Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1889-07-13
HAPPINESS or THE OLD.
They Are Dcyond seihshner- and IIavs
forgotten Envy.

Thsy Are Iieyond seifshncs- aud Have
Forgotten Envy.
The old are VIGOROUSLY strong in
Judgment, even though their knees
may be weak. What so p.easurablc
as 10 sit in the seat Of the censor? Is
a man ever too old for the benefit The
longevity and the halcness Of our
moro considerable lawyers is con-
vincing testimony TO the advantage
business Of their position.
But every old man stands toward
the community ut large like u judge
toward his criminals Each year
broadens his horizon, extends his
pleasure and his pastimc. Mcthuscla
was man immensely 10 DO envied.
What varied lore, what an endless
series Of graduated pictures he must
have STORED within him. as the cen.
turtles passed and left him high and
dry among his pigmy fellow meni
than TO east together the evils which
commonly whit upon old age and
thereby 10 prove that il is absurd TO
suppose that happiness can exist in
the midst Of them. Of course nothing
Is easier than To catalogue these posi-
ible affections: but. on the other
hand, | contend with my bcttcrs that
happiness. cOIitcntnrnt. or what you
please To call the ''sunmum bonum"
we all strive for. is quite independent
OF most OF these aillictioiis. Tie pru-
dent person. when old. expects 10 be
tried in this way.
He ,..,.l tf,,.s =, l,,,lf
battle. Nor must il bc forgotten that
even as his energies lave wamcd with
his increase Of years >" also his body
has changed into a condition well
suited to bear ply ic;il trials. which,
in his youth, would have larn insult
fcrablc. AS u STRIPPING he grumblcd
without ccasing when u tootlmchc or
n spraincd ankle kept him within
doors: rs an Octogciari..n the chair
TO which hc is confined for II good
many hours Of the day is Ia him by
far the most comfortable place ~ all
the world, nor would he exchange il
were only to he won by u journey TO
Rome.
But to recur 10 tho moral aspect Of
the matter. Is il not fact that u good
mans goodness increases us he grows
olderi There is nothing in the world
more venerable and lovable than a
good old man or woman. Surely that
is much, for arc not respect and af-
lection just the two things for which
VIC fight hardest during the fighting
part Of our career! And they may he
acquired by the aged without effort.
1T is only older people, after all,
who are quite unscliish, and feel the
greatest pleasure in witnessing the
happiness Of others" Miss Thackemy
was very right when she wrote this.
II constitutes the kcenest joy Of rev.
crend old age; u JOY 10 which the wild
intoxicants, which in youth we call
pleasures. are us nothing at all. II is
almost impossible, made as we are, for
tho young 10 be disintcrcstedly happy
in the happiiicss Of others. Envy and
jealousy are ever on the alert 10 mar
such divine possibility. But the old
arc doubly gladdencd by the visible
JOY Of others. They arc generous
enough to rejoice because others are
profited. And this is not cynicism-
they often also find cause to congratu.
late themselves that their own snug
tranquility is not in peril Of being dis
turbed by the like boistcrous agents Of
felicity.
II is for their peace and resignation
that l most admire tho old. They
lave attained Nirvana. Tho worlds
game, confcsscdly not an unamazing
one, is known TO them. They are on
tho heights Of Pisgali. whereas we are
warning in the plain or grooming in
tho valleys about the tedium Of our
DAYS. All the Year Round