The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-12-24
Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary
at Chelsea,

On Monday, December Is, Mr. and Mrs.
Perley G. Wills celebrated the sixtieth an
niversary of their marriage. 1t was almost
a surprise to the old couple, who were told,
only the day previous, that some of their
friends would be in to see them the follow
ing day. About sixty-fve of their friends,
brother Masons and relatives were pres
ent-and many who, owing to the diff
cult travelling, could not be there, sent their
regrets and best wishes. Mr.. Wills gave
the company brief sketch of their early
life. When they began life on the place
where they now reside sixty years ago, it
was nearly all forest, and they took life in
the rough-converting the wooded hillsides
into moving and corn land the wool and
flax into clothing and matchmaking the
change of customs since that other real
wedding, sixty years ago. The bride wore
the neck ribbon, the groom the ruffles, and
each the gloves they wore on that MEM
orable day, when Priest Noble tied the
wedding knot with such care. Mr. Wills
has been Mason for sixty-two years, being
one of the charter members Of the old
George Washington lodge, organized in
1922. He is the Oldest Mason in the ninth
Masonic district and one of the Oldest in the
state. The numerous presents, amounting
to $50, were presented by Ezra Walker, in
few well-chosen remarks, and acknowl-
edged by Mr.. Wills. Among the gifts
were an easy armchair for Mr.. Wills and a
nice wheel-chair for Mrs. Wills who has
been unable to walk without assistance for
the past two years. Prayer was offered by
Rev. j. K. Knapp, and Rev. e. e. Herrick
read the following poem, written by him
for the occasion:
Eighteen feenty,four, fifteenth of December,
Is the notable day we are met to remember
a day that to most may no better appear
Ihan the rest of the days that make up the year
But two are among us whom this day ever thrills
With memories sweet,two hearts and two wills.
Inc day came at last though 1t came rather slow,
n 1AsniOn tnat wedding days have, you know.
Parson Noble set out, not Winding the weather
For he said to his wife, II should be late
They might lay it to heart as sign of bad fate,
Ana there's ever way when a man only Wis"
And he prayed for the pair he went the hills
And stunning the snowdrifts, passed round through
the lots,
And hoped his young friends as husband and wife,
Might lind smoother road for their Journey OF life
whether better or worse the journey has proved,
and sheS had
They've been one in their way and one in their WIS.
That morning the bride so early arose
FOR as from her chamber she stepped through the
The clock struck twelve of the evening before.
She few round all day as gay as a linnet,
For duty is light If the heart is but in it,
She mixed, baked and frosted the brides loafcake
Her rufle she fred, her own hair she did braid,
Turned again to the glass when the fixing was
And said to herself, There, guess will do"
And. silently musing, she sat in her room
And waited the coming Of parson and groom
Short time for the toilet of bride, you may say,
But this you remember, was in that simple day
Ere dress for woman was designed to disguise
Her beauty OF face and OF form from our eyes,
When even husband is puzzled to guess
His wife from another mans wife in full dress.
Well the parson the words few and solemn spoke
And the two were united with loves easy yoke,
With which they have borne life's burdens together
For sixty full years of fair and foul weather.
All, these sixty full years, how much they enclose
OF anxious unrest and peaceful repose
ar "a Is "A All I'm al
In the days Of our youth, singing gaily its song;
The sparkle is though there more inward peace
And new joys to the old are gathered each day,
SO we mourn not as lost the years that are gone
Good fruit that remains they have borne every one
Yes, Time is weaver who sits at his loom,
And weaves at his will the web Of life's doom;
Tasting not resting not, his work he still plies,
As backward and forward the swift shuttle flies.
The wool is Of sorrows and hopes and fears,
Disappolntments, successes and gains and losses,
Like notes of fuge tunes all tangled together,
Or snowhakes blown round in December weather.
Confusion chaotic from center to border.
But the weaver smiles, as the work he plies,
He is never bewildered, he makes no mistakes,
No thread of life's tapestry tears he or breaks,
And things most diverse blend in harmony sweet.
The colors are rare rich and grand a. the design
Well, swift as a dream sixty years have gone by:
The parson has gone to his home in the sky,
And of all who composed that bridal array,
Then fair and strong, are with us to-day
To crown the new wine with the wine that Is old
And the girdle to clasp round the wedding of gold
What the longwedded pair have done, and how well
Let us leave the angel of judgment TO tell.
Should IRE linger on to our gold wedding day
May past be as fair our future as bright,
And as many our friends as theirs are tonight.
Letters were then read from f. w. Farm
ham of West Fairlee, district deputy grand
master of the ninth Masonic district of Yer
mont; Edwin Wheelock of Cambridge, chap
lain of the grand Masonic lodge of Vermont
Aaron 2. Wills, Fort Edward, n. Y; John
Walker, Washington, ID. c.. Mrs. l., l.. Hitch
cock, Mortified; Mrs. Eta Southwick, Mill
| vile, Mass, and others. Letters of congratu
| lation were received later from Mrs. A. i
Braley and DIR. b. w. Braley of Barre, j.
G. Houghton of Montpelier, William Car
penter of Andover, Dakota, Mrs. j. d.
Gushing of Bethel, and Mr.. and Mrs. A. j
Wills and Mrs. f. Moody of Tunbridge. Al
an early hour the company dispersed, wish
ing the happy couple many years of peace
| and prosperity. To Mr.. Conant is due the
getting-up of this pleasant party and to him
and all the friends who contributed to the
pleasure and enjoyment of an aged couple
Mr.. and Mrs. Wills extend their heartfelt
thanks.
Literary Notices.