The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-08
Chapter 81
Dietetic Dilemma

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interval Tacks became possessed
OF a thought. Right then the atti-
tude of the ravishing Miss North
was frozen in the extreme. But
there was no telling how soon she
might thaw. And if the thawing
process should take place before
they reached her apartment house,
who knew but what she would ask
Mr.. Adams in for cup of tea or
drink? It was extremely unlikely,
Of course. But TackS wished to be
prepared. And he perceived that,
IN the event OF such splendid oc-
currence, the dog Lily could hard
~ be regarded as an asset. In fact,
il Lily continued to keep up with
the party, Tacks reasoned that his
chances of being invited aloft for
refreshment were practically nil.
Wherefore he decided to ditch
Lily.
He waited until the cab neared
the apartment house in which his
Aunt Vera had her abode. Then he
addressed the driver.
Heyl" he called suddenly. stop
here minute"
Packy glanced up.
What now?" she demand e d
sharply.
Nothing to get steamed up
about. The doorman in that house
is friend of mine. I'm going to
leave this dog with him, that's ALL"
Packy looked at him suspicious
~ Tor a second. Then she opened
her mouth, but shut it again with
out speaking. TackS got out, hauled
Lily from the prominence of the
front seat and piloted her across
the street.
Before Mrs. Sackville's apart
ment house stood a dignitary in a
blue uniform. Tacks hailed him.
Listen, Fritz" he said, twill
you take this mutt up to my aunt's
apartment? Pm in a hurry. I've got
girl in a taxi across the street and
-. hey, what on earth is the matter
with your"
For the doorman appeared not
20 be listening. The doorman was
gazing streetward, past the shout
der of Mr.. Adams. The doorman
spoke.
I'D be glad to take this dog up
to your aunpS apartment, Mr..
Adams" he said. "Only it won't be
necessary"
Tacks stared at him. what the
-. say, are you eraZy?"
The doorman extended a stern
finger. Tacks wheeled and fol-
lowed it.
The taxicab, with Packy inside,
was tearing down Fifth Avenue in
q manner to indicate that all the
flends of the Pit were breathing at
its rear bumper. And from the
conveyance there waved neither
handkerchief nor lily-white hand.
In fact, there waved nothing at all.
The jaw of Mr.. Adams dropped.
What" he exclaimed, in dis
may, sdo you know about that?"
And that" concluded the door
man, in the tone of one who has
set out TO make point and intends
TO make it, sis what meant when
said that it wouldn't be necessary
for me to take this dog up to your
aunt's apartment"
The Curse OF Flesh
JUMBO CUTLER was hurrying
y along the street. AS general
rule, Mr.. Cutler made it a prac-
tice never to hurry. In the books
Of the gods il was written that
Jumbo Cutler was born sumter
er. Equipped with this divine gift
at the outset Jumbo, in early
youth, had improved his status by
mastering the art of lettering. But
geniuseS are never satisfied. BY
degrees and by rigid application
he had schooled himself to loaf,
trifie and dillydally as well. In the
course of time he had also become
no mean dawdler. And by early
manhood he exhibited such pro-
ficiency in these allied fields that
his normal gait was one that would
have provoked filters from snail.
Wherefore the sight of Mr. Cut
Ter marching briskly along the by
ways of New York was note
worthy phenomenon. But it was
not one that need have baffied
Scientists. Jumbo walked swiftly
because (a) he wished to reduce
and (b) the street that he had
chosen for purposes OF peregrina-
ton seemed to be lined with moth
ing except restaurants hash
houses and other emporiums spe-
cializing in the dispensation OF
food.
Little Geraldine will now want
to know what food had to do with
II. The answer is, everything. For
20 say that Jumbo was hungry
would be gross underStatement.
Jumbo had the hunger to end hum
gers. His whole being shrieked,
seethed and vibrated with an ALL
Consuming desire for food. He was
positive that, with practically no
urging. he could have sprinkled
vinegar on the Pennsylvania Sta
ton and eaten it raw. The red light
Of madness cleaned in his eyes.
There was a weight on his soul and
a pang on his stomach. And a girl
was the cause of it all.
Ever since that bygone day
when Van Hardness had diScov-
cred him trilling merrily on the
electric horse, Jumbo had been liv-
inR on love. To that athletic lady
Of his dreams, Miss Louella West.
he had sworn an oath to eliminate
ten pounds of solid flesh from his
marching equipment. With world
OF confidence he had gone about
the business Of fulfilling this mis-
sion. He had exercised until his
rotund body screamed Tor mercy
through a veritable sea OF perspi-
ration. He had eschewed alcohol
rigidly. He had denied his aching
stomach to the point of starvation.
But for all his Herculean endeav-
ors. he had been able to divest his