Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-03-03
TAkE rlMe.

Only those who have suffered with the tortures of indigestion can fully ap- preciate the blessings that attend the condition where ''gooi digestion waits on appetite, and health on both. r 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 flood, but they are in too much of a hurry for it to digest have seen hearty meals consumed by hungry peoyle in about ten minutes, amid a silence as profound as that which reigns at midnight, save the regular and unceasing 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 8 nation of dyspeptics of various degrees of wretchedness? In a majority of the homes of the country, in hotels and restaurants, in boarding houses and at railway lunch-counters, indigestion is cultivated by the haste with which people eat, making of this necessary proceeding a Hfe-and-death matter, in very truth, if one may judge by the silence and solemnity which are ss commonly characteristic of it.
 That mental animation and a mirth- full atmosphere are better than drugs to assist a weak stomach to perform it's duties, can be shown by the experience of almost every one. It is a 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. I have known a 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 the 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 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- tion.
 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 disappointedl It is un- fortunate that dyspeptic 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 we'll, 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 good to the body.
 Let the bright stories, the bright ideas and the bright happenings of the day be reserved for accounting when the family are gathered at their mealA If an effort is made to have these occa- sions bright and pleasant, two good re- suits will be obtained-digestion 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 1t Is not wise to 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 If little of this refined and healthful leisure cannot be taken as the work is now arranged, would have a smaller variety and simpler food upon my table, so that time might be found for it.
 To the "man 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- ble dishes that will affcrd tho palate but a 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 to the swamp to try their luck hunting, witnessed a singular combat, not long ago. First they heard a chorus of grunts and squeals, and, cautiously ap- preaching. beheld a boar attacking an alligator, the saurian being nearly eight feet long, For awhile, the odds were against the boar. The alligator would lash him heavily with his tail, and two or three times narrowly missed getting the hoar's head between his great jaws.