Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-14
A GOLDEN WEDDING.
The following account of the affair is
na ,dad ne for puhliratinp.

\ =
The following account of the affair is
handed us for publication:
On the evening of Dec. large COM
pany of unlimited guests assembled at
the residence of Caleb Smith in Middle
bury to celebrate their tiftieth anniver-
sary. The company were sure of cor
dial welcome, and were not disappointed.
They were warmly received, with the
same happy smile that always makes ev-
cry one feel at home in their presence.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith had invited near rel
atives and with the self-nyted guests
the large and cOmmodious farmhouse
was well filed. The early part of the
evening was spent with the usual con-
CALCULATIONS and pleasant greetings of
friends. Then Mr.. Smith was presented
with an elegant easy chair, gift from
his brother. David Smith of Ferrisburg,
and one like it to Mrs. Smith, from neigh
bors and friends. A number of other
valuable presents were noticed. After
the presentation, very appropriate re-
marks were made by DR.. Smith of Bran
don: paper was read by one of their
neighbors and a poem by Mrs. w. w.
Thomas. Several fine recitations were
given, interspersed with music. Refresh
together, the evening was one of rare
pleasure and one long to be remembered
both by the family and the guests pres
ent.
The paper read and the poem were as
follows:
Dear M. ami Mrs. !Smith:-We have unbid.
den (many OF u.s. assembled here tonight to
congratulate you, and to celebrate the fiitieth
anniversary OF your marriage. 1t is not often
sary, and we thought it worthy OF more than
n passing notice. Very few are spared in life to
reach the golden station. Fifty long years, and
yet how quickly the time has fled When you
| look back the way seems short, and it hardly
seems possible that so many years have come
and gone since you started on lite's journey
together. You have many pleasant memories
| TO recall, and many, very many, sad ones.
The cup of afiliction has been placed to your
| lips and you have drank deep. Oh how deep,
and how bitter were its contents. Yet there
is much remaining to thank our dear Heaven.
! ly Father tor. You are spared to each other
and to this golden day and hour, and have
dear friends left to care tor you in your de.
Ginning years. You have this beautiful home
and are surrounded by many appreciative
| friends, as this company gathered here to
| night plainly shows. We have also brought a
more substantial testimony OF our friendship
than that OF our assembling here tonight,
which we wish to leave for daily use, not to be
set aside rs keepsakes, but tor use, as
slant reminder OF your many friends. May
they prove "A source OF comfort to you, and
gladden. your hearts with deserved happi-
ness"
Fer since, on Eden's morn, the marriage hour
Grew holy, meath the great Creators seal
Have human spirits owned loves magic pow
| er,
Unto the end lite's best good to reveal.
And so tonight, while on the wintry air
Rings sweetly once again the wedding chime
We pause, while ebb and flow the tides OF care,
To turn our footsteps to this sacred shrine.
We come to crown no youthful trembling
Who yieldeth all, save one strong hope in God
But silvered locks; and hearts the true and
tried;
Who fifty years, in peace, LIES path have trod.
oh friends while morning light must ever
seem
Fairer than that which gilds the days decline,
We give thee joy that from thine earthly
The stars OF trust and beauty still outshine.
That thou hast kept unmarried the holy spell
! Affection tiwned in chlldhoods gleefuI years,
That brought swift footsteps, when the wed.
ding bell
We list tonight to many tar-of voice
Meath clustering trees, around thy hillside
When sunlit hed and lowland mead reioiced
Beneath thy hand in treasures all their own.
Thy greeting smiles We're ever pledges true,
Preluding generous deed and kindly word,
And hearts within thy presence warmer grew,
While noontide calm no shadows round thee
stirred.
But sorrow fell, and those whom God had
given,
Who bound with filal love the fieeting years.
In ripened manhood felt the earth. cord riven
And thou vert left to darkness and to tears.
And one sweet childish face hath passed from
sight
That lent rare beauty to lite's twilight hour;
God willed 1t softly darling dwells in light
And waits for thee in Heavens imperial bow
er.
Friends lett thy side who sailed with thee at
And deepening waters swept each trail bark
DER,
Brief, brief has seemed the voyage, although
so long,
And now the pillows touch the farther shore
Oh loyal hearts, we mourn not vanished days
But grateful take each gilt the hour may
bring,
While Earring notes blend In a psalm of praise
And for thine ear the list'ning angels sing.
Sweet hope and cheer! For though the May
morn CLEANS
No more in radiance meath the soft spring
light;
True hearts will not grow old-but treshel
:
While Atty welded years we sing tonight.
Glad smiles we bring thee. gifts and tunefu
lay;
We know that love like thine can never die
Thy hands Will clasp TIN oughout the "golden
l day"
Whose glory lights the mansion in the sky