Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-03
Fifty Years Married.

A small reunion took place, Thanks
giving day, at the residence Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Aaron r. Byard, in Townsend, in
honor of the fftieth anniversary of the
wedding of Mr.. and Mrs. BYard, who
were married Nov. Is, 1915. 1t was orig
inally intended to have celebrated the
occasion on the anniversary day, with
gathering of all the children and rela-
tives, but sickness prevented. Those
present were: Andrew. the eldest son, of
Chesterfield, N. H.; j. L. Byard, wife
and son, of Southboro, Mass. j. L.HOw-
ard (son.in law, wife and daughter, of
Maiden, Mass; one son and two of the
daughters were unable TO attend; Mr.
and Mrs. {. a. Pierce of this village, the
former nephew, were also present
Letters. II in number, from nephews
and nieceS living in ten different
states, were received and in several in
stances were accompanied by golden Ie-
membranes. In all generous sum was
presented them. A gold headed cane
Mrs. Weeks, of Cleveland, Ohio.
In the afternoon many of the friends
Of the venerable couple called to tender
congratulations. Among the number
were the Rev. Mr.. Hardy, their pastor,
and wife, aud the Hon, Ira X. Batchel-
der, who, 80 years ago, published their
bans, and who, with his wife, recently
celebrated his golden wedding.
Mr. Byard and Mr.. Batchelder, until
a few years since, were residents of Peru,
where both had always lived as neigh
bors and close friends. They were
strongly attached to each other, and
when one moved to Townsend, he was
soon followed by the other, both living
now but short distance apart. Mr. and
Mrs. Byard are well known throughout
the northern portion of the county
where they have passed nearly all of
their long and useful lives.
There have been few more hospitable
homes than that of Mr.. and Mrs. Byard
since their marriage. They have been
liberal entertainers and to their relatives
and friends they have always extended a
welcome so cordial and hearty that their
home has been a favorite visiting place.
The following poem was received from
one of the daughters who, from sick
ness, was unable to attend:
FIFTY YEARS.
1Tif.y ,aore with ire iovs opd eorrO,Us
Fifty years, with its tolls and cares,
Fifty years, with its past to-morrows.
Greet you here in your easy chairs.
Fifty years! how the memory fingers
Long on the work of many days,
And loving deeds of the fingers
To smooth out the roughness of each others
ways.
Fifty years less Of life's tolls and troubles,
Fifty years less of its broken plans
Fifty years less OF its shattered bubbles,
Fifty years less of its glitering shams.
Fifty years nearer the promised blessings,
Offreedom from all the ills oflife,
And the time when longing is possessing,
And the time of peace takes the place OF strife.
Fifty years nearer that garnered treasure,
Laid up in Heaven through all these years,
Wealth of good deeds that no one can measure,
Till the dawn OF eternity appears
Let us join tonight in the present pleasure,
And forget the gloom of the weary past,
And fill up the fleeing hours with pleasure,
That through the remaining days shall last.
And when at last all our days are ended.
May meet at last the better shore,
And find all iifes experience blended
In u beautiful whole forevermOre.