A Faker

A Washington newspaper correspondent told his paper the following story about Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas.

Senator Sheppard and a friend were strolling down Ninth Street, the "little Broadway'' of Washington, one evening. In a vacant store, a faker was haranguing a crowd, selling a book.

Cried the faker: "My friends, the most prominent men in America are availing themselves of the wise advice ... I hold in my hand. This very day, one of the most noted men in the Nation, the Senator from Texas, bought half a dozen copies. He is 120 pounds overweight and I have guaranteed that he will get back to normal."

Senator Sheppard nudged his friend. They continued their walk. Said Senator Sheppard: "It would be a fatal blow either to my colleague, Mayfield, or myself to reduce to the extent of 120 pounds. . . . The spectacle of a 40-pound member of the Senate would be a source of endless jest and the Senate has enough of ridicule. ..."