Wichita eagle., 1886-09-12
SATURDAY NIGHT.

10 the E0ltOr OF Tue ltSfe.
-"Close the shutters fast; let fail the
curtains; whirl the sofa around, and While
the bubbling and loud kissing rain throws
up steamy column, and the cups that
cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each. SO
let us welcome peaceful evening in, for
once more the busy shuttle has paused in
its rapid course and again Saturday night
is here. Once more we lay away the bur
densome cares of work-a-day world and
prepare for brief respite from the battle
ground whereon we fight for self and those
near and dear to us.
Another month has come upon us,
September, the very crown of the year:
the month for us to realize the wealth OF
the summer; the motherhood of the boun-
tiful earth. We crowd to our lips hands
laden with fruit, luscious with juice fit for
Hebe to pour out to the gods; dewy morn
ings; the air filled with songs of birds; bril-
liant sunshiny Moons; hours OF heat and
TRANQUILITY. when it seems that nature must
be holding its breath to hear the magical
word pronounced that declares her work is
perfect; days after days of perfect calm,
followed by all the storms of the equinox
And yet our hearts are filled with
sort of sadness that is a kin to sorrow, per
haps as necessary to complete the charm as
the misty bloom that completes the grape
The feeling is much the same that we have
in crossing the rubicon of middle life
where the pleasure of the past and the I'M
certainty of the future mingle in strange
and sweet uncertainty. And, all is beauty
and delight; but presently will come
tempests of tears over long partings, the
grayness of ashes, the SHOWS of cid.
We hear sweet voice sing of "Sil-
yer Threads Amongst the Gold" and in
fancy we can see dear old head "whitened
form the grave, reclining against softly
cushioned chair, a peaceful light in the dim
old eyes, placid smile around the lips
that have crooned baby songs to us in
childhood and our willing hands serve
them, and the days 60 by all too fast,
bringing nearer the day when solemn
stiffness will prevade the house, the cush-
toned chair will stand in the corner vacant,
and the ripened sheaf will have gone to
sing the Harvest Home in another world.
Alas that there can be an old age I'M
cared for when the hoary head is bowed
low, the heart heavy, the mind burdened
with the thought of being no longer well
come to place in this busy, shifting piano.
rama of life. Yesterday there came to my
door man bowed with age, too feeble to
lift one foot before the other only in infan-
tile uncertainty, too shabby to be the envy
of the present pauper, scarcely enough
clothing to cover him, and with streaming
eyes and quivering lip told me his frightful
tale of woe:
Poor old man! heavy indeed must be the
burden of life, weighted with the cares of
over four score years. when the wife, who
has been its companion for over half cen
fury, when the sons who sit at ease in COM
Portable offices, writing letter after their
names, that give them place and distinc-
ton in the world, can let your declining
days end in the pain sharper than the sting
of a serpent's tooth.
What matters it to the old man
that mawmic honors have been showered
upon him, that he has for an average life
time been member of church; that men
of distinction have been glad to call him
friend? A lonely, impoverished old age!
Could any fate be more pitiable? Is there
no remedy? Do we need more refugees,
more easy homes for the aged, more homes
for the homeless?
-Methinks school for instruction in
the old honor thy father and thy mother,
husband and wife by obligations, more
vigorous churning of the milk of human
kindness is needed
What grand result has been the
outcome from small beginning, as set
forth few days since in the resume of the !
work of the w. c. T. L. With growing |
sense of remorse that had been so skepti- |
cal of their mission, and deeper admira-
ton for the hand that had guided the helm,
l fastened through the report. "a proph-
ct is not without honor, save, III his own
country" l thought. We almost bow
down in alteration to the man who proves
to be the successful architect of his own
fortune and call him self made man,
when selfish motive has been the great
incentive in his work Shall we be more
niggardly in our praise of these women
who have sacrificed self in their generous
desire to benefit others alone?
Did the man who said, why don't
you build fewer churches and help the
home more. You've got too many church
es now" strike the keynote? Do we need
more churches, or is it case of Ma
homet and the mountain? The people
will not come so far to the churches, hence
the churches must be taken to the people,
aud we are growing to be such a critical,
asthetical people We must have our choice
from many.
Blessed ministerial spirits The
skeptical infidel may sneer at your book,
but where is the charitable institution built
by one of them? Little Sisters of the
Poor" sisters of charity. builders of.homes
for the orphan, the helpless ones of earth.
you build better than You know. Some