The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-05-14

A'iO 9AOos Oo6 Va IuO uoiOOu was
now rapidly filling with hot air and
The time for the ascension close at
hand. The Professor was aDxiously
waiting the arrival of his assistant.
when a telegram notified him that the
train had been missed; bound by con-
tract that only bad weather would rem
der null and void the Professor
mounted a soap box and offered fifty
dollars to any one who would 60 up
with the balloon. No one accepted
the offer. told the Professor if he
would make it seventy-tive dollars l
would make the ascension. My offer
was at once accepted aud / was handed
a bundle and briefly informed to get
into my togs. This quick transforma-
tion from spectator to the star per-
former quite took away what little
courage | possessed, aud also any am-
bition to gain fame and wealth by an
intimate acquaintance with the clouds
above. The Professor quickly sizing
up my panic, assured me "there was
not the least DANGER" and further,
that he "wOuld tie me to the parachute
so that no harm could befall me-"
No doubt you have seen parachute.
1t is shaped like an umbrella, covered
with cloth with y ten inch opening at
the top. In place OF steel ribs q small
sized rope runs from the top opening
down each seam to q strong hoop
twelve feet below the cloth. A ira
peze was fastened below the hoop by
quarter-fnch rope running up thru to
the top and connecting with the cut
off knife, 80 that when the time came
to make the drop, q pull on this rope
severed connection with the balloon.
Having donned the uniform and feel
Ing rather weak in the kReee, the Pro-
fessor proceeded to fasten me on the
trapeze, and the village band began to
play the "Star Spangled Banner" My
instructions were to take bold of the
rope at the first shot from pistol, and
at the second shot to pull the rope and
cut loose. The Professors voice was
still sounding in my ears when l be-
gan to shoot up and into maple tree
leaving part of my fancy dress. !
closed my eyes and prepared for the
worst But the people continued tO
shout and the music of the band was
borne to me on the breeze so took
courage, opened my eyes and was sur.
prised to feel my courage and desire
to live as strong as ever. The actions
of the people in the Fair grounds
amused me greatly; they were yelling
and running after the balloon, over
fences, and across lots; the young ano
old literally falling over each other ir
their eagerness to be near the plact
where the parachute would fall.
ALI this time I was going higher ant
higher and obtaining a magnificen
view of the surrounding country
Then | heard q shot-I grabbed tn,
rope and at the second shot pulled tn,
rope and cut loose from the balloon
The first thing knew I got a jolt tina
nearly broke my neck; the PARACHUTE
dropped about one hundred feet 81
/ quickly it seemed to me it opened q
once and the ground seemed to b
coming toward me fast and furious
n 1t was at this time that supposed m
time to live was reduced to seconds
: The parachute was swaying gentl
and noticed the descent was becom
ing more even, then pulled my fee
up and landed on the ground all in
} heap completely covered with rope
and cloth. managed to extrlcate my
self from this mess and standing u
} was surprised to feel safe and sount
but it was some time before my knee
refused to stop wobbling and act q
they should. BY the time this was AZ
complished and I had pulled mysel
together the crowd began to arrive.
- ef'I e l1es e. W.. w.
The prison reformer met the cor
victed lawyer in the striped garb.
9l nA-A h~-n -