The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-20
FACTS AND FANCIES FOR WOMAN AND THE HOME CIRCLE
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
IA Question Of Weight.
~ LINCOLN RoTHBLUM.

designate him as pleasingy
plump, OF fairly feShy or by any other
Iilitelstive expression alphabetically
smployed to describe his ayoirdupoiS,
! TO- Jupiter was plain Tat. 1t would
almost seem IS II nature insulted, had
FsVenged herself because star-gazing
d Iathef hhd insisted on naming his only
child after that planet, And were the
God Of Ancient Rome able to view his
namesake in Mr.. Perkins, owner and
manager Of Cartons general store, he
must needs blushingly hide his mus
cled frame behind the proVerbial pet
ticoat Of his likewise godly spouse,
/ though It is not on record Juno wore
these neither garments. For Jupiter
Perkins with his oVerburdened stom-
aoh sagging like a captive balloon
stfaining at its moorings as II the least
additional strain would release It, bore
as little resemblance to his celestial
forebear as does that worthy to the
dinosaur.,
But be it not suspected that this pre-
ponderancy OF flesh did not cause Mr..
Perkins the greatest Of concern, be-
Z cause It was no secret that Jupiter
yearned to take unto himself wife.
And no one in all Carlton, not even
one certain lady whose years and lack
OF pulchritude had long since driven
away all suitors, would give herself
in holy Wedlock to the fat Mr. Perkins.
Giggling sentimental girls, fresh from
the state seminaries would refer to
some Tilted sutton in terms most appro
brious to Mr.. Perkins. II would never
marry Chester II Jupiter we're the only
man on earth.
And Jupiter continued to sigh for a
wife and perSpire for thinness. As
witness him this torrid July high noon
IaboFiougly and painfully putting his
way Up the steps to the second story
offices Of the much heralded DR.. Eos
ter, specialist, according to the glib
ed letters upon the door he opened,
following the attendants eYen.toned
"Come In"
'The doctor Is occupied" the white
aproned figure continued. Will you
please be seated few minutes?"
Jupiter Perkins lowered his bulk to
the edge. Of the luxurious armchair.
Experience had taught him to beware
Of deep-seated, soft-cushioned, heav.
ily upholstered seats Of comfort If he
wished to arise without assistance
He mopped his brow, corrugated with
tiny tvulets Of sweat at every wrinkle
O. he recalled with shudder tina.
memorable occasion in the theatre
overnight, alone In the dark, held last
by the sides Of the chair from whls.
: the following morning the hefty jani-
tor extricated him.
The memory was too poignant and
raising his heavy-lidded eyes that his
mind might be distracted from its
present disquieting "reminiscences, he
watched the physicians attendant,
'Homely," mentally summarized Ju:
piter, as he gaAed at her face, but look.
ing upon her figure, "delicately tim
And Mr.. Perkins brief descrip ion,
while not complimentary, was uLfor.
tunately true For this female crea.
ture had all the factors not custon,ar,
lily associated with that lady to whom
Paris threw the fateful apple. Her
hair was spare, tightly tied in an indi.
gent Psyche knot Her eyes we've
small, slightly CROSSED with flashes
and brows not so strongly in evidence.
High cheek bone, with little coloring
lent sepulchral atmosphere ABOUT
her person, and to top, or rather end
everything, she. boosted OF flat fcet
as MT. Perkins could not help
repeating. shes deliciously thin" That
Y why DR.. Foster. specialist hi?cd
She created in the minds of his ellen
tele confidence in his ability. He was
himself Of spare form, and 1t would
soon, judging from his growing bank
account for a physician new to the
community, that his psychology was
not amiss. For DR.. Foster was spec
lalist In reducing.
His verdict was brief. "Dfet and ex-
srcise, Mr.. Perkins, is the only thing
Diet, re-echoed Mr.. Perkins, chow
can / diet at the Carlton hotel. and
noR can I exercise when I'm at the
store all day?"
The exercise responded DR. Carl
ION, you will have to arrange yonr-
5elt The diet, perhaps Miss Thorn"
ae paused indicating his assistant Who
nad Just entered the room, "can attend nd
The patient arose with effort to ac.
knowledge the Introduction "Tbsnk
you doctor. II it is agreeable tn Miss
morn, would be glad for some one
to,Eatch out for me. e One
Jupiter Perkins raised his th,o,
T T50Hs. Or. Foster smiled, and Miss
And so Mr.. Perkins started on die.
q the home Of the slender attendant.
Gone from his table were thick cream,
luscious steaks, rich butter and sweet
gggaf But strangely despite the most
acung menu, the subject continued
@ gain roll upon roll Of flesh. DR.
Poster was puzzled.
You're not eating forbidden t,ni.
On the sly Mr.. Perkins?" asked the
mo, no, DOCTOR" answered Mr.. Per.
kihs. But 1t seems no matter what
eat at Miss Thorn's table, / enjoy
with the greatest relish. Miss Thorne
make everything so cheerful"
DR.. Foster tried to look wise. Son
ne same principle 1t is strange that
iss Thorne does not take on flesh.