Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-04-06

Now, MacTaggart was sitting at the next
table, consuming a dish of macaroni with
great gusto.
''No, don't think he's humbug," said
Jones; "they say be really does possess the
secret of permanently diminishing or in
creasing the stature at will. I've noticed
people who have been to him two or three
times, and there was always an extraordi
nary difference in their height. It's very
marvellous"
MacTaggart, who had drunk in the con-
versation with greedy ear now Joined in
with manifest interest. The two young fell
lows gave him host of circumstantial de-
tails
''You ought to try him, MacTaggart, at
any rate" said the crafty Dacre. "Any
change in your appearance, my Caledonian
Apollo. would be benefit"
II am thinking it would be vera expensive,
and object to extravaganza on principle"
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 a 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.. Dacre?"
"Well, he lives in the same house as do,
ON the first floor. He's benevolent old boy;
you're sure to like him. Jones here knows
him very we'll; the Yankees are almost as
clannish as the Scotch, you know. You are
sure to find him at home at g." and then they
parted.
No sooner had the unfortunate Mac aggart
turned the corner than Cecil Dacre triumph
antly executed a cellar flap breakdown, to
the establishment of the little crowd Of
Neapolitan bystanders; then he bowed to his
audience, kissed his finger tips to them, and
started off as fast as his legs would carry him
to his lodgings. The next day Cecil Dacre
obtained the loan of his landlords first floor
for the day, and then he began to busy HIM
self in a very extraordinary manner. He
secured the services of the porter's wife
and daughter, the black eyed Pippa;
they busted, they arranged and rear
ranged the big dismal reception room
on the first floor. Dacre rushed out and bor-
rowed screen, and purchased little bottle
of turpentine; and then in the bath room,
which opened from little passage which
was constructed in the corner where he had
placed the screen, he laid out at least half
dozen towels. Then he ran over to the cos
tuners across the street, and came back
with fur robe de chambre, a long gray
beard close cap of black velvet, and a pair
of big green spectacles, exactly similar to
those worn by the celebrated Dr. Faust in
the first act of Gounods opera. Pippa, her
mother and Dacre worked with WILL and
then the two women, with many gestures Of
establishment from Pippa's mother and nu-
merous giggles and chuckles from Pippa
herself, took their departure, promising that
everything should be ready punctually at 8.
Then Dacre ran up to the rooms of the medi-
cal student on the third floor, and borrowed
several of his largest and most professional
looking books, which he placed in row upon
the writing table. Two grewsome looking
anatomical preparations in spirit he also OBJ
tanned from the italian Bob Sawyer; with
these and a human skull, procured from the
same source, he decorated the mantelpiece.
Then he put on the dressing gown, the long
gray beard, the velvet cap and the specta-
cles, and he looked very tremendous specf-
men Of a quack doctor. When the travesti-
ment was complete he went to the window
and waited patiently for young Mr.. Mac
Taggart. He was not kept long in suspense.
The great bell of San Giovanni struck 3, and
punctual to the hour MacTaggart appeared
on the other side Of the street.
In the meantime Orlando P. Jones on his
part had not been idle, for he called upon at
least dozen of MacTaggart's friends and
acquaintance, had a short interview with
each, and as he took his leave each of the
people he had SO honored with visit laid his
forefnger to the side Of his nose and appeared
considerably amused.
AS has been said, the bell OF San Giovanni
struck g. A rather timid knock sounded
upon the outer door of the first floor where
Dacre was lying in wait. Dacre allowed it
to be repeated, then he flung the door open
suddenly. There stood MacTaggart.
"Have 1 the honor of addressing the newly
arrived American physicians" he said.
Center, my young FRIEND" said he of the
gray beard and green spectacles, in a loud
but drawing voice. "Take seat, inquiring
stranger" he continued, land let me hear in
what way can be of use to you. You see
before you," he added, ''the celebrated old
Dr. Jacob Townsend, a physician of world
wide celebrity, man, sir" he went on, ''who
has devoted a long life, prolonged by his own
skill far beyond the ordinary human span,
to the amelioration of the condition of the
human race"
''rm afraid have come to you on d FOOLS
errand," said the patient uneasily.
'No man who consultS me, " said the doctor,
sis guilty of an unwise act. read your
thoughts, young man." he continued severely;
''my eagle eye detects the workings of your
puny brain. You are discontinued with your
stature. Say, is it not sos'
The patient nodded.
"Are you ready to submit to the treatment,
mes"
''Ive every confidence, DOCTOR" replied
MacTaggart uneasily, "but heard that your
fees were high, and I thought, perhaps, as
Pm only an art student, you might consent
to make little reduction"
'Young man." said the physician in an in
dignant tone, ''do not trife. The paltry
honorarium exact is but to cover the cost
of the balsamic drugs used in the treatment
of such cases; they have been procured from
the deserts of Central Asia. after the expendi-
ture of much time, blood and treasure; but
be assured, young man, that the trifle wrung
from your parsimonious clutch will be inn
mediately distributed by me to the deserving
poor"
'And you won't take any less" said Mac
Taggart, as he stretched out his reluctant
hand and deposited five guineas upon the
physicians table, SIS the process very pain
full, doctor?' he said
'There are two means Of achieving the OBJ
ject," said the physician, who took no notice
of the fee. "The one is purely mechanical;
it is gradual extension; considerable physical
pain has naturally to be endured. The other
course, which is equally efficacious and quite
painless, is by means of medicated bath,
but not more than four inches increase in
height can be obtained"
II 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 yourself of your apparel;
in few moments all will be prepared. So
powerful are the effects of the drugs that
your clothing, were it exposed to their potent
vapors, would be utterly destroyed. Strip,
young man." said the doctor emphatically,
and he 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