St. Landry democrat., 1889-07-20

with hearts all a-futter we come.
From the house-topand turret the rudy flags fly,
Hurrah hurrah
AND all in gay greeting to Fourth O. July,
Hurrah hurrah
Then, at night, there's the fireworks bright in
his praise
So the Year ought to deem it not strange
Ii we wish he would take all the common place
days.
ADD give Fourth o. Julys in exchange.
NJ Thaver Rouse In Golden Days.
Thoughts for Persons Growing Old.
hesitate to take up subject when it
has a suspicion of being threadbare, but
as there is point of view not yet appro-
prlated, will venture to draw attention
to it.
In our consideration of the welfare and
wants of old people, we are apt to forget
that there are no well defined lines by
which we can determine who shall come
under that head. Some people are old
enough to be so classed at sixty; others
may reach their nineties as well balanced
and capable of judging what is best for
themselves as any of those who might be
expected to assume the responsibility.
The fact is, circumstances so entirely
regulate different cases that it is almost
useless to try to fit any one tn: ory to all.
L honestly think it would be our best
course to take counsel together over our
own approaching old age and prepare as
far as we can for such q condition of de-
pendence or independence as it may please
God to place US in.
Whila m atarial prouieion for old apa is
proper and right, yet it is liable to fail us,
notwithstanding all the care we may take
to keep it under our own control or to
place it securely elsewhere. think, there
fore, that too much stress is laid upon that
point rather than upon others which affect
even more seriously the well being of old
people. 1t leads to the idea that if old
people have not means of their own, they
have less claim upon their children or
friends, which is not the right way to look
at it, and ought to be discouraged by pub
lie sentiment. Old people who have filled
their places reasonably well in commu-
nifty, in the rearing of families and con-
tributing to the general good, have
natural right to such comforts and care as
they require. The nearest relatives are
the ones to whom they ought confidently
to look first, but if there are none, then
others who would naturally be interested
in them are in duty bound to see that they
are protected in their rights. While the
responsibility lies, of course, strongest
where the ties of kinship are nearest, yet
it does not follow that it rests there alto
gether. We are all bound, as far as we
know of the needs of old people, to do our
part toward supplying them, instead of
leaving them to the mercies Of those who
do not do their duty, even though they
may be their nearest relati yes.
This, however, is my chief object in
taking up this subjeCt-to urge those VINO
are yet young enough to look at it fairly
and without personal prejudice to take
heed how they grow old themselves. After
all that can be said or done in this impor-
tant matter, it depends chiefly upon the
dispositions of old persons whether they
find pleasure or comfort in their lot; we
all know there are old people who refuse
to be happy on any terms, while there are
others who are always content and cheer
full without any apparent reason why they
should be so.
What we have to do is to fit ourselves to
live when we are old, instead of reckoning
upon escaping that ordeal by death or any
other means. Great stress is LAID upon
preparation for death, forgetting that if we
are fit to live we are fit to die, and if we
ever require such fitness it is in old age.
However much we may wish to escape the
feebleness and infrmity that age generally
brings we cannot insure ourselves against
them any other way than by cheerful
laying aside of our own personality and
taking, our pleasures in others bearing
Whatever the good Lord sends, and like
viii that which he does not prevent.
It Is the resistance of that which is in
evitable that causes much of the sorrow of
old age, and we who can see that it is so,
ought to educate ourselves in the light of
our present ability to judge of the situa-
ton. We have no right to make ourselves
an affection to those upon whom we must
depend more or less, whatever our money
resources may be. When our day of &C
pect to control those who have taken
the chance to find out the way that is best
for themselves, and when tisy want the
benefit of our experience they will seek it;
if we thrustsit upon them it will have no
value for them, we shall concern ourselves
to no purpose, and worry those we are
anxious to help.
Nature indicates that we are to "become
as little children" and it seems as if the
admonition to become so has more force
then than at any other time in our lives if
we would center into the kingdom" All
earthly possessions lose their value as we
approach the boundary why, then, should
we disturb our own peace of mind, or
houble others, by an effort to control them
after they cease to be of importance to usH
: In order to free ourselves from unproft-
able care at q time when it should be our
chief concern to be at peace with all men
and ready for our summons to the life be-
yond, we should set our business cares in
order before we are worn out by them. If
we cling to our idols until we no longer
can lay them aside voluntarily, they will
surely bring us to grief.
Another important point for US to hold
in view is that of keeping ourselves in
sympathy with younger people. When
that leaves us we have no hold upon them
but that of duty, and duty service is not
apt to satisfy us where we look for more
than that. It is because old people cease
TO have the right kind of interest in things
that interest young people, that they So
often spend lonely old age. The effort to
find common ground for companionship
must be made on both sides. Old people,
having been young, have the advantage,
and should try not to forget the things that
once pleased themselves, while young peo
nle would do well to study with patience
r 1;fo fbot assuroo1v 1ioc