The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-03-24


was much disturbed by political demonstra
tions, which were severely put down by the
authorities. The hour struck. Twenty po-
licemcn, headed by q sergeant, appeared
upon the scene; Of course they proceeded at
once to arrest the thirty mysterious con-
spirators who were still innocently engaged
In holding Dacre's string, Dacre and his
friends watching the whole scene from the
windows of the Cafe Verdi with delighted
merrimcnt.
But the master stroke of Dacre's ingenu-
ity was tho artfully arranged plan by which
he obtained feloniously R5 5s. from Mr..
Donald MacTaggart, Of Leith. MacTaggart
was an ambitious young fellow of small
talent, who had recently arrived in Naples
to study art. MacTaggart was well-to-do,
excessively stingy, preternaturally ugly
and preposterousy short. He was one of
the "uncoguid;n he wouldn't foregather
with the other students; his ways were not
their ways and young Mr. MacTaggart, Of
Leith, was Stunned when he was not made
butt of.
MacTaggart had one grievance against
Providence upon which he constantly
harped it was his want of stature. 1t was
this weakness of the young Scotchman
that the willy Cecil Dacre determined to
take advantage of, and at the same time
crafty his taste for practical joking. Cecil
Dacre was in want of g5 very badly indeed.
He was always in want of R5 but the want
ut this particular time was more than usually
urgent.
One day the three young men met by ac-
cident in the Cafe Verdi.
"That American DOCTORS a wonderful fel-
low," said Dacre, in loud voice to his
friend, Orlando p. Jones. II wonder
whether he's humbugl"
Now MacTaggart was sitting at the next
table consuming dish of macaroni with
great gusto.
mo, / don't think he's humbug," said
Jones; ''they say he really does possess the
secret permanently diminishing orincreas-
ing the stature at will. I've noticed people
who have been to him two or three times,
and there was always an extraordinary diff
ference in their height. It's very mar
velous."
MacTaggart who had drank in the conver-
| sation with greedy ear, now Joined in itwith
| manifest interest The two young fellows
gave him host of circumstantial evidence.
'Yoe ought to try him, McTaggart, at any
rate" said the crafty Dacre. "Any change
in your appearance, my Caledonian Apollo,
would be u benefit"
II am thinking it would be very expen-
sive, and / object to extravaganza on prin-
ciple," said the Scotchman.
"Well, you might beat him down; at all
events you could try" said Dacre.
"Without doot. I'll sleep on it," said
MacTaggart, and he paid for his breakfast
and departed.
1t took the Scotchman whole week to
make up his frugal mind, and then he
screwed his courage up to the sticking point
| and informed Dacre that he should visit the
| American physician the next day.
"D'ye ken where he dwells, Mr.. DacreF'
| "Well, he lives in the same house as do
on the first floor. He's benevolent old
boy; you're sure to like him; the Yankees
are almost as clannish as the Scotch, you
| know. You are sure to find him at home al
three" and then they parted.
Nosooner had the unfortunate MacTaggart
turned the corner than Cecil Dacre trium
phantly turned cellar flap breakdown, to the
| astonishment of the little crowd of Neapol
| itan bystanders; then be bowed to his au
dience. kissed his finger tips to them, ant
started off as fast as his legs would carry
him to his lodgings. The next day Ceci
Dacre obtained the loan of his landlords
first floor for the day, and then he began tt
busy himself in an extraordinary manner
He secured the services of the porters wifi
anu uiuRuteT, UldCh-Sycu Iippu, oilcA
busted, arranged and re-arranged the bis
dismal reception room on the first floor
Dacre rushed out and borrowed screen ant
purchased little bottle of turpentine; ant
then, in the bathroom, which opened from
little passage which was constructed in tn,
corner where he had placed the screen, h,
laid out at least half dozen towels. Thel
he ran over to the costumer's across tn,
street and came back with fur robe d.
chambre, q long gray beard, and a close cal
of black velvet, and a pair of big, greer
spectacles exactly similar to those worn b,
the celebrated DR.. Faust in the first act o
Gounods opera. Pippa, her mother ant
Dacre worked with will, and then the tw
women, with many gestures of astonish
ment from Pippa herself, took their depart
ure, promising that every thing should b
ready punctually at three. Then Dacre RAJ
up to the rooms of the medical student Of
the third floor and borrowed several of hi
largest and most professional looking books
which he placed in row upon the writin
table. Two gruesome looking anatomics
preparations in spirit he also obtained fror
the italian Bob Sawyer; with these and
, human skull, procured from the same source
he decorated the mantelpiece. Then he pu
on the dressing gown, the long, gray beari
the velvet cap and the spectacles, and h
, looked q very tremendous specimen of
quack doctor. When the travestiment wa
| complete he went to the window and waite
patiently for young Mr.. MacTaggart. H
, was not kept long in suspense. The gres
, bell Of San Giovanni struck three, an(
t punctual to the hour, MacTaggart appeare
on the other side Of the street.
In the meantime Orlando p. Jones, on h
} part, had not been idle, for he called upo
{ at least dozen OF MacTaggart's FRIEND
. and acquaintances, had u short intervie
with each, and as he took his leave each
: the people he had 30 honored with visi
laid his forefinger at the side Of his no,
and appeared considerably amused.
I AS has been said, the bell Of San Giovanl
Q struck three. A rather timid knock sounde
I upon the outer door of the first floor whel
Dacre was lying in wait Dacre allowed
= to be repeated, then he flung the door ope
suddenly. There stood MacTaggart.
Q 'Have the honor of addressing the newl
! arrived American physiciana' he said.
"Enter, my young FRIEND" said he Of IL
u gray beard and green spectacles, in a lor
Q but drawing voice. stake seat, inquirir
stranger" he continued, land let me hear
8 what way can be of use to you. You 81
l. before you," he added, ''the celebrated o
DIR. Jacob Townsend, a physician of worl
wide celebrity-a man, sir" he went o
u ''who has devoted a long life, prolonged
Q his own skill far beyond the ordinary hum,
u span, to the amelioration of the condition
the human race"
q "I'm afraid have come to you on q foo
u errand," said the patient uneasily.
"No man who consults me-" said Il