The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-02-19

A pathetic figure in history is that
old Spaniard who, three hundred and
seventy-two years ago, went up and
down amid the rank, UNEMPLOYED wilds
of our Southern coast-country, search
ing for the fountain which should
change age to perpetual youth. Men
who have done mighty deeds of valor
will be read OF but to be forgotten,
while Ponce dc Leon will be of immor-
tai memory for having voiced, in his
futile quest, the strong desire common
to most OF us so soon as we have once
felt the keen, startled pain that comes
when we discover the first gray hair. the
gathering lines in our faces, and that
our youth has slipped from us.
The belief in the youth-giving foun-
tain persisted with the old Don, hut
the desire which prompted his belief
and search Is the same now as then.
1t is pitiful fact that mature men
and women do almost universally Bit
terly regret their youth. When it was
with them. with its narrow horizon and
boundless hope, it claimed all things
of the future; but it knew no conscious,
responsible present. While indulging
and IN utterly vain endeavors to simu-
late it when it is gone, mary fail to CO.
operate with the best development of
their own natures, and thus seed sure
harvest of husks for age.
That down through all the centuries
of computed time men and women have
cried cut for the blossoms of the spring
time of life. which passed from them
that the fruition OF summer and autumn
might be, while the use, the beauty, the
persistent glory of the supreme present
was lost to them, furnishes a problem
of life in the solution of which no one
is concerned.
Though, outside of ourselves, we
search far and wide with the utmost
diligence, we may not find the solution
of this problem, for the factors which
make possible it's revealment are with
in the mysteries bounded by each ma
ture personality. All persons must be-
come students of self and explore these
mysteries within themselves for them
selves, as the solutions are as intricate
ly different as humanity is varied.
There comes into the life of every
human being period of realization.
When this point is reached, be it at 10
or so. we look back and comprehend
what we have really experienced. If
this retrospect shows what seems mis-
spent youth-and to how many of us
does it not make such a revelation p
the progress of our lives should not be
stayed with wall on this account.
When we once fully realize that time
has been misspent, it has already had
its use.
We see the pine tree throw its nee
dies skyward from it's fastening in the
scant soil of the heights, and the rich
leafed catalpa spread ng its broad shade
| from its roofing in the soft earth of the
valley. Nature places them where they
may best thrive, and we may know that
the soil of circumstance in which we
were placed before we could place our
selves was suited to our thriving.
Inveighing against circumstance, or
our fellows, for any happening either
early or late IN life, is cowardly. Let
us look within ourselves for the cause
of our ills and we shall often find both
the cause and the remedy. Should sor-
row be our portion, and We endure it
| with strong, accompanying patience,
we may be sure of rich return for
our pain.
What an individual life signifies is
determined by patient, observing wait
ing. Such waiting will harmonic am.
bition with ability, and bear the sure
| fruit of the best results of which life
is susceptible. We need fear no loss
by waiting If there are great things
within us, we shall feel the striving OF
of our strength, and our work will be
done. If great things are not for us,
let us possess for our own that highest
aud most comforting form of faith
content. There are rose-trees in the gar.
den of life. The blades of grass are @
countless multitude. A blade of grass
is as perfect in kind as a rose-tree.
Perfection gives kinship to God
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