IN CONCLUSION
and lovable as the latter. But a six-footer, broad-shouldered, stringy, enduring beyond most men; long time single-scull champion of America; the most famous member of her most famous crew; defeating England's best two fours in a four-mile race on Saratoga Lake, away back in 1871, for the world's championship, with such men as Harry Kelly, England's renowned champion single-sculler; Thomas Winship, "Bob" Chambers, Joseph H. Sadler, and other men of the "Coaly Tyne" and of the Thames, as well known then to almost every man and boy in England—just ask him, the renowned "Josh" Ward, if athletes die young? Put in a day or a week at his comfortable inn by Cornwall Bay on the Hudson, five miles north of West Point. Go shooting ducks with him; go fishing with him; take one of his many easy-rowing boats, and, with him in the other, pick your own distance, and see if you are the man who first crosses the finish-line. Ask, not champion Edward Hanlan Ten Eyck; but his father, James Ten Eyck the Second—a very fast sculler to-day, if athletes die young. Then ask his father, James Ten Eyck—a lad of seventy summers—to try you for a mile with the sculls—or five, if you like—and if old age does not creep over the finish-line ahead of you, you are a good one. Just ask him if athletes die young, and he will inquire if you wish any further answer—or any more miles. It is getting pretty near time to drop this exploded notion that sensible athletic work by any man not physically defective does him harm, or shortens his days; and to see whether it does not add greatly to the probability that it will lengthen them. Dr. J. Gardner Smith well says: "The man who never makes much physical or mental effort may live to a good old age; but he is never prepared for an emergency, such as injury or disease of a portion of the lung; nor can he enjoy any
481
