The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-12

OnCO tLOAS ho Aous ehS oAA VAVA oAASes
of triumph, and drow his knife from his
pocket.
"What are you going to doG" asked
M. GODDARD, who feared that he might
have the idea of ripping open the bal
loon.
"To make myself comfortable.
Uttering these words, the mailman cut
slowly the cord of safety which M. God
ard had attached to his body. With a
single puff of wind to shake tho balloon
the miserable creature must fall into
the abyssl NJ. GODDARD shut his eyes in
order not to see. The mailman ciaspca
his hands; he could not contain himself
with delight. Hc spurrcd balloon with
his heel, as if on horseback.
"And now, ,"yellcd the madman, brand
ishing his knife, 1--WE are going to laugh.
Ahl robbcr, you thought to make me
descend Very welll 1t is you who are
going to tumble down in a moment"
NJ. GODDARD had not time to make
movement or put in single word. Be-
fore he was able to divine the intenten-
tions of the madman, the latter, still
astride of the scmi-circlc, had cut-hor-
ror-four of the cords which suspended
the car to the balloon! The car in
clined horribly; it was only held by two
cords. 1t would have been all over with
Mr.. GODDARD If he had not graspcd dcs-
pcrately at those remaining. The knife
of the madman approached the last
cords.
"a word-a single word" cried NJ.
GODDARD.
"No-pardon," vocifcratcd the mad.
man.
II do not ask for pardon; on the con-
trary."
"What is it you wisha" inquired the
madman.
cat this moment" continued the aero
naut hurricdly, 1--WE arc at height of
five thousand feet"
| "Stop," said the madman, "that will
be charming to tumble down from such
hcightv'
cit is too low," added M. GODDARD.
GLOW so2" asked the mailman stupe-
fed.
eyes" said NJ GODDARD, "my expe-
rience as an acronaut has taught me that
death is not certain from fall from this
elevation. Tumble for tumble, l much
prefer to fall from such height and to
be killed outright, rather than to be only
lamed; have the charity to precipitatc
me from height of nine thousand
feet"
"Ah, that will dol" said the madman,
whom the mention of more horrible fall
charmed amazingly. M. GODDARD followed
hcroically his purpose, and threw over
an enormous quantity of ballast. The
balloon made powerful bound, and
mounted five hundred feet in few mo-
mcnts. Only-and while the mailman
surveyed this operation with menacine
air-the aeronaut conceived another
plan.
The quick eye of NJ. GODDARD had re.
marked that among the cords spared by
the mailman, figured the one leading tc
the valve.
His plan is taken. lie draws his cord,
it opens the valve placed in the uppe'
part of the balloon for the purpose o.
allowing any excess Of the hydrogen ga
to escape, and the result which he hopes
for is not long in making itself appar
cnt. Little by little the madman be.
comes asphyxiatcd by the vapors Of tht
gas which surround him.
The madman being sufficiently stupc
fed for his purpose, NJ. GODDARD allowed
the balloon slowly to descend to the earth
The drama was finished.
Arrived on terra firma NJ. GODDARD, bear
ing no hatred to the author of his peril.
Gus voyage, hastcncd to restore him t.
animation and had him conveyed, hand
and feet bound, to the nearest police sta
tion. - IM- Bits.