Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-08-11
A Duel in a Balloon.

IA DuCl LII " DCIllOOAs
M. GODDARD had taken with him one
day, as his campa9aon dm royage, a
wealthy gentleman, who paid one thou
sand francs for the privilege of sharing
the pcrils of the expedition. The
weather could not have been more propi-
tiou3, and the balloon shot up rapidly to
a considerable altitude.
"What effect does it produce upon
you?n asked NJ. GODDARD of his COM
panion.
"Nonc," said the latter, laconically.
"NIy compliments to you," returned
NJ. GODDARD. "You are the first whom !
have ever seen arrive at such an altitude
without bctraying some emotion"
"Kccp on mounting" said the travel
Ter, with supreme gravity.
NJ. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon assembled some five hundred
feet higher.
sand now," asked NJ. GODDARD,
"docs your heart bcat"
"Not yct," replied his companion,
with an air which approached impa-
tiencc.
"Thc dcucc!' exclaimed NJ. GODDARD.
"you have really, my dear sir, the most
perfect qualification for an acronaut."
The balloon still assembled; when one
thousand feet higher, NJ. GODDARD inter-
rogatcd third time his companion,
"And nowI"
"Nothing, nothing, not the shadow of
fear" answered the traveller, with a
tone positively discontented, and like a
man who had experienced a profound de-
ccption.
"Goodncss me" answered the acronaut
smiling, "but l must renouncc all hope
of making you afraid. The balloon is
high enough. We are going to de-
scend."
'To dcscend2"
"Certainly; there would be danger in
mounting higher"
"That does not make tho slightest
difference to me, do not wish to de-
scend."
"Whatw asked NJ. GODDARD.
II said l wished to ascend higher,
keep on mounting. l have given one
thousand francs in order to experience
some emotion; must do so, and will not
descend until l have had my moneys
worth"
NJ. Godardb began to laugh; he believed
that it was all joke.
"Once more, will you ascend" de-
mandcd the traveller sciz,ng him by the
throat and shaking him with violence.
NJ. GODDARD felt himself lost. A sudden
and dreadful revelation broke upon his
mind, as he regarded the strangely diat-
cd eyes of his companion. lie had to do
with a madman.
Had the unfortunate 1ronAut had a
defensive weapon he would have ben
capable of defending himself, but it is
not usual for people to furnish themselves
with pistols for a voyage in balloon,
and certainly one would not dream Of
meeting with a warlikc encounter in the
stars. The earth was five thousand feet
below-most horrible dcpth-and the
least movement of the now furiou, man
might cause the car to capsizc. M.
GODDARD, with the presence of mind &C
quircd by him in so many of his daring
aerial expeditions, made all these rchcc-
tions in the space of second.
"Ahl ha! youarc mocking Inc, my fine
fellow" continued the madman, without
losing his grip. "Ahl you think to rob
me of one thousand francs, as well as Of
my emotion. Very well! Be quiet! It's
my turn to laugh. It's you now who are
going to cut a capcr."
The mailman was possessed of prodig-
ious strength. NJ. GODDARD did not even
make an attempt to defend himself.
"What do you wish from me2' asked
he, in calm tone and submissive voice.
"Simply amusc myself in seeing you
turn q summersault," said the mailman,
with q fcrocious smile. "But lirst' Qhe
madman appeared to bcthink himSelf),
~ have my idea. wish to see if Ican't
find some emotion up there. must put
myself astride of the semi-circlc."
The mailman indicated with his finger
the upper part of the balloon. NJ.
GODDARD, who had not before trcmbled
for himself, was forced to tremble now
for the mailman.
"Nliserablc mani" he cried. "You
are going to kill yourself. You will be
seized with vertigo"
"No rcmarks" hissed the madman,
'or l will at once pitch you into the
abyss"
"At least" observed NJ. Godarl, "al-
low mo to put this cord around your
body, so that you may remain attached
to the balloon"
"Bc it So" said the madman, who ap.
peared to comprehend the utility Of the
prccaution.
Furnished with his cord of safety, tho
madman commenced to climb among the
ropes with the agility of acquired. He