Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-11-28
Reading.

! "o"' WV SSSio VI io' 81 "h" p'S'"
gathering in honor Of the twentyfiftl
anniversary of the marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Carlos Hawkins. The oc
casion was made throughly enjoyable
by the exertions of those having thu
matter in charge, and will long be re
membered by those who were present
After the preliminary greetings and
congratulations, Mr.. George M. Clark
addressed the guests in his usual hap
py ard appropriate style, and then
read the following poem, written to'
the occasion by Mr. II. II. Fletcher:
At noon the trav'er along the dusty road,
A lofty emnence attained, sits him down
Beside cooling spring. and, with backward
glance,
Surveys the way he's followed through field
and town.
Beneath the glowing rays Of the midday sun
Each turn in the devious path shows bright
and clear,
Aud, rising DER far-of mountains dim and
blue,
The home of boyhood seems wonderfully near.
Lighted high above the gloomy forests maze !;
Above the ravine where thunder rolled and
crashed,
And whore, along the steep and treach 'rous
track,
With angry roar, the swollen stream foamed
and dashed
Above the bog whose tall reeds and matted
grass
Concealed the darksome pools where huge
logs decayed,
Where ill-omened birds sat on the blasted
And Shiny reptiles lurked in the dreary glade.
He forgets these dismal scenes, now lost to
sight,
And, as the landscape smiles in the amber air,
The rugged heights up which he YEARLY
climbed
Seemed but dimples on the face OF nature fair,
And in hopeful mood, his weary frame
refreshed
He turns his gaze to tho golden hills afar,
Resumes his journey with courageous heart
70 rest at length meath the sparkling evening
star.
So, dear friends, while you tonight pause
hand.in.hand
Az for five-and-twenty years you've trusting
Along the varying course of welded life,
Recalling alike the victories lost and won,
May the warm greetings from true and loving
hearts
Like the genial glow Of bright summer day,
Danish all remembrance of clouds and of
Which may have iisen Ger the peaceful way.
Five-and-twenty years How long the time,
how short
Seed-time and harvest, sickness and rudy
health,
Rejoicing and sorrow, plenty and famine,
Storm-clouds and rainbows, grim want and
Gorgeous wealth (:
All these, in quick succession, have come and
gone
Like summer shadows on the ripening grain,
Which, fitting across the sea of Bonded heads,
Vanish to appear in varied form again.
The rude storm Of war has scourged our
native land,
And buried thousands into an unknown grave,
While many sadly broken New England homes
Have mourncd the unreturning, missing"
brave.
Here, round your pleasant homes, raging
floods have poured,
When fertile fields quick became but deserts
drear,
And now, trembling. beheld in few brief
hours
The fruits of weary labor all disappear.
But, thank God, the south wind brings no more
to us
The loud lannon's roar or smoke of battle
fierce:
Peace and comfort bless our realms from sea
TO sea,
And through slav'rys night the ray Of free
dom pierce.
Our own Green Mountain State, ever dear 10
us,
Now smiles with plenty from ev'ry hill and
vale
The streams gently glide within their wonted
bounds
While in quiet homes we dread not the
winters gale.
Then accept, O friends, our tribute ofesteem;
Our heartfelt good wishes for your future
veal.
May your little circle long unbroken stand
And God on your love set His approving seal
May each to the other prove help and stay,
And together may you descend the pleasant
hill,
Where none are ever weary, or sad or i'll.
Mr.. Hawkins, in some feeling and
heartfelt remarks then returned thanks
in behalf of himself and family for the
kindness of their many friends, soon
after which the company adjourned to
the supper table, which was bounti-
fully spread in the dining hall, and to
which ample justice was done. Prof
Shedd, Of Claremont, N. H., favored
the gathering with some excellent
operate and other selections on the
piano, while Messrs Clark and Holder