Delicatessen Fishing for Lost Balloon with $50 Bait

The Wursthaus is up in the air about the disappearance of his aerial welcome mat, so it has posted a $50 reward for its return.

It's not much good for commercial use, and has no resale value, so police reason that the large balloon, last seen floating over the local delicatessen, was stolen as a student prank.

The junior-sized blimp disappeared sometime on Monday night from its mooring atop the Boylston St. establishment after three days of greeting football visitors with a large "Welcome" painted on its side.

Hocked Line and Sinker

Also gone with the balloon was a banner which was suspended about 50 feet below it. In fact, the only thing the pranksters did not take was the crossbar of the sign and a few feet of the extra-strong twine which anchored it about 300 feet in the air.

But Frank N. Cardullo, Wursthaus owner, said yesterday he is willing to let bygones be bygones if the balloon is returned in good condition.

He is offering the reward with no questions asked.