The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-06-12
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that characterized all her undertak-
| ings.
Thoroughly jealous and determined
she did not falter when the inevitable
| obstacles presented themselves
! The battling inconvenience, the an.
| noying Interruptions, usually so dis
| couraging to the beginner. served only
to strengthen this young womans pur-
| pose
| Even the complaints and criticisms
! Of her Immediate family who regard
| ed the matter as simply another fad
! Of Lydia's, could not deter her. The
| unsympathetic attitude of her relative
became more apparent daily. Plainly
| there was neither room nor reverence
in the house for Lydia's chest weights,
dumbbells and other paraphernalia.
However, when the family objected
to having the dining room turned into
gymnasium, she cheerfully trans
ferred her beloved trappings to another
apartment. Met With further opposi-
ton, she continued the transferring
process, nothing daunted.
But the time came when the oppos-
ing powers utterly refused to tolerate
her various apparatus in the house.
Then 1t was that a kindly fate stepped
in and took sides with Lydia. In other
words, fortune favored the brave.
1t came about that she no longer had
need Of the "trappings' which proved
such a bane to the family place. Ply
steal culturists We're beginning to IA
vor new and Smpler methods and less
violent exercise. The particular school
which Lydia patronized dispensed al
together with dumbbells. chest weights
and similar aids to development, claim
ing that better results could be OBJ
tanned without their use.
The main thing now was to breathe
deeply and to exercise moderately and
regularly in the open air.
All this Lydia took pains to inform
the family, who. while rejoicing in the
Punishment Of gymnastical appliances,
felt justified in ridculing afresh the
cause which she SO ardently espoused
The new theory was jestingly re-
ferred to as "Lydia's latest" and many
were the surrnises as to what the next
departure would be. AS for the girls
plan to take her exercises hereafter
in the open air, there was much hilar-
ious comment
That any person, knowing the limita-
lions Of life in Harlem fiat, should
seriously consider such an absurd prop
osition seemed too amusing for belief.
Where will you take your gymnas-
tics, pray?" inquired her sister in
voice ofmfrth "Out on the front steps
for the benefit of passersby?"
NO" answered Lydia, pleasantly;
"but I intend to take them in the open
air, just the same. Wait and you'll
see."
They did see. So, also, did Roland
Hastings, the windows of whose apart
ment overlooked the court where, In
the early morning, Lydia proceeded
each day to stretch her muscles and
breathe deeply as she had been in
structed.
Hastings, himself disciple of the
cause, had battled with all it's accom-
panying ENTHUSIASTICALLY with
those difficulties which block the path
of the city dweller-and could appreci-
ate keenly the bravery of the young
Woman's efforts.
When first he saw the girl he felt a
thrill of genuine admiration for her
dauntless disregard of conventional
limitations. How thoroughly uncon-
scious she was of everything except
the purpose in mind! How utterly she
ignored the possibility of curious on
lockers, applying herself to her task
with an absorption that permitted no
thought of distracting influences from
without
Hastings watched every morning now
for the 1.-THE figure in the comfortably
fitting suit of blue. He had a fear,
somehow, that the girls enthusiasm
when woman undertook such self
discipline.
But as time went on and she contin-
ued to appear regularly in the court
below, he was conscious Of a glow at
such indomitable perseverance.
There's a girl who possesses stick-to-
tttveness, bless her heart! BY Jove, its
a refreshing thing in this day Of dis
tracing frtvolit3-! I wish knew her."
How odd it seemed. after all, that he
should live in the same apartment
building with her and yet have no
means Of becoming acquainted. So
much of the unkind customs and con-
ventions of modern city life!
Regarding his own progress in mat
tiers athletic, he began to feel decidedly
dissatisfied. A stuffy bedroom was no
place to take ones exercise in and wire
screens at the windows were certainly
great obstruction to fresh air. After
all, there was no reason why he should
not also use the court as gymnasium.
1t was free to him as well as to her.
OF course he would choose a different
hour from hers-but no. that would be
impossible. He would necessarily be
obliged to take his gymnastics In the
morning before going downtown to
work and that was just the time she
used the court. He hated to intrude and
yet
Lydia's sister was the first to make
the discovery. Standing at the dining
room window she called out to the as
sembled family: ooh, do come quick
and look what's happened now! There's
young man out there taking physical
culture with Lydia-he's talking to her
do comet
The affair was spoken Of as .Lydia's
very latest" The girl endured the Jokes
at her expense with her characteristic
calm.
Have all the fun you please she
said cheerfully. "Mr. Hastings Is a
splendid fellow, as you'll all And out
some day. He wants to meet father
s and mother. I told him he might CALI"
Did any one ever hear OF such an un-s
conventional arrangement? But then.
1t was Just like Lydia!
II suppose, observed Lydia's sister.
after his twelfth call, that youth be
carrying on your physical culture in q
kitchen next? 1t looks that way
Perhaps. she answered. However.
We're still going to take exercises in
the open air. He thinks 1t the best
method, without doubt
Then you've got 1t all arranged"
gasped the sister. do you mean to saw
he's proposed already?"
Lydia's eyes were very bright. s.Ro-
land does not believe In procrastinat-
ing, :" she replied.