The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-10

II HE question has often been asked,
Wy How long should man live? The
allotted span ofNthree score years
and ten is reached by comparatively few,
but even seventy years may prove too
long under some conditions. A mana
normal man-usually desires to live just
so long as he retains possession of all his
faculties. Fortunately a kind providence
takes us away often before the wreck
comes, but when a mere shadow Of
man, old, broken and helpless. a burden
to himself and to all about him, clinss
tenaciously to the vital spark which gives
him being, he is more to be pitied for
the cruelty of fate In denying him death
than to be congratulated for his longevity.
Yet the love of life is so deeply implant-
ed In the souls of many people that they
are eager to spin out the years far past
the allotted time and care not what their
sufferings may be. so they can continue
to lead a feeble and childish existence.
The Romans and the Greeks took more
philosophical view of life than we do now,
but perhaps they were trife too prac-
teal. It Is not conducive to reverence
for higher things to believe that life IS
all in all and that when man gets tired
of 1t he should take his departure grace
fully by a slight incision in the veins or
poison that kills and does not distort.
Yet, there is certainly no impiety In
wishing that our days of life may end
with our usefulness. Nothing is sadder
and more pitiful than to see man who
has outlived his time. The faces that he
knew in his youth are turned to dust.
environment in which he finds himself
there is little to remind him of the scenes
where his memory fondly dwells. 1t Is
new world about him and the people
are new. Unless he is an optimist he
comes to believe that nothing Is so good
as it used to be and he concludes that
nothing is in store for him but period
drifting hulk on the sea of time but
feebleness brings the loss of boasted
faculties. Fate is cruel to deny such a
man his grave. Fortunate is he who
can live and toll until the end. Such a
man has nothing to fear and dissolution
has no terrors. There being no period of
dread waiting to be lived through the
summons comes often when he is out in
the busy strife of the world.
When one thinks of that period when a
man has outlived his usefulness and re-
Allies that nothing remains for him but
weary vigil for death it Is not surpris-
ing that many octogenarians are pessi-
mistic and it Is the privilege of the old
to complain. What must be the thoughts
of the grandfather of eighty years, seat
ed helplessly in his arm chair and de-
pendent on those about him for the slight
est assistance! He cannot read, for his
eyes are dim, or perhaps he Is blind; he
cannot walk out in the glad sunshine,
for his limbs refuse him their support
there is no one to talk to, for all are busy
in the various pursuits of life and have
no time to waste upon a useless old man;
there is nothing for him to do but sit
and wait for a tardy death. Nothing re-
mains but recollection. Whether his mem
cries are bitter or sweet they are always
with him and living in the past rather
than the present or future he meditates
to his grave.
A very original young couple OF the
state of New York have made departure
that is sure to meet with public favor
They were Just married few days ago
and when they started out for their
honeymoon trip the dress suit case of the
groom bore in big letters: "Just married
Don't bother u.s." while the blushing
bride also carried a case which bore the
information: "Honeymooners. Don't we
look nicer" Just like a woman! The
groom in his gruff way info1 ms the pub
lie what has happened and requests TO
be let alone, while the bride must ask
the whole world If I'VE don't look nice
But aside from this the idea is a good
one and should be practiced by everyone
who does not care to be annoyed by
strangers. There won't be any whisper
ings and giggles behind the backs of that
couple. They have just been married and
don't care rap who knows 1t, so would