The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-04-17

ulOSt pIolcSSlOHal lOOKluB DOCKS, WnlCn
ne placed In u row upon the writing
table. Two grewsome looking anatom-
ical preparations in spirit he also OBJ
tained from the Italian bob Sawyer;
with these and q human skull, procured
from the same source, he decorated the
mantel piece. Then he put on the
dressing gown, the lorg gray beard, the
velvet cap and the spectacles, and he
looked very tremendous specimen of d
quack doctor. When the trayesti-
ment was complete ho went to tile win
dow and twaited patiently for young
Mr.. MacTaggart. He was not kept
long in suspense. The great bell of San
Giovanni struck 3, and punctual to the
hour Mac cTaggart appeared on the other
side Of the street.
In the meantime Orlando +. Jones on
his part had not been idle, for he called
upon at least a dozen Of MacTaggart's
friends and acquai ntances, had short
interview with each, and as he took his
leave each OF the people he had so hon.
ored with 9 visit laid his foretinger to
the side OF his nose and appeared con-
siderably amused.
AS has been said, the bell of San
Giovanni struck 8, A. rather timid
knock sounded upon the outer door of
the first floor where Dacre was lying in
walt. Dacre allowed it to be repeated,
then he flung the door open suddenly.
|"There stood MacTaggart.
| "Have the honor Of addressing the
newly arrived American physicianW
he said.
"Enter, my young friend" said he
OF the gray beard and green spectacles,
III loud but drawing voice. stake q
seat, inquiring stranger" " he continued,
"and let ME hear in what way can be
Of use to you. You see before you,''
he added, 'sthe celebrated old Dir.
Jacob Townsend, physician Of world
wide celebrity, n man, sir, lie went on,
who has devoted long life, prolonged
by his own skill far beyond tho ordinary
human span, to the amelioration of the
condition or the human race.''
"I'm afraid 1 have come to you OH q
FOOLS errand,' said the patient un-
easily.
mo man who consults me-, said the
doctor, lis guilty OF an unwise act. I
read your thoughts, young man," he
continued severely; s'my eagle eye de-
| You are discontented with your statures
| Say, is it not sc?"
The patient nodded.
Are you ready to submit to the
| treatment, young man2 Have you
every confidence in mep''
"l've every confidence, doctor,' re-
! piled MacTaggart uneasily, "but T
heard that your fees were high, and I
thought, perhaps, as I'm only an art
student, you might consent to make q
| little reduction
"Young man," said the physician in
an indignant tone, 'do not trihe. The
paltry honorarium I exact is but to
cover the cost of the balsamic drugs
used In the treatment Of such cases;
| they have been procured from the de-
serts Of Central Asia, after the expendi7
ture Of much time, blood and treasure;
but be assured, young man, that the
trlfie wrung from your parsimonious
clutch will be Immediately distributed
by me to the deserving poor.''
| "And you won't take any less," said
| MacTaggart, as he stretched out his re-
luctant hand and deposited five guineas
upon the physicians table. ''Is the
process very painful. doctorp" he said.
"There are two means Of achieving
the object" said the physician, who
took no notice Of the fee. :'The one is
purely mechanical; it Is gradual extern
sion; considerable physical pain has
naturally to be endured. The other
course, which is equally efflcacious and
quite painless, is by means of medical
ted bath, but not more than four inches
increase in height can be obtained"
81 shall be perfectly satisfied, doctor,
with four Inches"
Every good, young man, very good.
You know your own business best.
| Retire behind that screen; divest your
self Of your apparel; in few moments
all will be prepared. So powerful are
the effects Of the drugs that your cloth
| ing, were it exposed to their potent va
pors, would be utterly destroyed. Strip,
young man," said the doctor emphati-
cally, and Ee pointed to the screen.
Mr.. MacTaggart retired behind the
screen, and did as he was bid, and the
venerable benefactor Of the human race
disappeared into the bathroom.
The first thing Dacre did was to
empty his bottle Of turpentine into the
bath; then he turned on the hot water
till the bath was nearly full.
''Are you prepared, young MANI" he
cried in loud voice, as he rc-entered
the reception room.
"l'm quite ready, SIR" said Mr.. Mac
Taggart from behind the screen. 81
can smell the potent odor Of the drugs,
even here.n
"Don't trifle, boy" cried the Ameri-
can physician; stake your watch with
you, and proceed to the bath. You
will find it very hot, and the odor Of
the eastern balsams is pungent; but do
not let that deter you; enter it as speed
lily as possible, for tho hotter the bath,
the moro rapid is the osseous change.
Remain extended in that bath, and per-
fectly still, and every five minutes by
your watch, and not more frequently
on any account, let your head disappear
beneath the balsamic film with which
the surface Of the water Is covered. Do
not speak, and breathe only through
your nose. I will warn you when the.
| process Ia cOmDlata :,