The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-04

Mr. Hossack feels that he has nothing to re-
greet and in sympathy with the lines quoted
by Judge E. s. Leland at his golden wed,
ding, believes
It's comm yet, for a that,
That man to man the world Ger
Shall brothers he, for a that.
1t need not be said that business prosperity
followed the industry, self denial and good
judgment of this citizen, or that the wife by
toll, cheerful frugality and wise manage
ment, made their enlarging home and home
circle school of virtuous, living and train.
ing to SOUS and daughters. They lived lives
regulated and inspired by religious princi-
Piles, by just moral sentiments, winning the
respect and esteem of all who knew them.
Nor were these selfish lives, as of those who
could garner the worlds good for themselves
only. They bore reasonably just part in
the upbuilding of social order, intelligence
and virtue, and in public institutions and
appointments,
There came however, as is the case too
commonly, in human experience, day Of
disaster and trouble. Almost without warn
ing blindness fell upon the husband and
father; and now for fourteen years the worlds
beauty and the faces of his wife and children
and children children are to him, perhaps
forever, yelled and ecipsed. "A delach.
ment of the re,ina," said DR.. Agnew of New
York. "lOu cannot be helped" He sought
relief of scientific men, at home and abroad
and few years ago underwent an operation
which nearly cost him his life but, in vain.
The fitch anniversary of marriage came.
Thoughtful and loving friends, more sympa-
thetic by reason Of the great overshalowing
sorrow, gathered in his mansion, or sent
congratulations and
Cali went merry at marriage bell.
Among the pleasant gifts was cane from
q few old friends bearing a latin inscription
as token Of hope and promise CATER dark
ness-light.
"'T was beautiful gift from tie grey hair
ed men,
To their grey haired brother sending;
A staff tor the weary to lean upon,
As his steps toward the sunset are tend
ing.
Golden weddings were never more CHEEKY
The father, mother, eleven children, eigh-
teen of the twenty-nine grand, children, two
great. grand. children, five sonsin.law and
tive daughters in'law! A large family man
sion, an ailiuent home, an honored house
hold! Something to look upon by the couple
who came single.handed and poor to this
country, and to be grateful for, by one who
had gone through life's way so far with not
a dollars help from anybody"
For a man of nervous temperament and of
business push, in full health to be shut in
and hindered by sudden blindness was
hard blow, which none can know but they
who experience it. Yet Mr.. Hossack bears
his trial with becoming resignation. Had
he audience that would like to know how it
is that things have gone prosperously with
him for life time he would say:-"I have
kept aloof from the vices which corrupt and
destroy men. ! saw the evils of tobacco
using and gambling and kept aloof from
them; | labored hard and lived economically
and frugally according to God S laws; look
upon the Bible as king among books; and ON
the Christian religion as the best and grand
est thing of time; and upon Christ as the
Manifested God. The friendships of life are
dear to me; the ways of Providence, to me
are mysterious; | have no new light or ex-
perience. 1t is by faith go on, having
peace, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. If my life shall be of help to other
young men | shall be glad. So mote it be"
Ike TLlE TRADERS congratulations for
Monday next, and the best wishes of all its
readers go with ours in blessing the aged
couple and their home.