The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-11

mination.2
 "What security have that you will keep your word ?" replied Hans, who felt emboldened by the outside situation of his customer, and the shop poker of which he had obtained possession.
 The best security in the world," said the stranger. Here take these |" and placing both rows of his teeth in the hands oi the amazed hair-twister, he quietly walked up the street with the ladies. The perturbation of Hans had somewhat subsided, when Sdtz, the tai Tor, entered with the so-much and so- long expected garments. The stranger was forgotten the door was bolted, the clothes tried on and they fitted to mir. acie. A small three-cornered piece Of looking-glass was held in every duection by the delighted tailor, who declared this performance his ehef q osHvrs; and Hans felt, for the first time in his life, that he looked like geotleman. Without moments hesitation, or the slightes, hint at discount for ready money, he gave his last thaler to Sdtx, and his old suit of clothes, as per contract; shook the tai lor's hand at parting till every bone in his fingers ached for an hour afterwards, re-bolted the door and went to bed the happiest barber in Ssocksbawler.
 After restless night, H ans rose the next morning with the oldest sensation in the world. He fancied that the bed was shorter, the chairs lower, and the room smaller than on the preceding day |: but attributing this feeling to his feverish sleep, he put on his trousers. With great care he thrust his left leg into its proper division, when, to his horror and amazement, he found that he had grown at least two feet during the night; and that the pantaloons which had fitted SO admirably the evening before were now only knee brooches. He rushed to the window with the intention of breaking his neck by leap into the street, when his eye fell upon the strange customer of the preceding day. He was leaning against the gable-end of the house oppo- site, quietly smoking his meerschaum. Hans paused then thought, and then concluded that having found an appe- tite, he had repented of his boast at part ing, and had now called for his teeth. Being good-natured lad, Hans shuff1ed down stairs, and opening the door, called to the stranger to come over. He obeyed the summons but honorably refused to accept of his teeth except on the condi- tions of the wager. To Hans great sur prise he seemed to be perfectly acquainted with the phenomenon of the night, and offered to go directly to Stitz and inform him of the barber's dilemma. The stranger departed, and in few moments the tailor arrived, and having ascertained by his inch-measure the truth of Hans conjectures, bade him be of good cheer, as he had suit of clothes which would exactly fit him. They had been made for travelling giant, who had either for. getten to call for them, or suspected that Stitz would require the geld before he gave up the broadcloth.
 The tailor was right-they did 6t-and in an hour afterwards Hans was on his way to the festival When he arrived there, many of his old friends stood agape for few moments, but as more curious things had occurred in Germany than a man growing two feet in one night, they soon ceased to notice the alteration in Hans appearance. Agnes was evidently struck with the improvement of the bar ber's figure and for two whole hours did he enjoy the extreme felicity of making half-a-dozen other young gentlemen mis- erable, by monopolizing the arm and conversation of the belle of Stocksb awler. But pleasure, like fine weather, lasts not for ever; and as Hans, with Agnes, turned the corner of path, his eye again en- countered the stranger. Whether it was from fear CT dislike, he knew not, but his heart seemed to sink, and so did his body for to his utter dismay, he found that he had shrunk to his original propor- tons, and that the clothes of the giant hung about him in anything but grace ful festoons. He felt that he was hu- man telescope, that some internal power could elongate or shut up at pleasure.
 The whole band Of jealous rivals set up the Lau ghing Chorus,", and Agnes in the extremity of her disgust turned up her nose till she nearly fractured its bridge, while Hans rushed from the scene of his disgrace, and never stopped running until he opened the door of his little shop, threw himself into q chair, and laid his head down upon venerated family bible which chanced to be on the table. In this position he continued for some time, when, on raising his head, he found his tormenfor and the two ladies, grouped like the graces, standing in the centre of the apartment.
 "Wcil, Scrapeschins," exclaimed the gentleman, "l have called for my teeth. You see l have kept my promise" Hans sighed deeply and both the ladies gig gled.
 Nay, man, neverlook % glum 1 Here take the HAsk-forges Agnes, and console yourself with the love of-"
 The conclusion of this hxrangue must for all time remain . mystery for, at that critical moment, Hans took up the sacred volume which had served him for pillow, and dashed it at the heads of the trio. A scream 90 loud that 1t broke the tympanum of his left ear, seemed to issue simultaneously from the diabolic three-a thick vspor filled the room, which gradually cleared of and left no traces of Hans visitors except thres d. minutive sticks of brimstoOe. The truth A Il Al