Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-25
LIFE'S PROBLEMS
ARE DISCUSSED

She is eighteen, and sometimes
she gets so discouraged and un-
happy that she would just like to
run away and live on a desert island
all by herself.
When l compare myself with
other girls" she writes, Il seem to
exist, not to live. In what way? In
every way"
Then she goes on to sketch her
self in broad strokes of drab. II
am motherless, and my father,
brother and myself keep house to-
gether. 1t is not much of a home.
l am not employed at present, and
when l was did not have a very
good position. In fact, I spent
most of my time knocking about
from one position to another.
The trouble was, that 1 was
never in good health, and still
am sufferer from weak nerves and
a general rundown condition, al
though few people would believe it
to look at me, for / am by no
means of the pale, emAciated type.
On the contrary, most persons con-
slider me attractive.
About a year ago. I decided to
take up a course in physical culture
in the hope that it would benefit me.
l was so desperate at that time that
l was ready to try almost anything;
and 1 thought if l could only achieve
good health it would not be so
difficult for me to earn my own liv-
ing and to bear my other troubles,
The course required a lot of
patience. determination and ef-
fort. 1 cannot deny that it did me
some good. but if, as / began to feel
better, 1 stopped following instruc-
tions 1 Immediately slipped back
again. 1 had hoped for some defin-
lite and permanent improvement
within a year; but the time has al
most elapsed now, and the benefit l
have obtained is not nearly so much
as 1 expected. And 1 get so tired of
it at times. having to give up so
much-early to bed, and continually
having to think what L must eat
and what 1 must do. Would you ad-
wise me to keep on at 1t, or is it a
mere waste of time?
Perhaps, you will think this ILL
ness of mine all imaginary. l am
inclined to believe SO myself some
times. Yet when l relax in my
dieting and regimen people are very
apt to notice it and tell me that l
am not looking well.
Constant worry and not enough
fun causes part of my ill health, |
am sure. Yet even as a child l
was not very healthy. If 1 wanted
to, 1 could fill pages describing my
peculiar temperament, but think
| have told you enough.
Il am discouraged and I worry,
because I want to be of more use
in the world, and to enjoy life and
be happy. This is the reason that
| want to be healthy.
''HEARTSICK.
"P. S.-A doctor could not help
me, as / would not know what to
tell him"
My dear girl, 1 am not sure that
doctor would not help you-if he
was the right kind of doctor. And
I l am not sure that clergyman
would not help you-if he was the
right kind of a clergyman. Or a
Christian Science or mental prac-
titioner. Or good shaking. Or
1 sweetheart Always presdpposing
each to be of the right kind.
But the person who can help you
most and best is your own little
I self. When you read that don't
stop, please, with the idea that
am going to ladle you out few
platitudes. telling you that there is
really nothing the matter with you,
ana IndI you nave OillJ ~
a, glad, Pollyanna spirit to see all
your seeming ills disappear.
Far from it. I would never call
weak nerves and the dragging de-
preston which accompanies them
an imaginary ailment. 1t is every
bit as uncomfortable and real to the
sufferer as toothache or appendt-
citis. Indeed, the doctors are now
assuring us that temperament"
itself is a definite disease. Nor, II
you can see the slightest benefit or
advantage from your physical cul-
ture course, would I advise you to
, stop it. 1 merely say, these things
YOU ought to do and not leave the
others undone.
I Most cripples are optimists. Why ?
Because they instinctively try to
show the world that the. loss OF O
hand or a foot or an arm does not