Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-02

upon the bride and bridegroom were
ushered in, Mr.. A. D. Smith and lady
acting as bridegroom and bridesmaid.
After this ceremony was performed, the
happy couple were made the recipients OF
beautiful silver tea set, valued at 500.
The presentation was made by Rev. A.
astman> who in very appropriate re-
marks said
M. q. II. COngaon and Lazy On be-
half of these friends here assembled, /
present you this silver tea set, as a token
of the esteem and high appreciation in
which you are held by US. We are
happy to meet you here this evening, and
be thus enabled to manifest our friend
ship and respect, although this is but O.
slight memorial, and you may be assured
that this occasion affords US the greatest
pleasure You have been identified with
the interests of the people of the town for
over quarter of century, during which
time by manly principle aud neighborly
conduct, valued friendships have been
formed, and to which this gift attests.
Not only valued friendship, but by the re-
lation of neighbors and citizens, with
whom you have been brought into daily
intercourse, with mutual interests in
many respects, pleasant memories and
agreeable associations have been formed.
And while we greet you with these kind
regards, let US trust that our relations
may be as pleasant in the future as they
have been in the past, and let me say fur
ther in behalf of these friends and donors
that as you have glided serenely by the
meridian of lifc's journey, may long life
of joy, unmingled with pain or sorrow,
yet be yours richly to enjoy may nothing
ever tend to mar the sweet OF matri-
monial bliss; may you glide peacefully
along in the pathway of life to good old
age, meeting the sober realities of life
with Christian heroism and patient forth
tude, and when our labors on earth shall
have ended, may we all greet each other
in Heaven, with the kindly "reminiscences
of this life.
Rev J. P Stone then followed in some
very humorous and appropriate, although
impromptu remarks. He said that we
frequently read in the papers that such e
couple were married by Rev. Mr.. A, as
sisted by Rev. Mr.. B, but in this case he
didn't see as there was necessity of any
particular assistance. Daring his minis
terial duties he had frequently been called
upon to perform the marriage ceremony,
but during his two years residence in
Dandy, he had not been called upon but
once to perform this ceremony, neither
had Mr.. Eastman, but this was the second
silver wedding he had attended here. He
thought the justices of the peace were
doing all the business in that line, or else
there was but little of it done. He thought
matrimony was good thing, and sacred
institution. 1t was source of true hap
piness. He thought that Adam could not
have enjoyed perfect happiness until a
woman was created for him, and when
that curious sleep fell upon him, and he
awoke and found a beautiful woman by
his side, his cup of happiness was full. 1t
was natural for some to complain and find
fault with woman, for as Adam, notwith-
standing the unalloyed pleasure manifest
ed at first with the society Of woman, had
occasion after a while to find fault.
Those who had wives knew how this was.
But he thought the world was better off
for the matrimonial state it was noces-
sary, under present existing circumstan-
ces. The family influence was beneficial,
and if any are hesitatipg in regard to the
marriage state, let them inquire of the
Older vnos. Ii thugs do go ~oll ia
this world, he thought the true marriage
relation was not at fault, and we ought
to be thankful for this relation. In testi-
mony that the marriage relation was a
good thing, he referred to the couple
whom we had come 10 honor, for, instead
of applying for divorce from the mar.
riage performed twenty-five years ago,
| they had decided to have a second we'd
ding, and hoped all present would live to
attend their golden wedding, twenty five
years hence. And in making further ref
erence to the happy couple, who had been
the recipients of so handsome a present,
he hoped that their labors would be
CEOHACd "lIA suSJG6S III ING 1uluISy 6S
they had been in the past, and their hearts
and home be honored and blest, thereby
lighting up their pathway to Heaven,
where none are married or given in mar
riage. Mr.. Stone then closed with a
beautiful and impressive prayer.
In this gift, both Mr.. Congdon and his
estimable lady were taken by surprise
Mr.. Congdon replied in a few words of
heartfelt gratitude, as follows:
"Neighb0rS and Friends My heart is
too full to express my thoughts for this
expression of kindness and esteem, or to
find words appropriate TO show my appre-
citation of this generous gift. This es-
TEEN and friendship which you have this
evening shown me, is what have labored
to gain for SO many years. [ have ever
sought in my humble way to gain the es-
TEEN and confidence of my fellow towns.
man, and now [ am happy in this sssur-
ance that my aim has been accomplished.
Allow US to tender you our wsrmest
thanks for this splendid gift, and while il
affords you pleasure in giving, let me say
it also affords US great joy in receiving,
and that it will add another bright spe 4
to our memory"
Next came the usual routine of kis sing
the bride, in which all engaged with near
ty zest. After this the company we en-.
tertained by some splendid singin g, fur
nished by DIR. E. o. Whipple ar d lady
and D. w. Rogers and lady, aaco, npanied
with instrumental music by M rs. L. G.
Waldo. This was followed b. = refresh.
ments, the table being loaded it'll every
thing witch the culinary art in all its
perfection could devise. Vari GUS amuse-
ments were INDUCED In, aft er refresh
ments, and thus continued to pass the