The Bismarck tribune., 1933-12-21
THE MYSTERY OF LIFE

Give me q good mystery yarn and
oh, q few simple adjuncts, and I'm
happy. The general run of fiction,
both classical and woodpulp, never
troubles me much. I did follow
through yarn of Knut Hamsun's-
Growth of the Soil-for the charm Of
the writer's style, and dipped into
one OF Arnold BENEFITS tales of the
Five Towns or was it Three Towns,
held for a few chapters by the au-
thor0 intimate knowledge of the tech
nical side Of divers professions. But
for real entertainment and forgetful-
ness of worries and troubles give me
a mystery story-none of your smart
detective tales, but mystery with
atmosphere and suspense and not too
many errors in spelling and syntax.
I like my mystery served as side
dish, and not mixed in with regular
rations.
When I was q boy II or 10 years
old, in my first year In college, wor-
ried great deal about what learn
ed only q year or two later was
normal condition. used to read with
great interest the booklets and the
newspaper ads Of the many quackS
who boldly cried their wares in those
days, and all that ever kept me out
OF the clutches of some such vulture
was the fact that / didn't have the
price. That is just one of many rea-
sons why I am glad I was always
hard up. heavily in debt, when was
q youth. It is one reason why feel
sorry for the boy who begins his fast
life driving his own car In his college
days and even in his high school days.
He doesn't get a fair deal.
Acne was another more or less nor
NAL condition that gave me many un-
happy moments. It makes thousands
Of boys and girls needlessly unhappy.
I wonder why it is that parents then
and now prefer to keep up the
mystery Of life and either hold aloof
or actually frown on efforts to teach
the children the truth about things
from the beginning.
/ suppose it is only natural for us
old folk to look upon the flaming
youth of the day as frightfully soph-
isticated and all that. Well. I see
youth in the same light, as q plain
citizen. But let me tell you I see
youth in another light, in my capacity
as health adviser. These Wild-talking
boys and girls today are just acting,
trying to be nonchalant. When it
comes right down to the heart or soul
they are just as dumb as ever. Their
sophistication is merely an affectation
which they get from the movies and
the woodpulp magazines.
have q general letter Of instruc-
ton and advice which composed
originally for boys Is years or older,
but I am glad to send this letter to
any boy Of any age who asks for 1t
and encloses stamped envelope
bearing hts address. And II the boy
writing for this advice and instruction
pertaining to sex has particular
question he would like answered pri-
vately, he may ask the question. All
/ insist on Is sincerity, and no i'm
personal or hypothetical questions.
Sorry I can't offer similar service
to girls. Tried it out some years age
and the vote from mothers, perhaps q
bit behind the times, but mothers ot
modern daughters, proved adverse and
I discontinued the letter for girls.
Life Is mystery enough, without any
superstitious or meretricious taboos *
lead children aStray.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When the Diabetic Travels
I have diabetes and must weigh m!
food and take ins,llin. While d
70 I get along very we'll. Can travel
I am 70 situated that ! might enjo.
travelling. only wonder II I can sc