Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-12-24
For the Freeman.
Golden Wedding at WatiSfield.

NOiuCn " at !" dtASnCAW.
The fftieth anniversary of the marriage of
Mr.. Salmon Rice and Miss Lucy Joslin was
observed on Thursday evening, Dec. llth.
by gathering of about fifty relatives and
friends. After the company was fairly as
sembled the following verses, written for the
occasion, were sung:
Welcome friends, we bid thee welcome
To this scene of festal cheer,
With the warmth of old-time friendship,
- Grown through many a passing year.
Chorus:
Join US in the gladstone chorus,
AS we memory's garland weave.
Thanks for blessings smiling DER rs,
On this golden ,ceddiRg eve.
May the bonds which long have held
Partners in liie's devious way,
Stronger grow while here we tarry,
And revive the by-gone day.
Chorus
Earnest of a golden fut ure,
Let this season prove to be;
Foretaste Of the g ander meeting,
~ In bright eternity.
Chorus
Welcome friends, we bid thee welcome
To this of festal cheer,
With the warmth of odtime friendship,
Grown through many passing year.
| Chorus:
| This singing was followed by Palmer S
were then requested to stand together, and
with them such of the friends present as were
of the wedding party fifty years ago. Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles Newcomb, Mrs. Betsey Wilder,
Mrs. Naomi Bushnell, Mrs. Maria Reed and
Mrs. David Gleason responded to the invita-
| tin Just behial these the clillc,l d t1e
Rice family, and the members of their res
pective families present, ranged themselves
twenty-one in all. After few words of con-
graduation, prayer was offered by Rev. J. Ii.
Babbitt. A letter was read from W. T. Skin
ner, Esq, of Davenport, Iowa, son-in-law
expressing regret that he could not attend
the celebration, and giving assurance of his
hearty interest in it, aud his presence g il
spirit"
Following the letter, the various gift
brought were separately and formally pre-
f sented, each accompanied briefly by appro
pirate remarks First of all, heavy COL
ring was pat into the hand of Mr. Rice, t.
place upon the finger of his = bride of fifty
years" The additional gifts Of the chill
dren and grandchildren were gold thin
bic, set of gold knitting needles, two pair
Of gold-bowed spcctacles, two go!d-headeC
canes, a gold tobacco box, fur-trimmeC
cloak, gloves and muff, and fine gilt edged
bible.
From friends in Maine, were sent gol(
lined goblet, and a gold thimble. From
other friends were received a gold tooth
pick, gold-lined sugar spoon, gold quar-
ter of dollar, and book, % Light at Eve
ming Time This presentation ended, tn,
f following paper was read, prepared by on
of the grandchildren, and entitled, IL
r Prayers of your Children: -
, - That the blessing of God may rest upo
you; that the Son of Glory may shir
around your heads and that the gates
plenty and happiness be always open t
you; may no strife disturb your days; ma
no sorrow disturb your nights; may the pl
low OF peace be beneath your cheeks, al
/ pleasures of Imagination attend your dream:
= and when length OF years makes you tire
, of earth, may the curtain OF death gent
close upon the scene OF your existence her
T. the angels OF ID attend your bed and tai
CttC 1udt thC ca ptAlhS itAp VI iAtO AOSOi'
e mot one rude blast to hasten Its extinction
ard finally may the S4viour's blood was
= you from all impurities, and at last ush
you into land OF everlasting felicity"
"When the hour comes for sleep al
- Aud lang syne," were next sung, and tt
company joined in social intercourse
bounuiful course OF refreshments was th(
, served. and engaged general attention, tt
ri the Waitsfeld Cornet Band broke in upon
! with surprise and highly appreciated vlsi
o At about ten O'Clock all were invited
unite in singing - Praise God from who
all blessings fiow," after which the frien
began to take their leave, bearing away Il
:, memory Of a very pleasant occasion.