The Redwood gazette., 1896-07-16
AU REVOIR.
Those Parting Words Spoken 10
Rev. and Mrs, Crosse.

A farewell reception was given to
Rev. and Mrs. R. G. Grose OF the
Methodist church at the handsome
home and lawn of Mr.. and Mrs. j. w.
Ferris of Wyoming street, last Friday
evening. An immense crowd, mem
bers of the church, friends and &C.
ouaintances made by Mr.. and Mrs.
Grose, during their short residence in
this city, was present during the even
ing to say the final parting words to
the couple and partake OF the hospl-
tality of Mr.. and Mrs. Ferris.
The whole affair was informal, in
touch with good old Methodism, and
it made the occasion all the more
pleasant for everybody. Mr.. Grose
occupied a chair in the center OF a
group and while entertaining the
crowd present with narratives he had
pleasing sentence for the newcomer
and a general invitation to stay and
hear the drift. Mrs. Grose was like
wise surrounded by group OF ladies
and thus whiled the evening away.
The grounds we're decorated with
Chinese lanterns and-mosquitoes,the
latter being numerous at all points.
About nine o'clock j. R. Lankard
asked the large crowd to get together,
He then stated that it was seldom
that a pastor and family have lived
among a people so short a time as
have Mr.. and Mrs. Grose and en-
deared themselves more than they;
particularly was this true so far as the
congregation was concerned. He
stated that he was sure that the con-
gregation was loathe to give up this
pastor, as it had other pastors'in the
past, but he was sure that the success
sor would be, as have other successors
been, acceptable to the congregation,
Mr.. Lankard then called upon COM
mittee of the Junior League to con-
tinue the programme. A septette of
little girls, all clad in white, stepped
forward and in conjunction made a
80 seconds speech, altogether. They
then, on behalf of the League, pre-
sented Mr.. and Mrs. Grose with a
handsome book. The book was more
for Mrs. Grose, owing to the fact that
she has been superintendent of the
little folks since the departure of Miss
Pratt, now Mrs. Butler.
Then it was Rev. Crosses turn to
speak. He stated that he was as
badly "stuck" just then as he ever
was. He appreciated the gathering
Then he stated that had his wife and
he known where they we're coming to
when they came to Redwood Falls
they would not have come-the part,
ing was too hard, he said, after mo-
ment's pause, and after the crowd
thought that the minister was about tc
"roast" the congregation. Mr.. Grose
stated that inasmuch as this was an
age of specialists and man was only
wanted where he could do certain
work it was his intention to fit himself
on special line after arriving at bis
new home. He hoped that his sue
cessor, Mr. Porter, would be kept here
three years, and then two years longer
and that he would be kept at Bridge.
port for five years, at the end OF which
time he would again be willing te
"swap" horses with him.
ITO these dear little folks" he con.
tinued, "to you all, my wife and re-
turn our kindest thanks and blessings
If we don't meet again in Redwood
Falls I'm going to meet a whole lot oil
you in heaven and there we will tall
over the days that will have elapsed
since last saw you"
At the conclusion of this speech the
band played several selections, light
refreshments we're served in the house
and on the lawn and at late hour the
crowd dispersed with regrets over the
departure of Mr.. and Mrs. Grose anc
kind remembrances of the host anc
hostess of the evening, Mr.. and Mrs
u. w. Ferris, who contributed 81
much to the success OF the farewell
reception.
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