Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-03-04
LONG AND SHORT.

IT was disappointing, certainly, to say
the least of it. | had missed the train
by half minute, as a porter-appar.
emily the porter of the statIon-kindly
explained to me, although | was al
ready informed of the fact, thanks to my
own unaided powers of observation.
Ihad been staying, / should mention,
at Rose Hall, the country seat in York.
shire, of my old friend Richard Roe, and
was journeying backward toward Lon
don. II was late at night, very dark,
and rather cold. There would be no
other train for some hours. / was left
stranded at lonely country station,
with very undecided views as to how
should dispose of myself, and of the
measure of time that had, like an incon-
venient liability, suddenly devolved upon
me.
| handed over my luggage to the
charge of the porter, and then, acting
upon his advice, quilted the station in
search Of railway hotel, which he de-
scribed as being in the immediate neigh
borhood. / found itwith little difficulty {;
anew building-in appearance something
between an ordinary public-house and
what auctioneers call "a villa resi-
dence."
l entered the coffee-room-a lofty
chamber with map-like damp-stains upon
its plain, Imprinted walls, very barely
furnished, and teebly lighted by single
jet of gas issuing from an ugly rectangu-
lar arrangement of piping suspended
near the ceiling.
The room being very clouded with to-
bacco smoke, did not at first perceive
that a man, stranger, was sitting in an
obscure corner reading, or affecting to
read, newspaper widely extended be.
fore him, the while he smoked furiously.
took out my cigar-case. 1t seemed to
be one of those occasions when it be-
hooves man to smoke as a matter of
self-defense.
] raised my hand to obtain light
from the gas-jet above me. failed to
reach it. was not tall enough.
"Allow me-" said the man behind the
newspaper.
Thereupon long arm was stretched
forth. In moment he handed me a
flaming spill. My surprise was so great
that / was unable just at first to avail
myself of his polite attention. He had
but half risen from his seat with sort
of uncoiling action. 1t was clear to me
that he was of most prodigious stature.
"a giant" exclaimed rather abrupt
ly than politely.
Just So" he said gloomily. Eyes.
I'm afraid SO. The fact can hardly be
disguised / must admit that l am a
giant" And he hid himself again be-
hind his newspaper. And now l felt as
sured that he was not really reading it.,
for could see that he held it upside
down.
No doubt his head was rather small in
proportion to his stature. Giants heads
are usually small, think. And it was
not an impressive head. 1t was indeed a
rather weak, sheepish- looking head, with
vacant facial expression, sloping fore
head, retreating mouth and chin, and
blank, watery, blue eyes. He was not
giant to inspire terror. He was more
likely to enlist sympathy and pity. He
wore the depressed, cowed air of meek
ness maltreated and humility outraged
He seemed to me, if may say so, a
giant who had been put upon" He
was quite young man, with small fluffy
whiskers, and colorless, downy beard.
He had blushed violently in speaking to
me.
l felt curious concerning him. 1t was
so strange, meeting so monstrous Great
ure at that hour of the night in that
lonely Yorkshire railway inn. There
was something altogether very quaint, as
! fancied. attending upon the circum
stances of our encounter.
"a dark night" observed, presently
by way of saying something.
"I'm glad it's dark" he said. His
voice was of agreeable tone, though II
might lack force and frmness somewhat
Darkness suits me best If ever you
should chance to become an object OF
exhibition" he added, after pause,
"youH understand the advantage OF
darkness. Does it rain, might asky
l told him that although it did not
actually rain then, thought it threat
ened to be rainy before long.
81 hope il won't rain" he said, "for
I've long way to go, and in my case,
YOU know, an umbrella isn't OF much
use. l mean as regards ones legs"
/ understood him. The legs OF such
man must always be remote from the
shelter of his umbrella.
He sighed heavily. He put the news
paper from him and, leaning his elbows
upon the table, rested his head upon MS
hands. He had ceased to smoke. AN
empty tumbler stood before him. He
signed again, and then he yawned. He
looked very weary and wo-begone. l!
even seemed to me that there were tears
in his eyes. w.
must be going soon, suppose nc
said. after while.
| eutreated him to remain, II but LOT =
little longer. explained to him the &C.
cident that detained me until the neA'
train for London should stop at the ad
joining station. plainly stated that ne y!
much interested me. I begged permlIs
SION to have his glass refiiied. az
smiled, blushed bright rose Color anu
consented. la
az am happy to meet y,u,r ne saio
timidly, but pleasantly indeed, 80
don't mind saying it's comfort 70 'nee
anyone who does not want TO pincn lie
to see If I'm real I'm sure you &c ~
= ~s,1 t<.o