Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-07-10
A VOYAGE IN THE AIR.


Paul, thrustjng his head out of the win
dow and looking down at the boy be-
low.
"a monster" replied Walter. care
you coming?"
EYES," said Paul, disappearing from
the window.
In another moment the two friends
were hurrylng along the road together.
Presently they reached a large grassy
field where % great number OF people
were assembled to watch the filling of
the balloon. Placards were posted on
the neighboring fences announcing that
Monsieur Le Clerc, for the sum Of one
dollar apiece, would allow the public
to ascend to the height of 600 feet
above the earth.
When Paul and Walter drew near
they saw that there was cable attached
to the car of the balloon, which ran
over two pulleys, and then around a
windlass which was securely fastened in
to the ground. A horse was standing
near, waiting to be attached to the wind
lass to draw the balloon back to earth.
"That's Mr.. LIE Clerc," said Paul,
pointing out small man with bright,
black eyes and heavy gray moustache.
who was busily engaged in examining
the cable, pulleys, and the apparatus for
filing the great silk bags with gas.
II know him. He is as nice as he
can be. Let us go and talk to him."
Paul. followed by Walter, found his
way to the Frenchman's side and said !:
"Good afternoon, Mr.. lie Clerc."
ITS that you, my little frlend?" re.
piled Monsieur lie Clerc with pleasant
smile.
els the balloon almost ready?" asked
Paul.
almost" said the Frenchman glanc-
ing upward. :. ., .., -,
asked Paul.
Hydrogen gas" replied Monsieur
LIE Cleric. "Do you see shat pipe run
ming from the neck of the balloon to
the shed? The gas is forced from the
tank in the shed into the balloon until
it is nearly full, then the pipe is taken
off, and the mouth of the balloon
fastened up"
"And when you want the gas to come
out, do you take OIL the fastening ?"
asked Walter.
ooh no." replied Monsieur lie Clerc.
'Do you sea that cord hanging down in
tts car? Well, that cord runs through
the balloon and is attached to valve,
which is kept closed by a spring. When
you pull the cord, it opens the valve
and let's out the gas"
''How delightful it must be to float
above the earth like abird," said Paul,
looking at the balloon longingly.
"Would you like to make the trial
trip" asked Monsieur lie Clerc.
eyes, indeed" replied Paul, IF WAL
ter could go with me. But"
"But what?" said Monsieur LIE Clerc.
1T is perfectly safe"
"That is not it," replied Paul. "But
I have no money with me-"
"Never mind that" said the French
man. II will only send you up short
distance, ana use you as kind of ad-
vertisement. You can tell all your &C.
quaintances how pleasant it WAS. This
time you shall go alone; when the bal
loon takes the full trip I shall be obliged
to accompany every party myself"
"Thank you," said Paul. "Walter,
will YOU go?"
Walter nodded his head and smiled.
After this the two boys waited i'm
patiently until the preparations were
completed.
They climbed into the little car, and
Monsieur LIE Clerc gave the order to
start. Breathless silence held tue spec
tators for q few seconds, and then, when
the monster arose, controlled only by
the cable, which unwound as the bal
loon assembled, they gave loud cheer.
The boys looked over the side Of the
car, and saw the people and objects
grow smaller and smaller, and they be-
gan to feel just little frightened. But
after short time they, grew used to the
new sensation, and began to pointout to
each other distant and familiar objects,
such as the school house, the church,
and the small stream that wound in and
out among the bushes and trees like a
glittering snake. As they were laugh
ing and talking merrily they felt q slight
lar, and q veil arose from the crowd Be-
low. Looking down, the boys perceived
all were hurrying about, waving their
hands as if in the Widest excitement.
And they heard the Frenchman shout
ing, but they could not make out what
he was saying. .
"What can have happened" said
Walter. Perhaps the horse has run
away Z. ..4.
ooh no" replied Paul. 4But /
think Mr.. LIE Clerc has concluded to
let MS 80 higher than be intended to at
first, and the people are pleased. Wave
your handkerchief, Walter.
"That must be il, !" said Walter. Just
see how high we hre now.
l"WhO would think that goo feet
would seem 30 high :" said Paul. grow
ing puzzled .
aSee Paul, the people look like little
ants crawling around, " exclaimed Wal
ter, M. # II & &5s<s . NJ i,&% }ss I sS
Paul looked downward steadily for q
few moments; then he turned white
face to his companion, and said
alter, what is that floating ont be- /
Low us 2" Il. Id
1The rope, + think, : replied Waiter.
iit is not fastened 70 anything, said
Paul III Ss* s58 s5s
DO you think The ballo has broken
avay Y? asked I'VE alter, his eyes growing
ilarre With ast niishment and fright. 5
Yes, said Paul in low voice !; !;
4 that Is iust what hes happened s
The two boys rat perfectly still, and
watched the earth below them @ Sc
aa.oaslr,nd a. anaE fSiiCk IN away. salthou0h