The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-10-17
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
NO ROYAL ROAD TO BEAUTY.
Elizabeth Hall.

hOlnels your inquire Is SeItlnS 10 De
perfectly disgracefull"
Mrs. Howard tried TO smooth down
her capaciOus apron. Il suppose you
are right Marion" she sand, meekly.
Il certainly nave changed. When
was your age
well, 1 don't propose to be all
waist when 1 get TO be fifty" heer
daughter interrupted briskly. $50
Wen do the exercises together. Pro
lessOr AdamsOn taught us a perfectly
lovely system, and it will be jolly to
do them"
Mrs. Howard looked rather aghast
but accepted the decision philosophic-
ally as she did most OF Marlon's revo-
luuonary ideas. Life on the farm had
changed its marrow groove to broader
and rather erratic channels since the
Homecoming of the youngest daught-
er.
IF VI could only get you enthusiast
TIC" mOurned Marion, but you will
take everything SO camly. Don't you
know repOse is the worst thing pos
slble to increase Obesity?"
Mrs. Howard placidly assented, but
MariOn's enthusiasm did not cool.
Well begin tomorrow with the
water cure which will remove all the
waste from the system. Now, mamsy.
don't look alarmed. You just drink
as many glasses of water as there the
tens Of pounds in your weight. Why, l
do it. Twele glasses aren't much when
one gets used TO it."
But, daughter, twenty glasses!"
"On. it won't be so bad. Drink eight
one hour before breakfast, six in the
forenoon, four in the afternoon, and
two at bedtime. That's easy, and I'll
see that you don't forget it."
Mrs. Howard privately resolved to
reSurrect Grandmother Greer's tiny
wine glasses; perhaps she might man
age it then.
That night Marion initiated her be-
w1ldered mother into the rudiments of
calisthenics. Clad in pajamas, she
went through the exercises with
ed her with admiration and apprehen-
sion.
Now, mother, it's your turn. Stand
with heels together"
Mrs. Howard frantically glued her
heels to the mating.
Chin up-nO, not that way hold
1t close to neck-nO, no.
Marion backed her victim to the
door jam.
place ball of foot opposite edge of
door, then adjust body so front of hip
and front of shoulder touch the edge.
farther forward yet. Now hold head
so front of ear is on same line with
front of shoulder. Dear me, that does
snow of your double chin,-well have
to look after that next Thighs far
Their back. That's better. Now, that's
beautiful position. Your stomach's
all gone"
1T certainly does feel as if some
thing had happened. Hasn't part Of
my back broken off, too?"
Marion was too busy counting her
notes to answer.
How long must 1 keep this up?"|
gasped Mother Howard, flushed and
perspiring with the effort to sustain
correct poise.
"Oh, just as long as you can" was
the vague response. Now, lean over
and touch hands to floor without bend
ing knees"
Mrs. Howard executed this COM
mand with ease, if not with grace.
Rheumatic tendencies and picking M
articles after a thoughtless family for
ten years had taught her TO stoop
without bending any more joints than
absolutely necessary.
She looked pleased. That's easy"
she approved.
Then we won't do it any more" de-
clded the oracle. You need only the
exercises that are difficult to do"
Mother Howard looked unhappy.
Evidently there was no royal road to
beauty.
Mother" came a welcome inter
rupuon, "where're my bed slippers?"
Coming, father" and Mrs. Howard
battered down the hallway.
Zach following night brought a new
and increasingly involved exercisee.
Easy-going, comfortable Mrs. How
ard was fairly bewildered by their va
rlety The water cure, too, was a YER
liable thorn in the flesh. Marion mys-
terlously appeared with pitchers of
water, and her mothers hope of the
wine glass vanished as she obedientlv
slipped generous glasses of the pure
liquid. She pathetically wondered if
people naturally temperate could be
driven to Intoxicating liquor by too
much water. She found herself unac-
countably irritated, when Marion play