Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-22
Side by Side.

That was touching sight l saw from my
window few minutes ago, an old man
leaning on the arm Of a young man. What
a difference between the two The old
mans step was faltering aud slow; the
young mans easy, strong and confident.
The one bent as If he had been CARRYING
many burdens; the other walked erect, and
looked as If he would rather than not carry
burdens. The one looked upon the ground
as II particular to see where to step; the other
looked off as If careless about his feet. and
only anxious to see what might be happening
ahead. So they moved slowly on, the old
man helped by his cane and that friendly
arm, and while clinging and sympathetically
talking, the young man bowed to listen. Ii
illustrated that happy relation which ought
to exist between the two ages, the younger
listening with reverence as it supports the
older, the older sympathetically talking as
it clings to the younger. There are so many
things pressing upon the attention of the
young man, so many voices calling, and the
world ahead is 80 crowded with that which
is bustling and earnest, that he NAV forget
the generation behind him which is still
and contemplative, and may seem too slow
for his eager steps. But there is nothing
more graceful and in itself more fitting than
to see young man or woman mindful of
the infrmities of an older generation. going
back to it to offer his strength to it, and
looking up to it for counsel How much
the young may add to the happiness of old
age by such support and Difference. O1e of
the hardships of increasing years must be
the feeling of isolation, the laid-upon-the.
shelf conviction. But youth that strives to
abate and remove that feeling not only
gives happiness but receives a strength.
Back of an old mans enthusiasm put an old
mans wisdom, and it is like trained, sure
aim behind the powder and ball in the rifle.
On the other hand, an old person may allow
himself to drift away from the generation
below. 1t is too hasty and hot for his
slower, cooler temperament. 1t is too eager
to rush into the future, and there are no ex.
periences OF the past to detain it near those
who are older. Its boistsrousnsss may be
repelied, the young people thinking of
grandpa only as an everlasting " Hush-h.h ~
going round on two canes. The tie of sym.
pathy between the two ages is cut, or there
may be no attempt to make one in the first
place. The gap between grandpa and the
children widens into chasm, across which
goes no bridges. Instead of this, it is a
beautiful sight to witness where an old man
or woman is keeping up an interest in the
young, participating as far as possible in
their methods, applauding their enthusiasm,
hosspitable to their plans, patient toward any
rudeness or haste or noise. The old age
that can hold on to youth and never let it
slip away, is retaining an opportunity to re-
strain and guide his impetuosity. But
while giving, it receives. He has the bene-
mt OF that stimulus coming from the stir
and push of younger years, help we Ger.
tainly need in life's later years that are too
apt to be drowsy. 1t has also an arm of
strength to rest its WEAKNESS upon. The
two that | saw from my window were on
the higher ground of the city, walking
slowly along. | see them now in my
thoughts the old man Of many years slowly
climbing the heights of life, yet lovingly
supported by that younger companion, 90
ing up, up, followed to the very summit Of
this life, till its distant azure passes into the
sapphire OF the New Jerusalem. Selected.