Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-03-18

several years previous to his death filled
prominent position i'm the employ Of the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad company. NOtwith-
standing he took high rank as a physician,
always felt that his life was misdirected,
that literature was the field in which nature
fitted him to shine. and bad he made a
truer estimate Of his own abilities and
lived to reach ripper age, he would have
ranked among the ablest thinkers and
writer's of his time.
Within the last decade a revived inti
macy sprang up between David and John
Houston, another cousin, who, for many
years, was permanent resident OF PhIla-
delphia, that ripened intoa close brotherly
bond of affection. which terminated only
with the death Of John. an event which
took place in October, 1879.
1 have thus hastily reviewed these
branches Of the Houston family and might
here fittingly close, yet am tempted to
philOsOphise. OF all the ceremonial out
growths of human devclOpement, none
marks SO high a place in the graduations
of ethical progress as the we'll assorted
marriage tie, the tie in which all
rites are but empty forms, the blend
ments can neither intensity nor
50 fruitful in domestic felicity-none ap-
peals SO strongly or assimilates SO readi-
ly with the best elements Of our nature
none carry us so nearly to the outer rim of
mans intelligence, whence we catch vciled
glimpses of that higher, grander, di-
vineg life, that has been the dream
Of poet and philosopher of every age.
The early associations-the agreement
to join fOrtunes--the united struggle
to overcome difficultics-the mutual de-
pendence-the ever ready sympathy
together tiding over the dark days, and
sharing equally the joys OF al the sunny
sp0ts-the entire oneness Of the desire for
the future of the children all these may
become but a part of the vaguely remcm-
bered past but the impress Is left upon
the soul, and shines upon the face. Here
We have the fruitiOn, the full measure Of
mans estate, the crowning of life. And
why should it not be glorious one
Now when nearing the end Of the race,
when the lengthcning shadows mark the
decline of the evening sun, they arc
still side by side, surrounded by their
children, now all grown to manhood and
wOmanhOOd, and in their turn deeply i'm
nersed in the cares and responsibilities Of
middle life, repeating the same role, breast
ing the same waves, treaGing the same
paths JrOdden 10y the parents in the long
ago, and yet every struggle. every step Of
the way rendered less difficult in conse-
quence of the example set and the earnest
admonitiOns deeply implanted round the
firesitle in the early home life. Surely,
this is the acme of human allotment. Be
fore the lapse OF another fifty years not
only they, but perhaps the most of us pres
cnt, will have gone to that undiscovered
country but it is fair to presume, and
We sincerely hope, that this aged pair may
live to grace many recurring anniversa-
ries.''
The Poem.
A letter was read from Mrs. Louise S.
Houston, private secretary. of the Chicago
publishing house of A. 5. Barnes & Co..
expressing her regrets that she could not
he present, and sending as her contribution
to the occasion the following verses
Back fifty years. o, turn relentless Time,
And bring again the wedding bells sweet
Bring, too the bli!e with fair ana wimsomc
face.
And the brave youth with free and manly
Bring back the vows with which their troth
,,,, they plighted.
Bring back fair Hope. who held their lamp of
To lead them DER the rocks of care and strife,
TO cheer them Oh when rugged Was tile way.
And clouds shut out the sunlight of their day.
Show us thy records Time, We fain would
How Jared the twain, made one so long ago.
Did they with dark rObc,l SORROW often meet:
Pass near deaths sha low with nnfilicring
Nay: From thy wcll-kept pages it would
I ifn fnr tI,p,, bnu ncIJ
Where joy has been their most frequent
guest,
And peace and plenty all their household
But whatso'er thcir4ot, VIC know their hearts
We're cheered by the sweet sympathy that love
To few Is granted this most precious boon
To reach the harvest of lit.'s afternoon
Still hand i'm hanl; and calmly, groom and
Await the summons from the other side.
'Tis fitting ha! words OF graduation
From friends and kindrcd-fir and near rcla.
tiOn,
Should greet them Oh their ffticth wedding
day.
This fiticth milestone on their lifc's high
Should he of gold, that :nicrs on the road
Whose nuptial ties now fret them like goal
May know lhat-lowcr the cloud Or shine the
These two walked fifty years, their lives rs
one.
Fifty long years. a. with backward look
They scan the pages of their memory poOi.
What gifts OF fame, short-livei fame, or
golden fleece
Are worth these fifty years OF plentcous
peace:
The High Contracting Parties
Many other letters were read from rela-
tives and invited guests who had not been
able to attend, among them one from
Henry and Margaret Houston, Of Ogdens-
burg. n. Y, who were married in Ireland
in 1926, and are now far past the golden
milestone of their wedding Journey"
Most notable among the features and
most distinguished among the guests of
the occasion was the presence of Margaret
Wilson, who had been bridesmaid at
the first wedding, who came to this co,n-
try ten years after the Houstons, and who,
Strangest of all, had never seen them since
until yesterday. She knew they were
here and they knew she was sOme-
where in this country. The indefatigable
search of interested relatives found her
out in Philadelphia. and made her the
honOred guest of the occasion. She is a
about 75. and recalled the first wedding
very vividly to circle of charmed listeners.
The Joy of the old folks who had been in-
innate in Ireland and had been parted so
many years was one Of the most interesting
incidents of the celebration.
After the literary exercises, the dinner
was the order of the day, and after dinner
some of tue guests left for their homes,
but most of them fingered for Sc everal
hours of delightful social Interchange.
In the evening the guests and ncighbOrs
gathered to witness An exhibitionOf parlOr