The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-10-23
A Mad Ride.

Hes been stranger than ever in his
manner since his wife died, l 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. I don't know sadder case
He'd only been married a week, Such
a horrible death too! It's enough to
turn mans brain, and must confess,
Tom, 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 as
sumed that he's non compos, OF
course, Jacks low spirited and absent
minded and perhaps a bit peculiar at
times. How can he help brooding over
his terrible loss? He wants some excl
ting occupation to take off his thoughts
from his trouble, He's as fond of ball
looming 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 even
ing before the day which had fixed
for balloon ascent. Balloonlng was
nay favorite hobby. had conceived q
liking for it on my very first ascent
This liking had become a craze" for
the novel experience and strange sensa-
ton of sailing over houses and trees
and of soaring into the clouds had a Pc
culiar fascination for me.
Recently had tried to combine util-
ity with pleasure and had made some
ascents solely for scientific purposes.
had found a kindred spirit in young
Tunnicliffe, and we had had many de-
lightful 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 Tunnicliffe had expressed
his willingness to accompany me a
day had been fixed for our next trip. 1t
was when l was talking to my wife
about this self same trip that she ex-
pressed her regret that Jack Tunnicliffe
was going with me.
had not much difficulty, however in
overcoming her objections and allaying
her fears. She was not averse to my
hobby and had even accompanied me
in one or two Of my shorter journeys in
the air. Moreover, she syntpatnized
with me in my desire "to make some
useful discovery" and was therefore
unwilling to damp my ardor or hinder
the progress of my observations. She
had felt the exhilarating effect of bal
loon ascent, and my reference to the
| benefit young Tunnicliffe would proba-
bly, derive from the projected trip APP
pealed to her experience as well as to
her tender heart
Accordingly next day at the appoint
ed time, everything being in readiness,
We started on our aerostatic journey.
Tunnicliffe, contrary to his usual de-
meanor, seemed a little excited, but
| this caused me no apprehension. fl $
interest had apparently been awak-
ened, and ii was only natural that he
should be animated on such an occa-
| sion. The balloon was set at liberty as
soon as we had taken our seats, and
| the machine rose beautifully. There
| was gentle breeze, which bore us
slightly southwark. We rose slowly at
| first and so had plenty Of time to gaze
on the vast and extending panorama
below us.
| Presently we entered huge bank or
| mountain of cloud Of the kind called
cumulus and were surrounded by a
| chilling mist which induced us to put
| on the wraps we had brought. When
we emerged from the cloud, a. scene of
| fairylike beauty suddenly burst upon
us. We were in a kind of basin sur
rounded by mountains Of cloud Of the
| most fantastic shapes, of enormous size
and of dazzling brightness. Now and
then as we rose we caught sight also of
| wondrous ravines of curious shape and
| great depth. These mountains OF
clouds, with their silvery and golden
sides, their dark shadows, their varied
| tints and SUBMITS Of dazzling white
ness. presented to our wondering gaze
a scene Of surprising beauty and gran
| deGr.
This sublime spectacle evoked M
| highest admiration, while the silence
/ and vastness of space inspired me with
| awe. L drank in these exquisite and
varied delights with such avidity and
with such absorbing interest that
had scarcely looked at or spoken to my
companion since we had started. But
an exclamation from him now diverted
! my attention, and, glancing ut him,
| was surprised to see that he had risen
| and was much excited.
| what is it, Jack?" T asked.
isn't it glorious?" he r-plted. 81
wonder If heaven is mucl more beauti.
full? How delightful it wou;f be if we
corld reach it! I should see my Ada
again, then"
my dear felloww interposed hasti-
| Iy, somewhat alarmed-not SO much by
his words as by his excited manner
and wild look you think too much OF
such things. You have been broodine
over your loss more than is good fol
you. Will you'--
eat any rate" cried he vehemently
| cts worth trying; so here goes" And
| Selling one of the sand bags he threw il
over. The lightened balloon at once be
| gan to rise more quickly.
| what are you doing, JACKIE I shout.
/ ed. For heavens sake, keep calm
We are good height already. We
| shan't be able to breathe If we go 'nuoH
higher. It's getting uncomfortable aS