Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1889-02-28
LOVE ON A PLATFORM.
A Dime Museum Romance Which Is Sud-
denly Interrupted.


denly Interrupted.
"Flossie, yield to the magic of your
charms. l lay my heart and my fortune at
your feet"
The eager, passionate voice was that Of the
living skeleton He was addressing the fat
woman.
81 would cherish you, o so tenderly, Flos-
Sic" he went on, pleadingly. "Give me the
right to shield and protect you from the perils
Of life's tempestuous journey-to stand be-
tween you and the barbed shaft of malice.
the venomous tooth of SANDER, and the
stuffed club of INJUSTICE
"Lycurgus," replied the fat woman, with
downcast eyes and tremor in her voice that
shook the room, while blush suffused her
fair cheek and cast a pinkish glow on the
cage Of performing snakes, "this comes upon
me so unexpectedly, so embarrassingly, that
SCARCELY
"Flossie," said the living skeleton gently,
forgive me if have shocked you by the
suddenness Of my avowal Yet you must
have seen that | have appeared more III at
ease in your presence and less self possessed,
less naughty and dignifed, if | may so ex-
press myself, for some months past than you
formerly knew me to be-"
~ have observed it, Iycurgus," she replied,
"but attributed it toto liver complaint
or-or corns am so inexperienced, you
know, Lycurgus," she continued softly; $50
unused to the ways of men that ~"
"My darling" he exclaimed with startling
energy, your maidenly hesitation, your art
less and innocent timidity, only deepen the
passion that possesses me SO entirely and con-
firm me in the resolve to win you Permit
mel"
With an effort that swelled the veins on his
forehead and nearly broke his back Lycurgus
picked up one Of her gloves that had fallen to
the floor and replaced 1t on her lap.
The fat woman thanked him with quiver-
ing sigh that appeared to lift him from his
feet, but he went on undaunted:
"Flossie, in my professional career have
accumulated a competence that is ample for
us both. My financial lresources-beg pardon,
did step on your toeg'
81 think not, Lycugus," she murmured.
81 did not feel it"
Are ample to any demand that Is
likely ever to be made upon them. NV per-
sonal expenses for clothing and-blister that
hairless dogl Get out, you NANCY brutel He
shall not harm you, Flossie-be careful, my
darlingl You are about to step on the tail Of
that stuffed otter and make a beaver out Of
the animai-my personal expenses, was
about to say, are naturally heavy, but my in
come is far heavier. 1t may require whole
bolt of silk to make you dress or an entire
calfskin"-his voice faltered slightly-:'to
make shoe for you, but can face all this
cheerfully, bravely."
"Say no more, Lycurgus!" she said, with
shy, bewitching tenderness "Your manly
devotion has won my hearth | am yours
But O, Lycurgusl Be kind to me- Be
tender"-
Ladies and gentlemenl" yelled the excited
manager, appearing at the outside door and
waving his arms wildly at the crowd Of pas
sers by on the street, ''the ivn' skellenton, the
most remarkable specimen Of skin and bones
that ever drawed the breath of life, is at this
identical moment a-sparkin' of Big Flossie
the mountain of flesh, the most colossal hunk
of humanity that ever livedl Together with
10000 other curiosities Ten cents admits to
all Pass right inl"-Chicago Tribune.