Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-12-20
GaIts ario Sketfbts.
4 prsPreAf. ApvESfURE.

UkHHkRAI8 AWykNItAks
w committing s.ieide. % engage in hazardous
adventure. Apply, ETC., to Captain Cowgiil. No
Blank street. afssr O'Clock in the morning.
Captain Cowgill inserted the above ad-
vertisement in three oil the morning papers.
with only faint expectation that It would
be responded to. But the result was that
between O'Clock and noon five men and
two women called at his Office to inquire
respecting the nature Of the proposed ad-
venture. and to offer their services in the
event that 1t should involve nothing Of a
criminal character. or these seven. Cap
tain Cowgirl selected four, three men and
one young woman and when he dismissed
the others, he shut the door and said to
the four applicants:
"What / wanted you for was this:
have made up 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 a balloon. But an at
tempt to reach the Pole in a 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 by persons who do.
It has always seemed to me that part of
the sin Of suicide lies in the fact that the
life wantonly sacrificed might have been
expended in a cause which would have
conferred benefits, directly or indirectly,
upon the human race, have large and
superbIy equipped balloon. which will be
thoroughly stocked for voyage to the
1snna fhinOa
it will contain apparatus for making fresh
supplies of hydrogen gas. Are you four
persons willing to make the required at
tempt in this balloon p
All tour of the visitors answered, Yes. :"
"Were you going to sacrifice your liv' 8,
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 F. Crutter, DR.. Henry
O'Hagan, Edmond Jarnville, Mary Der
mott.
Mr.. Crutter was a man apparently OF
about 60 years. handsomely dressed. mani
testify a gentleman. but with flushed
face, which Indicated that he had perhaps
INDUCED to some extent in dissipation.
DR.. O'Hagan was thin, pallid and care
worn. He looked as if he were i'll, and
a. if all joy were dead in his heart.
Mr.. Jarnville appeared to be working
man but his countenance, sad as it was,
was full OF Intelligence. and his manner
was that of man who had occupied
social position much above the lowest.
Miss DermOtt sat with an air of defect
ion, with her hands in her lap with thin
and faded shawl pinned around her. and
with her pale cheeks suggestive of hunger
and mental suffering.
my hope" said Captain Cowgirl, sis
that you will safely reach your destinations
and safely return. But you fully under
stand that the chances are against you
For my own protection will ask you to
certify in writing that you 90 with full
knowledge of the risks. 1 will initiate 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 volunteers
appeared, and Captain Cowgirl drove
with them in carriage. to yard in the
outskirts Of the city, where the balloon.
inflated and swaying to and fro in the
wind, was held to the earth with stout
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.
While the voyagers were taking their
places in the commodious car attached to
the balloon. young man entered the yard
and hurriedly approached Captain Cow
gill.
81 am going with the balloon" he said,
almost tiercely. and hardly deigning to
look at the Captain.
"lmpossible" said the Captain. The
crew is made up. You don't comprehend
our purpose"
"Yes, l do" said the young man.
"These people are would-be suicides. and
they are starting for the Pole. am going
along"
"But. nv dear sir" began the Captain
in tone OF expostulation.
II will go. or will slay myself right
here before you! These people are not
any more tired of life than | am
'aLet him come" said DIR. O'Hagan.
gloomily.
But" returned Captain Cowgirl. 81
am afraid the balloon will be overloaded.
II 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. .Itell you, so that you will
know if any one inquiries after me. But l
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. DIR. O'Hagan was the navigator
in charge. Presently northeastly cur
rent of wind struck the air-ship. and it
began to move with great rapidity upon
horizontal line.
For a long time nobody in the car spoke.
Indeed the voyagers scarcely looked at
each other: ard none had curiosity to peer
over the side upon the glorious landscape
that lay beneath. But. after awhile. Mr.
Crutter, gazing at Miss Dermott. said:
..Are you fully resolved upon self-de-
struction p
"Yes," she replied.