Huntsville gazette., 1889-07-20
and feels so wretched. / really b.


lievc, Stacy, she would get well again
if she would only take some exercise
and live in a well-ventilated room.
Why, strong as / am now l know |
would be wretched invalid in a years
time if lived as Emma does. Women
have only themselves TO blame for
aabby muscles and bad complexions. :"
''What a lecture, Lou. You ought
to go on the platform as an exponent
Of physical culture for women"
I'D do well, / know; but | won't
lecture any more now; I'll tell you
about the dresses worn at Mrs.
Shayne's high tea last Thursday"
From dress they wandered into dis
cussion of a recent biography of a
noted man, and then talked of church
affairs; but it was of Louis little lecture
only that Stacy thought after her friend
had taken her departure and left her
alone again.
Il wonder why women seem opposed
to strengthening their muscles" she
soliloquized; but, perhaps, it is only
because they don't understand the inn
portance of it, and then" She
started, paled suddenly, and then grew
rosy-red. A sudden idea had taken
possession of her brain-an idea that
plunged her into state of great men
tai excitement.
at is worth trying" she murmured,
"and-I believe I'll try it. There is
nothing else"
She went upstairs and found Alice
lying on q sofa in her bedroom.
I've worked it out, Alice, she said,
kneeling down by her sisters side, her
face flushed and eager. And now
don't say one word to discourage me-. !"
And then she told her sister what
she intended to do.
Bert was very much surprised when
informed that his sisters would not
make part of his household.
"Why, what can you do-you two
girls?'' he said. There are six teach
ers to every half dozen squares in the
city, and the schools monopolize the
drawing pupils"
In the first place, answered Stacy,
quietly. "re are no longer very young,
Bert; "we've passed the age of timidity
and ignorance, and no one will ques-
ton the advisability Of our striking
out for ourselves. In the second
place, we are not thinking Of giving
lessons in music and drawing as you
say, the supply is greater than the de-
mand. No, intend to start q school
of physical culture for women"
At first Bert ridiculed the idea, de-
claring it wild and visionary; but fin
ally he consented to listen quietly to
his sisters arguments.
Well" he said, when she had fin
ished, II won't say think the plan
well-iudged. nor can give it my ap-
proval; but since you're bent on it, I'm
willing to help you all can. I'm only
afraid Adeline won't like the idea of
it. Shc's-so aristocratic, you know"
Staey's cheeks flushed, but she was
sufficiently self-disciplined to repress
the reply that sprang to her lips.
Adeline din't like it, and said SO in
very plain terms; but her disapproval
was mitigated in measure when she
learned that Stacy's venture would be
made in a large Southern city.
.'Of course that alters things in
degree" she said, for no one here
need know just what you are doing
down South. And to be perfectly
frank with you, admit that it e0jjI, be
more pleasant for Bert and me to have
our home to ourselves, You can't
blame me for feeling SO, I'm sure"
Not in the least, answered Stacy,
''and you need never admit that you
are connected with US if you by any
chance ever meet any of our pupils" "
You speak as if you were sure OF
having pupils" said Adeline, Nov,
| haven't the slightest idea your enter
prise will be a success"
But it was. Stacy had plenty OF
pluck, industry, and energy, and she
made no mistakes Within week atf-
er her arrival in her new field she had
advertised her school 50 extensively
and carefully that it became the topic
Of conversation in every boudoir and at
every tea-table. The school opened
with eight pupils, but in less than
month that number was increased to
fifty. Stacy had provided herself with
letters from Prof Wise, and she also
obtained from him many valuable hints
ard suggestions. Her school became
the fashion, and her pupils were amoug
the most cultured and intelligent OF
the feminine portion Of the population
She finally was obliged in order to
accommodate her ever-increasing pa
tronage, to rent small hall, which
was fitted up with all the latest con-
trivances in the way Of lifts, pulleys,
slides and other gymnasium para pher-
MALTA.
This is not fancy sketch, and the
school Of physical culture which Stacy
and Alice established is running to-
day on full tide of prosperity, and
the sisters are thankful every hour of