Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-24
DRIFTING


gliding peacefully but reessy onward toward some unknown
aro goal Marsh along the margin of the sire
and scattered along the banks that marked its wind
hot day in midsummer could occasionally
hear the croak frog the sharp hum of the ccada the
twtter a bird tree-top Overhead the sky brightly
blue with white clouds drifting slowly it pill
ing themselves great fluffy along the horizon Some
children far up enjoying swim, and their happy
clearly the distance although they
around bend in the and could not them. red
doing the opposite bank aziy switching
flies with her TAIL slowly elevated her hind quarters then sud
denly her feet meandered esuey down to the
for drink Tn of the herd continued to chew their uds
in blssful repose.
idly piece that CHANGED be lying
swirled struck the
water then gded with the around the bend out of
sight 1t hot and threw myself upon the bank to
and to enjoy the GOODNESS which close proximity to the
There nearby field which should
doing that morning had sefshly left
undone for else perform tasks which should have
been done by but nevertheless closed and
Taxed my muscles good rest could hear the rppe wash
the pebbles along the shallow margin of the stream and
the drowy hum of insects family Then knew
for the and quietness Of surroundings ued
me to sleep
stood in my dream upon the banks of the river of time
And the little board that had idly thrown into the placid
before had laid down sleep drifting toward
the supposed to be the little board
but found my establishment approached that it was
myself that drifting down with the current seemed to be
outside of myself speak for able to observe my own
progress the bank the spectacle of myself "
ing supnely upon my back and drifting along in the water
Others also aloat in that stream drifting
drifting others struggling with all their might and nerve
and snew combat the current that steadily moving them
in their progress lack of
Here standing STILL apparently his feet
unsteady planted upon the log of Bygone opportunities that
had fallen the stream and lodged there But the log sudden
y rolled and deposited him in the water apparently DIS
outraged gave up struggle dted with the others
Another had gained temporary foohod the rock of
"There are better times coming but apparently the
unstable allow him there long and he
slipped by disappeared Still another making effort
retard his progress striking for the shoa of His faith
er reputation but the swept him ptessy off his feet
before ne could reach it. The qucksands OF Anything TO get
by I try anything once literally swallowed countless
others and could see them
The became congested and watched
myself the Others slipping along easily and yet
evaby toward great whirlpool which suddenly appeared in
the distance And by could the bodies of individuals
to the brink plunge and then swirl downward into
the whirlpool never to reappear rs there SAID to myself
mo escape from this whirlpool that devourng all these
pe? And began to experience strange sort of fear that
too might be swallowed up by it.
Suddenly small figure upon the bank cried aloud
that all might hear There is but to avoid destruc
ton in the whirlpool Yonder is the solid rock of Making the
most of the has stood there in the stream of time
for He who obtains foothod there
grets the past fears the Instead he lives out his life
to its fullest capacity every while the wrecks of humanity
who fail to find this rock, go by every side"
But, asked him. Does it not require mighty effort to
obtain foohold upon this rock?"
Indeed it does his quick reply "for the person who
would obtain such fooho must cultivate all his talents their
fullest capacity he must be willing live for others instead of
for HIMSELF he must opportunity for hepuness and
service which his way he live for the Of
living and OF serving and he must aside forever the bundle
of seshness which the back
who allows himself to it. If he does all this he
will become enough the safety of the
rock But he drift with the tide luck
outside Influence which might interfere help him out for
the current swr dangerously strong around the rock and is
unwrtten law that he attain through his efforts
And there then any chance for upon that rock?
anxously inquired.
The little looked at and thought read look of
in his piercing but before he had time reply
of a
rubbed eyes and struggled to sitting posture And
the river still continued flow peacefully along the
insect and bird life could still be heard the happy children
still shouted at their play; the sky still blue the
clouds still white; and black apparently