THE RICH MAN WHO LOST HIS APPETITE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE RICH MAN WHO LOST HIS APPETITE.

A miser died leaving a fortune to his nephew, a youth in very humble circumstances. Unfortunately, instead of using the money as a means of doing good, the youth determined to live in luxury. He lay in bed till almost midday, ate only the richest fare, and took no exercise. It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that his appetite left him and that his health became far from good. Life, in fact, became a burden to him, and he could get no enjoyment as the weary days went by.

At last he was persuaded one day to take part in a hunt, but being unaccustomed to exercise, he found he could not keep up with the qthers, and so was left behind. Worse trouble, however, was in store, for he wandered farther frdm home until six or seven hours had passed since he started out, and during that time he had tasted n» food at aIL

Suddenly he spied through the trees a peasant's hut, and, riding np to it, begged for a little food.

"I have nothing but bread and bacon, master," said the man, "but you are welcome enough to that." Eight hours before the young man would have spurned such simple fare, Jbut the ride, the fresh air, and the long fast had given him a powerful appetite, so that when the frugal meal was ready he enjoyed it more than all the rich foods of months past. But when, after a long stay in bed on the following day, he found that he had no relish for bread and bacon he flung them from him in a passion.

At last a doctor offered to supply a recipe which would bring the appetite back. •

"Take every morning," he said, "a pint of milk obtained fresh from the cow, mix in with it three drops of the early morning dew, and while drinking it yon must eat a slice of bread."

But after a day or two he sent $or the doctor, and declared that he was not cured.

"Ah," said the doctor, "yon must collect the drops of dew yourself, and you will not find the recipe fail!"

The young man obeyed the doctor. He collected the dew in the morning, and the exercise and the early rising restored his health as nothing eLse could do. At last he had learned his lesson.