Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
CITY DISCOVERER
AND STRENUOSITY

Il wonder" remarked the City Discov-
erer curiously, what can be going on in
there. This old house way out here In the
country hasn't been occupied for years.
and 1t doesn't look very habitable at the
present time"
Then the Discoverer removed his hat,
cooked his head on one side to listen and
gazed intently through his gold-rimmed
glasses at the rambling. ramshackle struc-
ture In front of him. Finally the creak-
ing. slamming and banging which had
been in evidence for some time suddenly
ceased and the. Dscoverer mustered his
courage and strolled up the walk to inves-
usate. He had assembled the front steps
ana was about to step inside the open
doorway when he started back with a sud
den jump. for "A corpulent person very
scantily clad and with the persnira.ion
streaming down his red face was living in
an easy chair in the hail. breath heavily
Excuse me- sir. said the City Discoverer
hastily. lis there anything / can do, Shall
run for the doctor? You"
Don't be a fool" answered the portly
person Sharply. between gasps. II am mere
~ III ,he midst OF my training routine. I
nave finished my morning stunt with the
chest weights, the wrist strengtheners the
toe invigorators, the nerve settlers. the leg
| elevators and the arm twisters and am now
watch me II you want TO. and as my reg
uiar attendant is not quite ready this
morning, I'd appreciate II IL you would
hold the watch
Then the portly person showed a time
piece into the hands of the astonished CITY
Discoverer seized a large giittering ak
from corner of the hall. jumped down
the steps and walked up to an oak tree
swung the AK and the chips began 10 fly
How long," gasped the portly person
as he threw aside his AK and sat down on
the trunk Of the fallen tree to recover his
breath.
Fourteen minutes" replied th, CITY Dis
coverer in growing wonder.
Fine! gasped the portly person. Two
minutes better than yesterday. I'm i'm
proving daily. Now for the hurdles" And
dragging himself to his feet the man with
the red face began to gallop around the
yard. vauiting low hurdle every few
yards.
How was that? he inquired. between
Was 1T all right?'
Yes" replied the Discoverer 1T was
very well done. but don't see"
Never mind" replied the portly person
practice. And picking up a repeating
rifle he emptied it rapidly at a bull's-eye
posted on a neighboring tree.
Am L a good marksman?" he inquired
briskly. examining the punctured target
Splendid answered the Discoverer, but
l wish you would
All" said the portly person with a re-
heved glance, paying no attention to the
DISCOVERIES remarks. here comes my at
tendant. Now for some sharp work" And
picking up q long stick, he made furious
| assault on a wiry Individual. similarly arm
ed. who had just stepped out of the
house.
How was that demanded the portly
person. wiping the perspiration out of his
eyes. Wasn't that good enough for al
Yes" replied the Discoverer, but de-
clare I don't see"
Now for a little catch-as-catch-can."
said the portly person. making a furious
| rush at the wiry individual and apparently
| trying to strangle him.
| Wasn't that scientifc?" the man with
| the athletic propensities inquired. from his
| reposeful position on the wiry individuals
chest.
| 1T looked So" said the Discoverer. as the
portly person rolled over and lay on the
grass painting furiously, but l do wish
you'd tell me what"
Now for the gloves" cried the portly
person. as he got up clumsily, slipped on
a pair Of boxing mitts and swatted the
wiry individual on the nose. Lay on.
Macduff."
Wasn't that worthy OF Jefries?" in
quired the portly person. when at the
piration of brisk encounter he had sent
| the wiry man to the grass for the third
| time.
| Apparently" replied the Discoverer, but
am certainly puzzled to know why"
| Now" cried the portly person, II will
put the shot, swing the hammer and throw
| the discus. do the pole vault, the running
and broad jump, skin the cat on the hori-
| zontal bar, turn one handspring, six cart
wheels and a head flip and stand on my
| hands" And he proceeded to go through
| the various performances mentioned. with
more or less ability
Didn't do that well?" he inquired OF
| the City Discoverer, after he had recov
cred from the exhaustion that followed the
athletic exhibition.
Indeed you did" replied the Discoverer
earnestly. but l cannot conceive why"
Now" remarked the portly person to
| the City Dscoverer, I'VE will play six sets
of tennis, do two miles across country and
take a ten-mile horseback ride. Do you
| want to go along?"
hastily. but am much obliged"
Then when we come back continued
| the portly person, the routine you nave
seen this morning will be repeated. and in
| addition l will devote an hour to the study
| of political economy. half an hour to
| consideration of modern craftsmanship and
| three hours to assimilating the details OF
the Spanish war, with particular attention
| to the battle of San Juan HILL"
| Goodness" said the City Discoverer With
| a puzzled air, Il was beginning TO think
you were prize fighter In training. but
| have never heard OF one OF them study
| ing political economy
| Prize fighter" the portly person snort
| ed: nothing of the sort"
Then why, may l inquire" the Discov-
! erer asked in desperation, ARE you train
| ing this way?"
9On the advice of my friends" the portly
| person replied, with dignity. II am presi-
| dent of the Peoples National Bank OF Cat
| tleyille. Texas and have been invited tc
| spend a week at the White House as the
! guest of the President. l am now getting
into condition for that visit"
Goodness gracious me-" said the City
| Discoverer to himself he walked thought
| fully homeward. Who would have though
| TT"