River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-12-26
A Pleasant Affair.

Friday, Dec. Goth, was memorable
day for the W. t. G. U. Twenty-Five
of its members met at the beautiful
home of Mrs. w. d. Parker, and after
routine business was transacted an air
of mystery strongly pregnated with
the festive odors of coffee peryaded
the room. To the initiated the mystery
was plainly visible, but one placid
face showed no thought Of anything
unusual until for the Good of the
Union Mrs. Rhoads in the following
words presented to Mrs. Periey
Knowles parlor lamp as showing
their regard for her and in remem-
brance of her s0th birthday:
II once heard an eloquent address
on Wind, and since then have had
great respect for the breezy element.
If with that same eloquence | could
present the thought of this article
you might better appreciate my effort,
but as the beauty and power of Ian
guage is not mine, / will not weary
you with the endeavor. We have
need to pause occasionally as we are
Fastening along life's uphill journey
and ponder on some of these blessings
so common that we give them never a
thought until some untoward event
causes rs TO wonder that we are so
blind to their everyday beauty.
Light, one of the necessities of our
lives, comes to me just now along this
line of thought. We are so dependent
upon the light of day, the bright sun
light, and the starry light of evening.
The light of happiness beaming upon
the faces of those we love Eglttens
the shadow that often rests upon
ours. The light of hope dwelling
within eases the weight of care.
Friendships light helps many poor
soul off the rocks of despair and the
light of love-ah. who can resist the
illumination of heart and soul caused
by its rays. We are to-day over
whelmed by the magnificence of the
electric light whose brilliarfcy makes
bright the dark streets and alleys,
turning night into day in our homes,
and outshines the gas light of other
days; but, after all, there seems none
superior to the old lamp light for coy,
home-like comfort, when we gather
about the table for evening work.
study, or visit, and in the light of this
thought we present to our dear friend
Mrs. Knowles, on this, her eightieth
birthday, lamp, ready for lighting.
Knowing that as she kept bright the
lights of the old reading-room, so this
will shine clear in the home she has
so long frightened Dy her cheerful
presence, and wishing that her re-
naming years may be filled with un-
alleged happiness in the sunlight of
Gods presence"
She was delightfully."- surprised, but
in her own easy, friendly manner re-
ceiyed and responded to the gift, and
the congratulations that flowed in up
on her from all present.
A hasty adjournment followed and
all were invited by our genial hostess
to coffee with the honored guest.
Those who have ever been entertained
in this hospitable home can fully APP
preciate the pleasure of the noun
which followed. One of the pleasant
features of the occasion was the sing
ing by all present, "Blest be the tie
that binds" the sweet strains of the
piano, drawn forth by the loving
hands of Mrs. Parker, adding melody
to one of the dearest of old songs. 1t
was meeting long to be remem-
bered.