Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-09
IrvINa up no ouR IDEALS


Dear Household: since last wrote have
closed one more term Of school-an event al
ways received by me with varying emotions.
Mingled with the JOY that school duties are
over for a time Is the pain parting from
children with whom have been closely asso-
clated. There also comes a realization that
another psge in the Book Of Life-in my book.
the one that alone can write-has been re-
corded up yonder. lust as l made it. so it
stands written and win 1ntn that day when
must answer for ALL
when / realize how far short 1 have fallen
In the work that l would like 70 do, I feel
like applying 10 myself some words that
found in the Book, at we're better for that
man had he never been born Emerson said.
Hitch your wagon to star" meaning in
the fgurative sense that cannot place
ideals too high. Some OF do hitch TO a
star and then endeavor TO hold on, forgetting
that we are but mortals. II is absurd to think
OF a wagon surviving the strain that would be
put upon IL should IL actually be compelled TO
follow the ceaseless motions OF a star, isn't lit
Just so II Is sometimes impossible for as to
attain high ideals l am not discouraging
high ideals. far from Il; I wish they were
higher than they are, but I do think that
people often miss some degree OF happiness by
worrying over what they have not done instead
OF thanking God for the little good, that
through His grace, they have accomplished.
IL Is a comforting thought that One infinitely
greater than Emerson. One who walked this
old earth as one Of US, "a man Of sorrows and
acquainted with GRIEF" has assured US that our
best, however little. is acceptable to Him.
The room in which I sit is filled with the
odor OF roses. the real old-fakhioned variety
that. as a child called velvet roses, OF
dark rcd N color and very odOrous. 1t is
strange how little things will revive old MEM
ores l close my natural eyes and through
memory's 0rbs / see a rambling old house,
built. from its appearance, absolutely no
plan at an; TO the rear and sides Of the house
were sturdy old oaks, beyond these large
orchard, while in front grew a profusion OF
roses: the sane old-fashioned variety whose
odor surrounds me now. Among them moved a
done IN two plaits. who reveled in the beauty
and fragrance Of the roses loving them Just
she did all things beautiful with passionate
love that st'n held something OF pain, perhaps
because OF her own personal plainness. Among
the roses this imaginative little girl planned
and lived Gin fancy sweet. self-sacrificing
life: full OF high ideals and longing to fulfill
them in such way that everybody would honor
and love her.
since that time all things have changed; fire
has destroyed the honse with Its contents. the
trees hsve been hewn down; the rose garden
Is thing Of the past; where once a home
the plOwman now tills; the plain. quiet little
g'rl has developed into an equally plain, quiet
school ma'am. None OF the externals remain
TIE same except the orchard. but from mem
orT's wall the picture viii never fade flor
was that little girIl.
they. too. disappeared as have the garden and
have they left no trace OF their existence7
Were thev utterly vain and futile7 Some Of
those dreams hafe entirely disanneared. Con-
tart with actual life's stern realities has taken
from me some OF my brightest. sweetest
dreams They belong TO the sweet. childish
mast with fairy tales and Santa Claus. but
they were not utterly futile. As they faded.
7 do most sincerely thank God for the duties
that have come n replace the dreams for the
faith I have in Him. and for the home where
He IL end 70 which I. ecen I. may go.
I st'n love flowers passionately; all who
know know that. also. The school children
delighted 10 bring flowers to one who loved
them 20. and every dav we had them. First.
the Sweet-seenfed vfolets. narcissi and hyacinths
were brought and then a little later great
masses Of Wild honewsuckles. sweet shrubs. and
crahsunle blossoms found welcome place on
nv desk. At Easter time. growing IN the
hlsck slime Of a swami near hv were found
nrnfusion OF snow-white snlendidiy perfect
lilies. With hearts Of gold. beautiful and pure
desnite the mud from which thev sprang
Nav not we. though there be sin and mani-
fest foundations surrounding rs lust as the
mud was around the lilies endeavor TO live
rure. splendid lives. always with throbbing
hearts % gold filled with love toward all man
kind MAY we all live Just such lives. is the
wish and prayer Of
CLARA MAE JONES.