as a respectful demeanor toward a reverend man. Nothing lowers a man so
much as flippant speech concerning his elders. The young man with the
most dignity has the most deference for age. He takes sincere delight in
bowing before ripe years and wisdom. Alas! how sad that ever age should
come to one who is not fitted for its honors!
I have known a son to thwart every dream of his father. I have seen the
parent, struggling with adversity, yet succeed in opening before the
child a career of honor and comfort; and I have seen the son clutch
those opportunities as a highwayman seizes upon the wayfarer, and
throttle them in the dust and ashes of failure and disgrace. How sad the
picture!