ADVENTURERS ANNOUNCED:

“For 120 francs you will grow! »

But justice interrupts the trafficking of these undesirable fools
There are people, dissatisfied with the cramped size that nature has granted them, who try by all means to compensate for what they consider to be a physical disgrace.
They are the designated victims of unscrupulous adventurers.
For several months, short people, wishing to "grow" a few centimeters, were solicited by advertisements appearing mainly in the provinces and which, in return for an "honest" remuneration, promised to indicate the safe way to grow taller. All you had to do was contact the “Patrick Edison American Institute”, 10 bis, rue Geoffroy-Marie, or the “French-American Physical System”, 11, rue Bergère. These clinics with pompous titles provided the infallible method of “exceeding the average height” against a mandate of 40 francs, or better, for 120 francs, a complete and perfected system in twelve sessions, not one more, not one less.
still at

In return for their funds, what did the “pears” receive? Quite simply a small brochure whose market value did not exceed forty cents and which contained advice as simplistic as it was mind-boggling, such as raising your arms, for an hour, after breakfast, holding yourself alternately on one and the other foot while trying to touch the ceiling, or even shouting with the window open and with a convinced air: “I want to grow up!” I want to grow! »

Some customers with a suspicious nature did not take it with laughter and came to tell their misadventure to Mr. Priolet, the neighborhood police commissioner, who soon received numerous complaints. An investigation is open.

The “Practitioners” are in their Castle
We went this morning to the addresses indicated. At 10 bis, rue Geoffroy-Marie, the concierge tells us that she does not know the institute we are talking about and that the building is occupied by a tailor. Letters received are forwarded to 11, rue Bergère.

It's good, indeed. at this last home where the suspicious couple lives, in two rooms, on the fifth floor, overlooking the courtyard, who are intensively engaged in pear cultivation. The concierge looks at us and, seeing from our height, above normal, that we are not possible clients for her tenants, becomes suspicious.
The gentleman and lady in question, she tells us, have gone to their castle...
Yes, a beautiful castle...
Could it be the Pointed Tower that the attendant would thus designate, by a picturesque euphemism? No. She's not joking. The couple has indeed left for a castle, which belongs to them in full!
Besides, adds the concierge, I have orders not to bring anyone up. We must write... The neighbors, who were more talkative, told us that comical or tragic scenes took place every day at this address, the dupes claiming to "break the g..." of those who exploited them.. .

Justice seems to want to put an end to these turbulent meetings.

PIERRE DEMOURS.