Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-02-19
LONG AND SHORT.

ready informed of the fact, thanks to my
own unaided powers of observation.
had been staying, should mention,
at Rose Hall, the country seat, in York
shire, of my old lend Richard Roe, and
was journeyinp backward toward Lon
don. IL 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.
l handed over ray luggage to the
charge of the porter, and then, acting
upon his advice, uaitted the station in
search of railway hotel, which he de-
scribed as being in the immediate neigh
borhood. l 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, unpainted 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, l did not at first perceive
that a man, stranger, was sitting in an
obscure corner reading, or affecting to
read, a 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 q matter of
self-defense.
l raised my hand to obtain a light
from the gas-jet above me. l 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" l exclaimed rather abrupt
ly than politely.
Just so," he said gloomily. "Yes.
Pm afraid so. The fatN can hardly be
disguised. | must admit that / 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,
lOl l. OOulI oCC luub uC Utlu Il
down.
No doubt his head was rather small in
proportion to his stature. Giants heads
are usually small, l think. And it was
not an impressive head. 1t was indeed
rather weak, epish-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,
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.
felt curious concerning him. 1t was
so strange, meeting so monstrous a Great.
ure at that hour of the night in that
lonely Yorkshire railway inn. There
was something altogether very quaint, as
fancled, attending upon the circum-
stances of our encounter.
"A dark night" observed, presently,
by way of saying something.
"Im glad it's dark" he said. His
voice was of agreeable tone, though it
might lack force and firmness somewhat.
Darkness suits me best. If ever you
should chance to become an object of
exhibition" he added, after a pause,
you'll understand the advantage of
darkness. Does 1t rain, might l ask:"
told him that although it did not
actually rain then | thought it threat
ened TO be rainy Eefore long.
hope it 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. mean as regards ones legs"
l understood him. The legs of such a
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 his
hands. He had ceased to smoke. An
empty tumbler stood before him. He
sigLed again, and then he yawned. He
looked very weary and wo-begone. 1t
even seemed to me that there were tears
in his eyes.
- ! must be going soon, suppose" he
said, after while.
| entreated him TO remain, if but for
little longer. | explained to him the ac-
cident that detained me until the next
train for London should stop at the ad-
joining station. plainly stated that he
sion to have his glass reflled. He
smiled, blushed a bright rose color, and
consented.
| am happy to meet y,u," he said,
timidlY, but pleasantly. Indeed, i
don't mind saying it's a comfort to meet
anyone who does not want to pinch me,
10 see if Pm real. Pm sure you're not
one that would wish to stick pins in my
calves, to make sure that Pm not walk
ing on stills hidden inside my trousers.
But that's a way the British public has,
Sir, sometimes 20 q most inconvenient
extent. l may say that I've suffered
very much fror. the inquisiive and the
incredulous nature of The British pub
lie"
And do you feel bound to endure
such treatmenti Are you never tempted
to use your giants strength UNANIMOUSLY
like giants"
Shakespearel l understand the allu.
sion, But you see, sir, am an object of
exhibition. In that capacity have to
undergo publicity and all II brings with !
it, Punches here and pokes there, and,
as I've stated, pins iaH into my calves |
And then there's the question of remu-
neration. | must not make myself
too cheap. l can't afford to exhibit |
gratis. Yet it's trying work, do assure
you. living cooped up in a van It's try
ing even to dwarfs, and fat ladies, and
albinoes, and boa constructors, but to a /
party Of my size it's, may say crush.
ing, Whatever you may be, sir, or in |
whatever position c. life you may find |
yourself, never wish to be giant. Take |
my word for ~ it's a trying state of
things, and giaD IS are subjected to more
inconvenience than people in general !
have any idea of. Air and exercise |
must have, and so | walk at night, from
village TO village, or from fair to fair,
race-course to race-course, as the case
may be, hoping that may be observed |
as little as possible. For, you know, |