Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-11
Fair Mermaid, Just Back
From Miami, S,uam Fast.
est Ever, But-No One
to Time Her
LIKES DIXIE COSTUMES
Rx SANDY McNIBLICK

UNET out of my way, Porpoise, and
" let somebody swim what CAN
swim!''
A long black fish was tumbled about
in the sea off Miami Beach and probably
barely caught a glimpse Of q slim form
gliding past him overhead as though he
were standing still. The slim swimmer
overhead was Miss Gertrude Artelt,
Philadelphia, In the act Of breaking the
"world's record" for the 200 yard dash.
1t isn't an official record, because
there wasn't anybody around, not SO
you could notice 1t, to take her time.
But Miss Artclt herself is confident no
one ever swan such fast 200 yards
before or ever will again.
The local mermaid, one OF the best
swimmers in Philadelphia. has Just re-
turned from a winter visit in Florida,
where she accompanied her mother,
whose health had been failing. Miss
Artelt took the opportunity to do a lot
Of swimming, rehearsal and training for
the tank championships to be held here
and elsewhere In the near future.
She believes she has added speed to
her form in the water and In particular
is sure she ought to be awarded the
worlds record mentioned above.
A Man. Eater
1--WE generally swan in the pools
down there" the fur local star ex-
planned, "but this happened the first
time I went in the ocean. They had
told us about the 'baracootics,' or what.
ever they call the man. eating sharks,
but that didn't worry me any. l was
woman.
anyhow, I swan out about 200
yards, l guess, and was diving under the
big waves when suddenly ] saw what
thought ut first was submarine. Then
1t showed some mean teeth and made II
face and a dive at me in the same in
slant:
I forgot all ever knew about scientific
swimming. l think ! evolved new
stroke right on the spot. 1t was sort
of a. flying dive for the shore.
Shark. kept thinking, and they
bite. / passed all the other fish in the
place. They didn't have a chance.
II hit shore on first bounce and never
stopped going till they hollered that
sharks don't have legs and cant chase
you on shore.
Thinks Of Sharks
$50 now when I want to speed up in
the water imagine anybody behind me
!
break all the rules, but get there
Miss Artelt looked the picture Of
physical perfection when she stepped
off the train yesterday afternoon at
West Philadelphia into the arms OF the
rest Of her family and the friends who
had gathered to greet her.
She was selected Rs the "most per.
feet specimen of womanhood in Amer
lea" some time ago ut Chicago. and
looked the part yesterday, with the
added attraction Of fine coat Of tan.
Mrs. Artelt,. too, looked the good the
visit did both.
The family hurried off to their home
at 1921 North Eighth street. where
the head Of the family, DR.. II. Artelt.
had seen to it that fine planked- shad
dinner awaited his reunited family.
1T was a pleasure trip" bcamed
Miss Artelt happily in the family circle
once more. 1--WE Just visited and had
a good time, but there were plenty of
chances to swim, and besides that
swan in four races
These were Palm Beach vs.. Miami
races OH New Years Day. when the
style and 5O-yard back stroke. Later
she won Il pair of races In the "in.
tcrnntional match" with Cuba.
After winning the 50-yard back stroke
the swan In challenge race. using
that stroke against Cuban rival using
the crawl stroke. Miss Artelt won out
amidst wild applause.
Record Holder
Miss Artelt holds several Middle At
lantic records and will very likely COM
pete tonight at the Baltimore Athletic
Club in the 50-yard national champion
/ ship. The fair expert practiced dill
gently in Dixie and not only improved
on the American crawl stroke she uses
but changed her whole diving style with
such Improvement that she may enter
these events hereafter.
Miss Artelt Is much enthuscd over
the pools at Miami which she describes
us the best she ever saw. The water
tiful jade green, absolutely clear.
In the sea she enjoyed the popular
sport of aquaplaning and described IA
new sport down there: \ strong swim.
mer Is hitched in tackle to a fish line on
pole welded by an expert. The game
is for the "human fish" to defy the ef-
forts of the fisherman to pull the swim
mer to shore with the line.
'"1'hcy are ull keen on swimming
down there" said Miss Artelt, "especi-
ally the kids. The pools are always
filled with little tots and some of them
are real swimmers. It's the right way
for them. There weren't many races
for the older folks
Despite the attractions Miss Artelt
kept to her own training rules all the
time down there. These include going
to bed early, avoiding pastries, sweets,
etc. She dccrics the fur sex vogue OF
smoking and naSking these days.