Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-01-24
At His old r.


OI IlldIG, 6lCs-WulCu IldO DSSu duuu'
in support, has been proved forge
Next the real history of the port
does, singularly enough, not begin ~
7O5, when Pope John VII. suddenlJ,S
ft to declare that he really WS the
tob ,s.PR9ssion of the cloth. ID
alizatio - q sl!5 S.ii3 agnitude of an event
which comes but once to any and to most
never, combined to produce emotion too
deep for words. Recovering himself after
little he proceeded to say that his feelings
seldom got the mastery of him, but that
this demonstration had been so unlocked for
the indications of confidence and kind
ness so hearty that he knew not how to
express his thankfulness. He did not see
that he merited such tokens. but they could
not but be gratifying. He had not sought
favor except by trying 70 deserve it. He
had endeavOred to live an honest temper
ate, industrious life. Others must Judge
how far he had succeeded. He thought
some might be interested in hearing some
thing Of the way ne had travelled during the
past half century. Fifty years ago the 22d
of February fell on Sunday-the day he
ana the girl beside him had fixed upon as
their wedding day. They were not able to
make a wedding feast-bOth their families
could not have gotten up such a feast as
was spread here tO-day-so they decided to
&c to the old church at Brockett's Bridge
where they and all their friends went, and
be married their. It. was an economical
way and they would be sure of plenty of
wedding guests. There they were married
and all enjoyed the occasion except perhaps
themselves, and they had never regretted
the step. He then spoke of their journey
to Ohio-the far West-with their household
goods. which consisted of one chest, one
small bureau, six chairs (still in use) and
two barrels of goods. This was all they
possessed. He described the Lighthouse
built in Cherry Valley-irs lower story and
its loft and the means of communication
between the two-the bedstead made of
poles and branches. and other appliances
for comfort familiar to pioneers, but which
will not much longer be described by their
living voices. As the years went on the
hardshipS of this kind of life gave way and
they gradually surrounded themselves with
more comforts, but they had never aban-
dOned their habits of industry and econo-
my. They had tried to be of some use in
the world, they had had fair share of
happiness and had tried to contribute TO
the welfare and happiness of others. They
had been blessed all along the way with
friends and were surrounded by them now.
They desired to thank them all most hearth
ly for their kindness.
Others were called upon for reminiscent
ces, but wisely reserved them for future
use when their own half century should he
completed.
The last hour was busy one, both to
those who used it socially and to those who
cleared away all vestiges of the feast.
Everything was set in order and when the
last loud departed 1t must have seemed to
the bridal PAIR as though vision had rest
ed with them through the day-a vision
wherein cheerful faces and merry voices
pervaded every apartment, wherein the old !
forgot that they were not youthful and the
young that they should ever grow old, and
wherein all had dropped care and sorrow
and found happiness in trying to promote it.
Such occasions, necessarily rare, ought |
never to be passed by; and wherever cele-
brated may they afford, as did this, happi-
ness to all who participate.