Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-04-10

COST OF SHORT DISTANCE
TRIP NOT MORE THAN SIS.
Next Thing In "SucIst" VIII Be Invita-
items 10 Take 4 Fly Ia the Air.

season; Mrs. Bales o. +. Mum to Miss
Goldie Banks-"That you, dearie
Come early this afternoon and we will
balloon few hours Gwendolyne and
the others will follow in autos. Supper
at twilight where we land, and ther
home in the machines"
There Is no doubt about it, short
distance ballooning will be the fash
ionable diversion for the smart set
In the Berkshires during 1908.
Mrs. Goelet and Mrs. Bishop, who
have made ascensions, are enthusiastic
over the sport, and the Four Hundred
can hardly wait for good ballooning
weather again. The considerable num-
Der OF orders which have been placed
for balloons, both Of American and for
eign make, indicates that a good many
ladies of quality" are to frequent
Cloudland this coming summer.
Licensed sky-pilots will be in de-
mand. There may even soon be schools
for them, as for autodrivers. A sky.
pilot wishing to secure the Aero Clubs
license to tour the Milky Way and 9TH
er heavenly boulevards, must have an
approved record Of ten ascensions. in
Guiding one alone and one at night.
viii be the Vogue.
There is every reason why short
distance ballooning which under Lady
Harbard's leadership has found great
favor abroad among the women of
fashion, should be as enthusiastically
the vogue in this country among the
merely near-rich as well as among the
billionaires.
IL has many things to commend 1t,
among them, as compared with auto
MODELLING, safety, ,inexpensiveness, the
charm OF exploration, restfulness and
aloofness from the more sordid atmos-
phere of the world. The balloon face"
so familiar abroad, is said to be one
OF rapturous passivity, a sort of Chris
tan science ecstacy in repose, and of
pleasing contrast with the bewrinkled
devil-car face.
An excellent two or three passenger
balloon can be bought for $3.50 and,
after its equipment with the essential
instruments of various kinds the total
hrst cost is materially less than that
OF modest touring auto-car, and
microscopic as compared with that of
a yacht. The chief expenses of main
tenance are gas-which for a balloon
OF this size is about $50 for a days
trip-and freight or express charges
on the balloon from landing place to
starting station. There are also to be
considered the expenses of the passen-
gers after landing, such as possible
hotel bills and railroad fares, though
usually the automobile is used as an
adjunct to the balloon, and the flying
air-party is met by machines which
have followed with provisions to take
1t home. The railroad charges on the
balloon will soon be eliminated by the
Of auto trucks built espe-
cially for balloon carriage.
The sky-pilot's wages have not yet
a .quotable status, as most of
The profession are owners, many of
whom are glad, In the interests of the
sport, to include any desirable persons
Of lofty ambitions who volunteer to
pay the expenses of "Trip.
Alan r. Hawley, a stockbroker. of
No. 20 Broad street, who Is one of the
most Unsuitable and successful balloon
SITS In this country, estimates the
necessary expenses Of a short distance
rip at about SIC.
The Aero Club, whose headquarters
Ire at No. IL East Forty-second street.
s formulating plans for minimizing the
expense. Pittsneld, Mass, has thus far
proved to be the most nearly ideal
place for short-distance flying. The
best and cheapest gas is to be had
here; the plateau-crested hills make |
he finest Of balloon 'teeing grounds"
md the proximity to Lenox, Stock |
bridge and other resorts of the wealthy |
s feature not to be overlooked. The |
distance from large bodies of water
md the varied typographical condi-
ions within the short-trip zone leave |
little to be desired in the way of land
ng places.
Good roads in every direction expe-
lite the automobile sections of the par
les, and the great number of good ho- |
els and inns assure .all the comforts
II home" to those who conclude their
lays highfying with some night trail
n.y." which is one of the most pleas
lrable features of ballooning.
Trailing" which consists, as it's
lame implies, in sailing above the
round just the distance of weighted
Inc or trailer, is of course possible on
y in open country, and is safest when
here is moonlight.
Chief Dangers.
The dangers from it are chiefly to
hose who are not in the air. AS care
essness of balloonists abroad has in
everal instances resulted In injury to
ersons and property, the English Aero
Tub has issued some warnings and sug-
estions. They intimate that this lone
istance sandbagging or leadslugginy
unsuspecting country pedestrians is
ct altogether sportsmanlike, and that
be overtoppling of chimneys, upset.
ing of cottages, breaking of window
ronts and such stunts are not diplo-
iatic, to say the least.
The country around Pittsfield and
Anox has been thoroughly charted
rom the balloonists' point of view.
nd the study Of local geography has
aceived unwonfed aftention ssrird,s L