The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-06-16
IN WOMAN'S BEHALF.
BRIGHT, ELDERLY WOMEN.
How They Manage to Keep Abreast 81
the Times.


How They Manage to Keep Abreast 81
the Times.
The elderly people of our day do not
consider increasing years to be rea-
son for being set back like pieces of old
furniture; they keep abreast of the
times, take an interest in the pursuits
of the younger generation, travel more,
read more, visit more, and do not con-
slider their mission on earth ended
when the family of children they have
raised are out in the world shifting for
themselves.
The elderly women of our day are
realizing that it is not too late for
them to learn new industries and &C
complishments, and that they are more
cheerful and happy, and more useful
to others, when they SO increased their
interests in any branch of knowledge
One lady of my acquaintance, past
sixty, and with grown children, has
within four years become fine artist.
She had taste for painting, but was
not aware that she had so much talent.
until she commenced taking lessons.
Now her painting upon china is ex-
quisite, and she finds great pleasure in
extending her knowledge to other
branches of the art. Another friend,
also over sixty, is taking lessons in silk
embroidery, and her work is beautiful
and continual pleasure to her; while
another, after having raised family OF
children, learned the kindergarten
methods and opened a school for the
children of poor mothers who had to
leave their little ones while they went
out to work.
But the most remarkable of all the
elderly ladies with whom | am ac-
ouainted is one in Baltimore, now in
her eighty-frst year. Her husband was
an eminent lawyer, and they owned
fine property few miles out of the
city, where. surrounded with every
comfort, they lived a happy and con-
tented life. entertaining charmingly
the friends who were privileged to visit
them.
After many years they lost their
property. the husband died. and the
lady, advanced in years, came back
to the city, where she yet resides. l
do not know that she mas dollar in
the world, except what she earns by
her fancy work: but she is one of the
most CHEEKY. contented, happy Chris
tians / ever knew. She rents one room
from a humble chair-makcr and his
wife. who are as kind to her as though
she were their mother, and this is her
home She has large circle of ac-
quaintances, and among them she fire.
quently spends day, for she is lady
like and agreca BILE in manner. has 4
fund of general information, and is
one of the cCmforta bic ones of earth
whom it is pleasure to have around.
There is scarcely any kind of fancy
work she does not do, and a few years
ago. when wax fruit and flowers were
so much in vogue. hers were considered
perfect Delicate flowers which re-
quired much time and patience were
her forte: and an exquisite bunch of
purple lilacs was something long to be
remembered.
Two winters ago, she slipped on ba-
mana peel on the way to church. fell,
and broke her right arm. 1t was set
and bandaged, and as she had n paint
ing on hand which she wished to finish,
she accustomed herself to paint with
her left hand. and finished it in time to
present it to dear friend upon some
anniversary. She seldom visits with
out some little gift accompanying her:
it may be but bit of white wax mould
ed into some pretty shape and tied with
ribbon. or an emery in shape of a scar
let strawberry, or a pincushion of some
new and original design, no matter If
not costing penny; she made it and
presented it, and that is pleasure to
the receiver.
She is not satisfied with the knowl-
edge she possesses, but is constantly
learning in every way and upon every
subject she can. Only few weeks ago
she took up a new style of painting, in
tending to practice until proficient.
Possessing the secret of growing old
gracefully. she has kept young in APP
pearance and in feeling; not evinced by
vivacity unbecoming her years, for
she is dignitied and retiring, but by
the loving interest she takes in the
beautiful world which God has made,
always looking forward with joy to her
heavenly home, where she will join the
dear companions of her youth.-Mary
E. ireland, in Round Table,