The Love-Philtre of Ikey Schoenstein

I read "The Love-Philtre of Ikey Schoenstein" by O' Henry. It was written a bit old English and difficult to read.
First of all, I would like to summary the story itself simply.

Basically this story is about two man who fall in love with the same girl, Rosie.
One is a pharmacist, Ikey Schoesnstein and the other is named, Mr. McGowan. (He job is not clear but he earns 20$ a week)

Ikey is of course smart and respected by the citizens there but he was not confident when he is dealing with something other than medicines. McGowan is more confident and masculine type.
These two used to good friend and have been getting along well.

One day, McGowan come to Ikey's pharmacy and asked whether he could get what is called "love potion", to give it to Rosie of course. They have already fallen with love each other and planning o eloping but Rosie is often scared to do it. That's why McGowan wanted the "love portion".

Ikey does not like this idea at all so he doesn't give the "love portion" but give sleeping pills instead.
Ikey was waiting for what is going to happen but nothing happen.

The next day, Ikey is told from McGowan with much pleasure that he actually did not the "love portion"(sleeping pills) to her because he feels guilty. He give it to her father instead so they could succeed their strategy without any interruptions.


I was interested the use of  "love portion". In the stories of Western countries, I think it is not rare that the "love portion" appears. I have read "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare before and "lobe portion" was an important factor on that story too. Also. the wrong person took the medicine, same as this O'henry's story. I agree that if the right person take the "love portion" and fall in love with the man easily, it is not interesting story at all.

I thought McGowan is once about to choose the nasty method to get her heart but Ikey should also
fight with him fairly. I like the ending because, the McGowan won who abandons to choose the wrong way but
to be honest.