The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-02-26
TAKE TIME.
DO Not Be In such . Hurry at tho Table.

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| Only those who have suffered with
the fortunes of indigestion can fully APP
preciate the blessings that attend the
condition where good digestion waits
on appetite, and health on both"
Moreover, if those who enjoy these
blessings could catch one glimpse of the
demons of unrest that forever dog the
footsteps of the dyspeptic, am of opin-
| ion that they would be much more care
full to keep the door securely closed
against these unwelcome visitors that
seem so eager to come in to dine and
sup with the family.
The people of this country are not
only in too great hurry to give proper
time to the eating of their food, but
they are in too much of hurry for it
to digest | have seen hearty meals
consumed by hungry people in about
zen minutes, amid a silence as profound
as that which reigns at midnight, save
the regular and increasing friction of
knives and forks against the surface of
the plates. With the last mouthful
hardly swallowed these people would
file solemnly out to take up at once the
labor of the afternoon. What wonder
that we are a nation of dyspepti& of
various degrees OF wretchedness? In a
majority OF the homes OF the country,
in hotels and restaurants, in boarding
houses and ut railway lunch-counters,
indigestion Is cultivated by the haste
with which people eat, making of this
necessary proceeding life-and death
matter, in very truth, II one may judge
by the silence and solcmnity which are
IS commonly characteristic of it.
That mental animation and q mirth-
full atmosphere are better than drugs
to assist weak stomach to perform its
duties, can be shown by the experience
of almost every one. 1t is q well-known
fact that when one dimes with com
pany of friends. he oftentimes eats
more and richer food than usual, and
yet feels no i'll effects from it have
known person who was accustomed
to be regularly distressed three times a
day at home, to go to an evening party
at which late supper was served, and,
throwing discretion to the winds, enter
into the enjoyment of tie good things
both mental and material, that his
host and hostess had provided, and go
home late at night, amazed that he had
forgotten he had such an article as a
stomach! do not mention this to en-
courage the folly of late suppers or Of
injudicious eating, even on festive occa-
sions, but to show that the mind has
much to do with the function of diges-
ton.
The one who sits down to the table
feeling sure that his food is going to
distress him, is pretty sure to rise later
without being disappointed! 1t is un-
fortunate thatdyspeptic people are so
universally inclined to keep the mind
fixed long and earnestly upon the very
subject that ought to be fartherest from
their thoughts to secure the happiest
results. But whether one is sick or
well, it is certainly true that the mind
ought to be free from care, and occu-
pied with mirthful, or at least pleasant,
feelings when one comes to the table,
If the food that has been prepared is to
do the greatest possible kgood to the
body. :, A
Let the bright stories, the bright
ideas and the bright happenings of the
day be re served for recounting when
the family are gathered at their meals
If an effort is made to have these occa-
sions bright and pleasant, two good re-
suits will be STANDARDIZATION will
be greatly assisted by the relieved ten
sion of the mind, and also by the in
creased time given to eating, which con-
versation and laughter would necessi-
tate.
Again, when the meal is finished it is
not wise 10 plunge directly into work,
either physical or mental. A little
leisure at this time will be fully made
up in the better work afterwards be-
cause of it II a little OF this refined and
healthful leisure cannot be taken as the
work is now arranged, would have q
smaller variety and simpler food upon
my table, so that time might be found for
it.
To the IMAM person" who writes this
it seems the height OF folly for the
housekeeper to spend hours, a part OF
which ought to be given to reading,
rest, recreation or sociability, in the
preparation of toothsome but indigesti-
Bile dishes that will afford the palate
but few moments pleasure at most,
while entailing upon the stomach a
grievous burden.
We need simpler food, that can be
easily prepared less depressing silence
and haste in eating it. and more time
(Which would be natural result of the
first proposition) for our womankind to
enjoy some of the good things of this
life, that pertain to the mental rather
than the physical part OF existence -
Webb Donnell, in Country Gentleman.
| A singular Combat.
The swamps of Cypress Bayou, in the
northeastern part of Texas, swarm with
game, including the wild hog and the
alligator. Two Texans, who went tc