Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1895-10-03
THE AER0NAUTS STORY.

LIN ALnUNAUIS SIUKI.
is Jack Tunnicliffe going with you
tomorrow, Tom?" said my wife to me.
Il wish you would take some one else."
why, Norah?" asked.
Hes been stranger than ever in his
manner since his wife died, hear. In
fact, I've been told by more than one
person that he's quite insane at times.
It's not to be wondered at If he is, poor
fellow. | don't know sadder case.
He'd only been married week. Such
horrible death, tool It's enough to
turn mans brain, and / must confess,
Tom, l wish Jack was not going with
YOU"
Nonsense, Norahl People always
exaggerate and make the worst of
things, as you know. If mans at all
original or eccentric, it's at once
assumed that he's non compos. OF
course, jacks low-spirited and absent
minded, and perhaps bit peculiar at
times. How can he help brooding over
his terrible loss? He wants some ex-
citing occupation to take OFF his
thoughts from his trouble. He's fond
of ballooning as l am, and trip will
do him all the good in the world"
The above conversation between my
wife and myself took place on the
evening before the day which l had
fixed for balloon ascent. Ballooning
was my hobby. / had conceived
liking for it on my first ascent. This
liking had become craze" for the
novel experience and strange sensation
of sailing over houses and trees, and of
soaring into the clouds, had peculiar
fascination for me.
Recently, had tried utility with
pleasure, and had made some ascents
solely for scientific purposes. l had
found kindred spirit in young Tunni-
cliffe, and we had had many delightful
and successful trips together. Owing
to the untimely death Of my friends
wife, our aerial expeditions had been
suspended for awhile. AS several
weeks had elapsed since that sad event,
felt anxious to resume these expedi-
tions, and as Tunnicliffc had expressed
his willingness to accompany me, q
day had been fixed for our next trip.
1t was when was talking to my wife
about this self-same trip that she ex-
pressed her regret that Jack Tunni-
cliffe was going with me.
had not much difficulty, however,
in overcoming her objections and al
laying her fears. She was not averse
to my hobby, and had even accom-
panied me in one or two of my jour-
neys in the air. Moreover, she sym
pathized with me In my desire ito
make some useful discovery" and was
therefore unwilling to damp my ardor,
or hinder the progress of my observa-
tions. She had felt the exhilarating
effect of balloon ascent, and my ref
erence to the benefit young Tunnicliffe
would probably derive from the pro-
jected trip appealed to her experience
as well as to her tender heart
Accordingly, next day at the ap-
pointed time, everything being in readi-
ness, we started on our aerostatic
Journey. Tunnicliffe, contrary to his
usual demeanor, seemed little ex-
cited, but this caused me no appre-
hension. His interest had apparently
been awakened, and it was only natural
that he should be animated on such
an occasion. The balloon was set at lib
ertv as soon as we had taken our seats,
and the machine rose beautifully. There
was n gentle breeze, which bore us
SLIGHTLY southwark. We rose slowly
Mt first, and SO had plenty of time to
raze on the vast and extending panor'
anna below us.
Presently we entered huge bank OF
mountain of cloud of the kind called
cumulus, and were surrounded by q
chilling mist which induced us to put
on the wraps we had brought. When
we emerged from 'he cloud a scene Of
fairv-like beauty suddenly burst upon
nc We were in a kind OF basin sur
rounded by mountains of clouds of the
most fantastic shapes, OF enormous
Size. and of dazzling brightness Now
and then, as we rose, we caught sigh
also of wondrous ravines of curious
shape and great depth. These noun
to;ns of clouds, with their silvery ant
Golden sides. their dark shadows, theil
carried tints and. submits OF dazzling
whiteness, presented to our wondering
oaze n scene of surprising beauty and
grandeur
This sublime spectacle evoked m,
highest admiration, while the silenc'
and yastness of space inspired me Will
owe drank IN these exquisite ant
varied delights with such avidity anC
With such absorbing interest that
had scarcely looked at, or spoken to
nv companion since we had started
d., an exclamation from him now di
verified my attention, and, glancing a
him was surprised to see that he ha'
risen and was much excited.
aWhat is it, Jack?" asked.
.Isn't it glorious9" he replied. "
..onder n Heaven is much more beauti
,rIS How delightful II would be if W
could reach It'll l should see my Adj
again, then"
..Mv dear fellowI" l interposed
hastiiv somewhat alarmed--not S
,nnch nv his words as by his excite'
manner and wild look; you think to
much of these things xou nave pee