320 The Book of Woodcraft 



Hang it up as far off as possible in the schoolroom and use 

 it each day. Train your eyes to read the smallest letters 

 from your seat. 



By such exercises during the years of growth almost all 

 short-sight or near-sight, and much blurred sight or astig- 

 matism, may be permanently prevented. 



An interesting proof is found by Dr. Casey Wood in the 

 fact that while wild animals have good sight, caged animals 

 that have lost all opportunities for watching distant objects 

 are generally myopic or short-sighted. In other words, 

 nature adapts the tool to its job. 



DRY SOCKS 



A certain minister knowing I had much platform ex- 

 perience said to me once, "How is it that your voice never 

 grows husky in speaking? No matter how well I may be 

 my voice often turns husky in the pulpit." 



He was a thin, nervous man, very serious about his work 

 and anxious to impress. I replied : '' You are nervous before 

 preaching, which makes your feet sweat. Your socks are 

 wet when you are in the pulpit, and the sympathy between 

 soles and voice is well known. Put on dry socks just 

 before entering the pulpit and you need not fear any 

 huskiness." 



He looked amazed and said: "You certainly have sized 

 me up all right. I'll try next Sunday." 



I have not seen him since and don't know the result, but 

 I know that the principle is sound — wet feet, husky 

 throat. 



SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND SAVE YOUR LIFE 



This was the title of an essay by George Catlin, a famous 

 outdoor man, who Hved among the Indians, and wrote about 



