Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-10-28
WANTED.

I'VE have to drink plenty OF good, pure
water and think high thoughts all the
time, and Wen hardly notice the alb
sence of food at all. Then next Mon
day we'll break our fast by drinking
the juice of an orange and eating a
handful Of popcorn, just one handful
so IS not to shock our digestive ap-
paratus by introducing anything solid
into it.
But why harrow the reader with the
rules and regulations which Lucille
framed for US. Suffice It to say that
they went into effect the next morning
according to schedule.
We met ut breakfast. I am never at
my best before drink my first cup OF
coffee In the morning and the thought
of the inhuman way l was about to
treat my ''tummie" depressed me more
than usual The table was ghastly
white, unbroken by the usual cheerful
array Of steaming hot dishes. At each
place was a large glass Of water and
napkin. What the napkin was for 1
failed to discover. I imagine 1t was
what the anthropologists would call "A
survival Of culture"
1--WE have fifty-eight five gallon bot
ties Of distilled water" Lucille In
formed us. II wonder If that will be
enough. It amounts to nearly hum
dred gallons apiece"
made q hasty calculation and de.
cided that hundred gallons Of drink
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 sponge. I didn't care
much for mine. had previously had no
idea that water was so fiat and taste
less. 1t is also an extraordinarily elus-
i've and clammy thing to put into an
empty stomach which Il eagerly ex-
pecting bacon and eggs, muf1ns and
coffee.
II feel better already" Lucille said
gayly as we left tho table. my mind
is clear-I have wasted none Of my
vital energy in merely digesting food .
knew that she was quoting Upton
s. Clair, whom was beginning to re-
gard with disfavor, to say the least,
but I refrained from voicing my opin.
ion Of a man who win help women to
get even more fool ideas than they can
think up by themselves.
took q cigar from my pocket, cut
the tip of carefully with a 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-
baccoT
"What-cut out smoking for week r
Certainly" she replied firmly. I'm
the first place. II you don't you will be
deathly Ill; 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 q
week I should not be surprised II you
never smoked again."
! "Nor me either" reflected gloomy
out loud. "I'll be dead"
"Of course If you don't care to make
the experiment" Lucille said icily, "1ll
put of the fasting for another week
until Frank Bopp is here. I'm sure he
will be willing to try It."
This was waving red nag at me.
Frank Bopp was my rival. After her
reference to him would have gone
without breathing for a week II she
had suggested 1t. Bopp is q thin, con-
versational insect who can perch on
the arm Of q girls chair and chirp by
the hour. Sometimes l regret that fol
architectural and educational reasons
I cant do that, and then ] remember
what other men would think of me II
could, and am solaced. refrain
from saying what think Of the name
"Bopp."