Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-03
THE TOY BALLOON.
AThriiIing Aerial Adventure.

letter to Philadelphia Press From Morehead CITY
N.Cl
A thrilling episode in the village yesterday
caused more excitement, CONSERVATION and
weeping among the people than were ever
known here before. The three years old
daughter of Mrs. Robert Elliott was brought
to the sea side month ago to recover from
a severe attack of Texos fever. She became
a pet and favorite at the Alabama hotel. Yes
terday morning strolling Italian made his
appearance in front Of the hotel with n large
cluster of those red bladders like toy balloons.
Mai. Hawkins Of Alabama, to amuse the
child, Birdie whom he at the time had in his
arms, tied the cord around her waist, and
then as is often done TO amuse children, gave
her o toss of five or six feet in the air and
held out his hands for her return. "Great
God she is gone" cried the major, as he
saw her rapidly going up, up, up, until she
had passed the house-tops. Floating in the
clouds with out-stretched hands, the little
angel could be heard distinctly calling
Mamma mamma mammal" until her
voice became drowned by the whistlng Of
the winds.
"All to your boats - shouted old Captain
until that child is brought to its mammy!'
81, ], l." responded six as brave and dar-
ing boatmen as ever reefad a sail, and all
with boats seaworthy for any waters. Min
utes appeared as hours, and the babe was
flying southeast like kite, and would be out
over the great Atlantic ocean in less than no
time. Away went 20 or more well manned
boats amidst the shouts of men and the
screams of women and children. These boats
s~;. ,ba, g..
all OF which kept as near under the little an
gel In the cloud as possible. Charles j. Voor-
hees of the Southern express company, with
a party of gentlemen, were out taking sail.
Mr.. VOORHEES, is one of the most expert rife
men in the country, and, as Providence had
ordained IL, he had on board his Smith 4
, Wesson rifle. He at once took in the situa
ton, remarking, "Six miles out at sea, and
going at the rate of 10 miles an hour, ant
1 now 400 yards high, and every minute go
3 ing higher higher. can cut those balloons
Y and will do 1t or die. Steady the boat
0 throw her leeward of the squadron, Squir,
g Wade !"
: "Let us all jine in prayer before he shoots
e said Steve Turner, the colored minister AM
q mail-carrier.
: ~ don't put much confidence in 'lgior
.. .. when danger is about" said Mr.. Dixon.
BY this time the boat had gotten in posi-
J tion TO give her the most protection from tn
e stiff breeze then blowing.
:, ~ SHOWS your time" shouted Piver, don
IL you see them two of TO themselves"
u "Bang!" went the rifle-but no change i
le position. Again, again and again the lift
ID shot, Que balloon disappeared amid the shout
'e of the boatmen. At the eighth shot it bt
IS came evident that the balloons could nc
s. longer carry the weight of the little foatin
es angel, as she was gradually descending nj
10 in straight line, but in q southeast dire,
,e ton, toward Harker's island-but wheth'
ie dead or alive none could tell. Down, dow
n down she comes-as gentle as If handled
= human hands-snd to fall in cradle
n sand.
.. To land, to land, and all put to shore
~ fast as the sails would propel the boats b
w fore they reached land most OF them jumpt
u. overheard and waded ashore. Then begs
OF the race for the babe, and she had con
sh down on sand bank only few hundr,
30 yards distant. With fear and trembling
so ran up-Ben Piver in front. "Genllemen
ad says he, she's alive and kicking" The
he sat little Birdie, playing with lot OF shell