Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
Silver Wedding.

and wife, assembled in large numbers at
his residence last evening, to celebrate
with them the twenty anniversary
of their marriage. The house was sur
rounded with Chinese lanterns, adding
brilliancy to the scene. The spacious
rooms were decorated with autumn leaves
arranged with rare taste. Boquets of
flowers, bright and beautiful, here and
there, sent forth their sweet perfume 10
lend erchantment to the scene. Two of
the most equisite floral offerings were
sent by Mrs. Horace Fairbanks, of st.
Jobnsbury, indicating at once the taste
and friendship of the contributor.
The evening passed happily and hearty
congratulations were extended to Col.
Merrill and his sstimable lady. Among
| the prominent personsges who graced the
assemblage were Hon. Luke P. Poland,
Judge Woodruff, Hon. s. NJ. Dorr, Mrs
Julia G. r. Dorr, Gov. Page, B. B. Small
ley Of Burlington, J. Monroe Poland and
lady of Montpelier, and Mrs. H. Henry
]
many friends were present from abroad.
Among the most unexpected guests of
the evening was Mr.. James S. Williams,
the oldest conductor on the New London
Northern Railroad, of which Col. Merrill
is now Superintendent, bearing with him
a grace full tribute from his associates of
the high esteem in which they held their
chief executive officer, although their re-
lstions Rad been of comparatively short
duration. The gift was a solid silver
tets a tete set upon silver salver, and was
accompanied with the following neat,
agreeable and pertinent note:
To COL George A. Merrill, Superintendent
Ne1o London Northern Railroad.
We the undersigned, conductors on the
above named road, recognizing and appre-
ciating the whole souled manner of your
self in all your dealings with Us, desire to
manifest our werm-hesrted friendship to-
wards you, or this twenty fifth snniver-
sary of your marriage, by presenting to
you this little token of remembrance :;
trusting that in the years that are to come
and go, the sight of it may tend TO keep
alive within your breast, the feelings of
friendship which now exist between you
and ourselves. Hoping that the next
twenty-five years of your life may be
fraught with as much happiness to you
and you're, as have those which have lust
terminated, that no clouds of sorrow NAV
arise TO darken the pathway of your de-
clining years, and that you may be spared
to celebrate your " Golden Wedding" day,
surrounded by hosts of tried, and true
friends. We remain,
Truly yours,
II. B. DOwNER,
H. H. SANDERS,
FRANK FOWLER,
THOMAS T. BECKwITH,
FRANK G. SEDGEwICK,
GEORGE FEWILLIAMs,
WILLIAM HASTINGS,
JAMES S. WILLIAMS.
This unexpected and pleasant epi sode
could not but prove pleasant to the re cipi-
ent, coming from those who had emf owed
only brief business and social inter-
course with him, and speaks far more than
words, the appreciation of those who so
delicately rendered the testimonial Al
though it was announced that no gifts
were to be received, yet they could not
resist the impulses of their hearts, to give
expression to their regard on this ami
versary occasion. The whole affair was
nicely conceived, we'll arranged and sue
cessfully carried out.
Refreshments OF the choicest viands
were served, and all the appointments of
the occasion were of the best and era CO.
fully dispensed to the guests.
While no presents were expected, vet 4, |
few choice souvenirs of friendship were
sent by friends in town and from abroad. !
Each of the children presented their
mother with silver token of their love
and in remembrance of the anniversary
Mr.. and Mrs. Merrill appeared quite
young for go venerable couple as our
types have endeavored to make them in
this anniversary. The Col.
onel bears his age well for gentleman of
'ecenty-Str, as he would have been had our
figures proved correct in calculating the
years of bis married life.
The host OF warm and earnest fr;era,
# Mr.. aud Mrs. Merrill wish them a.
pleasant and prosperous life in the in.
'ure as it has been in the past. Nav
lind Providence permit the silver cords
u NE 10 De heightened until the golden
clouds shall appear, and the coronst :.