The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-17
PARIS VIEWED FROM a BALLOON
Bv c. A. RICHARDSON.

OF dollars In art treasures ana
historical works. but no longer tho
royal residence OF tho proud and ak
travagnnt Louis XIV. could but re-
call the Grand Monnrch's" pet express
slon--''L 11tat, Cest mol" Through my
glasses ] even fancied / could discern
tho proud and truthful inscription over
tho grand entrance to the famous old
palnce--''A toutes les glorlcs do la
France" Then much nearer to me I
fondly looked down upon the beautiful
palace and grounds OF St. Cloud. the
once fnvorite summer residence Of the
only one great Napoleon when his CT
fulgent star shone In Respondent glory
During the gala days Of great ex-
position one OF the most prominent
features was the great captive balloon,
making continual aerial trips. The
modest chnrge OF twenty francs (about
SAD Induced many adventurous people
OF both sexes to temporarily leave all
earthly surroundings except the atmos-
phere; severing every mundane tie save
the stout wire rope that pledged q safe
return to old mother earth Of the large
W
tnl hopes and fears
The full carrying capacity Of tho huge
airship was rated at twenty-five (2O
men and women OF fair average
weight. I made my trip with twenty
most kindly, jolly occupants, oil gayly
chattering in several continental Lam
guages. I soon learned there was only
one English speaking person present
besides myself, and he being typical
IEnglishman had little to say. was
mot at all sorry, since did not wish to
1 talk. There were eight (S) ladies'
| aboard. They were all French and
| ,Parislans. remember ono OF them to
1 whom had been presented was wish
| ing the wire cable would part so she
could discover II there was another
1 Paris above the earth we had left.
assured her that I was fully satisfied
with tho Paris beneath US, and felt
very sure there was no other Paris TO
i compare with It., She then seemed 10
4 be partly reconciled to returning; said
4 Am ericans were so nice, and really
wiEe in truly loving dear Paris" On
returning to earth we parted. made
my best bow and received In return the
sweetest French smiles. Do you ask
mo II I have forgotten my balloon trip
over Paris? reply. how can I forget
!! it? and the fact that I was absent in
body and spirit for half IN hour from
this dear old earth, and then quite
s glad to return to It in such delightful
locality.
The writer finds as he grows older
and very naturally becomes reminis.
cent he Is given ut times to reviewing
4 some OF the more novel. and unusua
experiences which are furthest remov.
ed from the commonplace. Among
these pleasant, memorable memories O
4 the past he recalls bright, sunny
MINDLESS afternoon a dozen years agt
when he calmly, thoughtfully looked
down on that gay capital city OF Franc
]. from the wicker car OF great ballool
that was quietly poised in space near
half mile above the worldly, throbbinl
Il heart OF the grand and beautiful city
While the aerial voyager knew an
felt he was only mere animated ator
between heaven and earth he was ear
!. nestly hopeful Of safely returning t
; that most queenly capital reposing &
I, grace and beauty so far below.