Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-05
EVERY WRINKLE A LINE OF BEAUTY.
BY T. S. ARTHUR


81 don't like old people," said thoughtless
young girl, "they are either cross, disagreeable,
or ugly"
"You have been unfortunate in your chances
of observation" replied lady sitting near her
1T may be so, but speak, at least from ex-
perience All the old people it has been my
fortune, or misfortune, to meet have been cross
in temper, and rePulSlve in appearance. have
an old aunt who always is associated i'll my
mind with the Witch of Endoi From a child
have had perfect horror of her. 1 doubt if
she ever gave utterance to 4 kind or uncom
planning word in her life''
'You must not Judge all by this aunt, my
young friend" said the lady. There are hand
some and agreeable old people in the world, and
not few Of them either, but many. Age does
not necessarily sour the temper, nor mar the
couEtenance. There is such thing as grow
ing old gracefully, and the number OF those who
are thus advancing along the paths oflife, l am
pleased to say, are increasing yearly. happen
to have an old aunt also, but SO far from being
a second Witch of Endor, heard gentleman,
not many days ago, remark, in speaking of her,
"Why, every wrinkle in Mrs Elders face is
line of beauty" And so it is: for every wrinkle
there was born of patient endurance OF unselfsh
devotion to the good of others. l look at her
dear old face often and often, and say to myself
Now is she not handsome Z"
81 should really like to see your aunt" said
the young girl, half skepticay.
Come to my house tomorrow, and we will
pay her visit" answered the lady. at will
do both of US good"
THANK you for the invitation. will GER
tainly CALI
Ine next day came, ana tie young lady uus
early at the house of Mrs. Barton.
''Glad to see you, Kate" was the pleasant
greeting she received. eve are TO call on my
Aunt Elder, | believe"
''Yes; you promised to introduce me to an old
lady who, so far from being cross and ugly, is
sweet tempered and beautiful. The sweet tenn
per | can imsgine, but not face wrinkled and
beautiful at the same time"
''You shall see" she answered
.'Ah, good morning, Mary" said a low, but
very pleasant and cheerful voice, as the two Ia
dies entered the small but neat and orderly sit
ting room of Mrs Elder.
'sMy friend, Miss Kate Williams" said Mrs.
Barton, presenting the young lady.
Mrs Elder laid her knitting upon a table,
close to her open Bible and rising, took the hand
of Miss Williams, looking earnestly into her
Young face as she did so, and smiling SO sweet
welcome, that Kate did not see q wrinkle, for
the beautiful light that shOne from the old lady
placid countenance.
81 am always pleased to see young faces, u
said Mrs. Elder, "and to feel the warmth Of
young hearts"
"HoH are you to-day, auntl' inquired Mrs.
Barton.
Not so well in body as when you were here
last l sleep but poorly"
Mrs. Elder smiled as if she were telling oi
enjoyments, and then added
"BuU this is one of the penalties of age.
!, knew it must come, and long ago made up my
mind to be patient and enduring. There are
some of the light affections, lasting but a mo-
ment, which, if borne in Christian meekness
help to work out for US that far more, exceeding
and eternal weight of glory, to which the apos-
tie refers in one of his sublime passages"
Miss Williams looked at the old lady hal
wonderingy.
"Always doing something, Aunt Elder" sait
/ Mrs. Barton, placing her hand upon the half
knit vain stocking which the old lady had pu
aside as she rose to take the hand of Miss Viii
iams. KNITTING, suppose, has grown into ;
kind of habit The act brings lis own reward
1t is your pleasant pastime.'
5 'sNo child, not my pleasant Pastime, but my
e useful employment answered Mrs. Elder "a
o can't do much in this world for other people
, still can do a little and l am thankful for tht
privilege for l don't believe it is possible fo
any one 10 be happy who is not engaged IN SOM
i useful employment. | manage TO keep tn
n children of some half dozen poor families il
e warm stockings for the winter, and that /
l. something added to the common stock OF hu
man comfort"
The eyes of Miss Williams were fixed intent
Il ly upon the old lady's age-marked features
Wrinkles went curving about her cheeks, he
!, lips and chin, and wrinkles planted themselve
d deeply upon her forehead. Grey hairs wer
e visible beneath her cap border; her calm eye
Law back in their hollow sockets the symne
try of her mouth was gone and yet 1t SCENE
e to the young girl, as she gazed at her wonder
ingly, as if every wrinkle in that aged face wer
indeed a line of beauty
= , aBut you must have a surer foundation 70
u happiness than knitting stockings" said Mn
> Barton.
q. The old lady seemed thoughtful for q me
r ment She then said, with sweet impressive
d ness
d "There is only one foundation upon whic
p we can rest and find happiness, and that
: Gods love in the heart. The great qnestio
L for US all is, How to obtain that love 1t wi
Is not come at our command. We cannot drag
1t down from Heaven. We cannot find it, scare
lie we ever SO diligently. Gods love Is God gii
le en- and he bestows it only on those who fir
of have neighborly love This is that higher love
. receptacle in the human heart. First, love {
the neighbor; then, love Of God, which is d
i vine lows i'll the soul, the sure foundation Il
abiding happiness. So you see Mary the valr
IS of even knitting stockings to one Ike me.
is useful work, and that, as the old monk sal
is worship"
& Miss Williams could not withdraw her ey'
y from the old lady's face Its beauty and
IN goodness seemed to fascinato her. She was
n girl of quick feelings and some enthusiasm
cd Suddenly rising from the chair she had taken
few moments before. she came forward al
III STOPPING over Mrs. Elder, kissed her, almo
We reverenfy, on the forehead, saying, as she d
oil So
he MAY be like you when grow old--eve