The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-04-26

| ing water would last me the rest of
my life.
Mrs. Green, Lucile's mother, was pa
tiently cheerful and drank three glasses
of water like a sponge. l didn't care
much for mine. had previously had no
idea that water was SO fiat and taste
less. 1t is also an extraordinarily eIus-
I've and clammy thing to put into an
empty stomach which Is eagerly ex-
pecting bacon and eggs, mullins and
coffee.
II feel better already" Lucille said
gayly as we left the table. "My mind
is clear-I have wasted none Of my
vital energy in merely dlgesting food"
l knew that she was quoting Upton
s. Clair, whom l was beginning to re-
gard with disfavor, to say the least,
but refrained from voicing my opin-
ion of man who will help women to
get even more fool ideas than they can
think up by themselves.
took cigar from my pocket, cut
the tip off carefully with silver cut
| ter Lucille had given me the previous
Christmas and was about to light 1t
when she stopped me.
mo, no, no; you mustn't. Did for
get to tell you that while We are fast
ing we have to give up all stimulants
and narcotics, such as alcohol and to-
baccoP
"What-cut out smoking for week 2"
Certainly" she replied firmly. I'm
the first place, If you don't you will be
deathly i'll; in the second place, the
whole object of the fast is to rid the
body Of all toxic poisons, such as nico-
tine, alcohol and SO forth. BY the time
you have done without tobacco for a
week l should not be surprised il you
never smoked again."
Nor me either" l reflected gloomly
out loud "Ill be dead"
"Of course If you don't care to make
the experiment" Lucille said Jelly, 'I'l
put Off the fasting for another week
until Frank Bopp is here. I'm sure he
will be willing to try it."
This was waving a red flag at me-
Frank Bopp was my rival. After her
reference to him l would have gone
without breathing for a week If she
had suggested it. Bopp is thin, con-
versational insect who can perch on
the arm of a girls chair and chirp by
the hour Sometimes l regret that for
architectural and educational reasons
l can't do that, and then / remember
what other men would think Of me If
could, and l am sOlaced. l refrain
from saying what l think Of the name
"Bopp." .
Thus through my love and jealousy
was led into deeper water or, shall
say, more water because somebody
he nded me glass of the stuff every
few minutes. l drank 1t in the vain
hope that / could drown the inner
man, who seemed to be yelling for
help all the time and kicking me just
below the belt buckle when he didn't
get 1t.
That morning we went for walk.
walking is the best exercise in the
world" Lucille stated. 1T Is excellent
for reducing surplus flesh around the
abdominal region"
Invariably she had little stinger for
me concealed in any remark she might
make. l have since learned that this
is a sign that a woman takes proprie-
tary interest in man.
Before we went she fed Tootles, her
/ long haired pup. Tootles Is one of those
dogs so constructed by nature that
when you want to look them in the face
you don't know where to look. often
wonder If Tootles herself isn't In doubt
as to which end to wag.
isn't Tootles going TO fast, too?"
protested. Cant she stand it as well
as l CAM"
Possibly she could do it," Lucille
said as she gave her dog biscuit
but she hasn't intelligence enough t.
understand why she should go without
food"
I'm not far above Tootles in intelli
gence, then" remarked, but under my
breath this time, so she could not hear
After watching Tootkes eat we wen
walking. Whenever l go walking il
the city hire taxicab. If want t.
see nature in all her grandeur do l g
tramping through the woods? 1 d,
not. l buy seat at moving pictur'
show where they are running west
ern outlaw film. Mature for a nickel
is my motto. Fatigue is eliminated
and the sum total of knowledge Is ad
vanced several thousand feet.
After we had covered several miles
as it seemed to me, l suggested tina
we had better not go much farthe
away from home.
why not?" Lucille queried.
1--WE might not get back in time 70
lunch"
II brought our lunch" she said an
produced flask of water.
CTO BE CONTINUED)