Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-15
A Plea for Old Age

Dead Householders: Millington Ralph Smith s
letter interested me; for no one can conceive Of
a spectacle more calculated TO lead the mind to
serious reflections than that OF an aged person
who has misspent long life and who, when
down the long vista of his years only to recall
opportunities unimproved. Now. that 1t is all
too late, he can plainly see where he passed
by in needless haste the real gems of life In
pursuit Of the gllttering gewgRws Of pleasure,
that. when gained, like the apples Of Sodom,
turned 70 ashes in his very grasp. What DIFF
but turn backwards in his -apid flight, anil
he be allowed to commence anew to weave the
tangled web OF life, but this Is not vouehsafed
him and well that II is no. for we now see the
necessity Of doing our best while time and Of
portunity are ours. l know the way some.
times looks long and discouraging, but let's
have our motto. what has been done can not
be undOne. and I can but go forward TO the
best of my ability, and II / fall after having
done nv hest with a brave heart and cheerful
face, l viii take what duty points out to me.
But If success crowns my efforts | will so
l am glad that II is only a step
We have TO make at a time:
Though the way may seem very dreary'
To us. and the hills seem hard to
Let ms bear in mind that there, Is sufficient
time for each individual step required in a
well-spent life, and to land us In our graves
I'm peace.
1 feel interested In the young people of our
country and as / am numbered among them, l
can plainly see whefe some Of them are having
a better chance than they deserve Some one
that she doesn't Know now peOple
can have too good a chance, but some of them
have all the iuxnres that this world can ar
ford, and yet they are not satisfied. They
are not trying TO improve their opportunities
fer helping others. They out OF the dis
charge Of their duties and are therefore the
most disconnected of people. 49,.
/ must say that I can't help being a little
partial TO the old people. I don't see how
any one can afford TO mistreat them; their
struggles have not been just few, their bodies
were once strong IS ours. the tint Of the
rose was on their cheeks. They were at one
time young and had TO a great extent the same
thoughts ambitions and activities that we have
today. Now that time has sprinkled its snow
on their heads their bodies have grown weaker
and their frames well-nigh bent with the
weight Of years and rscked with pain, these
are they that L0ld warm place In my heart.
According tn nature they cannot be here
much longer, so be good to them while they
are with us. Some OF us will, more than like
~. live to be old and as people grow older
they become more like a child. and little kind
ncsses are gre at ones in their sight. Let's
arrive to make their last days pleasant. And
z they sbould say do anything that would
ross hard your mind in an unpleasant way.
ust LOOK over II with forgiving heart won't
-ou?
/ know / have stayed a long time. but !
must say our noble Mrs. FELTON, has my sym
patty I'm her sad bereavement. Here are greet
ngs to all the old members and a welcome to
The new ones and an invitation for all to come
back Sincerely yours FLORENCE STONE.