The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-01

in by his kind as to the meaning Of the
flaming sword. He talks louder than
does the average man. his hearing is still
unimpaired, and his sight. while not as
hawk-like as il once was. is still as good
as that Of most people.
Juan Vargas has FIVE generations liv-
Ing in this city, Rasa Vargas. a three
year-old girl. being the youngest of the
family. From Juan down there is only
one complete line. His daughter, Jacinta,
Is ninety-two years of age; her son, Am
orosio, sixty; his son. Havian. is twenty
! one, and his daughter. Rosa, is three.
Vargas has another daughter, Geronimo,
who is ninety, and son. Juan. jr.. who
died at the youthful age OF eighty-seven-
/ The descendants OF Juan Vargas from
these two children are many
Loved by His Descendants.
II ever man was loved by his children
and theirs It is Papacita Vargas. They
call him papacita. an endearing form Of
the Spanish papa, because they are great
/ ly attached 10 him. They minister to
every one Of his wants, wash his face
and comb his hair as II he were a baby
kiss his weakened old hands, and smooth
his wrinkled brow. In the Aztec and his
kind parental and illal love were ever
strong.
Here are Juan Vargas rules Of right
living: Eat what you want when you
want il and as much as you want; better
little too much than much too little.
Drink strong drink in moderation: Mescal
and tequlla if not drunk 20 excess will
cleanse your system very necessary
operation Smoke all you want. / have
smoked and inhaled ever since my tenth
year. Sleep whenever you feel like II and
as long as you want Nature VIII tell
when you have slept enough. During the
day live in the open air. but remain in
doors Of nights. for the exhalations Of the
soil are poisonous.
Work as hard as you can keep work
/ ing; II makes you forget that time is
going on. but work more with your body
than with your brain. You must have
good body before YOU can have q good
brain. Think that you viii live 20 be
very old. Don't VERY about death: Il
Will get you whether you worry about Il
or not. I have always thought from
seventy 10 eighty was the prime Of my
( life and that OF any other mans. Be
contented. II you have much, enjoy
much; II you have little. don't crave for
more. Don't pay any attention 10 health
faddists.
sleeps After Gorging.
If you want 20 gorge yourself, do so,
| but be sure to take a long sleep after
ward. Don't overeXert after hearty
meal. I have drunk over million gal
/ Ions OF water. Il is the very best thing
q man can do. 10 keep in good health. 1
/ have never taken medicines For wounds,
/ OF course. we need surgery. but for other
complaints right living and the ways OF
mature are the best cure. Have some
sort OF religion. Even the belief OF the
Buddhist or the old Aztec Is better than
none for they will help you TO reconcile
yourself with the things you cannot un-
derstand BE merry and live for to-day.
Do not attempt 10 become IL years old
except you have children that Will love
as l am loved By mine.
Yes" said the venerable patriarch IN
parting. I am thinking that I will live
20 see September IS; In fact, l have no
doubt that I will. But should I be called
before 'el dia de Diez y dc Septiembre'
comes around I shall know that He
| thought Il best"
Z The claim so often made that very old
men fail 20 keep Interested IN their sur
roundings does not wholly apply 70 Papa
eta Vargas. True, the progress Of the
world does not borbe- him for IN Ope NJ
his years who has seen so much OF
change many things appear vain and
many hopes faIacious, but Juan Vargas
keeps in the closest touch with the az
/ fairs OF his family.