The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-04-05
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

Written for The Representative by
Leander Kilpatrick.)
| Seated around the CHEEKY open fire Of
our home in Germantown. on Christmas
eve, December "a, 1896 were my mother,
two sisters, my aunt, and my old college
chum, Tom Milligan, who since our
school-boy days, twenty years ago, had
| become a globe-trotter of wide expert
ence.
| Though not given to talk much of him
self or his adventures he could not resist
our entreaties, nevertheless, to tell us the
most thrilling escape he ever had in all
his travels. Moving his chair closer to
the rosy blaze, he commenced thus:
1t was on sultry day in August in
the year of our Lord 1894, that our train
pulled into the little town OF Crookston,
| MINI. had been there before and found
it rather dull, but on this particular day
the place had assumed very gay and
festive aspect. The streets were swarming
with people, full of life and excitement.
and evidently on pleasure bent.
On making inquiry, was told the
cause OF all this hustle. The State Fair
was then in progress. 1t was to last three
days-the first having, just passed.
After a good dinner and wash up,
started out to take in the sights. soon
found out that the next day there was
I to be (among numerous other sports and
amusements) balloon ascension" by
Professor Zanby and volunteer
During the evening, l had the pleasure
of meeting the Professor at my hotel,
where found he was guest. The i'm
preston he made upon me, as near as
can express it, was what might be called
uncanny, but at the same time l seemed
to be drawn to him by an uncomfortable
impulse.
After chatting with him for some time
on minor matters, he suddenly turned to
me, and with his little black piercing eyes
seeming to burn hole through me, said,
MIR Milligan, / have not as yet been able
to find any one willing to make the ascent
with me tomorrow. From your CONVEX
sation, l Judge you to be traveller of
some extent, and, mayhaps, at the present
time in search Of an unusual experience.
Will you go with me?"
Now, as matter of fact, l had long
desired just such an opportunity; and so
at once agreed to be the volunteer He
seemed to be much pleased, and after
talking over the details for some time,
we parted. l retired to my room for
good nights rest, as the ascent was to
be made in the morning at 9 a. IN.
What a night l passed! Visions of
falling from balloon through space
of its bursting and leaving me walking
on the clouds-of meeting there crowds
Of funny looking beings, with tails and
horns, and through it all the same small
wizened face of the Professor" with it's
piercing wild eyes glaring at me in
ghostly smile, as he beckoned me towards
him with his hand At last fell into
sound sleep. which was broken, it ap-
peared to me in about an hour, by a
knock on my door. and a voice, exclainl-
ing, "Seven-thirty: time to get up"
Sprlng,ng out Of bed, l at once washed
and dressed, and unconsciously dropping
into my hip pocket small black jack"
which | was in the habit of carrying often
as a weapon OF defense. proceeded down
to breakfast
There were four of us at the table, and
the talk naturally driited upon the Fair"
and the different events to occur during
the day-the Balloon ascension" being
the main topic OF conversation. Several
stories were told OF ascents and narrow
escapes to :eronauts. none of which made
me feel particularly pleasant or comfort
able When | told them that | was the
volunteer who was to go up that morning
with Prof. Zanby, they were much sur
kinds Of advice. One said. If you are
married man, you had best take out an
accident policy of insurance. another Of
fered the advise. Don't drink coffee, it
will make you light headed" and as !
left the table my neighbor on the right
SdlO. MT. NJ. WOulun make tTlS Trip
if were you. Something tells me there
will be an accident, and besides. l hear
this Professor Zanby is little queer in
his upper story" WELL" said l. laugh
ing lone must die sometime" and thank
ing them all for their kindly interest, ]
hurried off to the office. where I was
greeted by the Professor in person.
Good" said he, Il see you are all ready
Tor the jaunt As time is pressing, we
had best be off, So jumping into the
carriage awaiting us, we started for the
fair grounds. 1t seemed to me, then. that
Zanby appeared very nervous and rest
less, but as l myself was under little
excitement, didn't lay much stress upon
the fact
Arriving at the grounds. we found
vast crowd of people awaiting our COM
ing, all anxious to get look at the vol