The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-29


tiful danghtess, with whom time, whiah
lad lea the mother 20 hir, had dealt win
such gsntlsnsss that Jon could scarcely
distinguish them from their own lovely
daughtevs, and With them came two selhs.
with their handsome wives, and fns
group Of young people and ehildrea to
brighten the scene.
The four generations we're eencentated
into one brilliant group, and. with that
couple in the center, more splendid pic
ture cannot be imagined. Here and there,
half hidden BY flowing robes Of gossamer,
tulle. brocade or velvet, : little fairy
child would peep into the front ranks to
learn why oil the stiffness had come on
so suddenly. but the hush Vas soon ex-
planned. Cornelius Vanderbilt, IT,, opened
the ceremonies with touching and most
eloquent address to his parents.
He expressed his thankfulness that the
day which that family circle had looked
forward to with 90 much anxiety had
found 90 many of them assembled around
their honored parents, and that the acci-
dent which had threatened to make the
occasion one Of mourning had been turned
aside, giving them cause for deeper graf
itude to God, and more thorough devo-
ton to the parents they all honored SO
deeply. He spoke touchingly of his ab-
sent brother, and those members of the
family who were unable to assemble with
them. He hoped that the parents they
loved would live many, many yesrs, that
he for one might prove, by renewed af-
lection and sincere gratitude. how thor.
oughly he appreciated their goodness.
We can but give vague outline of the
speeches, but the pathos and deep feel
ing with which this brief address was Civ
en-, and the kindred sentiment expressed
by the looks of both parents affected ev-
cry one present, and many fearful eye
attested the truth that Zone touch Of ma
ture makes the whole world KIM
A few moments were given to the deep
sympathy inspired by the speech; then
followed burst of music which soon filled
the floors with dancers; after which the
music ceased another circle was formed,
and passage made for the advent OF .
tree six feet high, formed of growing ivy,
choice plants, and profusion of flowers
"a thing Of beauty from root to branch
which was placed before the illustrious
couple. CrowdiDg gracefully amid the
foliage of this tree were scrolls tina. seemed
embroidered with moss, on which we're
written in tiny flowers the names of the
twelve brothers and sisters who had united
in presenting the floral Offering to their
parents. When this noble tree was in
place, Labau. the husband of the Commo-
dore's sixth daughter, stood forward in
behalf of the brothers and sisters and pre-
sented their joint offering in an eloquent
and feeling address. He spoke Of his
own position in the family-of the kind
ness he had received from the two noble
persons who were its head, and which
had been SO generously lavished on every
relative present. He dwelt upon the
Commodore's wonderful success on the
ocean and on the land--on the grandeur
OF his ideas. and the resolution with which
they had always been carried out. He
spoke OF the honor which the parents had
given to all those who bore their name or
shared their affection. Then turning
more directly to Mrs Vanderbilt, he ad.
dressed her as the noble home mother
who had blessed them all with her vo-
mauly virtues and general nobility of
character.
by the request of his parents, William
H. Vanderbilt, the eldest son, accepted
the floral offering in their behalf, and
made beautiful response. There was
warmth and genuine feeling in every word
he acknowledgements which, like that of
his younger brother, sprung from the
heart and went to the heart. He spoke of
their great happiness in standing there
one almost unbroken chain Of brotherhood
and isterhood-sround their parents.
with their children and children's chill
dren united in one common bond of love.
de spoke of those who were absent
"Let us remember them with prayers and
blessings" he said, "for we'll we know
this moment how they are thinking Of
US Before the profound impressions
left by these speeches had worn off.
band OF the youngest children broke into
pretty song addressed to their grand pa
rents, so cheerfully and sweetly sung that
every face in the room Frightened under
1t. Then the Commodore and his wife
entered into the general festivities, when
the third and fourth generations came 10
Tor generous share of attention. The
little girls, climbing to the gnndfather's
knee, and the youngest gentlemen claim
ing kisses from grandmother, which she |
gave without STUNT.
Then march struck up, and tho whole
party moved into the supper-room, which
was splendid affair in every respect
While delicate creams and hot.borse
fruits we're following the more substan-
t'al fare. Mr.. Labau Gang an original
song. sparkling as the champagne. and
rich with witty illusions. Then came
another song, in which the whole fsmilv
joined in chorus; and toast to the little
'olks, to which a young gentleman-one
Of the grandsons-was making an appro-
pirate response. when everything was
thrown into Joyous confusion BY . burst
y band music from the street. "The
seventh Regiment Band had surprised
u ~ Dr. IL