The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-01-26
District No, II, NewbtIrv

| The social event of the season was the
occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Whitcher. The gathering
would have been surprise had it not been
for letter received from his sister, Mrs. N
L. Richardson OF Lancaster, N. H., sending
congratulations. Mr.. Whitcher's large
house was thrown open and Illuminated for
the reception of visitors who came from all
quarters. numbering nearly one hundred,
Newbury and Ryegate being well repre-
sented. Among those from out of town we
noticed DR.. 5. N. Eastman and wife of
Groton, and Henry White and wife of
Topsham. The young people were feeling
at their best and devoted the time to games,
while the older ones looked on and enioy-
ed themselves in social converse. At nine
o'clock, Mr.. ID. Ii. Eastman, as master of
ceremonies raped for order and brought
INTO the sitting room two large pictures, the
gift OF Mrs. Nathaniel Richardson, and two
large easy chairs which the friends had
brought as slight token Of remembrance,
and seated the bride and bride groom of
hfty years. Mr.. Eastman with programme
In hand nodded to choir who arose and
sang the Greeting glee. G, b. Fiske was
then called, and came forward and said:
MR.. AND MRS. WHITCHER-We have the
pleasure OF presenting you each au easy
chair, not because you have sought or need
ed a donation but to express in feeble
way our heartfelt gratitude to Him who
rides upon the wing of the wind and whose
chariot is the tcloudS that you have been
spared through the winding paths for half
century imbued with a spirit to perform
the duties. enjoy the comforts, undergo the
cares incident to welded life Not only
those who are united by the ties of con-
sangunlty but your neighbors and friends
seem to be drawn by an affinity which may
be hard to express and yet it is found
thrObbing in each and every breast. We
wish to leave with you these small tokens
OF regard hoping that your days may be
extended to four score and ten to witness
the fillial joys of blithe and happy home.
lie then spoke of some of the duties eniOin-
ed In the marriage covenant believing they
have been loyal Again as benefactOr in
every benevolent cause. Again of his re-
markable memory, thirdly of Gods protect
ing care in shielding his family from the
pale horse whose rider is death, and lastly
OF his ability to make home place where
children and grand children are drawn to
the old hearthstOne.
Mr.. Whitcher responded in few well
chosen words, thanking his friends for their
kind remembrance of him and his family.
closing by wishing to live to return the
same sort of entertainment to many of his
friends. The choir then sang, "Hail to the
Flag of the Free" Mrs. r, Kasson was
then called and read poem composed by
Mrs. Julia Richardson of Lancaster, for the
occasion. Singing, Darling Clos Miss
Anna Guthrie was then called and respond
I'd in an original poem written for the occa-
sion, entitled "a Soliloquy of Fifty Years.
Miss Guthrie did herself much credit in |
his poem as it was pronounced excellent |
Miss Mary E. Brown was called, came for
ward to the organ sang, and played "The |
Golden Wedding" 1t was well rendered. |
Mrs. G. b. Fiske was called and spoke very |
acceptable. The choir then sang "Rocka-
way on the pillows gay" On concluding
he programme it was announced that re-
reshments were ready, The inviting
ables were at once filled, near the bride
md groom were placed two cakes, one
Fearing date 1894 and the other 1874 sup
'osed to represent the original wedding
AXE. This was trulya novelty and reflect
ID credit on the donor, Mrs. ID. FL. Eastman
The party broke up near two o'clock and
he visitors wendell their way homeward
veil pleased with their visit