The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-17

r, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, SATURDAY.,
be payed out when moment It's light had
The hung close to ground, and helping his
panons into it, Mr. Barton was soon busy engaged
explaining to them the merits of his last invention
any prior one Enthusiast as he was an hour went by
before he had finished his explanations; ere
done, his little audience had caught something OF his
admiration for the graceful balloon whose buoyancy
made it seem like thing Of life.
ooh, father, must make ascension with the
Professor' Rod exclaimed as they were on thei5 way
cheeks and suppressed excitement, added
edo say yes, Uncle John!''
Barton spoke.
II have proposition make, sir, which trust you
noon, will you and the lads be my guests at
first ascension? It is to take place at H. and will
air, with most delightful panorama before you cool
breezes playing about and the purest Of ozones to
sharpen your appetite It will be unique feature the
managers of the fair will readily consent to this change
IN their program
Mr. Todd had but to glance at the boys to discover
and not unwilling to Try the novel experience himself,
every well professor, consider US your guests at
The next morning handbi1ls scattered over the
e and thru the fairgrounds announcing that at noon
the distinguished aeronaut, Professor Barton, accom-
in the and beautiful arshp Halcyon, and lunch in
midair.
Fully ten thousand people, therefore, gathered
about the ropeenced circle when the professor and his
tiny table at the CENTER spread with the whtet OF
and several large hampers under the special charge OF
young wearing walters garb told OF the coming
MI. Todd, the two lads, and the aeronaut quickly
took their assigned places, the guy were cast off,
the great DRUM turned by two began to unwind and
slowly the graceful airship assembled.
The first sensation of the occupants that of the
gazing throng suddenly dropping away from Them then
the second less surprisng-that of suddenly
widened horizon. To the north, Lake Pontchartrain
came quickly into view the great Father of Rivers be-
eity while away off to the south the Gulf OF Mexico
looking from that elevation like of polished glass;
third surprising feature the professor guests
the seadiness of the they made their long
mount; they had expected swayng motion not unlike
that of vessel tossing the of the but
instead that the motionless it would
be when sitting the smoohest ground Upon reaching
to setting of the table and the serving of the
food as easily in the diningroom Of their hotel.
little party ate and discussed the surrounding
unmndfu of the great throng below them Then faint
fesso who was near edge of the car glanced
The next moment he exclaimed:
**There is runaway in the fairgrounds Four mules,
drawing a heavy drag, rushing down the crowd
of spectators. I fear many will be injured.''
Leaving the table! every occupant of the tiny car
terest the mishap down below.
On toward the throng the mules dashed, but before
they fairly reached it, great laneway had been made
thru it, quickly did the people separate and on one
1i;m thankful for that', the professor cried exult
ngy, giving thought to how the accident might af
feet him his comrades In fact there hardly time
such thought For the next instant the frightened
animals dragging the huge vehicle after them, plunged
against rope that enclosed the circular
which held the cable drum It parted like piece of tow
in another second the runaways struck the drum
ITSELF crushing it to atoms. %.-
The same moment the balloon sprang upward, the
from mouth, thousand feet of rope dang
ling from its car. The runaway below had caused an
aeris runaway, for the light airshp, caught by up
per current from the north, swept rapidly dowr
toward the great gulf
(To Be Continued)
Japan Chrstianized.