Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-10-24
Golden Wedding.
MILWAUKEE. Wis. Oct. Z, 7:

Dear Father and Mother,-and !
might say dear Grandpa and Grandma,
for the six grandchildren who join in
this letter Of congratulations, here in
far West. We have this day sent by
express to you, care Of VIM. Billings
Ui0 Woodstock, little token for the
rare anniversary you will celebrate on
18th, should Providence spare your
lives till that day We trust the
packet may reach you in good time,
to be opened ON that occasion, Be
lieve me the love and affection which
prompt thee congratulations and this
token, are as pure as the gift itself is
unalloyed. Fifty years How deep
ly interesting to It's, Of your household,
those years have been ; comprising as
they do our birth, our childhood, our
schooldays and our advent to the world
of busy men and women. Time and
the affairs of life have gradually wi
dened and broalenei the circle OF our
family from a single roof to half the
breadth Of the continent but never
have any Of Us lost sight Of or forgot
ten the two central Figures Of tnat
cilcle-our dear father and mother.
Fifty years To you mast Of these
wears were busy and toilsome. We
who have children Of our own cln
well understand how sleepless and I'LL
renting NUT have been that toll,
and can appreciate how very much
we owe you and ever shall. flour
heavenly Father shall spare you to us,
we hope to be able to soften and
swectcn the precious lives which only
God can extend.
Fifty years, handin hand d! All your
children except Caroline, have wives
and husbands but which Of u dare
crped to see such a day as this ? 1t
would be impious to more than hope
for it. But pray that we may find
ourselves prepared, ms yon are, if we
be called to morrow or in fifty years.
If it were conSonant to divert from
these sacred, social thoughts Of father,
mother, brothers and SiSteiS, to the
material changes wrought in those
long fifty years, ! might write an essay
instead Of family letter In fact the
history of these fifty years is the his
tory Of half the material accomplish
ment Of the human race. The five hun
dred years previous did not produce
so much. You undoubtedly made
your marriage trip in a New England
chajse To-day happy couples take a
palace at Boston and cross the con
tinent. its broadcast rivers and highest
mountains, without touching the
brides white slipper to the earth.
But will not compare the simple
lives commenced together fifty years
ago, in the sweet valley of the Que chez,
with the more boistcrous cosmopolitan
lives of to-day. Nor will | contrast
the ways of that primitive era wi h
the achievements Of this. To us both
times are dear to the heart, in the
former God joined you together and in
the latter he hath not parted You
With heartfelt thanktulness tortms
day and terveDt prayer for the fur
Their prolongation ofyour lives, for my
self and the others here,
am Your Aff1c;ionate Son,
ANDREW.
Mr.. EEroR :-Aorceably to the !
above letter, very enjoyable occasion
took place on the 18th inst, ut the
residence of Mr.. Henry Wood, in
Barnard. n son-in law of Mr.. Warren
and Mrs. Lydia c. Aikrns, the bride
and bridegroom of fifty years ago
and who were tie happy recipients
of the gifts Of this Golden Wedding
Pursuant to a kind invitation large |
were pleasantly brought to-
gether. Worthy Of special notice,
there were two gentlemen and their
wives present, Judge J. b. Danforh |
and Mr. Clark Chambcllin, who were
united in marriage in the same town,
over fifty years ago, Also, maidCn
lady, Marcia Carver, Of Woodstock,
who was blidesma q, at the wedding
IF Mr.. AlIens and wife. Rev. X. II.
Barton, read the above letter on the
occasion. Judge Dan
forth was Chairman Of the Committee,
with Mrs. NJ. J. Ba ton, to open the
sealed box of golden gifts, so timely |
sent by t e'r absent son. Andrew, and |
pre- eat them, as ubsti utes, il
stead of the noble and generous donor.
The secret when known, proved to be.
to the admiration Of all, two port
monies Of rare beauty and worth, the
richly mounted with gold,-
with ten pieces Of gold in each, at
five dollars a piece, estimated, Sl25.--
Blessed are those parents who are
nonored with such children. Other
presents were made After this the
were invited to pmtake OF
a bount fu and excellent rcpast, which |
cold Of itself could not afford, so ex-
prepared by Mrs. Woo and
with whom they live. AT
the close, prayer was offered, in be-
half of all present, and all returned, at a
proper hour to our homes, no doubt,
this beautiful thought
ever give me a Golden Wedding"
r II. BARTON.
We learn at DR.. n. w. Gilbert,
Of Montpelier, was drowned on Lake