Arizona republican., 1914-07-06
ON THE CHUTE THE
CHUTfs" At RIVERSIDE

d playful husband anu leopoCeooio
child. | say it without hesitation.
And | am too fat. Others will say
this-also without hesitation.
| went to Riverside to spend
quiet evening | had not a suspicion
of danger Yet in that atmosphere
of intoxicating gaiety, | lost my head.
1t was Fourth of July night, and
the big park was packed with thou
sands, straining its capacity for ac-
commodation. Nor was enthusiasm
lacking Riverside patronage is ap-
preciative That | ascertained, per-
sonally. A splendid band played roll
licking music and the vast crowd
Dasked in an enjoyment such as
never before has charmed Phoenix.
| wandered amongst the throng,
interested, happy, and at peace with
the whole world q had even forgiven
my relatives). But, in d moment OF
weakness, my attention was drawn
to the swimming tank. 1t was pack
ed and hundreds thanked the sides.
Now the pool appealed to me
strangely. AS a recreation it SEEM
ed to me to have merit, and l de-
termined to try it. Forthwith l
sought the ticket office.
Il desire to hire bathing suit"
murmured huskily.
How many" he asked.
"One will be entirely sufficient, l
think-at least | hope Sc" | replied,
Coldly.
| was handed a suit, and departed
ir search of the dressing rooms.
Someone once said of me: There
is more to that woman than appears
on the surface" That bathing suit,
when viewed dispassionately, simply
confirmed that opinion. Later on it
was absolutely proven. But | did
not fancy myself in that suit AS /
say, | am somewhat plump, and l
rather resembled a piano. However,
| Gained myself with the philosophy
cal reflection that | would have to
go in sometime, anyway. and. for
good or evil the sooner it was over
the better.
l emerged from the dressing room
came to the edge of the pool, and
entered the water
How did l accomplish it?
1t was very simple. 1 fell in.
Mercy! It's like an ice-cream
freezer. What is that | am sitting
on? Oh. It's man, Well, if
can ever get to my feet I'll let him
up, if he lives till then. Help,
Blub b-b--"
| managed to grab the side and
drew myself to a standing posture
What in the world is everyone
grinning att" And yet they say
that misfortune and helplessness in
a woman calls forth strength and
gallantrv in a man. That is abso-
lutely false All it called forth ir
nv case was roars of laughter ant
| imbecile advice.
Just then there was an agitation II
the waters. The man on whom l had
| fallen arose He was extremely rec
in the face and looked for all the
world like an enraged turkey COB
bier. He made a strange noise, like
water boiling in radiator
thought his intention was to condol'
| with me, but later discovered tina
he was trying to curse.
He was not a nice young man, ant
would have irritated me in anothe
moment Therefore l left him.
| At the end of the pool there is ;
peculiar device, made in the shape o
a quartz. circle, of wood and s.
shaped as to fit the figure of
normal human being, and very slip
perry While | watched, a supernat
urally thin young man climbed to tn
top, slid down in a swoop, glded 70
yards out on the surface of tn
water and, gracefully righting him
self, waded out.
| was entranced.
How easy! l believe 1 can d
that myself
Right here is where | should hav
gotten dressed and left the park.
had been warned against going int
the pool by man whom | no,
know to have been a real friend-m
| husband. But at the time l felt
was unwise to act upon his advic
alone. He always seems to take lif
SO seriously That is, I used to thin
so. Now l know that he was in
spired.
But, noticing my absorption, Fat
and an acquaintance of mine-Mr
r, of Mesa,-conspired against m,
She told me that this was easy c
achievement and Intoxicating in il
thrills.
| / don't know now why I did nc
entirely ignore her. but just then
listened, and was as a little chill
in my belief Mark the folly of it
l weakly allowed her to lead m
to the ladder, and clambered wit
her to the top.
Now said Mrs F, "lie fla
down, and over you go. You'll low
it" a. s'Fzi
We'll let's see you do it first
suggested
mo: you go first" she replied. i
the tone of one sacrificing a life
ambition.
Once in my life I assembled tn
Washington Monument. It wasn't
bit higher than that slide
oh Lord. Why was | not confer