River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-15
A Golden Wedding.


This is what was celebrated at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. ID. IL. Levings
of this city on Thursday of last week,
May 8. 1890.
To give time to make the necessary
preparation the parties named above
were invited to the home of Dea. aud
Mrs. Burr. Here they were enter
tanned till long past the dinner hour.
Nor was it till patience had done "her
perfect work" In curbing the appetite
without betraying uneasiness, that
word came that the visitors had COM
pany and were desired at home. Their
host and hostess with great magma
nimity, dismissed their guests with
deep regret CD and then tardily fol-
lowed them nome.
The surprise planned for Mr.. and
Mrs. Levings was complete success.
Without suspicion they drove into
their own Yard. and were about to
alight. in polite way, as they had
done fifty years ago, when their pas
tor, followed by large number of
relatives extended warm congratula-
lations and, to woman, kissed the
bride.
i The Interior of the home had been
not little changed and long tables
richly laden with appetizing viands
filled the sitting-room. The groom
and bride occupied a conspicuous place
at the head of the table and were sus-
tanned on either side by Dea. and Mrs.
Burr who had SO well covered the plot.
The dinner passed pleasantly with
many joke and story.
After dinner selections were sung
by Mr.. and Mrs. Ben. Burnett, prayer
was offered giving thanks for the past,
and asking that the same kind care
would be over our friends in the declin-
ing years of life. A few words were
addressed to them by their pastor,
Mr.. Whitelaw, with the presentation
of purse containing over fifty dollars
in gold. Relatives from North Dakota,
California and Kansas as well as those
resident in the place were represented
in the gift.
A pleasing feature of the exercises
were two recitations admirably rem
dered by the children of Mr.. and Mrs.
Pomeroy Burnett, addressed to Mr..
and Mrs. Levings-the following by
Eleanor L.:
/ Twas nearly six thousand years ago,
In a tar off eastern cline,
1 In a fairy garden of fruit and flowers,
OF myrtle, and roses, and thyme.
| There were rivers and trees and beautiful birds
And many things truly sublime;,,
| But no lofty church, nor even "a bell
To peal forth Il musical chime.
The bridegroom was but OF an earthly mold,
Created from only the sod;
1 Yet nevertheless he was beautiful,
In the likeness and image of God.
| Unlimited Monarch of Earth" was he,
High power he swayed over ALL
over fowl of the air over fish OF the sea,
over beasts both the great and the small.
OF the lovely young bride we have no photo
| graph,
So rude was the age at that time.
But artists have painted youthful form
After their ideas OF rhyme.
| face like the lilly, with just the tint
| " Iich the rays of the morning unfold,
| Vita eyes of heavenly blue, and hair
| Like waving sea OF gold.
! Whether at morning, at noon, or at eve,
4 we've never been able to say,
But the counting and marrying must have been
In "a thoroughly primitive way.
We read of no satins, or laces, or pearls,
| OR iounces, or rufies, or trail,
| But that purity formed for the fair young bride
| holy bridal veil
| We know not what angel hosts or bands
| Graced that first wedding day:
| We only know that the Father of ALI
Gave the fair maiden away.
ofthe liturgy used there has been nothing said
whether vows, or bow, or a nod,
| It's mystery all-yet this we know,
That the priest at the altar was God.
We know not what spirits there freely flowed,
| Whether champagne, or sherry, or wine,
But we know that the goblets were full to tn,
OF the nectar of love Divine"
Whether the words were many or few
| That pronounced the two husband and wife,
| They must have been needed and listened to,
For both were "well married for life"
And many long years they lived happy and true
We take it for granted of course,
| Because in all history we never have heard
That either applied for divorce.
The bridegroom lived nine hundred and thirty
| years,
of the brides days no record is seen,
But surely both lived TO a "hearty old age"
| And died peaceful, calm and serene.
In closing the little rector turned
upon the friends saying: 1.-The Ger.
tlicate of this marriage can be found
in the second chapter of Genesis
Master Earle rendered a selection
from the golden wedding of Long
wood, as follows:
With fifty years between you and your well KEEP
| wedding vow,
The Golden Age, dear friends of mine, is not
| fable now.
| And, sweet as has life's vintage been through
| all your pleasant past,
Still, as at Cana's marriage-feast the best wine
| is the last
May many more of quiet years be added to you
sum,
And, late at last, in tenderest love. the beckon
| ing angel come.
| Dear hearts are here, dear hearts are there
| alike below, above;
| Our friends are now in either world, and love J.
sure Of love.
Dea. Burr in few well chosen re.
marks gave review of the progress
of the last fifty years, and thus fifty
closed what to all was a most enjoya