The Portland daily press., 1885-11-05
A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY.
Mr.. and Mrs. q. r. Sturgis Of corhan
Celebrate a Pleasant Event.

Monday was day which quite large
number will remember with pleasure. The
| party met to celebrate the golden wedding Of
| Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin r. Sturgis of Cor
| ham, and though the sun refused to shine
and the rain poured inceSsantly, 1t proved to
| be real golden wedding. The presents
were numerous and elegant, consisting of
gold and silver. The guests came from
Brooklyn, N. Y, from New Hampshire,
Massachusetts and several different towns In
the State of Maine, and all were unanimous
in the opinion, oft expressed, that the bride
of seventy-five, in her placid beauty, far out
shone the younger generation beside her.
Refreshments were served from tables laden
with every delicaey that an epicure could
sigh for. Had the weather been more
auspicious the number would have been
largely increased, as the family on both sides
were among the first settlers of Gorham, and
possess yet the coat of arms which belonged
to their English ancestors, and their de-
scendants are scattered over every State In
the Union.
The following poem was composed and
read on this occasion by Mrs F. Winslow Of
Falmouth:
1S35-l555.
TO MIR. AND MRS. b. R. sTURGIs.
Ring out, golden wedding bells,
Ring out sweet refrainl
Bring to these faithful welded hearts
Bright dreams of youth again.
Before you now, dear friends of mine,
oFair westbrook's landscape comes,
Its russell woods and pleasant wales,
Its plainly builded homes.
And lol from all the country side
Come yours of kith and kini
And neighbors, all in best attire
The wedding guests come In.
Your pastors voice silence breaks,
He reads with reyerent air;
The marriage service slowly Ger,
And offers prayer.
Your father smiles, your mother, too,
Then wipes tear away,
(As mothers wil) and all is well
Upon your wedding day.
The picture fades Years have rolled on
score perhaps or
see your home, q farm house wide,
With meadows fair at either side,
Above Presumpscots flow.
Children are here, such frolcsome band
One, two, three, four, five
And the little boy, with eyes of jet,
So chubby and dimpled, see him yet.
The dearest wee rogue alive.
There is the room where grandpa sits
On his lounge against the wall,
Where the parrot swings, and grandma weaves
Such wonderful rugs, all blossoms and leaves,
And the sun shines over all.
Then there are the sisters. the aunts and ws
cousins,
Who come by threes and who come by DOZENS
And there's ALWAYS room for more
L wonder our elders the noise did not craze,
And wonder the roof we quite did not raise
In those merry old days Of yore.
They tell me stern Time has touched lightly the
spot,
That its meadows are still green and fair,
Yet He silenced sweet voices that joined in our
mirth,
And left silver threads in our hair.
But we will not shed gloom over this wedding feast
By dwelling on life's cares and pains
Wen remember the blessings that frightened the
past,
And be thankful for good that remains.
We are glad that far Brooklyn to you lackeda
charm,
Which this pleasant place well supplies,
That you dwell among kindred and friends Of your
youth,
Where the hills of fair Gorham arise.
Now bright and many be the years
Through which your life sands run,
And late at last in tenderest love
May angels lead you home.
We have loved ones here, and loved ones there
Our hearts at peace; we rest secure
For God, we know, is love.
Mrs. swan OF Brooklyn favored the com.
'any with some of her choicest songs. IL
ogether, the occasion was one of a most
greeable nature, and the company lei, not
arng 10 wish the happy couple the return
another golden wedding, but cong gatulati--
nem on the success Of the resent apo
oping all might be called usoa to
Terry" at their diamond weddip