The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-11-06
THE AERONAUPs STORY.

.Why, Norah?" | asked.
uHe's 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 a sadder case.
He'd only been married week. Such
a. horrible death. tool It's enough to
turn mans brain, and must confess,
Tom, wish Jack was not going with
you."
Nonsense, Norahl People always
exapoerate and make the worst OF
things, as you know. If q 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 of his
thoughts from his trouble. He's fond
of ballooning as 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. l had conceived a
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 a peculiar
fascination for me.
Recently, had tried utility with
pleasure, and had made some ascents
solely for scientific purposes. 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,
l 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 / 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 q 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 ut the APP
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
iln occasion. The balloon was set ut lib
erty as soon as we had taken our seats,
and the machine rose beautifully There
was gentle breeze, which bore us
slightly southward. We rose slowly
Mt first, and SO had plenty of time to
gaze on the vast and extending panor-
anna below us.
Presently we entered huge bank or
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 the cloud scene of
fairy-lilie beauty suddenly burst upon
us. 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 sight
also OF wondrous rayines of curious
shape and great depth. These noun
tains Of clouds, with their silvery and
golden sides, their dark shadows, their
varied tints and submits of dazzling
whiteness, presented to our wondering
gaze o scene of surprising beauty and
grandeur.
This sublime spectacle evoked my
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 l
had scarcely looked at, or spoken to,
my companion since we had started.
But an exclamation from him now dl-
verted my attention, and, glancing at
him, was surprised to see that he had
risen and was much excited.
''What is it, Jacls?" asked.
"Isn't 1t glorious?" he replied. 81
wonder If Heaven is much more beauti-
fulq How delightful it would be If we
could reach It'll / should see my Ada
again, then"
MY dear fellowln l interposed,
hastily, somewhat alarmed-not SO
much by his words as by his excited
manner and wild look; "you think too
r~e'' - 'hesN things Y6u have been
brooding over your loss more than il
good for you. WIN you"
"At any rate,n cried he, vehemently,
sits worth trying, so here goes" and
seizing one of the sandbags he threw
it over. The lightened balloon at once
began to rise more quickly.
'What are you doing, Jackp" shout
ed. "For heavens sake keep calm
We are good height already. We
shan't be able to breathe If we &c
much higher. It's getting uncomfort
able, as 1t is.n
''Shan't weP We shall see about
that. I'm going to try, anyhow, Be
sides, don't care II can't breathe.
want to see my Ada. That's all / cars
about"
began to fear the worst. Was h,
going mad? We're the reports my wifi,
had heard literally true, and not ex
a-rr-N-,t@a efter nllo What y fonl Ihat
been not to pe more cautiousl Whethel
he was mad or not, he was in a danger
Gus mood, and my position was fal
from pleasant. To oppose him woult
evidently aggravate him and maxi