Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-12-05
Cotton WEDDING.

ashSaNtSu pSioiN hs Fo'e"SS'
Cotton Wedding.
On Friday evening Dec. LIST, Dr.. c. u. Gates
and wife, of East Vassalboro', were surprised by =
gathering of relatives and hiends intent upon the
celebration of the Both wedding anniversary Of the
worthy couple. Unsuspcious of the deep laid
plot, they, by invitation, were spending the eve
ming at the house of a neighbor. Upon receiving
the summons to return home for the entertain
ment of callers, they as unsuspciously entered
their house and were greeted by a storm of
laughter.
The evening was very pleasantly spent by all in
renewing their youth by free participation in
the sports OF the younger class. Among the
presents, besides the cotton articles usual to such
occasions, were an elegant silver ice pitcher;
beautiful goblet, and handsome pickle jar.
The friendship and kindly feeling manifested by
those present were fully appreciated and were
source OF great qualification to the surprised coup
lie. After partaking Of the plentiful repast provid
ed by the ladies, whose reputation for excellence
In cookery was fully sustained, the company we're
agreeably enter tained by the reading of . poem,
with fine elocutionary efec', by Miss Annie M.
Pierce.
After further merry making, the company sep
arated, wishing the doctor and his wife many hap
py returns of similar occasions. The poem writ
ten by Emily +. Dudley, who never fails to do
credit to herself, we give below
DEFENDERS dark and storm swept skies
Bend DER cold and chill,
The winds, with cadence lone and drear,
Sweep over vale and bill.
Yet bii .ht the scene we view tonight,
Within this mansion fair
Hope beams upon each smiling brow,
And leaves her impress there.
Why meets this cheerful, happy bandi
Whose gay toned voices ling,
Till ample ball and spacious room,
Their sounds are echoing.
Hush is it fancy Hear we not
Melodous chimes upon the air,
Sweet the call of vesper bells,
To evening praise and prayer'
And three decades have run their round,
Since first our friends we're wed;
Full many JOY their home has crowned,
And many hope has fled.
Not here they wed-in our fair State,
But on Rhode Islands shore,
And bright on Memory's faithful page,
Live friends and scenes of yore.
Oh, who may count your blessings poured
From an exhaustess hand
Your children grace your homestead now
A fair and happy band.
The dark-wir ged angel ne'er hath been
Commissioned to your door,
To snatch some loved and cherished one,
To tread your halls no more.
For one who quaffs At fearning's fount,
We twine q wreath of flowers.
Bright flowers of truth, and love and hope,
From Virtues fadeless bowers.
For each oui prayer to heaven ascends,
Who meet life 8 duties now,
With manbood's firm and high resolve
Imprinted on his brow.
May many priceless gem of bliss
Adoin their pathway fair;
Ne'er may the future teach them how
Delusive earth's bright visions are.
And may we all,-our mission done,
Aud every conflict DER,
Fird = ba )py home, in . cloudless cline.
On blest and peaceful shore;
Where we may receive the mystic name
Upon each radiant brow,
And be welcomed amid the shining band
Who gre moving in beauty now.
Our robes all washed and our garments white,
May we learn the song they sing,
And forever bask in his presence bright,
Who hath called us unto Him.
A solemn thought steals DER us now;
A low and dirge like tone
Reminds us Ills the evening time
Of an eventful era gone.
Centennial year! We hear thy mufflej tread,
Thy sad and parting knel;
Thou join'st the mighty ages that have fled,
Forever fare thee well.
Rich sheaves thy forehead bind,
OF Brotherhood and peace,
From wars shill clarion and rolling drum
A sweet and glad release.
Kind friends, no longer we'll detain,
Our artless lay is over now,
We would some muse inspired the strain
From famed Psrnsssus' GROW.