Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1919 — PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON

The bright and golden yesterdays are pleasant to remember, when we leg-weary mortal jays have reached life’s bleak December. I like to think of goodly acts, and struggle to recall them; I gloat and linger o’er the facts, and nurse and overhaul them. Alas, my gooddeeds afe few, and dreaming in my shanty, I blush' to bring them into view, their numbers are so scanty. I envy much the ancient gent whose memories don’t grind him, who gazes back, with calm content, on well spent days behind him. Age has no terrors for that scout, his memory’s a treasure; not failing sight or itch or gout can mar his tranquil pleasure. To one who’s spent his younger years in vain and wanton (folly, age is a time of sighs and tears, remorse and melancholy. It’s sad to see a hoary guy in sorrow wade and founder, because of sins in days gone by, when he was quite a rounder.- When one is old such things come back, and haunt his recollection, and so he moons around his shack, the symbol of dejection. There’s nothing like a well spent life to imake its sunset cheery, when one has toiled through all its strife, and evening finds hiim. weary.