The Washington times., 1904-12-14
THE BLACK ARROW
SPED INTO NIGHT
Thousands Watch Easy
Money Ascend III Air.
UP IN A BALLOON IT WENT
Sailed Southeast, Twinkling Like a
star Until Lost in
Distance.
UP IN A BALLOON IT WENT

NarieG comments from a great crowd
that embraced every shade and class Of
Washington life mixed and mingled in
front of The Times building last night
They were called forth by the swift
soaring OF the Black Arrow that was
sent ND into the air.
II Was a great and good humored
crowd that gathered 10 watch the Black
Arrows flight The clue that was given
in the great detective story. THE Black
Arrow" in last Sundays Times. indi-
Gated merely that the envelope would
be sent mp into the air" There was
no indication OF the manner in which
this was TO be effected. and speculation
was rife.
Over a Thousand.
The crowd largely exceeded a thousand
IN number, and us s o'clock, The app
pointed hour, approached. began 10
manifest some signs of impotence.
anxiety. and excitement. The neighbor-
hood of Tenth and d Streets was
throngcd; on "a smaller scale the scenes
of election night were repeated.
III gamble they'll send the thing up
on rocket" said a hoTsey person in
a checked suit. I'VE ought TO be able
10 lift the dough somewhere on the
Avenue"
A sweet young thing in brown furs
laid an impulsive. futtering hand on
the arm of her escort.
Wouldn't it be nice. dear. il we could
md il" sha whispered There would
be something pretty Tor the home we
are TO make"
Chuck ii, interposed cynical old
man OF the pave-aged ten; stow dat
away, see? Yer can't git no Black Arrer
in any double-harness play. It's "a lone
game
The sweet young thing blushed; her
escort scowled; the old man Of the pave
grinned
Shot Into the Air.
But al last expectations merged into
reality. AS the clocks indicated the
hour. what seemed radiant cloud shot
up from The Times Building.
lit was "a balloon
II bore the Black Arrow
she's or. slid the crowd,
The balloon assembled high in the air
leaving a fiery trail in It's wake. Urged
by Il passing current or air IL started
Cue south. but over the broad avenue
over the thousand uptufEed faces, IL
hung for q moment suspended.
The prevailing air currents had the
balloon In their grasp and, describing a
gentle curve, 1t struck out Tor the south
The lights stin burned brilliantly; the
blazing tail still followed. as far as ths
eve could reach che balloon was stili-
IL seemed radiant star against the
eight.
As The wind bore the prize away. the
crowd melted There was "a rush down
the AVeuue-wh-re there bad been nun
dfeds a few moments before. only an
occasional straggler remained.
Chasing a Star.
The many had gone in pursuit Of the
Black Arrow.
They ran. pushed. showed. struggled
and disappeared down the Avenue
on the east portico of the Capitol am
other throng was gathered. 1t had been
observed that the prevailing winds We're
toward the east, and those who thronged
the Capitol steps were hopeful the gold
IN shower would fan in their laps.
IL did not. though Far 20 the ives.
OF Ihc dome the fiery balloon sailed on
toward the southeast some Of the
eager ana impetuOus sought TO follow
the ma iority OF the CROWD r1mmfd Its
hands into its pockets and stalked away
FINALLY the speck OF light vanished into
the distance; somewhere. apparently
along the line Of the river and nn tht
Maryland shore
straining eyes had followed 20 tho last
and eager feet had followed weary miles
The Lucky Ones.
Here's list OF the lucky ones who
have this week followed Black Arrow
clues 90 their golden end:
William G.. Johnson. Of the Southern
Railway; SIS delivered 10 him by the city
pOstofice as the first claimant of a let
ter addressed 20 ASA Spades
Alexander NJ. Bunus of the Interior
Department. $50 handed 10 him by q
mysterious stranger on Seventh street
northwest. when the proper question
was asked.
John Bailey. of IA Nineteenth Street
northwest: SIS found behind "a fence post
~ Seventh and i streets Southeast