The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-06-15

| Among the pleasant reminders OI
the flight of time are silver weddings,
the twenty-fifth anniversary of gthe
day that made two happy people one.
Such was the celebration of the quar-
ter century milesone in the married
life of Hon. and Mrs. Henry G. Nc
Duffee of this village one week ago to-
night. The large assemblage repre-
sented the best part of Bradford, and
aside from the event itself which was
brought to memory, the gathering was
of the most agreeable kind. Every.
thing passed off to the entire gratifica-
ton of host and guests. The Brad
ford Cornet band discoursed sweet
music while vocal solos and recitatSops
added to the entertainment, we have
no space to give the names of the
artists who did so much to add to the
pleasure of the evening. The rooms
were lastly decorated with flowers
and foliage so that the scene was
charming indeed. The refreshments
came at the right time and indicated
the excellence of the caterer. The
presents were rich and varied as will
be seen by the list below. Rev. A. j.
Hough, former pastor of the Nj. E.
church in this village, added much to
the pleasure of the occasion by the
neat little poem which he sent by way
of excuse for not being present in per-
son.
The year brings round its wealth of June
In flowers and birds of merry tune,
The streams go singing TO the sea
A in the Junes that used to be,
But none SO fair in memory shine
Like that sweet month in siXty.nine
To Henry c. McDut1ee, though
Its twenty-five long years ago.
You ask why this one month of all
Should be delightful to recall
And why such joy its eighth day fills:
He found amidst the Topsham hills
A flower in mould Of woman-kind,
With grace of form and wealth of mind,
More sweet to him than all beside
When Rosa Bill became his bride
That foot-square smile serenely plays
All through the year on Henry's face;
That laugh with which he greets his own
Keeps through the year its merry tone,
But when the month OfJune comes round
With that eighth day, all robed and crowned,
Both laugh and smile grow loud and bright
As we have seen and heard tonight.
Though J unes may come and Junes may go,
Till twenty-five to fifty grow,
And time that's now with silver told
Shall then be measured out with gold,
Across the space so heightened grown
The breath ofroses will be blown,
And Henry's heart will feel the thrills
1t feltlong since on TOpsham hills
The following is list of the
presents:
A beautiful silver and glass berry dish,
from the Chatauqua Circle of which Mrs.
McDuffee has been a member for several
years; bamboo easel and picture from the
choir of Grace church: silver bOn-bon
basket from Mrs McDuffee's class of young
men in Sabbath school; handsome eight |
day clock, with cathedral gong, silver pud- |
ding dish, silver and glass vase, silver ber- |
ry spoon, pair gold sleeve buttons, silver
knife and fork for carving fish, two large |
Smyrna rugs, plush rocking chair and a |
nice copy of Holman S Pronouncing Bible, |
from Bradford friends: two pairs of hand |
some pOrtieres and an elegant statuette, rep |
an Austrian costume from their |
son. Ernest b. McDutfee of Bost tom a silver |
cake basket from MessrS Stearns, Jones |
and families; silver fruit or nut dish from |
Mrs Henry Buxton and family; silver fork |
for cold meats from Rev. and Mrs. l.. p. /
Tucker: set of silver coffee spoons from Mr.. |
and Mrs. o. X. Baker: silver strawberry /
forks from Mrs. Charles Richardson and /
Miss Susie l. Doty of Lebanon, y. H., and
Mr.. and Mrs. ii. IL. Langill of Hanover, n.
II. OXidiZed silver sugar bowl and creamer
from Barre cousins; silver cup and saucer
from Mrs. r. NJ. Bill Mrs. McDuffee's
MOTHER another from Mrs. DIR. Hanson of
Barre and Mrs. r. NJ Harvey of West Tons
ham, sisters of Mrs. McDufeel: silver
pickle fork from Mrs. l.. f. Bronsden of
Milton, Mass, (sister of Mr. McDuffeel: set
IF silver coffee spoons from f. Sherwin and
ION. of Wells River; silver pin tray from
Hon. Henry Field of Rutland; silver cake
znife from David Blakeley, ESQ. silver or
lnge spoon from Master Fred Dickey: a
pair of large silver spoons from Messrs
Rowe Brothers of Boston; and souvenir
spoons from Mr. and Mrs. II. G.. Day of
Beatrice, Nebraska, DIR. and Mrs. Charles
parkhurst of Somerville, and DIR. l.. b.
Bates of Boston. Mass.
The day will long be remembered.