you rascal you
wanted to descend, did you7 SO
you shall, with 4 ngeancer' and
before Mr.. GODDARD can inter a
word four out of the six ropes At
taching the car 70 the balloon are