April S, 1000.
Secrets of Long Life
Thrco noted Americana, two of
whom have passed four-scoro years,
radically rilsngreo as to tho means of
".promoting longevity, but cite their own
cwfea as evidence, or tho merit of their re
spective methods. When William M. Kvarts
waa asked tho other day to what ho as
cribed his long llfo and excellent health he
ropllod: "I don't know, unless It Is be
cause I don't take any exorcise." This has
been taken as one of Mr. Evarts' Jokes.
Those who know tho venerable gentleman
brut recognize the answer as absolutely
true. Mr. Kvarts takes no exercise. Ho has
carefully avoided exerclso for many years.
When ho went from his homo to his otllce
ho would not walk a block; ho would take a
carriage, no matter bow short the distance.
Dr. John Flake, tho historian, reveals tin
secret of his strong constitution as follows:
"Always sit In a draft when r find one, wear
tho thinnest clothes I can find, winter and
summer, catch cold onco In three and four
years, but not severely, and prefer to v rk
In a cold room, 55 to CO dogrces. Work the
larger part of each twenty-four hours, and
by day or night indifferently. Scarcely ever
change a word once written, eat when
hungry, rarely tasto coffee or wlno or smol o
ti cigar, but drink two to three quarts of
beer each day and smoke a plpo all tho time
whon at work. Never experienced tho fooling
of disinclination for work, and, therefore,
never had to force work. If I feel dull when
nt work, a half hour at tho piano restores
normal mental condition, which Is one more
argument for the hygienic and recuperative
effects of music."
Dr. 1). K. Pearson of Chicago, who has
made himself famous by his generous gifts
to western colleges and schools, has been
giving s-mie recipes frr reaching old nge.
Dr. I'earson is 80 years old. His reclpo
for securing long llfo Is: "Keep cool, don't
overload tho stomach, breathe pure air an 1
lots of It, eat a vegetable diet, don't eat
late suppers, go to bod early, don't fret,
don't go where you'll get excited, and don't
forget to take a nap after dinner." His
clockwork way of living Is ono of tho strong
points of his system. Here it Is as applied
to his own dally life:
fi a. m. Wake up and get up.
7 a. m. Eat a light breakfast.
8 a. m. Catch a train.
8:30 a. m. Reach Chicago.
8:15 a. in. Walk Into tho office.
12:10 p. m. Doard train for home.
1 p. m. Eat dinner.
1:45 p. m. Take a nap.
3:15 p. m. Ret up.
3:30 p. m. Read, talk and ride.
6 p. m. Eat a light supper.
6:45 p. in. Head or chat.
8 p. m. Retire.
N. H. On Sundays the clock substitutes
"church" for "olllco."
Lincoln Waited
Two Years
In September, 18C0, I was In Sprlngflold,
III., says a writer in the Boston Transcript.
At the postodlcc where I wont for my mall
I chanced to hear one of a group of young
ladles excitedly say to her mates, "That Is
Mr. Lincoln!" Looking In the direction they
did I saw a tall, slender, very swarthy man
entering tho office. He wns so unlike my
preconceptions that I doubted if it was
Lincoln. Ho did not seem old. Courteously
touching his hat to tho young ladles he
unlocked n largo drawer and took therefrom
a wholo armful of newspapers and twenty
flvo or thirty letters, which he clasped with
his long Angers. As ho npproached mo I
saluted him respectfully and said: "I beg
your pardon, sir; but aro you Mr. Lincoln?"
He answered, "Yes, sir." Then still very
doubtful If It could be him I continued:
"Hut aro you Mr. Abrnham Lincoln?"
"That's my name," he said; "what Is youra
and whero do you live?" I answered, telling
him my namo and adding, "I llvo In Now
York state, but havo not been at home for
a year. I wns in Tennessee during tho
John Urown raid." "Is that so?" ho said.
"Come and seo me tomorrow and tell mo all
about it. Good evening!" and wo parted.
I was too timid to call the next day. I
fancied thero would be so many there to
see him that he would not think of mo.
Hut that evening I unexpectedly met him on
tho sidewalk. He was leading by tho hand
his boy, Tad, and they both seemed happy.
Ho Instantly recognized nnd stopped mo
nnd nfter a cordial greeting said: "I seo
you havo not yet left town. How much
longer shall you stay?" I told him that I
did not know, ns I was waiting for letters.
Ho then said: "Hut you did not come to see
mo today." I frankly told him why. He
said: "Tho governor has very kindly placed
his room at my disposal nnd I go thcro
every day at 10 and stay until 4. I go ex
pressly to seo my friends and If they don't
como I feel that they don't want to seo mo
Now, In your case, I particularly want you
to toll mo what you saw and heard down In
iTennessce last fall and I will consider It
J" n personal fnvor If you will como tomor
row." Of course I gladly accepted tho new In
vitation, nnd next day, promptly nt 2
o'clock, I kneeked nt tho door of the gov
ernor's room In the state house, and Lin
coln's voice responded, "Walk in." As I
ontered ho roso from an olllco chair, at a
large writing desk, and coming to me, took
my right hand In his and rented his left
on my shoulder, ns ho kindly led mo to a
seat closo to his own. Tho room was long,
Near tho further end sat Mr. John O.
