orse that Mr. Ticks had the forethought to purchase developed an unaccountable spavin, united with an unmistakable case of the heaves: when the whip was applied it furthermore exhibited an

tions of depravity on the part of the equine d

unt. As sleep was out of the question in that wagon, behind that horse and in those roads, was it pain or mighty thought or nebulous calculation

nique case. The phen

of physical distress. Mr. Ticks gave an invisible shrug of his shoulders to express the contempt he felt for his own

ssured area could have had its centre three

Swift, vaguely and

wards the centre o

a lunatic. Evidently that inexpressible shoc

mountain on the south, prevent the isothermal

?" said

said Mr. Ticks, severely. "The atmospheric equ

n?" asked Swift

ve the warmer layer coming from another direction. Both would flow from the south. There could be no inversion of these con

he four-hundred-dollar horse a sharp cut with the whip, in consequence of which the animal backed them so nearly toward th

et?" he

had persuaded his horse to defer the next attack of backing for a mile or so. "Is

subjected to such a violent disturbance. I am prepared to say that there will be no evidences of a vortex wind in or near Empiria." Mr. Ticks re

erged. As these came into the cool, open air they lifted up their faces to the south, searching the horizon and sky to see if there was anything new in the smitten district. It was a motion as instinctive as that

y won, Swift obtained a little corn for his horse,

with dread and suspense. Swift questioned a hundred, climbed to the tops of tr

oachable cemetery, his soul shuddered within him. Like a tho

buggy with Mr. Ticks, who was as uncommunicative as the dasher when he looked for the hundredth time towards the Buzzard mountains. As he gazed he saw turkey buzzards, of which there are thousands in t

e it!" This sta

ew information? W

e how I could put it through without time. I wi

on and sympathy flashe

id Mr. Ticks gravely. "I think I can pr

econds longer, to hunt up a suitable means of ascension. It is not as simple a matter as one may suppose, to "go up." Therefore, when Mr. Ticks, in a matter-of-fact voice, asserted that he

wards one of the large tents on the common and disappeared within its flaps.

ed by a long chin beard, which descended upon his chest to the middle button of his coat. Having a beard of this

eamer, the muser, to observe the broken remnants of a county fair, and the advertisement of that aeronautic expedition, conducted by the renowned Professor Ariel, who was to have made an ascension at twelve o'clock that awful day, tak

or?" asked Swift, when he had l

The professor spoke as if he had a

have paid you fo

ain't seen a red, and I can't

good condition?" i

been used. Cost twenty-f

it take you to

ushing would do

said Swift, after deliberation. Mr. Ticks confirmed t

r. I wouldn't risk

sor spoke

know who

ssor shoo

ly Planet, and it will be the big

till shook his

risk it. A counter-current might carry us over that cusse

ut by the arm, offered him a cigar, an

rds up there? If they can stand it we can. This dea

ared and then mu

he feller's

. Everybody knows you. The Planet charters your

s glittered yellow,

n't risk the danger. It's an unk

t six h

os-s

ev

't pay me if

undred d

dn't

ed dollars.

nd add a cipher,

ve you five hundred when we leave the groun

on

ook hands over

cing at his watch, "it is ten

rship," said Mr. Ticks. "By the way, how tall is

ll see it on her. Wait till she gets her forty thousan

only a half-filled balloon can take to itself. Rumors of the wildest description were afloat. By half-past twelve the balloon was, to all appearance, full, and sandbags were be

t enthusiasm. Men came by tens and hun

is," was the aeronaut's invariable reply. "She

appeared upon the ground. He had just sen

for Russell by thou

th the proceeds. Five minutes after the sale the horse backed

o the car and ordered

ladder and grap

d and fifty

cho

ndred p

or?" asked Swift, satis

d the professor, looking une

ertaking. Men yelled and hooted encouragement as the venerable and musty editor ste

the check and bounded in. An assistant stood ready with an axe to cut the ropes that held the impatient balloon. Swift then stepped in leisurely. It w

d lu

r say

nd tell us a

sband tell him I'

yelled and cried

sked Swift, lookin

let he

shouts became to those in the High Tariff w