Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-12-16
A DESPERATE ADVENTU RE.

4 DESPERATE ADVENT RE.
NNANTED-Fou persons who are bent upon
committing suicide to eag?ge d..1I in 1qzaTous I'd
Blank Street stree after O'clock in the en- morning
Captain Cowgirl inserted the above adj
vertiscment in three of the morning
papers, with only faint expectation that
it would be responded 10. But the result
was that between 9 o'clock and noon five
mer and two women called at his Office
TO inquire respecting the nature of the
proposed adventure, and to offer their
services in the event that it should involve
nothing of 4 criminal character OF these
seven Captain Cowgirl elected four, three
men and one young women and when
he dismissed the others. he shut the door
and said to the four applicants
what | wanted You for is this
have made mp my mind that the North
Pole can never be reached by an explor-
ing party travelling upon ships and
sledges. The only route that is possibly
practicable is through the air, and the
only available vehicle, of course, is bal
loon. But an attempt to reach the Pole
in balloon must expose the explorers to
desperate risks, and it occurred TO me
that those risks had better be taken by
persons who do not value their lives than
10y persons who do. 1t has always seemed
to me that part of the sin of suicide lies
in the fact that the life wantonly sacri-
feed might have been expended in a cause
which would have conferred benefits. ti-
rectly orindirectly, upon the human race
| have large and superblv equipped
balloon, which will be thoroughly
stocked for voyage TO the Arctic regions.
and. among other things, it will contain
apparatus for making fresh supplies OF
hydrogen gas. Are you four persons
willing to make the required attempt in
this balloon ?"
All four of the visitors answered "Yes. "
"Were you going to sacrifice your
lives, at any rate ?"
An affirmative answer was given by the
four.
" Permit me TO take Your names, " said
Captain Cowgirl. and he wrote them down
as follows William p. Crutter. Dr.
Henry O Hagan. Edmond Jarnville, Mary
Dermott.
Mr.. Crutter was man apparently OF
about 60 years, handsomely dressed,
manifestly gentleman, but with flushed
face, which indicated that he had perhaps
indulged to some extent in dissipation.
DIR. O'Hagan was thin, pallid and care
worn. He looked as if he We're i'll. and
as if all Joy were dead in his heart
Mr.. Jarnville appeared to be a work
ingman; but his countenance, sad as it
was, was full of intelligence. and his
manner was that of man who had occu-
pied a social position much above the
lowest.
Miss Dermott sat with an air of deiec-
ton, with her hands III her lap, with n
thin and faded shawl pinned around her,
aud with her pale checks suggestive of
hunger and mental suffering.
"My hope" said Captain Cowgirl, ''is
that you will safely reach your destina-
tions, and safely return. But you fully
understand that the chances are against
You. For my own protection | will ask
You TO certify III writing that you so with
full knowledge of the risks. | will in
fate the balloon tomorrow. Day after
| tomorrow come to this office at 9 o'clock.
and you shall make the ascent at once. -
On the appointed day the four volun-
teers appeared, and Captain Cowgirl
drove with them i'll a carriage. to yard
in the outskirts of the city, where the
| balloon, inflated and swaying TO and fro
III the wind, was held to the earth with
stout ropes. The three men were sup
! piled with warm clothing, but Miss
/ Dermott had only her threadbare shawl,
and so Captain Cowgirl gave her his
overcoat and two blankets which he took
/ from the carriage.
I Will, a., x-,v-o o.a,.o 1,.aro @oI
places in the commodious car attached
the balloon, young man entered the
yard and hurriedly approached Captain
Cowgirl.
II am going with the balloon" he
said, almost fiercely, and hardly deigring
to look at the Captain.
Impossible y said the Captain. "The
crew is made up. You don't compre-
hend our purpose.
''Yes, | do" said the young man.
''These people are would-be suicides, and
they are starting for the Pole. l am
going along"
But, my dear sir" began the Cap
tain in tone of expostulation.
'I will go, or / will slay myself right
here before youl These people are not
any more tired of life than am
Let him come, said DIR. O'Hagan
gloomily.
But" returned Captain Cowgirl, 81
am afraid the balloon viii be overloaded. >
Il am going, anyhow" said the young
man, as he leaped into the car.
Captain Cowgirl sighed and said
''Well, have your own way about it.
My name is John Winden, :" remarked
the intruder II tell you, SO that you
will know if any one inquiries after me.
But don't imagine anybody will"
Then Captain Cowgirl bade farewell
TO the party, the ropes were loosed, and
the balloon went sailing swiftly toward
the clouds. DR.. O'Hagan was The navi-