Nlcolay, reading a lnw book, and on tho
floor was llttlo Wllllo Lincoln playing Ho
hod a hobby horse, a hoop and other toys,
iHillllllllllliiiiiiiiiHflilllillllllliiii Jm"
Kor moro than half an hour I was ques
tioned, nnd gave all tho information I could
concerning the conditions in Toniutuee and
Kentucky.
In less than three minutes I felt as un
constrained tn his presonco as if I had
known him nil my life. I recall that after
a few minutes the thought came to mo, as
I looked in his kindly face, that he was not
an ugly looking man as was generally
supposed. Though I was then but 20 yearn
old It hnd been my fortune to meet ninny
eminent men. Hut that afternoon, as I
listened to his voice, looked Into tho depths
f his earnest eyes, watched the wonderful
expression of his face and recognized thu
wisdom of what ho said, I felt mysolf in
the presence of tho greatest and best man
I had ever seen. I rejoiced that ho was to
bo our president. I havo never seen an
other fnco that was so expresslvo as that
of Lincoln. Ho Impressed mo ns ono who
had studied tho great questions of tho day
with a thoroughness and candor that was
sublime. No wonder his neighbors called
him "Honest Uncle Abe!" They knew he
could bo trusted.
After ho had asked mo for tho Informa
tion ho wished, I turned tho tables, and
questioned him. Telling of my arguments
with southerners, I asked If he, as presi
OMAHA TOURISTS IN EGYPT MR, AND
. '"
OMAHA ILLUSTRATED 111313.
OMAHA TOURISTS ON THE NILE Mil. AND MRS. t
dent, could Interfere with slavery Id tho
states. I can recall nearly tho exact words
of his reply. He said: "No. If I shall bo
elected president In November, and Inaugu
rated next Mnrch, I shall havo no moro
power to Interfere with tho Institution of
slavery In any of tho southern states than
I shall have to Interfere with their banks
or with any other Institution that Is de
pendent on local or municipal law for Its
existence. That Is, what I say Is truo If I
am permitted to act as president without
trouble. Hut, you know, somo of tho moro
excitable southerners, tho ones known ns
flre-eaters, nre threatening that If n re
publican be elected president, their states
will secede. Now, secession" (and his volco
assumed an earnest, solemn tone, which I
can never forget) "mentis war; for wo enn
never consent that this union be dissolved.
You know Hint tho president of tho United
Stntes Is the cominnnder-ln-chlef of nil Its
armies and admiral of tho nnvy. Hence, If
these men shall carry out their threats, and
nctual war ensues, It may bo that, strictly
as a war measure, It will becomo not merely
my right, but absolutely my duty, to set
free tho slaves."
Then followed some very kindly personal
suggestions 'which I havo since often wished
I had heeded. Heforo leaving I naked If ho
MRS. C N. DIETS! OF OMAHA AND MR
.V. DIET.
would favor mo with his signature. I re
quested him to simply write his namo. Ho
saiil ho would do so, and started to comply,
but before; bo had completed tho letter "A"
bo stopped and said: "No; I urn going to
put this In thu form of a letter. Then you
will always remember Just when I gave It to
you, and nil tho circumstances." And ho
opened a drawer, took out a plain shoot of
commercial nolo pnpor, and wrote
thereon:
Springfield, Illinois.
September 22, IMil).
Jason Yuninn, Esq
My dear Sir:
You request nil uilt gnurii
And hero It Is
Yours Truly,
A. LINCOLN.
Such Is the story of my Interview nnd
Its circumstances.
After Fremont's proclamation was re
scinded by President Lincoln, many ardent
anti-slavery people charged that tho presi
dent did not know his powers. His letter
to mo bears date Septomlwr 22, 18C0. Ills
emancipation proclamation was Septenibor
22, 1882 exactly two years later. Ho thor
oughly knew his legal right, IiIb power to
free tho slaves. Hut ho waited until ho felt
It was absolutely his duty to act, and then
did his duty.
