The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-06

scheme of life which would kill any body else. It sounds like an exaggera' ticn. but that Is really the common rule for attaining to old age. We have nc permanent habits until we are forty Then they begin to harden. presently they petrify: then business begins Since forty, have been regular about going to bed and getting up-and that IS one of the main things to do. l nave made 1t rule to go to bed when there was not anybody left to slt up with; and have made 1t a rue to set up when had to. This has resulted in an unswerving regularity or irres- ularity.
 The Matter of Diet.
 ''In the matter of diet-which is arl- other main thing--I have been persist ently strict in sticking to the things which did not agree with me until one or the other got the best or II; oh.i. I got the best of 1t myself But last spring I stopped frolicing with mince pies after midnight; up to then l had always believed it was not loaded. For thirty years I have taken conee and bread at in the morning and no bite nor sup till 7:30 in the evening.
 'T have made it rule never to smoke more than one cigar at a time. l have no other restriction as regards smok- l to smoke I only know that all during my fathers life time that it was indis- erect. He passed from this life early in 1S47, when I was a shade past II; ever since then have smoked publicly. As an example to others and not that care for moderation myself, IL has always been my rule never to smoke when asleep and never to refrain when awake.
 "As for drinking, have no rule about that. When the others drink, I like to nedp; otherwise, I remain dry by habit and preference. This dryness does not hurt me, but 1t could easily hurt you, because you are different. You let 1t alone.
 Since I was years of age I have seldom taken a dose of medicine and have still schooner needed one. But up to seven lived exclusively on allo- pathic medicines. Not that I needed them, for I don't think I did; 1t was for economy; my father took a drug store for a debt and 1t made cod liver oil cheaper than the other breakfast foods. I was the first standard oil trust. I had it all By the time the drug store was exhausted my health was established and there never has been much the matter with me since. Exercise is Loathsome. 'I nave never taken much excrcise except sleeping and resting. and never intend to take any. Exercise is loath- some and 1t cannot be any benefit when you are tired. I am always tired.
 T have lived a severely moderate life. But 1t would be a mistake for other people to try or for me to re- comend it. Very few would succeed. You have to have a perfectly colossal stock of morals and you cannot get them on margin; you have to have the whole thing and put them in your box. Morals are an aquirement like music, like a foreign language, like piety, po- ker, paralysis-no man is born with them. I wasn't myself. I started poor.
 Three score and ten! It is the Scrip tural statute of limitations After that you owe no active duties; for you the strenuous life is over. You are a time- expired man, to use Kipling's military phrase. You have served your term, well or less well, and you are mustered out. You are become an honorary mem Der of the republic, you are freed; com pulsions are not for you nor any bugle call but Lights out You pay the time worn duty bills if you choose, or de- cline If you prefer-and without preju- dice. for they are not legally collect able"