The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-09-26
Whiting.

One of the pleasantest social gather
ings of the seasons occurred on the even
ing of the 10th instant. The occasion
was the fiftieth anniversary of the mar
riage of Thomas G.. and Martha Farr,
and took place at their very pleasant res
idence in the south part of the town.
The weather was all that could be de-
sired. The house and grounds were
brilliantly illuminated and no pains was
spared to render the occasion one of
more than ordinary interest. Some sew
enty or eighty invitations were given out,
and all eagerly responded to the call of
the genial host and hostess. Among the
guests were Royal ID. Farr, of East
Mddlebury, and Volney Farr, of
Springfield Ohio, brothers of the groom;
also Mrs. Webb, sister of Mrs. Farr,
from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a
daughter and granddaughter from Keese-
vile, n. Y, son and daughter, with
their families. from Brandon, Vt. AL
though it had been announced that no
presents would be expected, the guests
could not well refrain from leaving
some subs tantial tokens of esteem
as souvenirs of the occasion. Several
valuable presents were brought bv neigh
bors and friends and handsomely pre-
sented by A. III. Hubbard. We need not
dwell upon the culinary part of the en-
tertainment in detail. 1t is enough to
say that in all respects it was of that SUI
perior characte" characteristic of the bet
ter class of New England homes on such
occasions. The same also may be said
of its social features. That genial, fra
ternal spirit so essential to true social en-
joyment seemed to inspire all, while
snObbish formality was as much out of
place in that assembly rs were coarse
ness and vulgarity. Such occasions serve
as pleasing way-marks along the journey
of life, and may profitably be observed
by all. Those more appropriate to ear
lier married life should serve as points
for new departures in the development
of home and those domestic virtues from
which more than from any other source
true happiness springs. While the earli-
er observances of this nature may point
to happy future and stimulate to higher
attainments, the golden wedding is
properly retrospective in its character.
Early ambitions have usually been real
lied or abandoned; the more active and
laborious work of life should have been
completed and the event should mark the
beginning of a serene old age, period
of life which aside from the bodily in
| firmities peculiar to it, should be at least
| aS ciuOydulC tS any othOi. PSliOt
made pleasant by the wisdom gained
from ripe experience, by broad intelli-
gence, by pleasing memories of we'll
spent life, and by the garnering and en-
joyment of the sheaves which the past
| life-work has secured. The acquisitions
most essential to happiness in old age are
not found in massive fortunes, high polit-
ical position, or professional reputation.
But rather in that happy mean, between
the two extremes of atlluence and want,
in the development and possession of
those kindly domestic and social feelings
which ensure strong domestic and social
attachments and surround ones pathway
with many friends. When judged by this
standard, retrospective view of life by
the host and hostess of the occasion des-
cribed cannot be an unpleasant one. The
kindly feeling of which we have spoken
was evidently entertained towards them
by all present and it was equally evident
that it was fully reciprocated on their
part and this added much to the pleas
ures of the evening, All felt, if they did
not express the wish, that Uncle Thomas
and Aunt Martha might be spared to cele-
brate their diamond wedding and that
they might be among the invited guests
of that occasion. -