Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-27

RARE AsD INTERESTING THAEKsGIvIsG FAM
LII GAraHRiEo In VAssALBoKo, MAIZE.

Editsr Kssn<5es Journal:
Rarely in these time honored gatherings,
are any 90 full of interest as that Of the
HAYES family, on the evening of Nov. 9th,
At the house of Mrs. Olive Hopkins, in North
vassalboro. at which il was the privilege Of
the writer and one other friend Of the family
to attend Al that reunion were. of the
brothers Rev. Josiah HAYES Of Litch6eid,
Me-, aged Sc years; Mr.. Eben Halves Of
Winston, Me-, aged "A years; Hon. BENZ.
HAYES Of Washington. Kansas, aged ~
wears; Hon. Orriek HAYES of Vassalboro,
Me. azed IS years. OF the sisters: Mrs
Be.sey Weeks of vassalboro. aged rs years;
Mrs Olive Hopkins Of Vassalboro,
aged rs years; Mrs. Arabia Hopkins of
New Sharon, Me. aged 10 years. Average
age, fractions reckonei, over Is years each.
Abs.n, but still living, were: Prince q.
HAYES of Elk River. Mimi, aged Sc years;
and Harris HAYES of Washington, Kansas.
aged So years. There were in all Of the FAM
iiy. - sons and daughters, nine now living,
children Of Deacon Prince HAYES, who lived
ard died in Vassalboro many wears ago
There were present also the wives and hus-
bands, who were living. and the numerous
children and grand children also, who could
attend, comprising q very large company.
cannot describe after 40 long separation
with what Joy unfeigned these aged
brothers aud sisters met with the
children and grandchildren that God had
given them. How each for others Welfare and
happiness 80 kindly strove, so that for the
time they seemed to forget their age, and re-
hearsed old scenes and "reminiscences, and
seemed to live departed years anew. But
each heart was no doubt saddened, like the
writer's, at thought of the vacant places, Of
many dear ones, once mingling in such scenes,
and silently W. would ask, Tell US, ye dead,
will none of you, in pity, disclose to US the
secret what It's you are, and We must shortly
be-? little time will make us wise as you
are, and as close" At length the bountful
table 10 spread, and supper 10 announced.
Nov all are seated, and the reverend elder
brother lifts up HE hands and voice in thanks
giving and praise to Him who ever has, and
that he ever will continue his goodness and
mercy, and that they may finally. with no
wanderer lost. dwell in the house Of the Lord
forever. Now the bountiful repast 10 done,
and each joins one or more If the rest in
promiscuous talk, of by-gone days, all of
which, though innocent, 10 amusing. Even
the gravity of the reverend brother bursts
forth in high glee, when reminded of the little
accident to his partner at one of their early
merry mAkings. 1t seems he had gone over
the river, and conveyed from her home in
Sidney-well we will call her Mary Gibbs.
# was spring of the year, and the ice in the
river rising. so that they had TO use temporary
bridges on each shore, but in escorting her
back, the bridge on the Sidney shore had
foated Off What could be done2 Mary
must be got safely over, and not wet her feet.
SO with the true gallantry. required by the
emergency he takes Mary upon his back, she
clinginL to his neck and shoulders, he with
hand. fast clasped behind him, starts wading
for the Sidney shore with his precious bur
den. But oh, the best laid schemes yang aft
agley." for just in the deepest water he lost
hi. balance and went over backward, and ]
did not learn that he ever after attempted a
repetition of that gsllantry. Meanwhile the
cheerful hours pass, and with serious face,
the once gallant youth, now the venerable
servant OF the Lord, reminds us that this
loving company must part, and taking down
the old family bible, once his dear old
fathers pride, he turns TO the 23d psalm. and
with all due reverence reads aloud while all
are bowed in silence. Then kneeling down,
rs practced so long by his honored father,
with heart so full, he thanks the Lord that
he has been 40 long his good shepherd, and
commits US all to his heavenly protection.
and il from scenes like the "Cotter's Saturday
Night" Old Seotia's grandeur springs, that
makes her loved at home. revered abroad,
none the less 40 are the many thousand
scenes and voices sent up in prayer from
happy New England homes that make her
shining example to all the world beside.
And who can be present on such occasions
and not be made better and wiser thereby?
Sal
HAYES breaches IS regularly as a younger
man, and has the appearance of fifteen years
younger than he is. May he and his loving
brothers and sisters be spared still longer to
prove what good people are, though he has
travelled much, and preached already $3.50
sermons, of which he has kept strict &C
count.
Thinking this may interest some of your
readers. especially the friends of the Halves
family | offer it for publication.
Dec. 20, 1884. VISITOR.