Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-12-23

We are glad to be able e chronicle that
the event which Rev. G.. G.. BeldeR went
east to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary
OF the marriage of his parsnts-has been
successfully censummated. We give .
clipping from the Providence R. u
Journal, of Dec. 10th, descriptive Of this
interesting OCCASION: #z.
ION the 9Th Of December, 1885. Dr.. Francis
Wayland united in marriage Stanton 6elden
and Antoinette Perciyal Manchester: The nj
tieth anniversary y this event Was lily COM ON;
friends Of the aged couple In quiet and In.
formal gathering in their residence at Fruit
Hill. The old homestead was hlled with q
present was Mrs. Patience Olney. s. years OF
age. In one corner Of the parlor were da1.
played q number of tokens of affection and
served the glitter. Of many bright yellow
coin. After a season of social intercourse
came simple and touching ceremonial, re.
union. A poem was read by a daughter-in-
law OF the pair. after which the bride and
groom of nifty yaars ago stood. surrounded by
b beg o. Of st iy younSer while one
Of those children, whose ministerial ONCE
qualified him for the performance of the duty.
short ana spoke na
rents, whereupon greetings were In order
from the whole assemblage:
mrs. Belden was dressed in the identical
fawn-colored silk dress. OF the fashion OF 1885.
in which she stood at the altar on her wedding
day. These pleasant duties finished, an ele-
CANT cola ton, provided by Tiilinghast, was
1.-THE retrospect of these fifty years brings
up many an interesting "reminiscences. On
the very spot where this festival scene oc-
request. in the onset Of bis married life, the
school which Immediately won renOwn as the
Fruit Hill Classical Institute. preparing boys
for Brown: Harvard and Yale Colleges so These
since gone by; starting with five scholars.
Mr.. Beldens academy was soon filled to its
Utmost capaeity Nth pupils ,e d from
ern States, even from Cuba, and from abroad.
Among these are many men who now fill
pos All Of Rs
the institute was closed, and Mr. Belden has
since passed his days upon bic farm, one Of
the most respected and influential citizens Of
the neighborhood."
The poem referred to above, and printed
below, was composed for the occasion by
Rev. s. F. Smith, D. D., who wrote
"America." in 1888.
Fifty! It must be fifty!
Time speeds so swiftly by;
Alike in Northern winters,
Or meath Southern sky.
Fifty! os Such ; 5@y and blessing
The lapse of years Forgetting,
We think we're young again.
Fifty! What wondrous changes
Their hues to life have lent;
And Gods own blessed finger
Is seen in each event.
Fifty! We said, one evening"
We love to say it still,-
One" Sister, will you have me?"
The other" Yes, will"
So hand in hand, together,
These years of welded life
We've trOdden--cleud or sunshine
"Dear husband" ard ''dear wife,
No joy, but each has shared it;
No cross, but each has borne
One end, however heavy,
For each, the rose, the thorn.
Fiftyl The shadows lengthen
Ger valley, stream and hill,
But radiant gl0ries linger
Ger all the landscape still;
The blessed past we cherish,
With memories, 0, how fond!
A nObler future waits US
Morning dawns bright beyond.
Looking toward sunset?" Sunset!
Yes, the crown of life's sweet story:l
The path has frightened all the way,
IT'S Frightening into glory;
This high communion antedates
Heavens blessed opening portal;
The songs, the love- the clasping hands
The crowns, the Joy immortal.