The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-11

"No, don't think he's humbug," !" said Jones "they say he really does } possess the secret of permanently di- minishing or increasing the stature at will. Pve noticed people who have ] been to him two or three times, and there was always an extraordinary difference in their height. It's very marvellous"
 MacTaggart, who had drunk in the conversation with greedy ear, now joined in it with manifest inter- est. The two young fellows gave him a host of circumstantial details.
 "You ought to try him, MacTag- gart, at any rate," said the crafty Dacre. "Any change in your ap- pearance, my Caledonian Apolo, would be benefit"
 "I am thinking it would be very expensive, and I object to extrava- gance on principle" said the Scotch man.
 "Well, you might beat him down {; at all events you could try" said Dacre.
 "Without a doot. I'll sleep on it. i" said MacTaggart, and he paid for his breakfast and departed.
 It 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.
 'Dye ken where he dwells, Mr. Dacre?"
 "Well, he lives in the same house as do, on the first floor. He's benev- olent old boy you're sure to like him.
 Jones here knows him very well {; the Yankees are almost as clanish as the Scotch, you know. You are sure to find him at home at three," and then they parted.
 No sooner had the unfortunate Mac Taggart turned the corner than Decil Dacre triumphantly executed cellar flap breakdown to the astonishment of the little crowd of Neapolitan by islanders; then he bowed to his audi ence, kissing 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 the landlords first floor for the day, and then he began to busy himself in very extraordinary man. ner. He secured the services of the portcr's wife and daughter, the black eyed Pippa; they dusted, they ar- ranged and rearanged the big dismal reception room on the first floor. Dacre rushed out and borrowed screen and purchased little bottle of turpentine and then, in the bath room, which opened from a 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 costumer's across the street and came back with fur robe de chambre, a long gray beard, a close cap of black velvet, and a pair of big green spectacles similar to those worn.by the celebrated Dr. FauSt in the first act of Gounod's opera. Pippa, her mother, and Dacre worked with will, and then the two women, with many gestures of aston- ishment from Pippa's mother and numerous giggles and chuckles from Pippa herself, took their departure, promising that everything should be ready punctually at three. Then Dacre ran up to the rooms of the medical 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. .grusome- looking anatomical preparations in spirit he also obtained from the Italian Bob Sawyer; with these and a human skull, procured from the same source, he decorated the mantel piece. Then he put on the dressing gown, the long gray beard, the velvet cap, and the spectacles, and he looked a very tre- mendous specimen of quack doctor. When the travestiment was com- plete he went to the window and waited patiently for young Mir. Mac Taggart. He was not kept long in suspense. The great bell of San Gio- vanni struck three, and punctual to the hour MacTaggart appeared on the opposite side of the street.
 In the meantime Orlando P. Jones, on his part had not been idle, for he called upon at least a dozen of Mac Taggart's friends and acquaintances, had short interview with each, and as he took his leave each of the peo- pie he had so honored with a visit laid his forefinger to the side of his nose and appeared considerably amused.
 As has been said, the bell of San Giovanni struck three. 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 Mac Ta0oart