The Washington times., 1920-08-22
~ Miss
. Annie s. Peck,
the Champion
Mountain Climber.
Her Latest Photograph.

effect that not one of th. boys ever drank wine or
beer or smoked a cigar or cigarette. Other stim-
uants, tea and coffee were also taboo to us chill
dren, though used by our parents, and up to now
two have never drunk them habitually, the other
two taking up morning coffee after arriving at
years Of discretion, that is, 80 or more.
1--WE were not stuffed with sweets like the
children of today; an infrequent penny for stick
Of candy was a gift of value; ice cream was
rarer treat, soda water undreamed OF.
"For exercise we played ball and marbles in
the ward climbed trees slid down hill in the WIN
ter: the boys worked in the garden, but they
had no regular athletics, and aside from walking
a great deal they took no habitual exercise.
"One notable circumstance is that Of Vae four
children, three including myself, lave been al
vavs under weight. This fussing about children
being a little below average weight seems 10 me
ridiculous A lean horse for long race Doubt
less some Of us at times have been too thin to be
&C. v;oorous As desirable / remember that my
father who lived to be "a weighed 12s pounds,
about his average, though feet 1oh inches tall
A brother, feet inches, when in his twent,es
weighed from 115 to 100 pounds. only once in his
life arriving at 16o
"Good hearts and lungs we were doubtless
endowed with, and we have never abused them,
though giving them plenty Of the exercise which
they need.
Not Rich but Quite Happy
"One Of the brothers has been a practising
rbv.;cian. one teacher, the other chiefly engaged
u business. but some years in farming. OF the
erst two. one has led q very regular and one an
;rr.0,lar life Each Of the three is confident that
no could not have survived had he lived like either
- the others. Nevertheless, some things they
have had in common.
"As a rule they have avoided overeating and
b,b;tual indulgence in very rich food; they have
not made a practice Of keeping late hours nor
snoaged in any form Of dissipation. All are
church members and respected citizens.
aAu Of us have no doubt spent more hours in
work and fewer in recreation than the majority;
we have been interested in our work and done it
rs well as we were able
Hence, although not so gay so rich as
many, we have probably worried less and had
more satisfaction and enjoyed more happiness
than tho giddy, discontented and envious q
healthy mind contributing to healthy body.
Certainly would not claim that we were
brought up in the best manner possible. More
exercise regularly taken in youth and mature life
would have been an advantage, but however agree
able it may be to spend two hours or more day
in the open air it is not absolutely necessary.
Also I maintain that it is far better for health
and more essential to good citizenship to enjoy
n Worthwhile book at home, to read and to think,
than to spend almost every evening in extrsvagsnt
pleasure. seeking"
So those Of us who have wondered at times
whether modern living conditions promote happi-
ness in the family life may be inclined to think
that erandmother's desire for return Of "the
oood old days" may not be without its merits
after ALL