Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-02-13
LOVE THAT is LOVE.

measure but five feet six inches in
height am not ugly, and would have
gotten along very well in life but for one
thing; | was continually falling in love
with girls who were two, three, and four
inches taller than am.
This did not interfere much with my
happiness until l met Madeline Yorke.
She was SO winsome, and we were so
congenial, that | became seriously inter-
ested in her There was nothing to keep
me from marrying, as l enjoyed good
salary with prospect of early advance
ment.
One evening we were talking of ideals,
and asked with affected carelessness:
Miss Madeline, what is your ideal
MANI"
Il have no particular one." Then she
said in musing way, Il like brown
hair, brown eyes-a six footer."
My hopes fell to the ground. Was she
doing this in spirit of mischief to tan
talze me?
"But, " she added, 81 don't think any
thing matters much so that he is kind,
loving, lovable, and strong"
felt better after that, and we talked
of other things.
had quite made up mind to ask Mad
cline to be my wife without any moro
delay, but the thought of the six footer"
stopped me, and l concluded to wait a
little
kept away from Mr.. Yorke's house
and began to look anxious and pale
faced.
"What is the matter, Paul?" my
frierd, Ralph Mcpherson, asked me, on
my appearing one evening in his rooms
And what good wind brings me this
visit? You are generally to be found
somewhere else about this time of day"
He looked sympathetic, but puzzled.
responded gloomily:
Il have not seen Miss Yorke for four
days.
Whose fault?"
Mine, then seeing his look of sur
prise-"no, hers.
"ls anything aniss? Can help you?"
Help me? Can you give me four
inches?"
-Four inches! Four inches of WHAT"
think he suspected mental derange-
ment.
"Of bones, flesh, muscle!" wildly ex.
claimed.
From the expression Of Ralph's face l
knew that he was mentally debating
whether to run away or conduct me to a
lunatic asylum. The situation was COM
ical, but | was too miserable to laugh,
and only stared straight before me.
Ralph tried to put me to bed; failing
that, he recommended a potion and
pleaded an engagement, offering to con-
duct me home on his way. But knew
could not sleep, and so walked to the
neighborhood park, and taking a seat
gave myself up to harrassing doubts and
fears.
AS sat there covered wagon passed
by, displaying brilliantly painted signs
illuminated by lights from within. 1
could not but read "The Discovery of
the Century," Harmless and Palat-
able!" "Do you Want to be Taller? Try
Me, and Grow!"
Startled, jumped up, and the wagon
stopped. The searching eyes within had
spied me. A bewitching little girl sprang
out She held bottle containing two
ounces of colorless liquid, saying rapid
Iy as she did so:
Take all of this, sir, and you will
grow six inches. Many have tried it and
been greatly benefited. Do have it +! One
dollar, sir.
She spoke with a pretty and catching
enthusiasm that won me. l thought of
Madeline. and eagerly bought. Reading
over the direction, plausible and convinc-
ing, l saw that the desired result would
be attained in two weeks. Through the
agency of the different chemicals con.
tanned in the compound the bones and
muscles were elongated, then built up
with the necessary amount Of flesh to
produce comeliness and grace.
After making all necessary arrange
ments, left town and found retired
place in the country, where l might give
my elixir fair trial. My landlady was
an old, nearly blind woman, from whom
Isimply rented a room, having a supply Of
canned food sent up, and trusting to my
hunting and fishing to keep me in fresh
meats, doing my own cooking.
enjoyed singular peace of mind dur
ing the lengthening period, thinking of
Madeline and my hopes with serenity
and confidence that surprised myself.
After four days began to grow. Each
morning l measured myself and smiled
compIacently as l noted how much had
gained At the end of two weeks l was
six feet tall. and went back to town.
1t was dark. and so anxious was to
make move Of some kind that went
straight to see Ralph. When he opened
Lis door in response to my knock, his
look of amazemeut was laughable. but
cortrolcd myself. as ] saw he did not
know me.
"WelI, how do you like me, Paul Clay.
more, at your service2"
lie looked ns if he thought the world
full Of lunatics, and stared, saying moth.
ing. | asked impatientIy;
"Why don't you answer?"
"Who are youI"