Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-03-07
A PLuckY BALLooNlsT.
How Woman Averted a Panic
Among $4,000 Sightseers.

I.
deed performed by Madame" Car
lotta Myers, wife of the noted balloon
list Carl Myers of Frankfort, N. Y.
Some dozen years ago. at Ottawa,
she made an ascension never forgot
ten by the people of that city. 1t was
gala occasion in honor of Queen
Victoria's gift of the crystal palace TO
her loyal subjects, and Canada had
rarely seen such gathering.
Twenty-Five thousand people, as was
estimated, were packed inside the ex.
position grounds to see the famous
aeronaut rise to the clouds. And
there at the appointed time stood
Carlotta on raised platform, with
the multitude about her, waiting for
the balloon. She wore a short skirt
over gymnasium suit, and made an
attractive picture with her fine figure
and golden-bronze hair. So thought
various city dignitaries. who chatted
with her admiringly while the crowd
surged about them.
Meantime Prof. Myers was anxious
ly watching the manoeuvers of some
Indians hired by committee to tow
the balloon from gas-works two miles
distant, where it had been filed.
This was rather against the pro-
fessor's Judgment, for the Rideau
river, flowing by the grounds, offered
an obstacle that could be overcome
only by the help of canoes and tow
lines; and to paddle a big balloon
across a river. a fresh-filled. hard
Juggling balloon, is not thing to be
undertaking lightly. And in spite of
all their skill these Indians found
themselves presently lifted into the
air, canoes and all (oh, they were badly
frightened IndiansD y, not quite clear
of the water, but high enough to make
it doubtful If they would ever reach
shore, and highly interesting to the
crowd which pressed down to the
river, even into the river, in we'll
meant efforts to help, and dragged the
balloon up the bank and along to-
wards the platform with such eager
ness that they tore great rents in it
that let out the gas in volumes.
In an instant, as happens in crowds,
the balloon became the center of a
struggling mass of people. who slowly
pressed in from all sides to see what
the matter was. Now when twenty
five thousand people are all pressing
slowly towards one point, it is apt to
fare ill with those at that point; and
then, had not Carlotta acted on a
flash of inspiration, there would sure
ly have been disaster In that
merciless crush. She looked over the
shouting, swaying multitude, and in a
second saw the danger-saw women
held helpless and fainting in that jam
of bodies; saw one way, and only one
to save the situation, and took that
way. Stepping off the platform, she
ran lightly and swiftly over heads and
shoulders, packed solid, ano came to
the balloon. Such was the peoples
fright that they scarcely felt her pass.
You can't go up" cried her hus.
band; ''the balloon is a wreck"
Il must go up" she. answered; IF
/ don't these people will De crushed to
death"
There's a hole in Ter big enough
to drive a team through" he protest
ed; but already she was in the basket,
and a cheer arose.
ITS better to risk one life than
many" she answered with decision,
and turning to the crowd, motioned
them to loose the car. In their won
der the mad multitude forgot their
fear, and the struggling quieted. All
eyes were now on the balloon; one wo-
mans courage had quelled the panic.
The danger to the crowd was past, to
the woman just beginning.
Wait a moment" shouted Pro-
fessor Myers; you must have more
ballast" But in the din of voices she
misunderstood him and cast out bag
of ballast. And with great heave
and a Tapping Of its torn sides, the
balloon wrenched itself free and shot
upward, cripple soaring with it's
last strength. Up and up IL went,
higher and higher as the small store
OF gas expanded. That tattered
balloon, with its seams gaping open,
raised itself somehow two miles over
the city of Ottawa, and then almost
Immediately it began to fall. The gas
stayed in just long enough to lift the
broken bag, and then left 1t to dash
downward. Professor Myers, heart
sick on the ground, turned his eyes
away, sure that he had seen his wife
for the last time alive
But Carlotta was of no such mind.
She had saved the crowd, now she
would save herself; and even as thu
balloon dropped with frightful speed.
she put her plan in action. Swinging
herself up on the netting, she caught
the Tapping silk above long tear,
and drew 1t down with all her weight
until 1t reached the car. instantly
the air rushed in underneath, and bel.
lied out the fabric into a great UNI
brella, parachute improvised from a
ripped balloon. Now they were slow.
ing up; they had put the brakes on.
and now they were soaring easily,
drifting with the wind. Carlotta
drew long breath OF relief and look
ed down. They, were still a mile
above ground. She had the runaway
In hand, but where should she land