Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-06-06
BATrLEM THE CLOUDS.

HATTIE IN THE CLOUDS.
Daring Ballocning Adventure During thu
Franco-PrussiAn War;
The story am about to relate hap
pened during the Franco russian war
in which the art of ballooning played
so important part. The city of Paris
was formally invested on the 25th, OF
September, and the imprisoned inhabi.
tants had no means of communication
with the outside world, save by means
of carrier pigeons and balloons. So
complete, however, was the system car
ried out, that every event which hap.
pened in Paris was duly chromicled al
Tours, the seat of the governing powers
dispatched balloons journeying to and
fro daily.
It is 6 o'clock a. m. The morning is
extremely fine, considering that it is
late in October. On an immense open
space in front of the large hall at Tours,
space set apart for the accommodation
of the numerous experienced seronauts
then employed in the government ser
vice, walks to and fro Monsieur Gustave
Nadar, one of the most celebrated pro-
fessors of arostation. Occasionally he
looks up at the heavens, as if taking q
critical survey, and anon he turns his
gaze in the direction of huge balloon,
then in the course of being filled, at a
short distance from him. Any one
could see that Monsieur Nadar was get
ting impatient. He is waiting the ar
rival of the private secetary of the
minister with important dispatches,
which he is to conway that day to Paris.
It is q service of great danger. The
intrepid voyager will have to pass over
the Prussian lines, where thousands of
men engaged in grim-visage war will
watch him, and secretly hope for some
fatality to befall him. His balloon, the
"Interpide," sways about majestically,
as though chatting under the restraint
placed upon it.
All is prepared, when Monsieur Barre,
the secretary, appears, carrying with him
a packet of documents neatly tied up,
and, presenting them to Monsieur Nadar,
speaks few words of caution and ex-
PLANTATION. The aeronaut takes the
packet, and in company with the secre-
tary, hurried to the balloon. Nadar
lightly springs into the car; he stoops
and places the precious documents in q
kind of secret pocket, artfully concealed
under the drapery. Having done this,
he looked around thoughtfully at the
necessary paraphernalia placed ready to
hand, as though mentally assuring him
self that his assistants had omitted
towards the means of carrying
out his perilous voyage in safety. Finally,
he tightened strong belt which he wore
round his waist, from which could be
plainly seen a pair of bright looking six
chambered revolvers. In quiet but
firm tone he called to the men, make
ready" Then, shaking hands hurriedly
with Monsieur Barre, who wished him
success" the men grasping the ropes
had eased the huge machine up some
ten or fifteen feet, when directly came
the sharp command, "Let 60"
Away the Intrepide rises--straightand
swift as the arrow from bow. For the
first ten minutes the balloon, although
in speed, seemed as if it had
not swerved a yard from direct up
ward course. Soon the current of air
necessary, and calculated upon by the
aeronaut was felt, and she drifted swiftly
off in the direction of Paris. Steadily
and quickly was the journey being &C
Eleven o'clock had arrived.
Monsieur Nadar was three thousand
metres in the air. and over the opposing
forces of the Prussians, which appeared
IS though liliputian host had taken to
the field, so minute did.thev appear by
distance. Fort Clarendon was reached,
and Paris could plainly be observed.
Monsieur Nadar quietly congratulated
himself upon the ease with which he
was apparently, accomplishing his jour-
ney. He was taking but little heed of
he surrounding prospect, his eyes being
fixed intently upon the distant capital.
Suddenly an exclamation of surprise
came from him. On his right hand ap-
Deared huge balloon. He shaded his
ayes with his right hand to gain clear
,r view, for the suns rays were bright
md strong in Illuminating the atmos-
ohere around him. A second now came
% view on his left hand. Monsieur Ma
lar now became alarmed, although long
before he had mentally resolved to die
'ather than suffer himself to be made a
prisoner.
The French colors were soon flying
rom the car of the Intrepide. Both the
Granger balloons Immediately responded
~ exhibiting the same tokens of nation
Ility.
Friends, by all that's luckyp exclaim-
ID the excited Monsieur Nadar. But
rain were the endeavors to make out
he faces of his friends" They studi-
'usly kept them turned from him. Near
Z and nearer the machines were drawn |
oward each other. The occupant of the |
ar beneath the first balloon was now
lear enough to be hailed by Monsieur
Iadar.
"Helloa!" shouted the aeronaut of the
government.
"Helloa" answered the stranger.
"Who are you? What is your name,
nd what is your purpose?" were the
uestions asked one after another, in
ones of hurried excitement.
II am beside you, Monsieur Nadar.
anne in reply; "you see I know you. As
o my name, it is Carl Won Pack, princi-