The New York herald., 1879-01-01
GOTHAM FROM THE SKY BY NIGHT
Up SiI Thousand Eight Hundred Feet Through Icy
Winds and Clouds Of Snow
MIDNIGHT ON MOf!NT WASHINGTON
How the Old Yea Died and the
New asNBorn.
[BY SPECIAL TELEPHONE TO THE HERALD.

"You may depend upon the wind" said the HERALD
weather prophet. turning from his delicate nstru
ments "look at the infuences-nor' nor'east, sou
souwest. east by north; look at the barometer for
yourself; don't breathe on the thermometer. it's as
sensitive maiden in her teens. But what in the
of Science do you want with all this informa-
ton?
"rm going to Mount Washington"
when do you start?"
"ln about five minutes if everything goes well.
have an appointment there at midnight"
well, well!'' said the worthy king Of the Winds
with the air of a man who is kind enough to balance
between doubling your sanity ard atributing to you
downright falschood. Before he could add anything
further by way OF remark was gone-r was gone up.
PREPARATIONS.
This occurred in the HERALD Office hut an hour and
aqrsrter since. TWAS five minutes after eleven New
York time. Ali my equipments ready the roof.
The heavier portions had been brought thither in
tons from Menlo Park The gifted Edison himself had
early in the day. suspended his inquiries into the
electric light for the express purpose Of seeing every
thing in place. and had returned to New Jersey,
leaving of his capable assistants to me of.
must not digress at this hour TO than recall
how fortunate the ui had been in the search for
millionnaires remains which permitted several sus
pcious looking bundles and parcels be transported
the North River ferries at unscemy hours with
outdeectves and reporters pryng under the covering
Poud What chilling gust met as stepped out
the roof. There light in the little iron SEN
try box the looking up Broadway. L
slipped in, and Mr.. Bachelor, with busness-ike pre-
cis:on, said
Inflated, fabricated. steam up
The long, low body of the airship swayed few
feet of i'll the darkness like hound fretting in the
leash The machinery beneath glistened in the faint
light, and little column of steam whirling
northward from the long, thin pipe like sheetcd
ghost. Throwing off my oyercoat said, "Have you
ground Connection
The cALoRrFIyn.
Don't worry replied the mechanician. 'get into
your calorifer."
II was the work of moment to ascend the ladder
and slip down into the curious looking seal fur suit
all in piece which he held open for me- had of
course tried it on before: bu of the coils of one
sixteenth inch silver pipe. which round it inside
from the ankles to the collar making it like coat OF
mail under fur envelope little displaced. The
quick hand Of this prince of artisans adjusted
the coil. He next fastened the fur helmet. which
has COILS but bent silver plates the sides and
crown, with small aportures at the ears, and pipe
connecting by flexible joint, the back of the head
with the end of the body pipc.
'see that the visor works easily" he said.
II all right but there no need for it yet As
the spring clicked which holds ii open the nechani-
clan began adjusting the light asbestos furnaces
to the outside of my legs and connecting the little
boiler tubes with ends of the coils.
''rhey will work for eight hours without coaline
mp or needing water; regulate the steam by the
draught damper." He opened the valve wide and
almost instantly grateful warmth began mounting
upward. and in half minute plume of steam,
waved from the silver apex OF the helmet like that on
the helmet of King Henry of Navarro.
That will do, said he. as he turned tho damper
"1 don't want TO make funeral baked meat of you
before the Old Years gone'
His facctious remark recalled my mission to my
mind. / made impatient gesture
"Al aboard!" said he, good humoredly.
PLYING TELEPHONE
stepped into the chair behind the little engine
upon which much depended aud glanced at the
bnnacc compass before me. The clock in the bin
nace marked IL :ls being corrected for tins meridian
The thermometer marked ~ degrees. Fahrenheit. A
minute spent by the mechanician giving last
glance at the reel of insulated fine drawn gold wire al
the stern of the arship. This his pet portion OF
the outfit-the small balloons filled with compressed
hydrogen which fastened at every fifty yards 10
the wire and which, disending the wire is wound
Of, support it in midair. being his own invention.
bent took the telephone receiver from its hook
and held II to my ear holding the mouthpicce in the
other hand. lie back in the sentrybox in jiffy
and in instant there a small. clear voice.
MARY had little lamb DO you get it now;'
BLESSINGS OIL Mary" replied; 'but you might
give me something more appropriate"
THAT is Edison's regular incantation,' next
heard; 'but here goes for Tcnnyson Then marvel
lousy clear The small voice:-
How hard he brcathcs. over the snow
heard 5ust now the growing cock;
The shadows flicker to and fro.
The cricket chirps, the lights burn low,
'Tis nearly twelve O'Clock.
SHAKE lands before you die,
Old Year -.
Ny eye fell on the clock--il20 l put back the
telephone receiver
'shake hands, old boy" said the mochancian n
running forth once more. In moment he stood
beside tho arshp. thrill OF eagerness. succeeded
by an instant Of fear shot through me- 1 could feel
my heart humping against my ribs.
"Al readyg" he asked.
"Al ready" 1 replied. bending forward to tho
lever and graspins It hrmly "Let her go!"
oS THE
lie touched the electric button ON the low piliai
by the sentry box. There rat tic OF looseied
chains. | saw him move the compound lever bcsd,
him, and at once felt the Of . snddcn ascent
II was the critical moment--an instants perpendr
ular upward rush, succeeded by swift obqu,
ascent | pressed on the lever. The furled wliiu,
expanded, the piston aud fell quicker than ms
pulse and the beautiful pinons moved with th'
swiftness OF q birds. L was five hundred feet above
The city speeding at every wing stroke TO the north
For minute did NOT dare 10 look from the arship
The barometer told me rising higher every In
slant. The rush of the cold air seemed like mao
music wa in mds Tho exuia,ion Of the
moment made me shout Tor Joy.
ard,lcny | remembered that hal arranged u
sirrle about the city to make that all worket
we'll before pattjne on ali the power OF the eDgin,