The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-31
Wednesday, July 81, 1889.


rho roners announce the celebration by Mr.
Gladstone of his golden wedding.
sonoetime ago gentleman Of this county,
vho b,mself had passed his three score years
ond ten. told us of a couple who had just
seen the fitteeth anniversary or thelr mar
raige and who we're living happily together,
though in the plainest and simplest manner
and were calmly awaiting the end. This gen.
tleman said that he had attended this we'd
ding and that it was in the most primitive
style. The young couple appeared at the
door of a very humble building with two
rooms, and there with the preacher standing
in the yard, surrounded by considerable
number OF friends, heard those words OF Joy'
ct pronounce you man and wife, and those
still more solemn ones, 'what God has joined
together let not man put asunder." Inc
dinner. he further stated dt was wedding
dinner and not an English break fast) was
served in the yard beneath the spreading
trees. upon table constructed after the bar
bacue style, and consisted Of chickenpie, fried
chicken biscuits, piesIand other like delica
cies. Who doubts the thrill Of Joy OF that
hour for that young couple?
Humbly as was their entrance upon that
best of all condition, the married state, and
simply as they have passed through 1t, yet, II
what has been done throughout that long
pertod. has been performed under the dictates
OF conscience, they have fulfilled the purpose
of their creation as truly as the greatesttper-
sonages Of earth. Upon their golden wed
ding no tslegrams, or cable-grams or golden
inkstands may have been sent in honor OF
the occasion as were received by the grand
old man of England, still they had what all
seek, but what few obtain-happiness, the
chief possession of life.
The other side. Mr.. Gladstone has been u
most conspicuous figure In English affairs for
many years and is, beyond doubt, one OF the
great men Of the century. Few men have
achieved 30 many political victories and re-
ceiyed such high distinction at the hands OF
his fellows. Bismarck perhaps. leads all other
public men In political renown, but his op-
portunities have been greater than any other
for the display Of statesmanship. MIR. Glad
stone we'll deserves the congratulations OF
his friends upon this memorable occasion IN
his life. His aged wife is loved as tenderly as
ever by her distinguished husband, and with
him 10 entitled to the good wish Of his con-
stituency. and from him, his gentlest bene-
diction for to her much Of his success is no
doubt Justly due. 1t may we'll be concluded
that their happy married life, responding as
they did to all the high sentiments Of that
honorable estate, contributed in no small de-
gree to his political renown.i
So. these distinguished people have also
faithfully performed their part Of this e1is'
tence and thus humanity is honored in both
of these extreme cases OF life. The beautiful
lesson to be learned is, that all lite is honor
able II dominated by purpose to do the best
with what one may possess-not to do SO is
the only ignoble failure.
In thus living all may, on their after'Wed'
dings, enter into the spirit of Burns lines
John Anderson, my 10, John,
We clamb the hill the either!
And meny a canty day, John,
We've had VII ane aneither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand We'll go;
And sleep the either at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo.