The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-04-07
A Surprise.

Rev. HI. L. Barnard passed his 5oth
birthday last Saturday and the even
ing before he received the best wishes
of nearly hundred people in honor
of the event. 1t was q complete sur.
prise to the pastor and his wife The
was the happy thought of
Mrs. E. P. Tinker of Springfield, Mass,
who is visiting at the Congregational
parsonage. She mentioned the. idea
to some of the ladies OF the church
and they gladly carried it out. At
$50 O'Clock Friday evening Mr.. and
Mrs. Barnard were in the school house
hall listening to the exercises when
the former was informed that there
was some one at the house who wanted
to see him Immediately. The minister
told his wife that couple were prob
ably waiting to get married and hur-
ried off to tie the knot. The parson-
age was we'll lighted and this made
him wonder for he left it dark and the
doors all locked, though he didn't
know that Mrs. Tinker had turned the
key in the front door so that the
friends could enter. Entering the
house Mr.. Barnard found 1t in posses
sion OF the people who were running
things to suit then selves. He surren-
dered Internationally and placed
himself in the hands of the besiegers
who used him with remarkable celem-
ency. Mrs. Barnard was then sent for
and surprise was plainly written on
her face as she entered the house. The
was explained by eX-Gov.
Roswell Farnham who in few p cas-
ant remarks expressive of the good will
of the people presented the pastor
with splendid Morris chair for the
study and an art square for the floor of
the same. Mr.. Barnard feelingly re-
spOnded, thanking the people for the
expression of their good will as told in
the gifts. Rev A Ii. Webb next came
forward and supplemented the re-
marks of Gov. Farnham by reading
the following lines composed by a
member of the Congregational church:
From hillside and valley,
From mountain and plain,
We cone forth to greet YOU
TN your birthday again.
And though fifty-eight years
Have rolled DER your head,
You're looking much younger:
No doubt you're well fed.
We trust you'll excuse us
All coming ''to once;"
We're not to get married,
Who'd be such Ounce?
We wish to extend you
~ Our haartiest cheer: ..---...
Z Can't you see by our faces?
Seems o me tits quite clear.
We honor and love you,
Who for five years past,
In sunshine and shadow,
In the storms fitful blast,
Has been our good shepherd,
Our counselor, friend,
And did not desert us,
No, not at the end.
For all these past favors,
We our gratitude show,
AS we offer our II libute,
IT'S not much to bestow.
Whenever you're weary
" And sit here for reSpOSe,
We trust you'll remember
Each one of all those
Who by word or deed
Did the thing that was right,
And bid on good will
On this memorable night.
Mr.. Webb supplemented the above
With the following lines from his own
pen:
NV brother OF COngO'S,
Your people did dare
A Methodist minister
TO try this new chair.
do it with gladness,
For you are to me
q A brother, not stranger,
To whom feel free
To pour out my sorrows,
NV hopes and desires,
My longings aud wranglings,
As would to my sires.
And when we've done toiling
In town after town,
Well meet over yonder,
Our Saviour to crown.
Mrs. Barnard was presented with an
elegant table spread, beautiful silk
handkerchief and an envelope contain
ing a generous sum of money. The
of the ladies had pro-
vided ali abunda't supply of cake and
coffee of which all were inviteI to
partake. A social hour was enjoyed
and at II O'Clock the party left with
many good wishes for the future health
and prosperity of the pastor and his
family. The affair was very happy
one and much credit is due those who
and carried it out.
The ladies' prayer meeting will be
held this afternoon at n. w. Cunning
hams