The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-07-24

Gure---A Maniac Who Insisted or
Going Higher.
Paris Cores oudence OF the Baltimore sun ]
Here is the latest balloon story. 81.
GodIrd, in his last journey 10 the clouds
but one, was accompanied bv a singular
fellow-traveller, who had paid 900
francs for the privilege of place by the
side of the celebrated acrouaut The
weather was splendid, and the balloon
had reached "A considerable height
What effect has iton you?' inquired
NJ. GODDARD Of his companion.
"None whatever" was the curt reply.
! " / must compliment YOU, said M.
| GODDARD. You are the first amateur
have ever known to reach this altitude
without experiencing some emotion
$50 higher said the amateur coolly.
NJ. Godord threw out the ballast and
the balloon flew up some go yards higher.
g Now, how do you feel ?'
just rs usual, said his companion I'm
rather petulaut tone.
&" BY Jovew exclaimed NJ. GODDARD.
" you are a born aeronaut, sir"
The balloon kept on rising, and, when
few hundred yards higher, NJ GODDARD.
for the third time questioned his COM
panion as TO his emotions.
Emotions not trace of emotion.
replied he, with the tone of man who
feels that he has been taken iu.
Well, so much the worse, said tho
aeronaut. Il see / shall not be able To-
alarm you; we have risen high enough,
and we shall now descend.
Descend ?"
." Yes, certainly; it would be danger
Gus to 60 higher
don't care about the danger, and I
don't choose to descend. I'm going high
er, lam. paid 1000 francs In order 90
experience some emotions, and emotions
I'll have before going down again
Nj. GODDARD burst out laughing. Ho
thought the man was Joking
Are you going up higher or not,
said the companion, no the same time
grasping NJ GODDARD by the throat and
shaking him violently. ~ intend TO have
my emotions
Nj. GODDARD saw at glance that he
had to do with mailman. The di.ated
eyes the furious grasp, tho very tone of
his voice left no doubt about that
but what was 20 be done2 They were
some 1900 feet high among the clouds.
a 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 NJ. Godards
mind in less than 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 single
emotion"
"Well, but what would you have mo
do?' asked NJ. GODDARD, calmly and 50oth-
ingly.
II am going to throw you over" said
the mailman, with "A wild laugh; "but
first an idea strikes me; TIL go up 20 the
top Of the balloon" aud suiting the ne.
ton to the word he jumped into the rig
ging of the car.
but, my poor friend" said the aor-
onaut, you'll kill yourself like that
The mailman uttered threat CAT
least, said Mr.. GODDARD, 'let me put u ropo
round your waist to prevent an accident"
"Well, be il so,' said the mailman,
who seemed to see the necessity OF some
precaution, and the rope having been
attached, he recommended climbing the
a squirrel, and IN a FEW moments was
seated on the apex, clapping his hands
and shouting with JOY All at once mo
takes out of his pockets a large clasp
knife, and brandishing it anovc his
head, yells out: Nov, you rascal you
wanted to descend, did your? Soyou shall
with a vengdnce!" and before NJ. Cod
ard can utter a word, four out Of tho sic
ropes attaching the carlo the balloon are
cut, and the car itself swinging helplessIy
outside. The madman's knife was now
touching the other two, when the
aeronaut calls out to him; "StOpu one
word ono, no! down you 60"
"But let me tell you something, my
friend; we are now 1900 feet high, 1t b.
true, but that is not high enough for q
thoroughly good fail. -
"What do you mean?" asked the mad.
man, contusedly.
Il mean this, that a fall ofouly 5000
feet might not kill me, and / prefer be-
ing killed to being only crippled.
Oblige me, therefore by waiting until we
rise 5000 or 4 900 feet higher"
Agreed" said the madmam who
seemed to enjoy the idea Of so prodigi-
Gus a fall.
The aeronaut keeps to his word; ~
throws out nearly the whole Of bis bal
last, and the balloon shoots up rapidly
But while the mailman is attentivoIy
watching this operation, NJ. GODDARD ob-
serves that among the cordage as yet UNI
touched is the pulley Of the gas escape.
He gently draws the cord aud the ga8
begins TO escape Immediately under tho
spot where lunatic is perched ln "a
few moments the combined effects of the
gas and now intensely rarefed air arc
apparent and the mailman sinks into
state Of lelhargy. The aeronaut eau
tiousIy brings down his ballon, and the
terrible crisis is ended.