Evening star., 1900-10-06
JOBSON AS A. PEDESTRIAN

what, all right" remarked Mr.. Jobson
while reading his evening paper about
fortnight ago. -'Saysl that walking long
distances is the best exercise that has ever
been framed upfor human beings, and that
good long walks beat this fooiing around
with dumb-bells and Indian clubs and
weight-pulling ,machiaes and horizontal
bars and bag-punchinE and ground-and-
lofty tumbling and the rest of the idiotic,
faddy schemes OF that sort all hollow. Says
that good long walks exercise every muscle
of the body. improve the circulation and
give the respiratory organs a show, and
er-reduce superfiuous weight. Says that a
man who takes good ten-mile road walk
at stiff gait ence week even can get
himself in as good shape as one of these
here bull-necked pugiiists training in a
gymnasium with ten or fifteen hangers-on
rubbing him down and kneading him and
raSsling with him and all that sort of rot
Well, replied Mrs. J0bson, Il have al
ways known that walking is the best possi-
oh. you have, have you?" interrupted
Mr.. Jobson. We'll, it's a wonder you
haven't practieed your belief. then. All
the walking that I've ever known you to
do has been to traipse from the cars to the
bargain counters and back again. Why
don you just own up once in a while. any
fess that don't do half or a quarter enough
walking ride on the cars to and from
my office. and take a car during the day
II only have three or four squares to CO.
Ihats what's making me SO puffy and
wheezy. I'm going to do nothing but walk
from this time on. In wager you a new
Dird cage, or new piano, for that matter
that the street railroads of Washington'H
not get another nickel Of my money from
now until the 1st of January, 1901"
But put in Mrs. Jobson, there are
often times when you are in a hurry, are
there not, and"
'"There's no mood for ,,,ho11,x ,r1o 1aaa.
systematic life to be in a hurry in
terrupted MIR. Jobson, oratoricaily 1.-The
trouble IS that there's no more system
about this establishment than there is
around tepee In Zulu village. Now,
there's no use in your trying to talk me
our or ths walking plan of mine. 1 am"
sure m not trying to talk you out
Of IT, cut In Mrs Jobson. II would be de-
lighted to have you walk more and, in fact
! think It one of the wisest plans you have
formed for long while. 1t would"
"Oh. you think it wise, eh?" broke in Mr..
Jobson. IAN right. If you think 1t SO
wise. what's the matter with your doing
some walking yourself? You're not such a
sprite In figure as You used to be, you'll
remember. and it wouldn't hurt you a little
bit to accompany me on the long walks
which I intend to take every morning be-
fore breakfast, from now on"
Very well. I'm perfectly agreeable" re-
piled Mrs Jobson. She in reality shuddered
to think of long walks before breakfast, but
she didn't purpose letting Mr. Jobson bluff
her out on the proposition.
Perfectly agreeable. are you?" said Mr..
Jobson. Sort o adding to your vocabulary,
aren't you? Well, this is Saturday, isn't it?
Wen just begin this walking business to-
morrow morning, before breakfast. What
90 you say to little, stroll out to Chevy
Chase circle and back before breakfast?"
That ought to be simply delightful"
answered Mrs. JobsOn. looking quite COM
piaisant. The trees are taking on their
autumn Verdure now, and"
nl
ercise. that I'm going after" interrupted
Mr.. Jobson. Dye think you can walk out
to Chevy Chase circle and back without
showing the signal Of distress before you
cover third Of the distance, and forcing
me to abandon my walk in order to load
home?"
"Oh. I think So" answered Mrs. Jobson,
smiling.
It'll take two or three hours. you know
and we won't have any breakfast until we
get back went on MIR. Jobson. Dye sup
pose you can contrive to keep your appetite
down for that length of time for the sake
or improving your health?"
Not doubt of 1t. replied Mrs Jobson
lnWardly annoyed. nevertheless, over the
prospect Of being thus dragged into one of
"All right" said Mr.. Jobson, with a great
air of resolution, You can just set the
alarm clock for five O'Clock tomorrow morn
ing, and when we get up you can tog YOUR
self out in clothes beftting a long walk
you don't have to wear, chiffon or fouard
or cretonne costume for pedestrian pur-
poses l hope you understand-and / bet
when we get back from Chevy Chase circle
We'll feel like fighting cocks-always pre-
Stunning. OF course, that you don't lag in the
rear of the procession after we've got about
as far as the city limits, and then flop down
in the middle of the road and moan to be
taken home in a barouche."
"Oh, therell be danger Of that" said
Mrs. JobsOn. smiling again.
The alarm clock made terrific noise in
the Jobsons' bed room at five o'clock on the
following Sunday morning, but the disturb
ance didn't arouse Mr.. Jobson. He slept
peacefully on. Mrs. Jobson had to shake
him awake.
Huh? Wha's that?" sleepily inquired
Mr.. Jobson, half turning over more
burglars? Oh, lemme lone Want t.
Sleep
Mrs Jobson had to shake him again, good
and hard.
We're going to walk out to Chevy Chase
circle and back. you KNOW" she explained
right in his ear.
Mr.. JobSon sat UP in bed and Rlared
around the still dark room.
huh. Remember now"
Then he fell back on his pillow and went
to sleep again.
Mrs. Jobson finally contrived to get him
fully awake. however. He got up and
donned old suit of clothes. He was
very glum and sulky and looked as IL he
~''N ~e@-'AiS
or any old thing and slumber soundly.
Mrs. Jobson hustled about and donned a
raiDyday skirt Then she put a golf cap
on Mr.. Jobson's head and said, We'll.
we're all ready, aren't we?'
"Uh-huh,' growled Mr. Jobson, rubbing
his eyes, and ont they started. The streets
were silent and forsaken. and there was
yet but a tinge Of red in the eastern sky
Mrs. Jobson stepped out briskly. and Mr..
Jobson clomped along after her without
saying anything.
THE morning air is so sweet and pure,
isn't it?" inquired Mrs Jobson.
"Uh-huh.'' replied Mr.. JObson, still look
ing half asleep. Great
They followed the car tracks. After a
while Mr.. Jobson's face assumed an ex-
preston of dO-or-die determination, and he
began to forge ahead at a great rate. Mrs
Jobson, however, had no difficulty in keep
ing alongside of him, which fact caused
him to look at her out Of the slants Of his
eyes By the time they reached the iron
bridge over Rock creek Mr.. Jobson was
putting and snorting and perspiring most
amazingly, while Mrs. Jobson was going
easily and looked trim and as cool as a
seltzer lemonade. Then Mr.. Jobson began
10 slow up and to exhibit signs Of leg
WEAKNESS. A heavy scowl spread over his
red face as he trudged on. and he mopped
his dripping brow ferociously. Mrs. Jobson
didn't look at him, but tripped out ahead
of him hummip4 SWaetlV ha waILad