The Washington times., 1907-09-07
When You Wish
You Were Dead

o, no; that was a far-fetched sigh to
I float the full length OF the car and add
the last straw, or the final Whit Of un-
wholesome vapor rather, to an atmos-
phere already heavily charged with de-
7 leterious matter due TO closed ventIla-
tors, perspiring patrons and the evil
Fdent lack, in spots. OF Turkish steaming
or ordinary bathing.
/ ., no; wishing you were dead; a
/ cliaching drop Of poisonous ether which
made the heart sick as we'll as the
head and stomach, which up to that
/ time had bravely held their own against
great odds while thankfully counting
ION the street blocks nearing home.
o, no. wishing you were dead; fresh
air was what you needed. Fresh air
and change OF environment nave set
tied many a grOan and sigh OF that
sort and rejuvenated many a down
hearted pessimist. Fresh air and a good
stir walk of a few miles, comfortable
shoes, no compression Of ribs. no col
lars which choke, or gloves too tight:
good stlm walk in some open place
away from the world and its working
clothes, away from the smell of smoke
and CRIME, the greasy luncn basket, the
folks whom you know by heart
A good stln walk at a swinging stride
Shoulder muscles relaxed, neck timber
but head well up, and chest EXPANDED
and breathing IN deeply through me
nostrils; mouth shut for once no es-
Gaping signs. Il good stiff walk for a
mile or two clear beyond the city limits
viii build you up and make you grasp
the art OF living, instead of as now
allowing beneath the dTudgery of mere
existence.
o, no; wishing you We're dead; when
VINO knows but what the dead NAV be
LsaT~ in ~ a.
old planet Seeing now at long range.
the beauty and the goodness the love
ana brightness which abound the de-
parted ones might be ready TO appre-
ciate which In a state Of earthly exist
ence were sadly scorned, as you are
scorning IN your signing.
VINO knows but what this earth with
al its fullness Is but the outer portal of
the paradise where they have gone and
IN a rev respects is superior or at
least the equal in the way Of comfort
eXceliencies and general good times; at
any rate the poets say that the kingdom
or heaven is within mankind and does
not depend on things external
Nice kingdom you have found, all
,6tUty, ana sitting, and full Of dis
agreeable sensations. with nasty OdOTs
.asSalling the nOstrils, taste Of rubber
In the mouth, tOp-heavy as 70 head
piece. leaden weights treading ground.
wishing you were dead; why the dead
would flee your presence If you made
fyOur entry into the beyond with such
q dOleful herald Of your coming.
r II you want welcome in the better
3 land when in course OF time YOU get
/ there, It might be wise 10 prepare a
/ little beforehand grow aCClimated by
kdegrees, aCCustOm yourself 70 seeing
land enjoying the blessings and the
4 beautiful things in this world. read I'D
/ a little IN gOdly history. ana cultivate
! a happy, cheerful disposition. feel the
Ekingdom Of heaven within you
I You will be sadly III at ease when
you get there If YOU neglect all prepare
I ton you viii be q misfit wandering
k1hrough the streets of another world
las you are here, and wishing you were
kdead again-or living.
I Fresh air is what you need. Then
kreember this, that to be dead only
{means to keep on living somewhere else
and in less comfort. maybei