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Show Time Americans Not H Tkl Trained to Have to Jrlay Real Good Time By MR. LYNN lOYD PORTER, PrcdiUnt Rualon Pre Club. """" 1 OS'l' persons born nnd reared in the United States know how to TT enjoy life in a rational manner (if tlicir natural tendencies are not interfered with) till they aie about 1G years of age. V After that the boy does little playing unices he joins a hall Jfiffia team, in which ease the "play" becomes pielty linril rlc; BjkW while (lie girl is taught that it is unlmhlike to romp and in- MA jurious to nito clothes, and therefore ebsays tennis and rc- jT tains her dignity. Society demands a great deal of pose nnd gics time for very little repose. The American man plunges into the serious affairs of life as if ho had but few years to live, which very often is tJie cafe. Ilts recreation, if he takes any, is as a spectator, either at the theater or sonic hall or cricket money game, neither of which call his own muscles into play Ho wants to make money and make it quickly, after which lie intends to take a genuine, rest. Those of us who have met the worn-out man of business abroad, trying to enjoy a journey for which he has had no preparation, know what a failure this plan is. The American woman as a rule (there are exceptions, of course) cTircs greatly for display, in which she indulges according to the length of her husband's purse. She does a lot of Miings that weary and bore her, because bocicty has apparently decreed that one must do them. How seldom, we meet here the family groups seen at every turn in Kuropo, happy just to be in each other's company, on veranda or lawn at home or on short excursions. ex-cursions. With us papa is "busy," mamma is giving a pink tea to-day, the elder sons and daughters think picnicking too juvenile for them. To be wholly happy I think one must become again, in thought, feeling feel-ing and action, a child. It is good to hear the outburst of laughter at a continental theater or circus, when the comedian or clown cracks a joke. It is charming to enoeunter the care-free groups in Hois or nt tho Dutch seaside. Of course there is much enjoyment in America; and of course it is the finest land the sun shines on, except a few. Hut as a nation wc haven't learned "low to have n real good time without becoming overstrained. A hundred outdoor restaurants in the Greater Itostnn park system, vhtv one could dine al fresco graduated to suit nil purses would introduce a delightful feature of foreign life, X"h. 'ZkC to tho benefit of thousands. ' |