Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-15
t. the Editor Of The Evening Star:


To the youthful aspirant after a small
measure OF fame an athlete the local
gymnasiums afford ample facilities, and
foster and encourage the acquisition and
cultivation of muscle. In addition thereto
there are frequently advertised in The Star,
for the benefit of those persons not at
tached to any gymnasium, notices Of books
wherein are laid down certain rules to be
observed by the young man in pursuit of
physica vfgor Club swinging, punching the
bag and the deft manipulation of dumb
bells are therein fully set forth and ex-
pounded, all of which, when judiciously in
dulSed In, tend to enlarge the muscles and
improve the physical condition of the en-
bryo Sandow.
Sprinting is by TO means to be decried
or condemned in this connection, for it is
conducive to the Improvement of the
WING and the expo nsion Of the chest and
lungs.
To those ambitious persons, young and
CID, who, though members of gymna SUM
yet do not apply themselves to this latter
branch of athletics with that ardor and dill
1gence which are essential to success, we
commend a residence on the METROPOLITAN
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio. Such a
residence differs from the ordinary city
habitation in this that the sprirting is
rendered compulsory and constitutes part
of the daily training.
For example, you might rise in the morn
Ing and feel INDECENT, or have a slight
headache, or your shoes might not be of
the regulation light weight or perchance
you might be encumbered with an over
coat and a bundle that in, obedience to
wife's peremptory instructions you are to
get exchanged ''on your way TO the Office
All these considerations have absolutely
no weight. The fact remains. you must
sprint
In rendering sprinting obligatory. the Bal
timore and Ohio people cheerfuily lend
their efficient aid. Their plan is not COM
pick at all. You live at Rockville, say, and
your presence at the office at 8 O'Clock is
required. Each morning the railroad COM
pany kindly detans the Frederick train at
Was hingtop Junction. elsewhere so that
it will arrive at Reckvflle about twenty or
thirty minutes late. -
While waiting for the train, you might be
prompted to uncivilly indulge in harsh
criticism of the railroad company To di-
vert your attention from your troubles you
are privileged to inspect divers bundles,
boxes and packages destined for certain
enterprs!ng merchants) that have been
piled up In confusion on the platform, from
freight trains. and speculate on their prob
able contents and reflect on your own I'M
supplied DEFICIENCIES in that Hne.
You might be a little fatigued and vexed
when you at length climb aboard the be-
lated train but you are suffered to pay
your fare (part of which is probably to re-
quite the railroad people for rendering
sprintiEg compulsory, and sit quietly and
restfully, outstanding your strength for a
spirited dash of matter of half mile. or
mile, to the office, when the train reaches
Washington. OF course you can never hope
to reach your office at O'Clock, but YOU
can. according to your activity, somewhat
diminish the period of your delinquency and
mitigate the severity of the official repri-
mand due to your habtual hardness
Chasing the COW out of the corn. restor
ing a vagrant pig to its pen, or casting mis-
sizes or debris at the persevaring poultry in
Your flower beds, may have it's attractions
to stimulate certain sluggish muscles, but
an enforced sprint from the depot to the Of
flee is more frequently INDUCED in.
THE SAGE OF HACIENDA.
December 13. 1897.