Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-11-18
Mr.. Orange webster's Birthday Surprise.

Mr.. Orange Webster's Birthday Surprise.
Last Friday being the S0th birthday
OF our honored citizen, Orange Webster,
a large party of friends, gathering at the
home Of his son, Daniel w. Webster, in
the evening, surprised the o%ctogenarian
with congratulations, bouquets and a
cane. After free indulgence in remin-
iscent and current conversation, choice
satables were served, and a late hour
having arrived, the visitors. with hand
shake and blessing, babe our aged friend
good night.
The pleasant memory of the evening
will shine like a star in the armament
of common happenings. The following
verses, descriptive Of stages in Father
Webster's life, were written for the oc-
casion by the Congregational pastor who
was present and read them
Full eighty years have passed away,
With all its freight of human care.
Since Orange Webster, ST., in his Joy
Said DER his sixth child and heir;
"He shall receive his fathers name,
Untainted, sweet as name can be.
To be preserved from every shame
That courses through posterity."
The boy grew strong; he chose a trade,
And that he might be well prepared,
Foundations strong, and deep he laid,
And the Apprentices board he shared.
His trade is learned; he now stands free
From every bond Ia others bound;
Al Kingston stood a shop where he
Both business place and patrons found.
His business grew, and yet his life
Seemed not as whole as II could be.
Miss Wygant she became his wife;
OF Marlborough the gem was she.
The house will never be forgot,
Where Lies first tasks were taken up;
The blended loves OF that hrSt cot
Sweetened each later, larger, cup.
Five children added 10 their Joy:
But three passed on ere they. were grown.
A daughter, later. went on high,
Leaving our host their only one.
In deepest griefs their help was God,
They sought Hin oft i'm closet prayer.
The path TO church they gladly trOd,
Their treasure and their heart were there.
Camp meetings were our friends delight;
At Sing Sing he will ne'eT forget,
The power of God. that day and night
Fell oil them, and it fingers yet.
Fun of years, so sweet and sanity.
His dear partuer passed away;
To the doctor she said family,
II had hoped 10 go to-day"
Far away in Ulster County, with her daughter
Jane,
She lies sleeping, angels keeping watch care
DER them twain,
And there's place for father, husband, close
beside them there,
And "A place beside them also In their heaven
so fair.
Westward, Westward the human stream is
flowing,
Westward, Westward trade is ever going,
The sun invites that way all through the live
long day,
And fathers, kindly greeted, in comfort come
to stay.
Thou art welcome Father Webster, to each
home and heart.
In eighty years of bubhling life thy hands have
taken part,
And yet thou seemeSt hale and strong, like
Moses years gone by,
Who died with natural force unspent, with
wakeful undimlned eye.
We meet a few Of Thy warm friends, but thou
hast hundreds more;
Yea, they'd overflow this house. and crowd up
every door:
But we are spokesman for them all, both
present and away.
And from our hearts we wish thee many re-
turns OF thy Birthday.