The true northerner., 1899-08-09

They Thought She Was Eighty.
Mrs. Calista Hogmire says she was
seventy nine years old last Friday, but
her friends thought she was eighty.
They will not regret, however, that she
is year younger than they supposed.
A number of her near neighbors planned
to observe the day by giving her a sur
prise, in which laudable undertaking
they succeeded most admirably Mrs. III.
says she was so completely taken by sur
prise that it nearly made her down sick,
but she hopes to survive the shock.
The company met at Mrs. Anna Bar
tons and marched i'm body TO the resi-
dence of Mrs. Hogmire. When the sup
per hour arrived another surprise await
ed her in the form of fine repast spread
at the home of Mrs. j. +. Bullard, her
nearest neighbor.
AS slight token of esteem, Mrs. II.
was presented her with a couple of
vases filled with flowers and Mrs.
Barton read the following poem, written
for the occasion:
TO MRS. CALIsTA HoGMIRE ON HER S0TH
BIRTHDAY.
Away and away, in the long ago,
woman was born, whose name know,
Who drfted along on the tide of life,
Through waves of worry, aud toll and strife.
In time young man came her way,
And asked her to name the wedding dayl
She didn't just like her lovers name,
utwhen again and again he came,
She gave him her hand, maidens do,
And kept the house and made cake for two.
Toling and planning, and striving together
They built home for life's wintry weather;
A shelter when desert suns grew warm,
refuge from life's wind and storm
But the loves of life do not e er abide
And one went home TO the other side
She didn't just like her lovers name,
But she keeps and wears il just the same.
And men in vain offer something better,
She writes her old name with every letter.
And this is the woman we come to greet,
We call her "Aunt Kit" for short and sweet
We heard you eighty years old to-day,
And we wondered what could do or say
To make the day glad surprise,
To gladden. your heart and brighten your eyes,
And help you remember, till lifes decline
This birthday in 1899.
And so, dear friend we come to you,
From your many friends, favored few;
We've invited ourselves this feast to share,
we may stay all night Mrs. Bullard won't carel
We have thought of your flowers that blossom
fair,
Tended and watched by your loving care,
And when comfort and strength their grace could
lend,
Given so freely 70 stranger and friend.
We have felt their balm full many day,
From the desk where the open bible lay;
We have caught the cheer their lips could speak
When the heart was faint and the hands were weak
Bowling their heads with reverent grace,
AS they modestly stood in the sacred place,
Joining the prayers till the last amen
And silently going forth again.
To repeat the lessons of hope and truth
To the silver haired-and the blooming youth
But flowers need something to make them stand
Or they fall apart when they leave the hand,
And wither and fade like human forms
When out OF the reach OF circlng arms.
So we thought we'd bring two
And fill them with flowers on purpose for you,
That you might remember this August day,
When the o0th milestone marked your wayi
Fill them with flowers and let them tell
OF the friends who have loved you long and well.
Fill them with flowers and let them bear
message to you from the gardens fair,
Where crystal streams flow fresh and bright,
From the river of life and the throne of light.
Fill them with flowers and they shall be
soace and strength continually
Till with youth renewed and bliss untold,
You enter the home where they never grow old.