The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-02-18
LONG AND SHORT.

explained to me, although ! was al
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 friend Richard Roe, and
/ was journeying backward toward Lon
don. u 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-
yenient 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
new building-in appearance something
between an ordinary public-housc and
what auctioneers call " a villa resi-
dence"
| 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 ,gith to-
bacco smoke, did not at first perceive
thai man, stranger, was sittir 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-
hooyes 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 a 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 a sort
of uncoiling action. 1t was clear 10 me
that he was of most prodigious stature.
: A giant" | exclaimed rather abrupt
ly than politely.
Just SO" he said gloomily. "Yes.
I'm afraid so. The fa~ can hardly be
disguised. | must admit that | am a
giant And he hid himself again be-
hind his newspaper. And now | 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, epish-looking head, with
vacant facial expression, sloping fore
head, retreating mouth and chin, and
blank, watery, blue eyes. He was not n
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.
/ 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
] 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 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 pause,
you'll understand the advantage of
darkness. Does it rain, might | ask"
L. -
actually rain then, / thought it threat
ened TO be rainy before 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"
| 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
sighed 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.
| enareated him to remain, if but for
little longer. | explained to him the &C
cident that detained me until the next
train for London should stop at the adj
joining station. plainly stated that he
much interested me. l begged permits
SION TO have his glass refilled He
smiled, blushed bright rose color, and
consented.
am happy TO meet ycu," he said,
timidly, but pleasantly. Indeed, |
don't mind saying it's comfort TO meet
anyone who does not want to pinch me,
to see if I'm real. I'm sure you're not
one that would wish to stick pins in my
calves, to make sure that I'm not walk
ing on stills hidden inside my trousers.
But that's way the British public has,
sir, sometimes TO most announcement
extent. l may say that I've suffered
very much from the inquisitive and the
incredulous nature of the British pub
licn
And do you feel bound to endure
such treatment? Are you never tempted
TO use youI giants strength UNANIMOUSLY
like giant?"
Shakespeare l understand the allu-
sion. But you see, sir, | am an object of
exhibition. In that capacity | have to
publicity and ali it brings with
it. Punches here and pokes there, and
as I've stated, pins run into my calves
And then there's the question of remu-
| must not make myself
too cheap can't afford to exhibit
gratis Yet it's trying work, | do assure
YOU, living cooped up in van. It's try.
ing even TO dwarfs, and fat ladies, and
albinoes, and Demonstrators, but To a
party of nay size it's, | may say, crush
ing Whatever you may be, sir, or in
whatever position of life you may find
yourself, never wish to be giant. Take
my word for it, it's trying state of
things. and giants 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,
to race-courSe, as the case
may be- hoping that | may be observed
as little as possible. For, you know,
when folks have seen you outside of
your caravan for nothing they can't be
persuaded 10 pay money to see YOU in
side OF it. That's human nature, | sup
pose. But, as said before, it's a trying
life, sir. Don't wish TO be a giant, sir,
you may be wishing yourself
10 be-
/ may note that l had never at any
period of my life, wished to be giant, and
that | was fully convinced of the futility
Of wishes of that kind. Further, / may
state that | am of but limited height |
lhink, i've feet two inches only, accord |
ing 10 my latest measurement-andt that, |
u not absolutely satisfied with my d. |
lhehsions' am at any rate resigned to |