The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-08

gun. ANY Out Oh uOOI oAeIciSe Has
its attractions for me. But know of
no form of recreation equal to tramp
in pleasant country with congenial
companion.
After a long experience with all
forms of exercise, do not hesitate to
affirm thata weeks trip of daily walk
ing, rain or shine, yields, for the time
and money spent on it, the best re-
turn in health, strength, and that in
describable renewal of a mans best
powers, without which no exercise is
recreating.
To walk not only we'll, tlt with
real enjoyment, some preparation is
needed. First the foot wear must be
attended to. With improperly made
shoes, or with seamy socks, walking
is often torture. Commencing next
to the foot, get socks of wool-rights
and without seams on the sole.
The old-fashioned home knit woolen
sock, if the knots are all carefully re-
moved, makes the best kind of a
sock, if long enough, and if not too
pointed at the toes. Sharply pointed
socks pinch the toes, doing double
damage. First, they prevent the
proper action of the toes, and next,
holding the toes too closely together,
cause blisters on those important
members of the foot. Owing to al
ways having worn improper foot gear,
many persons lose the best use of the
toes in walking. Such persons donot
walk with graceful spring, but stamp
along like a horse in treadmill.
More work is thrown on other muscles
of the leg and foot, and the owner of
these muscles will be weary sooner
than the man who uses the whole
foot from heel to toe. have spoken
of the wool sock as being the best.
It is for me, but | have met good
walkers who preferred cotton socks.
I can easily see that persons who are
troubled with hot feet might find
wool too heating; but for my own
use, summer or winter, | do better
with wooden socks, light for summer
and dry weather; heavy for cold or
wet weather. Sometimes I change
socks in a long days walk, putting on
heavy ones in the morning and light
er ones after the midday meal,
adding a light insole to the shoes.
The insole serves twofold purpose,
helping to fill up the shoe, making
close fit, and thus preventing chafng.
and also making dry bottom for the
clean sock. Sometimes from perspira-
tion, sometimes from wet weather,
the sole of the shoes inside will be so
moist as to stick even to dry sock,
making wrinkles with danger of
blisters. To avoid this danger change
of shoes will accomplish the result,
but change of shoes is not always
possible every day, or, if possible, not
always desirable.
Advice as to Shoes.
Next as to shoes. They should be
easy, but not too loose. l find it ad-
visable to have two pairs, a light pair
for dry and smooth walking and for
change at the end of the days tramp,
and heavier pair for rough or wet
roads. Even the light pair should
have heavy single soles. Both pairs
should be made with low, soft count
ers, unlined, and with as few seams
as possible. For smooth and dry
walking l prefer no heels. Indeed 1
have all my walking shoes made with
out heels. For winter walking have
a single lift of heavy rubber put on
the heels of my heavy shoes. This
prevents the balling of the snow.
With rubber on the heels and hob
nails on the toes of his shoes man is
we'll prepared for all kinds of walk
ing, whether in snow or mud, or on
ice, or hard, frozen ground. The
shape of the shoe makes difference
in the comfort of walking. 1t should
be broad and square. No pointed
shoe can give pleasure in walking. 1t
does not allow the full action of the
toes. To get shoes of proper shape
every man should have lasts made
after the model of his foot. / made
casts of my feet. Into box of size
sufficient to allow room for both feet,
with partition between them and a
margin of half an inch of space
about the feet, put putty to the
depth of three-quarters of an inch
Having plaster of paris dissolved in
water and just thick enough to run
well, dipped my feet into cold
water to prevent the putty sticking to
the skin, and then stood in the box
long enough to make good clear