Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-06-20
BOW LEGS EASILY CURED.

years of her married life in England
and when she returned to her native
town she brought, together with the
twins and a baby girl, a grtlt many
novel ideas.
The twins were 8 years old-6na,
sturdy little fellows, with rosy cheeks
and sparkling eyes, straight limbed
and vigorous as young athletes. The
Bassetts were well to dc" and it was,
therefore a matter Of great surprise to
the village in general, and to the
young mothers in particular, 10 see the
infant Bassets running about from
morning till night sans shoes and
stockings.
Il was soon ascertained that the
baby girl who was just beginning to
walk was also destitute OF these two ar.
ticles of attire, and the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children had
serious thoughts of calling upon Mrs.
Bassett and demonstrating in a body
with that derelict matron.
But il was the general opinion that
il Mrs. Bassett chose to be unconven'
tional she had reasons of her own for
conduct which might be worthy Of
consideration. and it was finally de.
cided that a committee of two-ladies
Of an inquiring turn of mind-should
visit the Bassett household and furnish
forthwith to the community at large Q
report of the various heresies which
had been put into practice.
Mrs. Bassett received her visitors
cordially and smiled pleasantly yhen
informed Of the nature of their call.
81 am very willing to talk about my
barefooted babies" she said frankly,
for, to tell the truth, lam rather proud
of them. When the twins were ba
bies." she continued, seating herself in
a low chair, they were treated, | sup
pose, very much like other children.
They lived out Of doors a great deaI
and were healthy and strong, but soon
after they began TO walk | noticed in
them decided tendency to toe in ]
was Mortified, for If there is one thing
l detest it is a bow legged man, and
here were my little men Of a year and
q half actually setting out on the
crooked journey of the nursery jingle.
my friends all said that most chill
lren We're bow legged at first and all
that would come right itself in the
course Of time.
Il waited with considerable impa
tience, but saw no signs Of improve,
ment. Finally l consulted a doctor
and asked him if | must put the two
pairs Of legs in irons.
Irons. shouted the doctor. 'Fid
dlesticks. Take off their shoes and
stockings. Their muscles have prob
ably been crsmpcd and weakened al
ready aud irons will only increase the
trouble. OF with their shoes
Blu. won't they take colaf | ven
tured to humbly inquire.
"'Cold" he said. Why should they
You don't keep their hands tied up, dc
your If your house is fairly comforta
bic and they are active and vigorou,
their feet will be us warm as theil
hands. At first perhaps they had bet
ter wea shoes out of doors, but in Q
short time they can dispense with them
even there, except, of course, in severe
weather
II was not altogether convinced
but ! thought the experiment worth
trying. Another suggestion which the
doctor gave me | also found a mos
useful one. He advised me to let the
boys walk up hill, and wien they
could not he out of doors To nave an
inclined plane arranged in the house
for them TO practice on. In the eifort
TO walk up a steep incline one aatur
ally throws the feet outward.
LET your boys try il for awhile a
any rate, said my good doctor. Dom
cramp their feet and | will wager tina
nature will give them as straight leg,
and as firm muscles as anybody neet
wish for
Il have followed my wise DOCTOR
advice; the results you can see fol
Yourself" added the young mother