The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-01
LOCAL 4 COUNTY INTELLIGENCE.


few months since.
A very heavy thunder storm Of rain and hail
swept over Limerick, Limington, Cornish aud
standish, early Monday morning, As We learn
from the Portland Courier.
The contribution in the church OF the Cd
Parish (Unitarian), saco. on Sunday last, in
behaifof the Soldiers Aid Association, amount-
Cd to the goodly sum OF sirty dollars
One Of the unoccupied buildings over in
somesville, Saeo, and formerly used rs q shoe
mandatory, was destroyed by an inccndiary
Gre on Tuesday night. Insured.
Biddeford has hAd. the III LUCK to be hum
bupred twice by circuscs. The first was Wheel
ar 4 Co.'S circus. which broke up in q row
abou, 0 O'Clock and the other was Slaymaker
4 Nichols circus, which performed here Mon
day night. The "dog show" was good, the
scrohatic performances barely passable. and the
remainder was "bcastly intellectual Z"
Nm EDITOR :-On Monday evening, Goth
inst, Il was my privilege to attend at the house
OF Hon. T. II Banks, Of this city, one Of those
rare festivities entitled "golden weddings"
tival, the interest OF the occasion transcends
the limits OF the circle Immediately connected
with IL, and your readers generally will. am
confident, agree with me in thinking IL desery-
ing Of public record.
On the 10Th Of June, 1874, our worthy friends
James and Mary Atkinson were 'joinet in holy
matrimony," In Hollis, by Squire Vaughan,
James being then 81 aud Mary 10 years Of age.
Both were born In Hollis They went to the
same school and grew up together In their m.
tive town. About twenty years ago they re-
moved from Hollis TO Saco. For the last four
years they have resided In this city with their
son.in.lsw Mr.. Banks. Noevents OF u ccnspic-
uous public character have marked their quiet
personal career /; but the thought must have
IMPRESSED itself upon one entering the brilliant
liz illuminated parlors OF Mr.. Banks on Mon
day evening, that the parents OF those rooms
fuil of persons have had an experience OF life
such as falls not to the lot OF many. There
were Eve sons with their wives and tour dauch-
tiers with their husbands; and sitting with maid
emily grace. or aitting with birdlike activity
from room TO room, or shining in mothers
arms-cems In the coronet Of beauty-were
other sixteen grandchildren, besides the wife at
q grandchild, and one great-gnndchild. Due
daughter with her husband was absent in Ken
lucky, and another daughter was prevented By
recent domestic bereavement from being pres
ent. Three children dwell above.
II was from the beginning such scene rs u
does ones heart good to look upon These
brothers and sisters hal come together from n
distance and FROM neighbor'ng towns, to meet
their ventrated and beloved parents. AS the
venerable couple sat before US upon the sofa,
their bright and happy faces rejecting the light
that besmed from scores Of illumined counte
nances around them, II was difficult from the
.youthfulness Of their looks to realize that half
century had elapsed since their nuptial KNIT
..l Tka;r oh IL
probation Of the privilege they were enjoying.
They W re evidently not insensible OF the fact
that IL must needs be OF infrequent occurrence
that both parents are spared to celebrate the
hftieth anniversary OF their marriage, and still
more so that eleven children survive and nine
with their wives or husbands, and children, are
allowed TO come together with one heart and
mind in grateful honor Of the event The glad
some, glowing goodhe' richness that was mani
fest in the intercourse Of the evening, was n
pleasing illustration Of the strong bond OF at
fsctiouate personal attachment for which this
family circle has been remarkable.
After an hour OF agreeable general converse
ton, in which the honOred bride and bride
groom took their full part with NO less grace.
or vigor OF voice and heart, than IS common ut
the first wedding ceremony, their Pastor, pres
ent BY invitation and as he Is wont to claim by
membership Of the families Of his people, was
asked to say q few words appropriate to the oc.
casion. At the conclusion Of his remarks all
withdrew to an adjoining room. where a table
had been beautifully and elegantly spread with
every manner Of good thing harmonious with
the Joyous hour-each afterwards receiving a
generous slice of wedding cake 10 take home IN
memory OF the ancient time, and which in point
OF richness the original could hardly have OK
celled. "Fa,her and mother" were then feel
ingly addressed by one of the children, in q
strain that moistened the parental eyes, and
"a 81 Nhaa ftant tya nm nv
At the conclusion of his earnest words, the
speaker advanced and taking each OF his hon
ored parents by the hand, left tlial token
which though invisible was understood 10 be OF
substance suited to the occasion. This seemed
TO be the signal for n general movement OF the
same sort throughout the room. There were
not many words, but there was an eloquence IN
those acts Of love as Of the "golden-mouthed''
orator Of old. As with smiling face each came
lovingly forward To place some Offering OF AZ
fiction In the hands OF the venerable pair, II
was evident their hearts were too full Tor utter
ance. IL Was q scene none who witnessed V VIII
forget. The children and children's children
Joined then their voices around the piano, and
the remainder Of the evening Was spent in
pleasant songs and the interchange OF friendly
sentiments. SO passed the golden wedding"
Space will not admit Of even the attempt TO
enumerate the events Of public moment that
have traspired since the wedding OF June, lsla.
The great thought uppermoSt with the people
then was the war that had reached at that time
Its height. II Is q circumstance that must seem
to our friends remarkable that they should
have come TO their golden wedding with the
same awful sounds falling upon their cars that
90 appalled, them Mt the beginning. But ~
then there WAS light that cheered.and a bes-
con Of hope that guided them amidst the dark.
ness Of the times, 50 now IN the midst OF this
fierce and most terrible strife. there Is peace
within and cheerful trust In the good God and
Father Of US all that point them and US TO the
family gathering that shall be. In which alone
our earthly hopes can have their complete ful-
hlmcnt.
II would be scarcely deemed = kindness to our
friends to wish their stay ON earth pi olonged To
tho next great cycle Of married life, the "dia-
moul wedding" but we will pray for them tina,
they may In substance, u not in form. enjoy
even this increase Of peace and JOY together.
astIll hand 10 hand their journey uro',
Meek pilgrims may they got
Mingling their Joys as helpers true,
And sharing every woe.
In tslth aud trust and heart the same,
Tho same their home aboseI
MAY each In each still feed the damc
" pure and holy love"
We arc surprised that this city has not sim
gle sworn surveyor Of wood. II is culpaol'
negligence tina, We have not . half a dozen such
officers