The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-27
PRESENT DAY THOUGHTS
About Some Long Lives.
HINTFUL LESSONS.
BY G. GROSvENOR DAVE.
Written for The Commonwealth.

Written for The Commonwealth.
Length of Life.-Seyeral years age
when on long tramp from Phlladel
phia to Virginia, I spent one day in a
town where an old lady lived, who had
seen hundred years roll around. As
my object on the tramp was to see all
of interest that I could, a call was made
upon her, as her relatives were always
glad to exhibit her, as 1t were, to visi-
tors. Her appearance bore out ALI that
Was claimed for her as to age, for she
was terribly wrlnkIed and almost al
ways in sort OF waking stupor. When
it came to asking what she had seen
or done during century that will al
ways stand pre-eminent as one of ex-
traordinary progress, her daughter bad
only this.to say and said it with pride ::
"Mother meyer was more than fifteen
miles away from where she lives now,
and she never took much interest in
what was going on anyway, and besides
she never has ridden yet on a steam
car"
Again on trip through the State of
Connecticut, heard of another lady
who hal also passed the century mark.
l called s2ere. The experience was as
as the other had been. The
good woman reminded one in every
way OF an lnfant-she was peevlsh to-
wards those who waited on her, she
had no more control over herself than
is usual with a child, and her only
way OF walking around was by push
ing chair before her, just as child
would do who was beginning to walk.
The visit was not very extended
one.
.F*
These two Instances of the very dis |
[resslng aspects OF extreme old age, !
which can be added to in almost every
neighborhood, are mentioned as prellm-
mary to few thoughts in relation to
The present formation in various places
of what are called "Hundred Year
Clubs" The real object of these clubs
8 not so much perhaps to enable all
he mem bers to live Tor full hundred
ears, as 1t is tor the study of longevity.
That is good for itself, for hale and
hearty and effective old age is a beauti-
ul and delightful thing, and it could
undoubtedly be enjoyed by agreat many
more thap~do now enjoy it, were good
eal more thought given to the wis
ON and the proprieties of life. Any
fleet of the Hundred Year Club in
his direction will be good and good
My.
~ 4
But suppose man may be per-
altted to question the value OF mere
of life for itself alone. What
the joy OF looking back over long
fe? Nothing, unless there is stretch
d along the way the evidences of USE !
illness and of high character unless {
ere the grave of some buried weakness ,
nd there the monument erected to-
triumph over self un- :
'ss here kindness done and there a G
oodness displayed, not TO the world {
ut only to the object on whom it was t
one. That is lite. But it is surely
othlng to contemplate with calmness +
lat there is coming day when one +
Ill be only nuisance to oneself and c
burden to others ; or that the back :
ard glance will show nothing but ;
aste and heedlessness of all the pre- r
GUS things that life we'll lived can i
,ntain.
AK
Length of days is important, of
purse, but is it not all important.
here is something much more to be e
'ught after than that. Lengthen out il
our life, if you will, but broaden out a
our heart at the same time. Living n
ng is one thing, but in comparison c
ith living long and aimlessly, there is "
much better, and that is e
} die in the harness of effort. Mere c
wing like sheep is perhaps harmless, 81
ut it is not human nor humane. The o
odily shell of the soul is and should Fl
. cared for to make of 1t the best pos
bic covering tor the precious thing in :.
de-much as one would devote care n
} the casket that contains a jewel d
ut how foolish to give all the care to Ii
le casket. By taking thought to ones =
If the years may be stretched out n
ing way further than now, but what y
all this dread of earthly salts in the c
ones from meats and from coffee, if
lere the anxiety ends? If distilled :
ater is to have its perfect work In b
ou, it has to take you out of yourself Fl
nd give you broader heart, otherwise .
le whole effort Is selfieh. You can live :,