Daily Republican., 1879-04-02
Social Rurprlse.

Last evening few OF the relatives
and friends Of Fell, G28 West 9th
street, were summoned at the instance
of bis wife to celebrate the 5Oth ami.
versary of his birth, in a form Of a
social surprise, which was completely
effected on his return home to tea at
the usual hour. The evening was en-
joyably spent by all present and after
partaking Of many of the good things OF
life, the company was favored by the
reading Of selection, contributed by a
friend for the occasion, entitled, my
Fifti.th Birthday" Also q few re-
marks we're handed forth for the COM
fort OF those who reached maturer years,
that as time glides on, the vigor and
freshness Of youth may in measure be
maintained, as years is added unto
year, if the eye is singled to look be-
yond TO that better and purer life
which should be our aim, for as one
dear friend remarked, "What doth it
profit man, If he gain the whole world
and lose his own soul " AT timely
hour the company dispersed, each one
feeling that the occasion would ever Dc
green spot in their memory. The
following is the poem alluded to above ::
MY FIrrIErH BInrnDAy.
I thought when IA child, how l. ny 1t would be
Ere l could live out nifty years.
| To think of 1t oft checked my glee,
And Allied my childish heart with ieilrs.
| locked ut the old folks, as they sat,
M Town aIa,t ,t.,t tac nj with eilyery TilUc.
And thought, "Whcn am old like that,
Mu.t sit quiet all the me?'
| BE old like they, and not roam
The glen in spring for yioiets blue,
Or bring th bright May blossoms home,
| Or pick strawberries 'mong the dewI
| BE old and in the summer time,
| Take weary maps in midday honrs,
| And iail the apple trees to climb,
And sba the ripcning fruit in showers? :?
| BE old and sit around wintry hres;
| BE fifty have no sliding spree.
And hush away all wild desires?
| thought 'twere better not 10 be.
But two score years have plided by,
| with summers heat and winter IS cold,
With sunny hours and cloudless SKY,
TIL now I'm Fifty now I'm old
I'd like to climb the apple tree,
Where once the spicy sweetins grew;
Make grapevine swings. ana nave Rlee,
But am Fifty, 'twouldnt do.
| d like to al de upon the pond.
TO watch the old mill struggling there,
In icy chains, while. all beyond
Was OH. broad mirror cold and glare.
I'd like to see the noisy school
Let ont at MONDAY as of old.
Play .'hile and seek. and "mind the rule;
Ny heart beats quick, TT Is not Old.
I'm Fihy, but am not sad,
! zee no gloom in ripCning years,
| hnn =, IN hri M aIIirt Iluu
How vain were al my childish Tears
My days oftoil. my years Of care,
1Have never checked my spirits flow.
| Or made one flower OF II c less lair,
Than In the sprir time long ago
The paths trol were sometimes rough,
And sharp and piercing to my leet
Yet there were dasicd walks enough,
| TO mgke 1t all seem smooth and sweet.
Friends that loved have passed from sight,
Before me to the spint home:
But IN the day that knows no night,
/ know they'll greet me when come.
At every winding o! the way,
| I've sought for love and love have given,
| For love can cheer the darkest day.
And make the poorest home Heaven.
Oh ye wLo are passing down like me,
Lilies autumn side, be brave and stIong,
And teach the lisper at your knee,
that Fifty years are not 10 long.
| That II they would be ever young,
| And tree lrOm needless pain and care,
Thi lite. harp must be ever strung
With love 0. duty everywhere.
Father. | thank Thee for them all,
these Fif.y Years which row have pas ed,
! C1h guide me, guard me, TIL the pail
| vi death my form shall hide at last.
! Let NE III love and klndnesSstill,
Live on. nor e'er grow hn'd and cold;
| Bend ue and break Inc Thy Will.
| But may my spirit no'er grow old.