The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-07-03
TIRED OF THE TRIP.
so HE GOT OUT OF THE BALLOON
BY THE JUMP ROUTE.

II went up in balloon once. and
never want TO make such n trip again."
said Colonel 4. Noel Brakeman. My
experience as an aeronaut was In Lon
DON" he continued, "and II would
never have occurred but for n friend
chanced TO meet there. He was going
to make an ascent, and he persuaded
me TO accompany him.
"The balloon was n feature of some
big exhibition. and every day II was
inflated and made an ascent, with four
or five passengers, in charge of an OK
perienced aeronaut. There were about
five in the party the day ! took the trip.
We got into the basket, which was
boxed in quite high, then let the rope
go. and we shot up about 5000 feet. II
was interesting TO look down on the
world and hear the noises of London
streets coming from so far below. The
balloon sailed along smoothly, and We
driftcd for about eight miles.
"It was when we tried to descend
that the trouble began. The method
was TO throw out anchors as the bal.
loon settled toward the earth. The
aeronaut said that when one of these
anchors caught firmly he would haul
the balloon down TO the tree In which
the anchor was expected TO become
fastened. This would be done by wind
ing I'm the rope on Il winch in the car.
We would be expected TO climb out of
the balloon into the tree, he said. and
he would then take hold of the valve
rope and. standing n safe distance
away, open the valve. let the gas cs-
cape. and the big affair would collapse
and sink. He informed Us that we
must get clear of the sinking folds. as
they would come down fast. and Il
they caught and covered us we would
be in an atmosphere os most poisonous
gas.
"All this was very interesting. but
we did not seem to be making very
much progress toward the point where
we would have TO look out for the de-
scending folds of the collapsing bal
loon. The anchors caught in whole
lot of trees. but they did not hold. One
would get tangled in n tree. and then
the balloon would sway far over. tilt
ing the basket in which we were until
it seemed that we would be spilled out.
Then the anchor would break loose.
and we would shoot up again.
Il became very tired Of this and told
the aeronaut that | thought it was time
TO bring the voyage to conclusion.
He told me II did not like 1t could
jump out At first | thought he was
simply resentful of my remark, but he
said he meant what lr said.
"'When the car tllts over again. you
climb out on the edge he said, and let
go. 1t will probably be n plowed field
underneath us, and you won't get hurt.
"Well, did as he suggested. When
the anchor caught again. climbed out
and hung to the edge of the car. When
l saw that the car was as low as II was
likely to get. let GO. dropped about
IL feet, and. as he expected. plowcd
field was below US,
"As soon as dropped out the bal
loon, relieved of my weight shot up in
the air again and scared off. ! walked
TO the nearest road and continued along
II until ] came TO an inn.
81 asked the landlord how far II was
to London. and he told me it was eight
miles. | ordered carriage to take me
there, and while | was waiting the
landlord asked me where | had come
from.
81 took him to the door of the inn,
and, pointing TO the balloon, which was
then sailing along about n quarter of n
r1lle above the ground. said, 4 jump.
ed out of that
THE man looked at me in alarmed
fashion. and after had returned TO the
sitting room noticed that several peo
pie peered through the window at me.
FINALLY my four wheeler was ready
and set off for London. After we had
driven along for half an hour or so the
coachman suddenly turned the horse II
through gate, and we drove into BIZ
courtyard yelled to him and asked
him what lie meant. that wanted L
go straight to London. but he paid M
attention and slowly circled the court
When he stopped on the other side,
man wearing glasses stuck his head II
the carriage. scrutinlzing me closely
pulled back. said something to III,
coachman. and we drove on TO London
"Finally we reached my lodgings
and when we did SO the coachmal
jumped Off the box. ran up the step
and as soon as his knock was answered
asked II MIR. Brakeman lived there
The maid was just answering that
did when ] reached the top of the step
and collared the fellow.
"'What was that place you drove m
into on our way to LondonT | aske,
him.
"'It was hinsane hasylum, SIR h
replied. When you said you had jumr
I'd out O. that balloon, we thought 20
was crazy and maybe you was es
capped patient from the hasylum.' -
Washington Post.
Realized His own Madness.
"NOw you are tired of me and abus