The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-06-10
AGE AND PLEASURES.
Extreme Youth and Old Age the Happiys,
Periods of Life

Extreme Youth and Ola Age the Happl,s
Periods Of Life.
what fortunate thing Il is tha
every age brings its own pleasures
Were 1T otherwise, we would be treated
more frequently than we are to the un
lovely Spectacle OF old men and womer
clutching on to that artificial sem
olance OF youth produced through the
vulgar agency of the rouge pot and
hair restorer. Pity is the only senti
ment inspired by these foolish ones
who, vainly endeavoring to deludt
themselves and others of the reality oi
fictitious youth, blindly thrust aside
the pleas ures of that beautiful period
of life which is always associated with
silvery hair. To grow old gracefully is
q virtue to be assumed when not pos
sessed.
"There Is always something humor
Gus and pathetic in the ffteen-year>
old girl who wants to be woman. II
is a wonder that no shadow Of coming
sorrows crosses the fair brow when
for the first time she coils her shining
braids on the top of her head and ap.
pears zen coiffure." How frequently
it happens that with the first long
dress comes the first real joy, inevita-
bly, accompanied by the first acute sor.
row.
"At eighteen a girl becomes both
loving and lovable. Energy and en-
thusiasm seem n prerogative of this
age. Whether the object is work,
study, dress, or love, she is equally
enthusiastic In all. To her all things
are possible, because she has yet to
learn that life holds fewer successes
than failures. Perhaps at twenty-five
she is just as enthusiastic, but gener-
ally by this time the tiny seed of doubt
and unbelief has taken root. So much
depends upon her past fortunes. If at
thirty she has not become cynical, she
too frequently Is foolish either about
her husband and children or religion.
"Viewing 1t dispassionately, after
all, the two happiest periods of life
are the beginning and the end-ex-
treme youth and old age. The first
when we know no evil, and the latter,
when, by charity gained from bitter
experience, we have grown able to inn
pute to others the best motives for
wrong doing.
"It was with exceeding oheerfulness
3 famous old lawyer compared the pres
ent cleaning Of his life with the past
uncertain glare Of high noon.
ayes, I am growing DID, he said,
but I rarely feel day older than I
did twenty years ago only my ideas
have all changed. no longer care for
the thea ter or ball, In fact enjoy go
ing home at night, putting on smols.
ing coat and slippers and then playing
with the baby. play more with my
grandchildren than ever did with nv
own.
"T remember thirty years ago
entered into case sanguine, sure Of
winning, but I have grown conserva-
tive with years. Experience has taught
me that the other man must win some
times. Then, as a young man I was
beligerent, now whether am growing
cowardly or amiable, I would rather
avoid dispute than seek it.
"'I was thinking the other day of the
18th OF December, 1862, when the battle
of Fredericksburg was fought. was
In the thickest Of that fight. A COM
panion next to me was blown into
pieces, his blood bespattering my face,
and never thought OF fear, but with
a courage born Of recklessness rushed
ahead, not knowing whether every
minute might not be my last. All, yes;
q man changes some in thirty years. I
know 1 have grown more charitable
and more considerate Of others. Al
together know I am happier myself
because l make others happier than
did thirty years ago.
"This is the real secret of happiness,
giving JOY to others. Each age In life
must be hapless one that is selfshly
lived for self.-Laura B. Boothe, in
Philadelphia Press.