Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-18

lutely, 'Pve struck the very thing at
lastv'
His wife looked up from her needle
work. What is it now, HenryT'
"a cure for my rheumatism" he an
nounced triumphantly.
al didn't know you had rheumatism,
Henry"
AZ have had it lately; q sttffening Of
the joints and a general disinclination
to move around much"
"Humphw calculated his wife skep-
tically. you've been jumping up and
down all the evening, Henry, and this
is the first grunt I've heard out Of you.
Maybe it's growing pains"
Mr.. Highly arose painfully from his
chair and with bent back proceeded 10
limp slowly from the room. Anasta-
sia's kind eyes followed his progress
with mingled tears and laughter in
their depths. At last pity and love
trtnmphed, and she arose and went to
him.
Forgive me, Henry, for being 90
crossl Do come back and terl me what
can do TO relieve you," she said with
her cheek against his
Sunny hearted Henry Highly turned
a beaning face to hers and forgfvingiy
kissed her on the brow. he permitted
/ her to lead him back to hts conforts-
/ Bile morris chair and to pile several pit
| lows at his back
Now, tell me what new cure you
-.
down to her embroidery once more.
i've just read about 1t In this pa
/ per-" explained Mr.. Highly enthusiast
ticaliy. forgetting to sroan as he cross
ed, his legs comfortably. IT'S q SIM
pie cure, ana that is what appeals to
me. 1t costs absolutely nothing save
few pine boards and half a days
work. Living IN the suburbs as we do,
the trees are already provided for the
purpose"
What treesT asked Anastasia curl
ously.
THE trees for the cure. You see it
is this way: Some scientist has figured
that the outer air is the natural at
mosphere for man to breathe. He says
If animals can sleep In the open-thst
Is, If some can make their homes in
damp and oozy spots without contract
ing rheumatism and kindred diseases;
If others can sleep in cold caves on
rocky floors without dire results; If
birds oan nest in the trees without
catching cold from the rains that beat
in, why should not man who was made
to live and breathe the pure air OF out
of doors, why should not rheumatic
man sleep out in the open and cure
his ills? Great idea, isn't it?"
"Grandw agreed Anastasia without
enthusiasm.
I'm going to try it."
What are you going to be, an ami
NAL in an ooZy swamp or bird in
tree?' she asked.
II suppose you've heard of the Ger
man mud baths for rheumatism
Yes"
Then the idea of the oozy swamp ia
not farfetched. l expect to try the tree
cure"
You're going to build a nest?" she
asked. incredulity struggling with
amusement
common sense in such matters. l shall
modify the idea. of course. l shall
build a platform between those -four
tall chestnuts-say about forty feet
above ground. | shall have a strong
wire fence all about it and place a cot
there"
You will not only lose your rheuma,
tism, but all your other ills, Henry
and you will sleep thereafter in the
cemetery on the hillside" asserted his
wife dryly.
"Fiddlesticks" laughed Mr.. Highly
with great good humor. You said the
same thing when tried the fish diet fol
nervousness. You thought I would de
velop fms and get TO swimming in the
bay until somebody caught me with 6
mummy club and made me into 6
chowder. Why, you had the table al
set for a chowder dinner, with me al
the chief ingredient. Eth. AnastasiaT
He tweaked his wife's ear playfully
and made for the door. Il guess II
telephone down to Flakes house and
ask him to send up some lumber from
the mill In the morning"
Quite forgetful OF his rheumatism
Mr. Highly went into the hall and shu
himself into the telephone booth.
; Anastasia laid aside her heedleworl
and closed her eyes. She was tired o.
her husbands many fancied illnesses
and she was startled at the rapidit1
; with which one disease followed an
other. And yet, and yet, as an aetna
fact Henry Highly had never had {
days real sickness in the twelve year
they had been married
, As for his imaginary ailments-well
there had always beep for a standb.
the grip, then neuralgia Of head ant
, heart. asthma, bronchitis tuberculosis
insomnia pains and sprains. symp
toms Of whatever disease was the ia,
OF the moment, and he had had NOR
attacks OF appendicitis than all tn
: other citizens of his suburban tow
put together.
Z He had just recovered from an al
z tack of appendicitis and had cal
spent two days at his often negIecte
business when rheumatism stared hir
in the face