The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
THE LIFE WORTH LIVING

Not long since we had occasion to en- ter crowded railway train-one that stops at every station and crossroad,-it was filled with mill folks, men. women and children and then occasionally a vacant seat might have been found were it not occupied with a handbag or lunch basket seated by "grouchy counten- ance." We dread to look into faces who seem never to give or take"-we could have moved the baggage, but the unwil- ling faces were there to stay-they wanted the room and this made it impossible to ask the courtesy. Finally, we found a dear old lady, and, moving her baggage, we asked the privilege of occupying the seat next to her; certainly. she replied. only pay for one seat and so do you, and me- Thus cordial conversation took place between us. and we found de- lightful old lady-in the eighties, "but," she said. Il like to travel, and 1 do a great deal of it. l visit each year diff ferent sections of the states to see my children, and l ride thousands of miles, and l enjoy every minute I have learned to know people through varied scene and wonderful intercourse with strangers on the way, and the more see the more I want to live. I have not the time to die, there is so much pleasure to be had. and so much to be given, and so many duties we owe the other-although l have numbered my years so many-I am young in spirit and am able to live happily among my loved ones. I like to visit among my children, to peep into their nest of young ones and hear their prattle, and know they are part of my life, the product of my youthful hours. One has not lived in vain who is sur rounded in old age by the results of their life's work. I am visiting my brother in this city, beginning today and then jour ney west, where have a daughter"
 After talking with her we recalled her son, who lived among us years ago. T useful, popular citizen. MT. Mark Bill heimer. Everybody knew him and every body liked him. He Is no more, but his dear old mother lives to honor his name and she is a beautiful character and the world is better for her influence.
 She lived in this city many years ago, and built her home on Twenty-sxtn street and Twelfth avenue, north, along the line of the North Birmingham "dum- my" line. known as the "Billheimer Place" afterwards owned by MT. Henry Milner, and now in the very midst of Norwood. She built in the woods and the city has grown to meet her old home place and beyond, including North Bir- mingham. Her children married and moved away. and thus the changes that time brings about!
 The opportunity for wealth that came to them slipped away with the boom But what care I for that?" she said ''I have health. happiness and the best children in the world. I dare not express wish because I know that wish will come true if it is in the power of either child have. Do you wonder I have not time to die?'
 This dear, sweet, happy face has beamed before me as the real life worth living ever since l claimed my seat near her. and those words have sounded in my ear. So many Wars and so much in them-a lesson We all should know She is serving the world she goes and is carrying those with whom she comes in contact nearer to heaven.
 We remembered the lines of Byron at