Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-03-23

ant hours he spent there, and the kindl,
attentions of the gentle wife, who's,
wide heart took in every suffering, sor
rowing one of earth. The blessing o
the Lord was upon that household
and it is that alone awhich maketh rich
and He addeth no sorrow with it,
Years sped apace, when one ruddy
October,a circular autograph letter went
round the circle OF brothers, bidding
them all come to the golden wedding
And the call gathered them in from
their distant homes.
There was racket of merry, youth
ful voices, as the grandchildren romped
through the old halls; but grand fathers
face was brimful of smiles; and grand
mas pet and namesake, gentle, dignified
Grace, took the reins of government in
to her hands, so allmoved on most har-
moniously relieving mothers of all care,
and leaving them to chat to their hearts
content.
Carrie was the daughter-in-law who
lived nearest home, so the care of the
feast fell upon he-. 'Grandma must
not stir from her rocking-chair' until
all was upon the table. Indeed, it would
be hard for her TO accomplish much with
so many little run-a-ways under her
feet all the time, whose manifold perfec-
tions must continually he observed and
commented on.
The evening lamp was lighted, and a
little fire was burning in the open fire
place, as all were seated in the old home
room.
William, the eldest born, stepped forth
from the little group, and advancing to
his gray-haired father, said,
at is twenty-five years since the first
of us went forth from this roof to make
his way in the world. As each, in turn,
you presented to him a bright, new hoe,
with the injunction, Hoe ont your row.
How well we have followed your direc-
tions and the lessons of industry, perse-
verance, Christian integrity, and self
denial, you have always taught, by your
words and by your life, it remains for
you to judge. As token that we have
not forgotten your teachings, in the
name of my brothers and myself, l
present this hoe to you," and with a
bow he laid it down upon the little
round stand before him.
The old man dropped his head, and the
thin hairs fell about his temples as he
simply said, with a choking voice,
"God bless the boys!''
"Mother,' said Ralph, advancing to
her side, "we all know that you would |
not desire any gifts Of jewels and gold
en- ornaments, such as are common on
these occasions. But we thought the
contents of this little box might add
some comforts to your lives, which we
should delight to bestow, if we were
not so widely separated" He placed in
hands, beautiful gilt casket, contain
ing four of the broadest pieces the mint
turing out, with liberal sprinkling Of
smaller yellow drops, from the little
grandchildren. |
'Now, father" said Dominic Ned, as
he walked up to the stand, 81 ust give
you my wedding-present;'' and he laid
before him his beautiful copy of the
Testament and Psalms, printed in very
large, clear type, SO grateful to the fail
ing sight of age. In bright gilt letters
on the side, were stamped these words
81 love Thy commandments above
gold; yea, above fine gold"
Now, perhaps, we had better sing our
evening hymn; and after worship,le the
little ones tramp off to bed"
The patriarch knelt among his flock,
and the prayer, from his full heart, for
Gods blessings upon them, was as if he
had entered within the veil. There
were tears on many cheeks when they
rose, and subdued tone ran even in the
'good-nights' of the merry children.
Then all drew up about the fire, and
told over tales of other days.
William told how he had hoed out a
pretty hard row in the new place where
he had sought to establish himself as
physician. But, after due waiting, the
first patient" came at last, and the Sec
,nd, and so on,until now he was "the old
physician of the place, with two young
men in the office with him.
Dominic Ned, otherwise Rev. Ed
ward Kent,) detailed some of the "Shady
Side" experiences of his first charge;
out. they were pleasantly relieved by the
many "Sunny Side" incidents his wife
ook care to suggest as he went along.
George and Ralph compared farm
notes, and altogether, the evening pass
d as only such gathering, by such
ever can. 1t is only such
raining that can produce such results.
If you wish your boys and girls to
;row up useful, honorable, and happy,
each them faithfully "to hoe out their
'ow."