Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-04-10
LUCY's PRESCRIPTION


fully on the sofa, and read a novel Here she
generally had peace, although her baby
brother, neglected perlorce by mother
busy with other duties, sometimes disturbed
Lucy by crying in his crib in an adjoining
room. On such occasions Lucy was required
to make great concentration Of mental ef-
fort to follow the hero and heroine and The
other characters Of her book through the
maze Of their haps and mishaps. This was
annoying, and Lucy didn't like annoyances,
especially from a baby Lucy was 20, and
had been the only child until this brother
came. Now that he was here he put her nose
badly out Of joint He was now the fatherly
pet. So she bothered with him as little as
possible, which was very little, indeed.
Recently Lucy had not been feeling quite
herself. She was not in any immediate dan
ger Of death-merely oppressed with sense
Of lassitude ad chronic weariness. She won
dered what was the matter with her, and
might possibly be wondering yet were II not
for her latest novel In that book he hero
inc felt just as Lucy felt if the author could
be believed But the heroine had become q
feminine athlete through devotion to physi
cal culture, and "that tired feeling both
cred her no more In detail the author de
seribed the apparatus used by the heroine
and the costumes worn by her while she
trained her muscles.
All this was read with interest by Lucy,
who decided that she must have physical
culture. But how would she get Il? Her
father had what seemed to her a most un.
reasonable objection to spending money
upon what he called unnecessary things
Most Of the things Lucy wanted he thought
unnecessary. There were her last two vaca-
ton trips If she had not persuaded the
family doctor to order her to the mountains
year before last, and to the seashore last
year, her father would not have opened his
| heart to consent to her going and his pocket
book to pay her expenses.
Thinking Of the clever family doctor made
the whole thing easy. The doctor was an
amiable old chap, and Lucy thought she
could bring him to look upon things as she
wished She had done so before, and what
woman has done with man, woman can do
especially the same woman with the same
man.
The visit to the doctor was quite salts
/ factory. He was properly sympathetic when
/ Lucy described the symptoms of her malady,
and he rose to the adroit suggestion of ply
sical culture as the trout rises to the fly.
It undoubtedly would be a good thing She
| did not need any medicine in the shape Of
| drugs; just some exercise with proper ap-
/ paratus and in correct costume. Certainly
he would inform her father of the state Of
her health, and what she ought to have to
| effect cure He would write her father
letter that evening.
Lucy dreamed that night of the spare
room turned into private gymnasium, with
herself in dainty dress Of dark blue French
flannel trimmed with white braid, swing
/ ing polished Indian clubs and putting up
/ light, gided dumbbells. In the morning in
stead Of following her usual custom of hav-
| ing her mother or the maid bring her break
fast to her in bed she arose and appeared
with the rest of the family at the table She
wanted to be present when her father re-
eeved the doctors letter.
The letter was handed to her father Just
as he finished his meal, and he opened it
at once As he read it the look Of concern
on his face was followed by one Of perplexity,
and then smile succeeded He handed the
letter to his wife, saying to Lucy
II did not know yea were i'll. The doctor
tells me you have been to see him, and in
fer that your trouble is a serious one. He
recommends course Of treatment which
wish you would carry out faithfully"
Lucy smiled obediently and replied "Yes,
Papa; IN do just as the doctor advises. =
Then her mother gave her the letter, which
read;
New York, Feb. Q, 1908.
Mr. John Poorpop, City.
Dear Sir: ] have been consulted by your
daughter Lucy regarding the state Of her
health, and at her suggestion / write you
my advice concerning her case. This letter
therefore, may be looked upon as prescrip-
tion, although it does not bear the usual
form In the first place, your daughter
affection is one which will require continu.
Gus treatment for its cure. II has become
chronic, and believe was congenital.
have diagnosed the case as one Of Lazy
ritis, by no means rare ailment. A
thorough course Of physical culture is the
only cure. For this reason I recommend
that your daughter be furnished with the
appropriate apparatus and costume for in
dulging in the following exercises:
Wrestling, bag-punching, Swedish calls
themes, medicine ball game, grace move
ments, endurance motions, and hexing ac
tions.
Wrestling exercise can be had while
making beds. Turning several heavy mat
tresses day will prove very beneficial.
Bag Punching-This exercise also can be
had while making beds. Thumping pillow,
to get them soft and smooth is excellent
for the muscles Of the arms, and shoulders
Swedish Calisthenics--These can be in
dulged in with tho aid of broom Tn,
bending and swaying necessary in sweep
ing will reduce the size of the waist and
strengthen the whole torso.
Medicine Ball Game-One Of the best ex
ercises ever invented, Ball is not needed
Take up a baby for couple of hours daily
dandling, bathing dressing and undressing
it as required. A kicking, suuirming child
beats anything ever invented for strengthen
ing the forearm and the muscles of the back
Grace Movements-These are practicec
while WELDING a feather duster They aid
in Symmetrical development.
Endurance Motions-To be practiced over
a washtub with hot, soapy water and soiied
clothes The up-and-down action by which
the clothes are eleansed win strengthen tb,
whole body and give great powers OF endur
ance, Also excellent as a vapor bath for th,
complexion,
Flexing Actions -serubbing gives thes,
actions TO perfection The reaching oui
with a brush while the person exercising /,
on hands and knees makes all the muscles
pliable.
Cos,ume-Ordinary house dress, without
eorsets; skirts clearing the floor and sleeve
tucked up at the elbows.
Iime-An the time, except when actually
fatigued
hope to hear Of decided improvement
in your daughters health shortly / am
my dear sir, yours very respectfully,
A. WISEMAN, M. D.
Whereat Lucy Wept and said spitefu
things about "tha nasty mean nld ,hvuf