“You are right to a certain extent,” admitted Tesso, “yet, so far as the experiment went, it proved that your theory was correct.”
“Now I have further evidence to add which is overwhelming,” continued Uncle Peabody, triumphantly. “For the last six months experiments have been in progress in America, taking as subjects groups of men in different walks of life—college professors, athletes, and soldiers. To-day I have received a report of the results. In every instance, on an intake of less than the recognized minimum standard, the subjects improved in physical condition and increased their strength efficiency from twenty-five to one hundred per cent. Think of that, Tesso—from twenty-five to one hundred per cent.!”
“I congratulate you heartily, my dear friend,” replied the professor, warmly. “The effects of this will be most far-reaching. I foresaw that you might demonstrate a new minimum, but I had not expected that an increased efficiency would accompany it.”
“I wish you would introduce this discovery of yours to the Harvard football team,” remarked Emory, feelingly. “Perhaps it would result in a few more victories on the right side.”
“It certainly would help matters,” assented Uncle Peabody, with confidence. “All this so-called training is necessary only because of the abuse which the average man’s stomach suffers from its owner. My theory is that any man, college athlete or otherwise, can keep in perfect condition all the time, simply by following a few easy rules and by knowing how to take care of himself. It is just as important to be in training for his every-day life as for an athletic contest.”
“How did the experiments result with the athletes?” Emory inquired.
“These records are the most interesting of all,” replied Uncle Peabody, referring to his letter. “This group included track athletes, football players, the intercollegiate all-around champion, and several others—all at full training. They had already increased their strength and endurance efficiency at least twenty-five per cent during the training period before taking up the new system. In four months, eating whatever they craved, but using only the amount demanded by their appetites and giving it careful treatment in the mouth, these athletes reduced the amount of their food from one-third to one-half, and increased their strength and endurance records from twenty-five to one hundred per cent.”
“You ought to feel pretty well satisfied with that,” said Emory.
“I am satisfied,” replied Uncle Peabody, “as far as it goes, but I hope for far more important results than these.”
“Indeed?” queried Professor Tesso. “I shared the thought expressed by Mr. Emory that your ambition ought now to be satisfied.”