In nineteen years of continuous work I have taken but one
vacation. That was two years ago, when some of my friends put the
money into my hands and forced Mrs. Washington and myself to spend
three months in Europe. I have said that I believe it is the duty of
every one to keep his body in good condition. I try to look after the
little ills, with the idea that if I take care of the little ills the
big ones will not come. When I find myself unable to sleep well, I
know that something is wrong. If I find any part of my system the
least weak, and not performing its duty, I consult a good physician.
The ability to sleep well, at any time and in any place, I find of
great advantage. I have so trained myself that I can lie down for a
nap of fifteen or twenty minutes, and get up refreshed in body and
mind.
I have said that I make it a rule to finish up each day's work
before leaving it. There is, perhaps, one exception to this. When I
have an unusually difficult question to decide -- one that appeals
strongly to the emotions -- I find it a safe rule to sleep over it for
a night, or to wait until I have had an opportunity to talk it over
with my wife and friends.
As to my reading; the most time I get for solid reading is when I
am on the cars. Newspapers are to me a constant source of delight and
recreation.
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