Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-02-20
GOLDEN WEDDING.

ding of Mr. and Mrs. H. ID. Lifts.
Last Saturday Mr.. and Mrs. L. H.
Lifts celebrated the fiftieth anniversary
of their marriage, which occurred in
Sussex county, n. J., Feb. Is, 1910,
Rev. Edward Allen, of the Presbyterian
church officiating.
The family reunion was complete on
this happy occasion, the four children
all being present-Mrs. ]. J. Miller, of
Ottawa; Mrs. W. S. Harley, who has
been spending the winter at home;
Henry Lifts, who is connected with the
Rocky Mountain News, of Denver,
Colo, and Mrs. J. A. Russell, of Abb
lene. Messrs. J. J. Miller and J. A.
Russell were also present, and three
grand-children-Sadie Monies, Hugh
and Emily Miller.
The dinner was served after the style
of that of a Jersey farmer fifty years
ago, the desserts, fruits. etc., being all
placed on the table at the beginning of
the meal. Some of the china was the
same that was used at the first" we'd
ding. The ;favors were gilded wish
bones tied with gold-colOred ribbon,
which is explained in poem read by
Mrs. J. A. Russell, from which we
make few extracts, at the beginning
and the close, the greater part being
purely family affairs and history:
TO FATHER AND MOTHER.
Fifty years ago you had little dread,
1 presume, of the ceremony said;
But hope it has not to you been predicted
That today with poem you were to be Of
hicted.
Fifty years marriei J, a wedding golden!
A festival rare, tits we are holdin',
A fiftieth anniversary! Low very few,
Who starte ed out in life with you
Lived together-husband and wife.
Half q century of welded lie!
Yet, the winters and summers havo quickly
fed
Since the February day when you were wed.
You two, who met tie usual way, by chance,
Had in your history q little romance;
have heard of "wish- bone" laid
Over the door BY Jersey maid,
of a young man, who came from "out west,
ITO call Pennsylvania that seems now JEST
That be was the first to step under the bone;
That he came again, and returned-notaIone.
Dear parents, you've journeyed. up hill and
down,
Fires couldn't cons ume nor waters drown
The faith you've had in ZACH others love,
The faith you've had in the Father above.
Some days were dark and come days were
bright,
You trusted in heaven and came out all right.
We children have been a worry and care,
For US has assembled man7 prayer.
We've been more though full, perhaps, than
we seem,
And have tr ensured your counsels more than
you dream.
There's One knows our hearts, and He knows
this day
That we are more thankful than we can say,
For, of all the blessings he has to US given,
We know there's no blessing this side OF
heaven
That could've been granted no other,
Like our noble, christian father and mother.
Dear ones, three score and tens a good old
age,
If four score or more be on your history S
page,
May your happiness with the years increase,
And may you have health and peace;
That DC may long you to us spare
Is of US, each and al, the prayer.
And we will all say again and again,
| To every good wish Amen and Amen.
Mr.. Henry Lifts also read All original
poem, the two being strikingly similar,
both in the humorous family reminis-
cences and in sadder ones-especlally
the death of a sister, that occurred
over twenty years ago.
Many interesting letters were re-
ceived from friends and relatives in the
east. Taken altogether, this event wa:
truly a golden" page in the family
history that will never grow dim.