The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-08-03
The Parachute Flyer.
A WOMAN AERoNAUT TELLS ABOUT THE
FLIGHT THROUGH THE AIR.

To most persons the ordinary balloon
ascension seems dangerous enough
experiment, and this feeling is rather
increased than otherwise when the
spectator stands near by and sees the
air-ship with its passengers sail off to-
wards the clouds But new and sen.
sational "act," as it is called, now adds
to the thrilling nature of nn aerial
flight. This is parachute flying and
woman who practices the perilous
act as a business thus talks about 1t:
81 suppose brief story on the way
Jump would be interesting to you.
It's all 30 simple to me, though, that ]
can't understand why it should excite
people as it does, for / have actually
seen women faint away and men turn
deathly pale after / had cut the ropes
and started heavenward. You see, l
always take look downward when |
am up few hundred feet--just why, l
am sure / can't say. And right here
let me tell you that | have sometimes
singled out from the sea of upturned
Just the ones l knew were going to be
shaded with disappointment should l
fail to fall and be smashed to pieces.
You may think the notion is all in my
brain, but l have it firmly fixed there,
at any rate | know there are such peo-
pie in the world.
"Where are we! Oh, yes, going
up-or rather, the earth is dropping
away beneath our feet-you know
that is always the sensation. The para.
chute which we are to cut loose at the
proper time hangs listlessly.. downward.
The rope which holds it to the balloon
passes through steel ring. A sharp
knife-blade, worked by cord, is 80
arranged that at the proper time little
jerk-and we are free.
"Now comes the exciting moment,
even to the veteran. Above you the
balloon, freed of the weight which gave
it steadiness, is rocking and reeling
while the parachute is whzzing down
ward. You did not feel that you were
ascending, but as you shut your eyes
and draw in your breath in little gaspf
"a long-drawn inspiration would be
impossible-you are fully aware that
you are descending-that you are going
with such frightful velocity, too, thai
unless there comes an end, and that enc
soon, the end of all things will be a
hand. Prickly sensations shoot over
your frame and, as you gasp for breath
it seems as if knife had been thrust
into your vitals. Your thoughts arr
racing along with as great speed al
your downward momentum; you
courage, too, commences to leave yol
and you are threatened with tota
collapse-death
Suddenly the mad rush is checked
The parachute has 'grasped the situa
ton, 80 to speak. AT least it has grasp
ed sufficient air to open it out, and AZ
it gradually expands the motion be
comes steadier, until you are descend
ing SO slowly and gently that yov
actually have sleepy sensation. AM
after the thrill, the shock of the mo
ment before, the feeling is so dreamil.
delicious that really you are in DANCE
from it unless you brace up and tgh
it off. Mother Earth is showing he
smiling but rugged face close at yo
again-it really appears as it the cart
came back to you, just as it seemed t
recede-and you must remember tina
you IN st be on the lookout for sal
landing place, and that more agility
required in this part of the feat than
apy other.n