AND MRS. RAND OF HURLINGTON, la.
it
Wife's Year of Silence
"The conduct demanded of a newly mar
ried Armenian woman will strike Ameri
cans as very singular Indeed," said An
tninlL' Azhderlan, a young Armenian, to a
New York Sun reporter. "She. utters never
a word except when alone with her hus
band until nfter tho birth of her first
child. Then she is allowed to talk to
her child. A little later she Is allowed to
converse with her molber-ln-law; still
later her own mother may again, hear her
voice, and before a great whlln she will
stieak In whispers to the young glrlH of
her household. She nius: not leave the
hiuso during the first year of her married
life, except to attend church. Her discipline
as u lulde terminates after six years, but
she will never again open her Hps to a man
unless bo be her kinsman. Young girls are
allowed to have a liberty of conduct that Is
In striking contrast. Thoy chatter freely
and cheerfully with whom tttoy please. '
"Tho Armenian woman differs radically
from her Turkish sisters. Neither seclusion,
nor polygamy, nor divorce darkens her pres
ent or threatens her future. She Is not
educated with her brothers, however, as
American girls. 1 remember how puzzled
I was when I entered an 'American college
and saw girls seated among the boys In the
classroom.
" 'John,' I said to my neighbor, 'what aro
tho girls hero for, (u inako the room look
pretty?'
"It seemed Incredible that any ono could
think n girl capable of learning along with
her brothur. It Is considered a disgrace
likewise for a man to walk publicly with a
woman, even though trim bo his Hlster.
Sho may entertain men cullers, and, of
course, her face is never covered, llkei a
Turkish woman's, but her mother or some
(rider femnlo relative Is ntways present.
They nttend the saniii entertainments and
church, but may not sit together. Tho
women's seats In church nre partitioned oft
and aro In tho rear.
"While among many old (Armenian fami
lies parents contract for tho marriage, of
their children while they aro In their In-,
fancy, In tho majority of cases tho young'
people aro permitted to make their own se
lections, tliouuh always with tho consent of
their parents. ElapemontH, therefore, aro
unknown. Tho marriage tio Is sacred in
Armenia, and death only can break It. If a
person Iiim nit uncongenial companion ho
must emluro It with tho samo kind of pa
tience ho would entluro a oro lwrnl uhli.li
though he. may try to euro, hu will hardly
cut off.
"With tho Turkish women their only end
In this world In marriage. Accordingly girls
aro from their In fancy rocked to sleep by
thoir mothers with lullabies of futuro hus
bands, I'niiidHoine, courageous ami wialthy.
Tho regular ago for marriage. Is from 12 to
15 years, but unusual wealth or physical at
traction call for esirllor contracts. Gener
ally speaking, pnrentB aro pleased If they
get a chance of betrothing their daughters
at 5 or (!, or at any rato before they reach
12 years. For at that ago women must so
tho Mohammed proverb sayH either marry
or die. A girl is readily mnrrleri if she Is
either pretty or wealthy. Should sho pos
sess both qualities then sho Is a great catch
and will havo many suitors. About ' or
wealth thero can Ih no doubt, as In tho cast
one's financial status Is known to nvorv mm
Tho ago, ico, can 1k easily ascertained, but
tho puzzling question is ubout her good
lookH. Is sho pretty? That must bo discov
ered, and, of course, ns tho young man has
no means of finding out for himself, ho must
get somo woman to act for him. He usually
rosorts to a Jowcus, and If her reKrt Is fa
vorable ho then brings tho matter to her
parents' nttentlon and his mother, nftur a
call on tho girl, arranges a party at a pub
llu bath. Thcso bath partlen are extremely
fashionable, and tho women dresa elabo
rately. A meal of greasy pastries and sweets
Is always served, after which conies the
smoking of cigarettes, long pipes and wnter
pipes tho women soatod croM-lcgged on
divans and gossiping tho entlro time. Should
thu mother's roMrt bo satisfactory, nfter a
fow visits between the parents tho marriage
Is agreed upon and tho day set.
"As to tho betrothal, tho husband hns to
give a dower or rather, 'hire,' as tho Korui
distinctly Htattn. Tho minimum of tils
dower Is fixed. It mny not bo less than 1.70
In your money. The maximum is loft open,
and by that arrangement tho family of tho
girl Is able to obtain somo show of fair play,
for in Turkey tho only hold a womnn hns on
her husband is that to divorce her ho must
turn over to her this dower. After mnr
rlago it is her prime duty to court and ob
tain his good will, for If sho dlnpleaso him
who Is In Imminent danger of missing para
dise. A wlfo whoso tonguo has mario trouble
for her husband will have that appendage
lengthened to 150 feet at tho Judgment.
Should n man wish a dlvorco ho hns only to
return his wife's dower and sny to hor:
'Get out.' Sho has to go; there Is no re
drew Ho need not even give a reason."
Her Engagement
Announced
Chicago Post: "Martha," said the wlso
mother, "I deslro an explanation."
"Explunatloii of what?" asktri tho domuro
maiden.
"I ro all." returned tho wIbo mother, "thnt
tho buckle to your belt broke while you were
dressing this evening and you fixed it with
pins."
"Hut what of it?" Inquired the rinnuru
maiden.
"And I noticed," wont on tho wlso mother
"that when Mr. Fltzmaurlco loft this even
ing ono of his hands was carefully bandaged
In a pockot handkorchlof."
