Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-05-16
a1istfllansous geadiug.
IFIWERE ONLY FIFTY.
Lessons That Would Be of Value to q
Man an Sacond Trial.

Lessons That Would Be Of Value to q
Man on Second Trial.
In the grass the cricket was hurrying
his song toward its end, and in the
first suggestion of a chill that had fall
len upon summer the bird turned his
melancholy eye toward the south
With the scent Of hay newly cut the
air was sweet, and in the orchard the
yellow apple glowed in the softening
sun. Beneath tree near the road
side sat a man. Beside him lay his
hat and bowed was his head, for in the
sudden changes of season there was
thought, and he was musing.
Seventy years old with the coming
Of cool weather." he said, his head
bowed lower. "And what have ac-
conplished?"
| "Nothing!" conscience so promptly
replied that he was startled. Moth
ing" conscience repeated, and shaking
his head he acknowledged: Nothing.
Year after year have wasted my
time, arising strong in resolve and ly-
ing down weak with the consciousness
Of failure. have marked the strong
est passages in great books, determined
to live up to them, but growing weary
have forgotten them, again to fall
back in vain and thoughtless ways"
"You have gambled," said conscience.
"Yes, believing that in the years to
come I would reform, but the years
have slipped by and now am seventy,
almost vicious in habits and still un-
cultivated in mind. I used to muse
that If again were only thirty, forty
and now would that were only fifty
that might mend my ways"
Then you do not think that at fifty
you, would be fool?"
mo, not with the knowledge I now
possess-of my experience Of the
world"
After ALL" said conscience, "knowl-
edge is what one knows not so much
Of the world as Of himself. History is
valuable in that 1t makes you acquain-
ted with the past, and the past is use
full only to the degree that upon the
future it throws guiding searchlight.
/ And how much better. of the world
would be II man at his death would
ffeave to his SON his mental training,
his experience, rather than his money
BY the way, having reached fifty,
didn't you know that soon you would
be seventy"
Eyes but foolishly I supposed that 1t
would be as long between fifty and
seventy as it was between thirty and
fifty"
what would you do II again you
were fifty?"
II would realize that at fifty mans
mind Is at its best. The money which
have thrown away in speculations
would invest in books, and by making
myself acquainted with the worlds
greatest minds reap substantial enjoy
ment. I have observed that the trG'J
Learned man Is never a bore, that he
does not talk about himself, the great
evil into which ignorant age invaria-
bly, falls, and that youth, even In the
pursuit of folly, halts to pay him res
pect."
would you rather be wise than a
rich old man?"
Eyes, decidedly. A rich old man is
more often an object Of pity than OF
Admiration. Age is naturally covetous
and secretive. Youth may be gener-
Gus, without thought Of a return, but
age demands interest on it's money, and
Is only charitable at the brink of the
grave"
"But haven't you noted many excep-
tions?"
"Only few. Sophocles said: None
cleave to life 80 fondly as the old, and
the succeeding ages have echoed his
wisdom. The average rich man, as he
grows old, is constantly beset with the
fear that he may starve.. He looks at
q dollar and says: This would for q
whole day keep me out Of the poor
house,"
You must be fool, indeed, for you
are seventy years old and have neith-
er wisdom nor money. Can you think
of a condition more deplorable?"
Il don't dare to think"
But you have a good constitution
and may live to be eighty. What are
you going to do in the meantime?"
well, my memory is now so much
al fault that it is too late to think OF
acquiring knowledge. And should be
almost useless at any sort Of employ
ment."
! Don't you say this to excuse fur
ther waste Of time?"
mo, but mention the fact to show
that 1t is now useless to attempt any
thing. But if 1 were fifty again
would make a man of myself. I would
not gamble, but, avoiding evil places
would settle down to life Of common
sense and stability. After the age OF
fifty men have accomplished great
things, but after seventy there Is moth
| ing but the enforced philosophy of the
grave"
What was the greatest error Of your
life?" conscience inquired.
"A disregard for the economy OF
time. How often have I said, We'll, 1t
helps to pass away the time Why
should we wish to pass away the time
except that we may be nearer eternity?
A day wholly lost, spent in a manner
to whirl us lightly through the pre-
cious hours, is much worse than the
loss of money, for that may be regain
ed. All, If I were only f1fty!"
! From the tree an apple fell. The
dreamer started and awoke, and the
first thought that entered his mind
was Thank heaven am only fifty
Opie Read.