The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-04-26
GOLDEN WEDDING.
MR.. AND MRS. JAMES PHILLIPS HAVE
TRAVELLED so YEARS OF LIES
ROAD TOGETHER.


On the evening of the nineteenth of
April, Mr.. and Mrs. James Phillips cele-
brated the fiftieth anniversary of their
marriage, at their home in this village
About eighty relatives and old friends
partook of their hospitality and good
cheer.
Those present from away were: Mr..
and Mrs Thomas Nesbitt and Mr.. and
Mrs. Ted Williams of Schoolcraft, Mr..
and Mrs. Frank Downing of Mat,awan,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Rassette and son of
Hartford, Mr.. and Mrs. Ned Cook of
Decatur, and Miss Zell Raleigh of
Chicago.
The gifts left with them were many,
consisting of articles of gold silver, hand
some furniture, etc. Many congratula-
tory letters and gifts were received from
absent friends. One letter which so
aptly expresses the sentiment of all is
given. A gold bowled strainer with silver
handle and gold meat fork accompanied
the letter:
"Mr. and Mrs. Francis Labadie regret
exceedingly their inability to be present
at the golden wedding anniversary of Mr..
and Mrs. James Phillips, at Paw Paw,
Mich, April nineteenth, eighteen hun
dred and ninety nine. This piece of
paper, with a few words of heartfelt
interest, and box which goes with this,
must take their place. Mr.. and Mrs.
Labadie realize that fifty more years can
hor I'll lNO Il III - a H.. IL
Mr.. and Mrs. Phillips, but trust that
what shall remain to them may be full
of the sunlight with which this day is
but a reflection in the name it takes:
Golden.
"Mr. and Mrs. Labadie hope that when
Mr. Phillips serves his table with the
delicious cold meat, for which his board
is famous among his friends, that the
fork may remind him, when he grasps its
colonial handle, of the days when life
seemed full of care and dull silver clouds
only were in evidence; but when his
strong, honest right hand has covered
the less glittering part, the deep yellow
metal will bring with it's shiny surface
the golden rays of life into prominence,
and although it may represent the de-
clining rays of an effulgent sun, it shines
as brightly as when fifty years ago he led
his bride to the altar, and over that
kindly, honest face, an expression of
well done may settle, for who can
claim the expression as his own with any
more justice than James Phillips, Sr?
What sweet smelling odor greets the
traveller this morning? The air seems
filled with fragrance! 1t should not be
hard to guess from whence it comes
when we think of the fragrant home
brewed tea which Mrs. Phillips is wont
to pour at the head of her table in the
hospitable Phillips home. Let the spoon
be laid aside, dear friend, and use the
golden strainer. 1t too, in its crooked
handle, represents the winding road of
life over dull pathways, but always with
the golden globe ahead. Its ragged edges
were hard to climb, and when you found
yourself within its shining circle, there
was still refining process, for the good
must be separated from the crude, even
as the tea drops clear in it's amber strings
from each tiny hole in the golden strainer,
and leaves the refuse behind: so now at
fifty years, the crown of life descends on
your head. 1t is golden in its compost
ton, the highest pinnacle has been
reached. And may Mr.. and Mrs. Phillips
be spared TO their children and their
friends for many years to come.
wheeling, West Virginia, April Ii,
1S99."
Natural flowers adorned the rooms and
tables-c arnations predominating.
Music was discoursed by trio of music
ians, while an elegant yet substantial re-
past was served. And afterwards the
strains of Monte Musk set hearts to beat
ing as of yore, and change was gone
through, with all the grace of "ye olden
time" The dancing of Wells Raleigh
and wife discounted anything modern in
that line and Mrs. Phillips face took
on look as beautiful and youthful as if
she had returned to day of fifty years
ago.
A sketch of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips
married life was given by their daughter,
Mrs. Raleigh, and marriage ceremony
was performed by Mrs. Lucy Williams in
beautiful and impressive language. An
original poem to the bride and groom
was read by Mrs. B. O'Dell, and re-
sponse given by Mr.. Phillips in earnest
and fitting words. A song given by Mr..
and Mrs. Cook was singularly appropriate
in expression, for the time.
The evening was one of rare enjoyment
to all, and at late hour the guests dis
persed wishing Long years to groom!
long years to bride!"