The Prescott daily news., 1914-09-09
:-By JOHN TSVEEZER=



 come in sight of the castles of my dream, and I prayed that l might be permitted to ride in the big white balloon.
 While l waited to see the balloon go up, I stretched myself out on the grass for a rest. I felt tired and sleepy, having not slept since the night before.
 It seemed but a few minutes when ! Captain King, the aeronaut, stepped into the car that hung beneath the balloon, and in a jocular way, said that he would be glad to have some one to make the trip with him. Of course it was meant for joke, But when l crawled into the car with him, he looked surprised. Boy! do you realize that we are about to start on dangerous trip?" asked the Cap tain, as he staired at me with pair of small gray eyes.
 l was so excited 1 made no reply to the Captains querry. l crouched down and held tight to the bottom of the car, for fear he might throw me out.
 Everything now being in readiness the balloon was cut loose.
 I shall never forget the sensation I felt when the balloon plunged up- ward. The fair grounds, and the eX- cited crowd seemed to be sinking away from us The thrilling notes of the band and the cheering voices of five thousand people grew fainter, and fainter, until all was hushed in a death like stiffness.
 A gentle breeze, carried us in a northerly direction. For the first time I ventured to look down. 1 saw a splendid panorama, it was grand to behold. The rivers looked like silver threads, woven among the emerald hills and the villages and farm houses had. the appearance of white and brown splotches, made by some care less person ar a beautiful landscape. With the aid of glass, 1 could see the old familiar hills, and a little log cabin nestled down among them. Mother was standing at the gate, just as she stood, the evening we left her.
 It was now getting dark, and chilly. put away the glass, and wrapped up in heavy blanket.
 Captain King now read the instru- ments. The Altimeter registered four and three -tenths of mile This did not seem to disturb the Captains S mind, but when he read the baro- meter, he looked at me, and in an excited voice, said, "We are rapidly approaching a terrific storm. If we don't get above the clouds we will be blown to pieces" Then he began to pitch out the bags of sand, which caused the balloon to rise rapidly. Up, up we went several hundred feet. Then the balloon began to drift. The Captain said we were stuck in the un- der current of the storm, and must go higher, or we would be carried away to our deaths.
 The he began throwing over board everything he could lay hands on. The last things l remember seeing him pitch over, was his instruments, and a case of Champagne.
 "We are caught in the midst of the storm," the Captain shounted. Hold fast ol you will be blown out of the car"
 grabbed the side of the car with both hands as the storm bore down upon ns. The impact was something frigh ful. It caused the balloon to rotate like an electric fan.
 The heavens were ablaze. The bal loon looked like a big ball of fire. Then of a sudden it was rent asunder. fell at terrific rate and just a l was about to hit the ground, mother caught me in. her arms, and shouted.
 Come, sleepy-head, breakfast is ready"
 woke up to find had not been in a balloon at all.