The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-04-26
[From the DiUy ofd .Ne,D York Physieian.]
LOVE POWDERS.

r [From the DiUy ofa Ne,D York Physieia.]
LOVE POWDERS
About the year 1915, rather stout, coarse look
ing man, apparently some twenty-five years oi
age, came to my office and wished to speak with
me aside. He was Dutchman from up the river
and spoke English rather inperfectly.
Having got me aside he stated his case with
great solemnity. He informed me that he was in
love with certain young woman in his neghbor-
hood, who unfortunately did not return his aifec-
ton. This he assured me was not owing to any
indisposition on her part, for she willing to
love him if she could; and in order to overcome
the rcpugnauce she felt towards him would con-
sent 10 any feasible means A love powder was
that which most naturally suggested itself to his
mind and he had called TO procure one.
IL would "a got it of our toclor to home" said
he, .but was aieard it would leag out zum how
or anotier, and then would be laughingstog 10
de whole town. 70 as / was cumming to New
York, | thought nigh as well get it here. Wat
YOU ask for one strong love powder, wat will do
de business for de gar, and make her love me like
de tyvel all out"
At first began to reason with him on the folly
of endeavoring to excite love by means of pow
deis, phil ers, potions and the like. But found
my argument thrown away then endeavored
to laugh him out of his project. But my ridicue,
like my arguments, iell harmless to the ground.
Finding him resolved on having the love pow
der, come what would, concluded to give him
something which would satisfy him. Iaccordng-
ly put up two powders of tartar emetic; five grains
each; telling him it was necessary for him 10 take
powder as well as the girl, in order to produce
the desired effect
..But be in love now, 'ctor, and does not need
any OF the powders to make me love more as ! do.
What should take it tor den'"
"You must take it" said |, "otherwise the pow
der will have no effect on the girl"
"But den I shall have to bay for two powders
instead OF one"
then gave him directions to dissolve the pow
ders in water and 10 take one himself and to give
the girl the other at the same time; and that they
should be shut up together in the same room at
the time of taking the powders and so on for three
houlS "SlCai'ci. "hSps "''"'SN "ii", '"Sy "SN'N
produce remarkable effect.
The fellow went away well pleased with the IA
vorable termination of his love suit; and thought
little more of the SUBJECT than occasionally 10 laugh
to myself at the physical effect the love powders
would be likely to produce on the amorous Dutch
man and his dulciie. How far they were likely
to produce the desired effect could not of course
determine; but the result wouldnot, finally, prove
injurious to the health of the parties, was well
satisfied -...
Itwas somewhat like year after this, that walk
ing ole day in the street came plump upon my
patient Started like Macbeth at the ghost of Ban
quo, l would have avoided him; and for this pur
pose lodged into the - Hotel Just opposite.
But fear frequently brings the catastrophe which
it seeks 10 escape; and the Consciousness Of guilt
conjurcs up dangers where III reality note are to
be apprehended.
My motions were undoubtedly suspicious, and
The Dutchman detected me the sooner for attempt
ing to dodge him. At all ev ens he followed me
into the hotel, and with very angry countenance
began
..Be's you not the toctor what give me love pow
ders twelve mond ago'" e....
'.I?what! doctor' give you love powders"
said ], appearing to be vastly surprised at this
question -"you must certainly be mistaken IN the
man"
.Py CT, peleve you he de man," persisted
the Dutchman; ''you look so much like him as one
egg does to anoder."
"No, good friend said you must be mistaken
10 the man. But what is the story of yours about
love powders" continued ], wishing to learn the
effect they had produced, as well perhaps as mis-
,hievously to sfiaFd sport in the bar room.
.'What is de story! why, Mishter Toctor, de
love powders didn't do at al, Dey was all one
tam cheat. Dey was noting more as one vile tat
tero mattocks, what makes bepIes buke dere insides
out.-When goes home, shuts himself up in a
room NIT Kstierina, and we takes one powder
and toder powder, just you dold me. Den
we waits for de oberaton. Py and by we grows
sick In de shtomach. Thinks wat for tyfel of an
oberaton is dsl dat makes me feel so all about de
short rips, de heart and de shtomach' Put I gays
pothing at all, hopin' twould all turn out for de
best. Py and py We pegins, pote on us, to be just
like de sea in tunder storm. Oh, how sick pc,
says Katienna. Den she grose bale as goIhs. and
fought she would vaint, so puts my arm round
her waist to hold her up--ven py CT, we pote on
US a, once pegins TO cry .ntw Yorg' Niv Yorg'
asd Py kres ioGs you never seen any body gast up