Wichita eagle., 1888-01-08
THE OATMEAL GIRL.

Alfred Moore was young, rich and toll
-rably good looking, and was looked upon
rs desirable match by all his feminine
acquaintance, who grieved to see him
wasting his years, for, in the feminine
mind, unmarried years are wasted. But
there was something serious the matter
with Alfred-he had hobby. Any one
who has a male relative affected with a
hobby, whether it is politics, drainage, or
chids, or poultry raising, can realize how
serious this matter was on learning that
Alfred's hobby was health. This unfor
tunate young man had dyspeptic father
and mother, and he had heard more about
i'll health ever since his childhood than if
he had attended course of medical lect-
ures for years. His mother had to have
certain articles of diet continually pre-
pared for her dyspepsia, and his father,
having slightly different style of dyspep-
sia, had TO have his meals prepared especi-
ally for his needs. The family atmosphere
was always regulated by dyspepsia; if
depressed day happened to take both par
ents at once, deep gloom prevailed over
the household. If depression seized upon
one parent on day when the other felt
cheerful there were apt to be conflicting
breezes, with a tendency TO storms. On
days when botE parents felt able TO order
a pudding for next Day Alfred knew he
might ask fayors and obtain indulgences,
and he always improved the occasion, well
knowing that the day after the pudding
would be one of darkness and despair.
On cheerful days Alfred's parents talked
of nothing but of what they wanted to
eat; on gloomy days they talked only
of what they had eaten. Hav-
ing studied all these phases OF
the fruits Of good living, Alfred
realized that though his youth had borne
him safely through years of luxurious
dining there might be a wrecked digestion
in store for him, so he took advantage of
his four years of college life to cultivate
an abStemious appetite and habit of tax
ing active exercise daily. Thus his hobby
ihrived and grew till it demanded nothing
less than that Alfred should find for him
self healthy wife or none. For this &c
centric frame of mind Alfred's parents
were directly responsible, since it was i'm
possible to contemplate their sufferings,
their temper and appearance without see
ing that life would not be worth living
under like conditions. But Alfred found
il most difficult to satisfy the demand Of
his hobby, being fettered in his efforts by
that uncomfortable old trusm. Things
are not what they seem" He wanted a
partner for his fine and well cared for di-
gestion, inclosed in the frame Of a pretty
and intelligent girl. but, though he knew
dozens of delightful girls, and could havs
ascertained without difficulty the exact
state of their hearts Che being, as afere-
said, young rich and handsonel, he wa1
of a
state of their digestive organs. Rosy
cheeks bright eyes, rounded forms and
abundant hair were all present to his
sight, but how could he be sure that their
owners did not have "blue spells, - merry
ous attacks and .'temp'ry spells?' Per-
haps they also partook daily of medicines
by spoonfuls by drops in tumblers of
water, by powders at meal times. Had
he not seen all these things from his youth
M, at home, even before his mother lost
her good looks? His mother had been a
beauty and n belle, but years of dietetic
mismanasement had reduced her to the
semhlance of a mummy.
"If one could catch girl when quite
small. shut her up, and Feed her properly,
happiness would be ccatain,n reelected
Alfred But as that could not be con-
veniently done, in the present age OF bar
baroUs civilization, Alfred resolved tc
find girl as nearly up to his require
mentS as possible, marry her Immediately
and while the word ''obey' was still fresh
in her memory restrict her diet, form hel
mind, and be happy.
There is sage old proverb among the
PersiGns TO the effect that upon every
good resolve wait two genii, one good anc
one bad These parties were doubtless or
hand upon the evening when Alfred met
Flossie Breck. This young woman had
come from a neighboring country town Il
visit Alfred's cousin, Jane Moore. Some
DAYS after her arrival, Alfred. with othel
Young people. was spending the evening
upon the piazza of James home, and
among other things, they discussed theil
anticipated summer outings. Seashore
lakes aad mountains were named, anc
most of the party were to be widely di
yided during August. In spite OF tempt
ing invitations, Alfred had secretly de
cided on a trip to the Virginia hunting
grounds when he heard Jane say: "Ant
here's Flossie going to that stupid farm
where there is no one to see and nothing
10 do, just so that she can climb trees!
A shout of laughter greeted this accuse
ton, 10 which Miss Flossie replied on.
by bright smile, which showed two row
of exquisite teeth, and u dimple in wh!c!
Cupid might have taksn board Tor tn
summer. "And there's nothing to est u
there" added one of the young men.
t.'0h, FloSsie eats nothing but oatmea
and potatoesp said Jane Moore.
Aifred's attention was aroused. "Hov
very unusual. Miss Breck," he said.
Il eat bread and sometimes meat; bu
my aunt, who has always had charge o
me. never allowed me TO eat all sorts o
things, as other girls do" said Flossie
with a pretty blush and deprecatin
glance.
Very sensible of her." said Alfred, be
coming more interested. Presently h
learned that the place she intended TO Wis
was farm house in b county, near
village with which he was familiar.
Il go there sometimes; the fishing
cutie tolerable.' he said.
- go to visit second cousin OK n
aunt, and think heard her speak Of yor
last summer; she had seen you by chance
and inquired about You, said Flossie.
s.And SO you like oatmeal and farm
lifeH' asked Alfred.
Indeed / love both: but / hope 20,
wont think me dreadful romp. from
whct yOnr cousin said. aunt Kate dix
not al,prcne OF ne dancing in hot rooms
E.-: she allowed me 20 climb trees when
va il5..r, 81 the farm. and Il is such fun