In the Yule-Log Glow, Book II | Page 5

case and selected a cigar. Not a word was
spoken till it was half consumed, when the baron took it, for the first
time, from his lips, and said, gently, with the air of a man
communicating an important discovery in the strictest confidence, "Das
ist gut!"
"Thought you'd say so," said the visitor. "And now, as you like the
cigar, I should like you to try a thimbleful of what I call wine. I must
warn you, though, that it is rather potent, and may produce effects you
are not accustomed to."
"Bother that, if it is as good as the weed," said the baron; "I haven't
taken my usual quantity by four bottles yet."
"Well, don't say I didn't warn you, that's all. I don't think you'll find it
unpleasant, though it is rather strong when you're not accustomed to it."
So saying, the goblin produced from some mysterious pocket a black,
big-bellied bottle, crusted, apparently, with the dust of ages.
It did strike the baron as peculiar, that the bottle, when once produced,
appeared nearly as big round as the goblin himself; but he was not the
sort of man to stick at trifles, and he pushed forward his glass to be
filled just as composedly as if the potion had been shipped and paid
duty, in the most commonplace way.
The glass was filled and emptied, but the baron uttered not his opinion.
Not in words, at least, but he pushed forward his glass to be filled again
in a manner that sufficiently bespoke his approval.
"Aha! you smile!" said the goblin. And it was a positive fact; the baron
was smiling; a thing he had not been known to do in the memory of the
oldest inhabitant. "That's the stuff to make your hair curl, isn't it?"
"I believe you, my b-o-o-oy!" The baron brought out this earnest
expression of implicit confidence with true unction. "It warms one

here!"
Knowing the character of the man, one would have expected him to put
his hand upon his stomach. But he didn't; he laid it upon his heart.
"The spell begins to operate, I see," said the goblin. "Have another
glass?"
The baron had another glass, and another after that.
The smile on his face expanded into an expression of such geniality
that the whole character of his countenance was changed, and his own
mother wouldn't have known him. I doubt myself--inasmuch as she
died when he was exactly a year and three months old--whether she
would have recognized him under any circumstances; but I merely wish
to express that he was changed almost beyond recognition.
"Upon my word," said the baron, at length, "I feel so light I almost
think I could dance a hornpipe. I used to, once, I know. Shall I try?"
"Well, if you ask my advice," replied the goblin, "I should say,
decidedly, don't. 'Barkis is willing,' I dare say, but trousers are weak,
and you might split 'em."
"Hang it all," said the baron, "so I might. I didn't think of that. But still
I feel as if I must do something juvenile!"
"Ah! that's the effect of your change of nature," said the goblin. "Never
mind, I'll give you plenty to do presently."
"Change of nature! What do you mean, you old conundrum?" said the
baron.
"You're another," said the goblin. "But never mind. What I mean is just
this. What you are now feeling is the natural consequence of my magic
wine, which has changed you into a fairy. That's what's the matter, sir."
"A fairy! me!" exclaimed the baron. "Get out. I'm too fat."

"Fat! Oh! that's nothing. We shall put you in regular training, and you'll
soon be slim enough to creep into a lady's stocking. Not that you'll be
called upon to do anything of the sort; but I'm merely giving you an
idea of your future figure."
"No, no," said the baron; "me thin! that's too ridiculous. Why, that's
worse than being a fairy. You don't mean it, though, do you? I do feel
rather peculiar."
"I do, indeed," said the visitor. "You don't dislike it, do you?"
"Well, no, I can't say I do, entirely. It's queer, though, I feel so
uncommon friendly. I feel as if I should like to shake hands or pat
somebody on the back."
"Ah!" said the goblin, "I know how it is. Rum feeling, when you're not
accustomed to it. But come; finish that glass, for we must be off. We've
got a precious deal to do before morning, I can tell you. Are you
ready?"
"All right," said the baron. "I'm just in the humor to make a night of it."
"Come along, then," said the goblin.
They proceeded for a short time in silence along the corridors of