Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-02
OLD "PED'
WESTON AHEAD
 OF HIS RECORD
The Old Grey Haired Pedestrian is Astonishing Even His Closest
 Friends.

pedestrian, feels any ill effects Of his strenuous feat of walking 1855 miles in the three da."s and one night since he left Portland, Me, on his trip to | Chicago, he conceals it most suc- cessfully.
 After walking since o'clock yes 1 terday morning with only two inter- missions for rest,he stopped last night at 12 o'clock at Bourn's Hill, twenty miles from Providence. His record for the day is fifty-siX miles, which is fifteen miles ahead of his schedule and his record of forty years ago.
 The first three days are the crucial ones,'' said Weston last night, and if I go through them all right I am sure that I will reach Chicago. My feet are in good condition and l have no blisters. I am feeling strong and am supremely confident
 The most remarkable feature of Weston's walk is his forging ahead far into the night after days task that would cause the ordinary man to collapse entirely.
 During the day he has company l from town to town, and is cheered on by the crowds at the popular cen ters.
 At night he hikes along unknown roads with few stragglers, and it requires some argument by his man ager to compel him to stop for neea- ed rest. He has an iron will and determination that astonishes those who, after riding all day, are glad to stop when rightfall comes.
 Weston reached the center of this city at D. m., three hours ahead | of his schedule. After an hours stop, which could hardly be called rest because of the continuous ex- citement of his reception ill this, his home town, the old man pressed on- ward for Bourn's Hill. He was anx- ious to get there, as that is part of to-day's printed schedule, which calls for seventy-one miles in order for him to reach Hartford, Conn, before Sunday.
 When Weston left Portland he weighed 132 pounds stripped. The first two days he lost two pounds, but yesterday he gained one pound, mak- ing his weight last night 131 pounds. He expects that he will be heavier, if anything, at the end of the trip.
 Weston has a splendid physique and not an ounce of superfuous flesh. His face is ruddy, his hair snow-white, end he walks with a quick, nervous, springy motion. He is a past master of the 'heel and toe" gait and he never varies his pace.
 He was watched with interest when he tool. his three meals yester- day, as all along the route the ques- ton has been asked as to what sus- tained the veteran. It has been said that he is kepC up by stimulants, but this is utterly false. Weston is all ways temperate and when upon a walk he is total abstainer. Not one drop of stimulant has passed his lips so far. Alcohol is no good for this job" he said yesterday. Tt would be the worst thing I could take"
 Yesterday morning for breakfast Weston ate three poached eggs on bread, prunes and a cup of coffee. For dinner he had oyster soup, crackers and rice. His last meal consisted of egg-nog, bowl of rice, prunes and coffee. Good Samaritans along the rorte occasionally handed him out coffee. He would ask for a raw egg. drop it in the steaming liquid, drink it and quicken his pace to make ur for lost time.
 The only sign that be has yet shown that the journey is wearing upon him has been irritation over minor details. He demands constant attention and when his wants are not complied with he vents his anger in loud talE. hut this soon passes over and he is again cheerfully plod- ding ahead, waving his old straw hat to the crowds and throwing kisses 10 the girls.
 He is most particular about his person. and whenever he enters a town he dons tis coat and replaces his straw lid with a flat trimmed derby. Sometimes he puts on white gloves Weston has his own ideas about the care of his feet.