Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-05-07
Highest of all in Leavenng Pow4-Latest u Govt Report
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ABSOLUTELY PURE

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fit of Cannon next gave a recitation
and againrthe company cheered, ant
little Miss Sophia Clemens OF Ada liter
ally brought down the house by recit
ing "a visit to Grandma, Mrs. Clark
Demorest and Mrs. Nj. A. Lessiter
each read an original poem, given
below.
All nature smiles in robes of green,
We lay our work and care aside,
To hail the day so seldom seen,
For fifty years groom and bride.
Long years ago the poet sought
To backward turn the flight of time;
Bring back our youth and childhood's thought
And set sweet memory's bells achime
Turn back thy flight for fifty years
Take all the care lines from our brow,
Make bright our eyes now dimmed with tears,
And let US view again life's prov.
Aye Walked we then valiant band
Our hearts aglow with youths delights;
We took each other by the hand,
And sought TO reach sublnest heights.
Twas well, to lay the forest low,
And toll perchance mid stump and mire;
We needed Heavens eternal bow,
The bow of promise bright with fire.
To meet the duties OF each hour
TO meet life's cares as yet unknown;
We needed more than earthly power,
We needed help from Heavens throne.
Brother mid forests wild and TALL
With settlers far and few between;
You bought this farm and reared homes wall,
And placed therein this household queen.
Sister, you worked with Jealous care
To beautify those walls for home;
1t mattered not twas rude and bare,
And more of cabin than of dome.
BY woman's all lltransforming skin,
A thing of beauty grew apace;
From windows hung the dainty frill, Ilace.
Around the bed white curtains edged with
o simple home, so dear to heart,
Where one room took the place OF all,
You far excelled the builders ART
With many rooms and sweeping hall.
Your memory hath potent charm
The grand new house can never fill;
But the early home we love II still.
Children under that rooftree side by side,
You grew together many day,
tin Que, the well beloved bride
The angels bore away.
An! Many dear one by the way
Fell from our ranks of pioneers;
Some fell mid heat of battles fray,
Some fell in youth. some ripe with years.
With US they built the cabin homes,
With Us they started in life's race;
Today, they JOY In fairer domcs, Lplace.
Leaving each hearthstone here "A vacant
Weep nevermore, in Heavens bright land
No parting comes, no heart is sad;
And have we not that blest command,
Look up, ye mourners and be glad.
Think Of the bright and happy days.
That came to US these fifty years;
Dispel the clouds with sunny rays;
Life should have joys and fewer tears.
Could we but lay aside all strife
This toll for riches modify,
Make sweet content the aim of life,
Few somber clouds would dim our sky.
Life's blessed evening hung with stars,
Your sun descends in tints OF gold,
Giving peace angelic nothing mars,
Till years shall diamonds rare unfold.
BY the way Mrs Demorest (nee) Sally
(. Thompson acted as bridesmaid at
he wedding of Mr.. and Mrs. Green 80
ears ago, Mr.. Demorest a brother of
he bride being best man, and so Miss
[. must have thought when she
her name for Demorest.
Q. l.. Watkins read a selected poem
IN "Old Settlers Life" and Elmon
1ubbell of Rockford who formerly
oined farms with Mr.. Green was called
Up to tell Of pioneer life which he did
closing with a story that brought loud
cheers. w. Hartwell of Cannon next
old US his experience in the dense for
st and how he would have gladly re-
reated TO the old home but stood it
,ut and was now proud of 80 years inn
,rovements touching like spot in
many pioneers heart.
Ice cream and cake were served TO
III before returning home, although
he invitations read "no presents"
here were costly ones, among them
go to be changed for gold from Mr..
md Mrs George Stevens OF Towner N.
D., silver fork thrible plated with gold
he handle of enamal from their son-in-
aw Arthur b. Smith and wife of Tren-
on, he being present, silver salt eel
ars gold lined with spoons to match,
set of souvenir tea spoons gold lined
rom Mr.. and Mrs. Clark Demorest
With other presents. The friends all
wish Mr.. and Mrs. Green may see their
wedding and that all days
may be happy days.
BY Mrs. l.. a. II. D., bridesmaid of
fifty years ago, for the golden wedding:
Go back with me friends, just nfiy years.
And, Oh 50 long, that time appears,
When the country was all so new and bright,
And the native flowers pretty sight;
The birds were singing their roundelaV