Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-10
A Pleasant Reunion.

The daughter OF Mr. Mitchell Stone has
long been trying to get all Of her grandfather,
Benjamin Stones family together that are
now living. BY great perseverance, she
succeeded in bringing together at her fathers
residence in Berkshire, August 20, 1875, all
but two Of the family living; these re siding
10 the western states considered il too much
undertaking TO travel so far one Of whom
is 50, and the other n years old.
Benjamin Stone was born in Piermont
New Hampshire, 1869 removed to Vermont
1903, aud died 10 1850. His children num-
bered ten,-6ve sons and FIVE daughters
eight of whom are now living, aud six Of
whom were gathered at the visit And II
was little singular that these six repre-
sented as many different religious beliefs :
Two came from the state of Illinois, one
from the town of Eden, and the other three
have always remained in Berkshire Their
ages ranged from SO to 75 years.
The grandchildren and other relatives in.
creased the number Of the party to 30 IN all.
A table 30 feet in length was made for the
occasion and placed under the trees on q
beautiful level in front Of the house, and all
were seated at the first table, About
spreading this table, there arose little diff
Guilty the old gentlemen wished to have old
times represented and the younger people a
more modern style SO they compromised the
matter, and one end Of the table was spread
with tiDe white linen, that was spun by Mrs
NJ. Stone when girl of 10, and woven after
the Prussian leaf pattern. For food they
had baked beans, baked Indian pudding,
brown bread, aud pumpkin pie baked on
tin plate and set on the table in the same.
For dishes they had Britannia Tor pewter)
teapot which resembled "scallop squash"
more than any thing else; but it was as
smooth and nice as on the day it was pur-
chased, 90 years ago; aud blue earthern Of
the same ancient date, a vinegar cruet,
pepper box, and salt cellar about 80 years
old, and teaspoons IS years old, with accom-
panying steel knives and forks.
The lower end Of the table was set with
white ware and silver, baked meats, chicken
pie, fruit pudding, pies, cakes, pickles, sauce
and jellies; aud the necessary bread and
vegetables, all round. '-. -N'
When the bouquets were brought forward
for the table au old lady gave Mr. Mitchell
Stone bouquet composed Of two suniowers,
liveforever and tiger lilies he thanked her
and said, "that is the first bouquet ever pre-
sented to me /" 1t was placed in a pitcher
that had served its three score and 10 years
while the other flowers were placed in vases.
Next the old beer mug was produced,
which was made by cousin Of the family
20 years ago, Of pewter with a glass
bottom. The mug that parents and all of
the ten children had drank their beer from in
the old home.
The old pewter mug,
The family mug, s..
The beer charmed mug,
Ofyears ago.
When all were seated at the table grace
was said by Rev Albert Stone, one Of the
brothers. At the table visiting took q new
impulse, and the olden time revived, which
was very interesting TO the younger portion of
the company. One referred 10 ''the time when
they ate their bread aud milk on their stool
in the summer, and their bean porridge in the
winter around the big fire place, dipping from
the large pot that hung on the crane into
their pewter basins and the most fortuna to
ones sat one on each end of the back log in
the chimney corner and ate their Gil "but
we all grew to be old enough TO have place
at the table before the family began to scat.
ter away from home" Science, ;" they said
"now prescribcs for health, rarely cooked
meats but here is family who were always
considered a healthy family, aud have lived
to an advanced age, and we were brought up
on cooked meat, cooked white to the bone.'
Then their mothers government "Our
mother never punished us in anger An.
other says, al never saw my mother out OF
temper; when we did wrong she said II you
do 80 again shall punish you i aud the
punishment surely came !" One brother said
to the one from Elem III suppose the style
of dress has changed somewhat there, hasn't
it2' (laughter). fTH. b. IfU.
The family received many kind letters
from absent friends. One said he parted
from the dear friends in Vermont years ago
aud the wound was partially healed and at
his advanced age he could not think of open.
log the wound airesh, by another sad part
ing.
As the company separated prayer was
offered and the Doxology was sung, proba-
bly, for the last time together, until they sing
it anew in their Fathers kingdom. Thus
ended one Of the happiest Of family reunions
after separation of so years.
p l.. HOPKINS.