Omaha daily bee., 1892-08-29
DISAPPOINTED THE CROWD.

Prof Beiden's Balloon Ascension and Para
chute Drop nttenaed by an Accident.
Several thousand people went out to
Twenty fourth and Ames avenue yesterday
afternoon to see Prof. Beluen's balloon as
cension and parat hu,e drop.
They saw him drop, but the parachute
didn't have Il chance to get in its work. and
the professors buoyant spirits were sadly
purturbed when he cane suddenly back to
earth with mournful plunk. He didn't do
it, however, with malice aforethough., so
the crowds disappointment cannot be pop
erly charged to his account.
The professors intentions were all right,
but his plans miscarried because OF an un-
foresccn accident, but for which he would
undoubtedly have carried out the pro-
gram prepared by the street railway COM
pany In order to encourage travel.
Two motor poles had been erected on a va
cant lot, and from cross rope stretched be-
tween them was suspended the huge canvas
bag during tho process of imitation. Each
pole was held in position by guy ropes and
10 that fact is due the trouble that followed.
When the restraining ropes that held the
swaying balloon were cast loose The
inflated monster l,aped into the
air, and the professor went with
IL, seated on trapeze and smiling as COM
placently as girl In the acins of her best
male friend. But smiles at best are but veg
etables, born to decay, and this one was even
ST. orter lived than the average, for before it
had expanded to Its fullest diameter it lost
its grip on the professors face ami passed
into history.
But like republican success, there was
reason for it. An untoward lurch had
swung the trapeze to one side before The
tops OF the poles were cleared, and the ad
venturous aeronaut caught under one Of the
guy ropes.
Unfortunately the balloon had not been
posted as to the course II should pursue in
cases of this kind, and uid not stop for the
aiif restraint and sailed ssdatoly OH of
into space. On the other hand, the
professor whose soaring ambition had all
| been squeezed out Of him under the guy
rope, sadly dropped from his perch aud
| tumbled to terra firma In shroud OF dirty
| canvas tied up with half-inch rope.
Down came pole, trapeze and parachute
| close behind him. The great crowd which
| had uttered sort OF cooperative groan
| when the accident occurred and had rushed
| forward to offer sympathetic assistance to
| the supposed badly injured aeronaut
changed It's mind when it saw the OBJECT Of
its solicitude disengage himself from the
wreck apparently uniniured, aud at once
| began TO kick IN unmeasured terms and de-
! nounce him as an aerial fakir and hippo
| droHer.
Tue balloon, meanwhile, was indugipg In a
series OF gyrations and paroxysms, each of
| which threw out puffs OF smoky hot air. aud
| after travelling a few hundred yards TO the
northwest it totally collapsed and fell to the
ground inert and lifeless.
Belden at once decided to try 1t
over again, aud the balloon was
loaded into an express wagon and
hauled to the original location, where tho
pole was once more set up, and after neces-
sary repairs had been made the great bag
was again suspended over the furnace.
Xat once more the crowd. or what
there WAS left OF Il, doomed 10 disappoint. Z.
ment, for the curious ones crowded in on the
professor IN way that seemed TO hurt his
feelings. and after telling them several times
| 10 keep back he completely lost what little
temper he had left and then inviting all