The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-08-21
E. T.. MILLS J0th Birthday.-It Is Cello
brated by His Friends I'm Regal

style.
Your local column last week mentioned
the fact OF this gathering OF friends of Mr..
and Mrs. Mills. There were sixty invited
guests present including Lucius Mills, wife
and two children, Mrs. DIR. Stoddard OF Mus
kegon, nee Hattie Mills, and two children,
Mrs Wheelock of Albion, nee frankie Mills,
accompanied by her niece, and Mrs. Chaplin
of Richmond, Indiana; these were the only
guests from distance but their numerous
friends in the vicinity were largely repre-
scented.
The 25th anniversary of Mr.. and Mrs
Mills wedding day had recently passed under
circumstances preventing its silyery celebra-
ton. and their friends, mindful of this,
considered it fitting occasion 10 manifest
their regard for SO worthy couple by leav-
ing with them some tokens of their esteem.
The brothers and sisters presented them with
a silver tea set of numerous pieces; the Far
mers Association, Of which Mr.. and Mrs.
Mills are prominent members, presented
them with a very elegant hanging lamp, a
heavy silver cake basket and a silver fruit
dish of unique pattern; there were also vases,
pictures, napkin rings, and tides; fine car
riage whip from G.. w. Rooms; a cane from
q. =. Morton: and pair of eye glasses for
Mr.. Mills, whose eyesight his fifty years have
only partially dimmed.
BY the exercise of little strategy, MIR.
and Mrs. Mills were inveigled into the kitch
while the lamp was being hung and the
presents spread on a table beneath it. They
were then ushered into the room and con-
fronted by John w. Free, who said:
Mr.. AND Mrs. Mills:
In journey through life often called
upon Go perform duties-very often painful, I'M
pleasant duties. The word duty itself has hard
sound, but when coupled with other word, II Is
changed completely, and so tonight as dislike in
any way 20 the pleasure or happiness of this
friendly gathering will couple with the word duty
that other word and say that it is my pleasant dy
to present you behalf of these friends these gifts
and wish that they may convey in some slight de-
gree, our regard for you az friend and our esteem
a man.
We hope you will accept them as tokens of our
respect aud good wishes, and as reminder of the
pleasant associations Of the past and kindly renem
brances OF this evening" gathering-this mile
stone OH the Journey from the cradle 10 the grave
with the 50th mile-mark from the cradle, and may
we not wish Tor many more marks e'er the end be
reached?
In presenting you this hanging lamp l could not
but be reminded Of that other lamp presented and
accepted by you both years ago, precious gift-a
lamp far surprising this in power and beauty,
that n Is but faint glmmer AID shadow. That
One which has been light 10 your feet and lamp to
your path. May you ever be guided IN the future
You have been for many years in the past, by
that lamp; may you ever walk in its light and when
in the happy years of life in the future, you look
into the light OF this lamp which present you to-
night, may you see the faces reflected there in
memory that have been glad TO see your faces to-
night, ANA may you be cheered by those pleasant
memories. When You called from the light of
this pleasant home to the light of that eternal home
lived worthy lives ald having discharged every
duty, and that you are to dwell forever III land
where there Is no night and no need of a lamp, with
Him who is the light Of the world.
Mr. Mills briefly responded, thanking his
friends for such generous expression of
good will Mr.. Lucius Mills then, in behalf
of the members of the family formally pre-
scented their gifts, and then Mrs. Geo. Hunt
read the following original poem:
The IGdian roaming through the forest,
Where track or trail has never been,
With Ak n hand makes doubly certain,
His path he can return again.
by blazing trees, he comes 70 light,
Aud We have come, my friends tonight
TO scar our trees and backward tGru,
And LOOK, but al. We can't return.
When we were young and life unirted,
Our birthdays We're our hope and PRIDE,
SO far apart they stretched. that VT
Deemed them brief eternity.
But as We clilned the mountain crest
They nearer came and nearer pressed,
Until the years 20 quickly 90
When birthdays pass We hardly know.
We count while, discouraged ye,
TO see them flying, dying yet,
The goal Cureached hope unattaiueG
success - lie Is never gained.
But here's orr friend our host to-n!gat
Oh whom bis fifty years sit light;
IL hs full heart could speak he'd say,
I'm glad l We lived TO see this day"
And we, his friends of many years,
Whove shared hi, joys, his hopes and tears
Are glad were here, and glad expires,
The love We feel and happiness.
We've seen him speeding on in life,
With lovely, true, and helpful wife,
Fnu hve-and-twenty years together,
1hio' sun and rain, al sorts Of weather.
They've gained home thro' work and muscle.
With many hard days tug and tussle,
Houses and lands SO broad 10 view,
Cattle, sheep and horses, too.
generous heart, a kindly host.
An honO-ed uame-a worthy boast
whoe-sOuled man, christian, too
What more can al the virtues do?
LIES cup Of blessings overflow.
No shadow DER the future throws
Mistaken were We, when We claimed
success "a life was ne'er attained?
The occasion seemed to have begotten a
poetic vein among the guests, for Mrs. Ran
dolph produced and read the following:
Your birthday is it, Edward?
what, fifty years to-day
Well, well, who would have though. IL,
You so CHEEKY bright and gay?
Old Time deals gently with YOU
Why should he not, pray tell?
A more deserving mortal
He can't find, very well.
We think we know his reasons
For lightly touching you,
Your ways are ways of honesty,
Your heart Is pure and true
You labor for the children
You love hearty laugh,
And we az know, friend Edward,
You have a better half.
That's more than half the battle
What power, we'd like to know,
Could win 'gainst such a couple
In fifty years so?
We've tried our skill at guessing
And think we've guessed the truth.
Old Time HIS Scythe has broken,
And sent flag OF truce
We hope he ne'er mend it.
And that the war will cease;
That with the crafty rascal
YouA be at lasting peace.
May flowers bloom around you,
Aud should falling leaf
by some nlischance, rest on you
God grant its stay be brief.
Whoever knew the Mills family 20 wears
ago, will remember the songs they knew so
well how to sing, and they were here again
repeated, awakening old memories and
brinoinO vividlv hacL tho dave 90