The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12
A Duel in a Balloon.

A Duel in a Balloon.
M. GODDARD had taken with him one
day, as his campagnon dm coyage, 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-
tious, and the balloon shot up rapidly to
a considerable altitude.
"What effect does it produce upon
you?" asked M. GODDARD of his COM
panion.
"Nonc," said the latter, laconically.
"My compliments to you," returned
M. GODDARD. "You are the first whom /
have ever seen arrive at such an altitude
without bctraying some emotion"
'Keep on mounting" said the travel
Ter, with supreme gravity.
M. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and
the balloon assembled some five hundred
feet higher.
"And now," asked NJ. GODDARD,
"does your heart bcat2"
"Not yet" replied his companion,
with an air which approached impa-
tience.
"The dcucc!" exclaimed M. GODDARD.
"you have really, my dear sir, the most
perfect qualification for an acronaut."
The balloon still assembled; when ono
thousand feet higher, NJ GODDARD inter-
rogatcd q third time his companion,
"And now2"
"Nothing, nothingi not the shadow of
fear" answered the traveller, with a
tone positively discontented, and like a
man who. had experienced profound de-
ception.
"Goodncss NO." answered the acronaut
smiling, 'but must renouncc all hope
of making you afraid. The balloon is
high enough. We are going to de-
scend."
"To descendl"
Certainly; there would be danger in
mounting higher"
"That does not make the slightest
difference to me, do not wish to de-
ecend."
"Whatw asked NJ. GODDARD.
II said l wished to ascend higher,
keep on mounting. have given ono
thousand francs in order to experience
some emotion; ! must do so, and will not
descend until I have had my moneys
WORTH"
NJ. GODDARD began to laugh; he believed
that 1t was all joke.
"Once more, will you ascend" de.
manded the traveller, seizing him by the
throat and shaking him with violence.
M. GODDARD felt himself lost. A sudden
and dreadful revelation broke upon hi
mind, as he regarded the strangely dilat
ed Dyes of his companion. lie had to dt
with madman.
Had the unfortunate 9ronaut had I
defensive weapon he would have bcer
capable of defending himself, but it il
not usual for people to furnish thcmsclve!
with pistols for voyage in a balloon
and certainly one would not dream o
meeting with warlike encounter in tn
stars. The earth was five thousand fee
below-most horrible depth--and tn
least movement of the now furious maj
might cause the car to capsizc. M
GODDARD, with the presence of mind ac
quircd by him in so many of his DARN!
aerial expeditions, made all these reAcc
tions in the space of second.
"Ah! ha! youarc moeking me, my fin
fellow" continued the madman, wlthou
losing his grip. "Ahl you think to ro
me of one thousand francs as well as O
my emotion. Very WE'LL Be quictl It
my turn to laugh. It's you now who ar
going to cut caper."
The mailman was possessed of prodig
ious strength. M. GODDARD did not ever
make an attempt to defend himself.
"What do you wish from me1" aske'
he, in calm tone and submissive voice
"Simply amuse myself in seeing yo
turn q summersault," said the mailman
with ferocious smile. ''But first 9TH
madman appeared to bethink himself
81 have my idea. wish to sec if lean
find some emotion up there. must pu
myself astride Of the semi-circle.
The mailman indicated with his fingc
the upper part of the balloon. N
GODDARD, who had not before trcmble
for himself, was forced to tremble no.
for the madman.
. miserable mani" he cried. "Yo
are going to kill yourself. You will b
seized with vertigo"
"No remarksw hissed the madmaI
''or will at once pitch you into IL
abyss"
: 'At least" observed NJ. GODDARD, "a
, low me to put this cord around 20,
: body, SO that you may remain attache
, to the balloon"
5 ''Be it So" said the mailman, who Al
3 peared to comprehend the utility of IL
: precaution.
, Furnished with his cord of safety, Il
{ madman commenced to climb among Il
! ropes with the agility of squirrel. I
reached the balloon and placed himse