The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-06-11
A Mad Man in Mid Air.
A. W. Kelly. New York Mercury.

l aSkcO or ncwfN-fDffneu aCQuafntanCc few nights ago. while paying visit to him in his room a; the C. hotel. dis tinctly noticed that shade of dispieasure passed over his face. bu; i, was gone in an instant. and he replied: '.I used to think tha, should take pleasure in relating any adventure that might leap into my expe- rience. but l assure you the memory of the little one you have hinted al IS very painful to me. Yos: see my hair is quite gray and you would take me to be mu h older man than am: the truth Is am not ye, forty. and my hair has been gray ever since the date of my fearful adven- ture. which was fifteen years ago. Al the tune of my adventure l was acting as city editor cf the 7yibanr in the city of L.. l took deep interest in my profession. and tried to make the columns over which 1 had control sparkle daily with interest had had considerable expeaenee-had been shipwrecked, blown through ,le roof of steam saw mill twige had l Teen participant, in the lively proceed ings of railroad smashup: was for four years d soldier in the eivIl war. and was wounded three times. and once 1 was knocked from the roof of burning three story building by a stream from steam fire-engine. and fell or ieather-bed that had been thrown simultaneously with my fall from window. All this had cooled my love of excitement somewhat Vet there was one performance l greatly de- sired 10 take part in-in fact. was fairi1 infatuated with the idea, and would lie awake nights thiking what glorious eN- perience balloon ascension must be. and what glowing account could write of |, for the IyibH1f. l had resolved that l would embrace the frs, opportunity of e. pioring the clouds. even If had to give up month salary for the privilege. y opportunity came. Looking over an cA- change from ncighboring city one nor. . ing saw the announcement of balloon ascension al that place. which was to be repeated in L., provided enough, money could be raised to warraRi ian-Qt -his airshi.. How conspicuous 1 made myself in Inc matter. and how assiduously and cop,ousy ventilated t m my eolumns-caling on the citizens te donate iibcrsllly and save the city from the disgrace of having il sad in after wears ,ha, she was too narrow souled to promote the ends of science. and too mean to give her children an illus,ra- ,lon of man, nerve and the astonishing buoSanCy of gas. One of my eontempo- rarics remarked that l had expended enough gas oh the affair to intla,c the balloon. bu, cared littlc for these gibes :: what l wanted was m ascension. The money was raised and the day arri, ed to me the most cventful. thus far. of my life. The balioonist vas also a tr;speze performer. and shocked the crowds who gathered to witness his asoensions with q daring aorobatic performance in mid air
 He had promised If the balloon could te fully inflated to allow me q ride. and naturally watched that operation with a great deal of sohciiude. Slowly the grea, silkcn bag was distended until the ar, . naut pronounced the work complete. and immediate preparations were made for the ascension. The balloonist entered the basket. followed by me amid the cheers of my friends. and such ories as Take good care of him. Mister Give him drop of about a mile. and Land him on the moon. We ve go; no use for him. filled our ears. The .eronaut hastily divested himself of his outer garments and stood before me in complete tights. Then the word was gwen. the balloon shot gradu- ally upward. the acrobat descended to the
 Eape1e and Was ett-aa my long-aniici- pated journey. leaned over the side of the basket and looked down. The earth and the cheering crowd were rapidly de- scending. as it seemed to me. and the nurse grew fainter and fainter Smaller grew the river by degrees until il lay be- meath us like shining serpent: then II dwindled ,o the dimensions of tape. The ci,y was village of diminuiive hu,s. and her inhabitants had disappeared. Oh. bu, Il was beautiful: no motion. and yet l knew VIC were rapidly ascending. We passed through light cloud. and soon no vcs,ige ot earth remained. l continued for few moments to gaze earthward thinking of the frightful velocity body would attain before II reached terra tirIna. when sound. like the grating of teeth. in the basket caused me to break my meditations and look around. My eyes fell on the halloonisi. who had long since finished his exhibition. and as they did so d cold hand seemed to seize my hear, and stop it's pulsations. while my face blanehed
 
 spangled tights. sat gazing at me with q look that will haunt me tiii my dying day. His eyes. seemingly twice as large as nat ural. seemed looking into my veH soul. while his partly opened mouth and elcnehed lists told of awful mental excite ment. The man vas mad: there could be no doubt of it. and for momcn, l seemed poweriess to move limb. so completely had fear unnerved me. Out of sight of earth. in balloon. with ma
 niac for a companion. Wha, situation Suddenly the madman spoke. ~tia the time has almost come: we will soon he spirits of the upper air" Here he paused
 and taking from pocket large handker- kerchlef and approaching me. with the same awful look m hls eyes. he continued {: Il, IS not permitted that uninitiated nor tals should look upon the glories to which
 we are soaring with the speed of an ar TOW. must bhndfold you hadn't the strength ,o resist. and the manlao tightly bound the handkerchief over my eyes. completely shutting ou, the ligh, of day and leaving me al his mercy to take