Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-02-16


well attended, considering the evening
was 10 degrees below zero.
This weather is a record beater for
our town, From % to over 80 degrees
below zero, according TO locality.
Mrs. l.. L. Brooks now sits up short
time twice day, and at last accounts
Grandma Elkins was II little better
When Mr.. and Mrs. Manly Written
returned from the silver wedding Feb.
6, they found the carpet burning in a
smoldering way, but blazed up when
they opened the door. 1t was soon ex-
tinguished, and might have been worse.
Mr.. and Mrs Lon Smith broke the
record attending weddings last week.
Feb. 9th they attended the wedding OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Baldwin, the lat
ter a cousin of Mrs. S. Feb. 7th and
Feb. 9Th the golden and silver we'd
dings we mention, making three con-
secutive days of rejoicing.
In the BANNER of Feb. 9th the gifts
presented at Mr.. and Mrs. William
Lessiter's golden wedding were not
stated, but were an elegant gold headed
cane to Mr.. L. suitably inscribed, u
clock that looked like gold and set
with brilliants to Mrs. L., also a gold
sugar spoon and "a lovely lamp from the
Belding friends. Mrs. A. S. Holmes
set before them large delicious cake
inscribed, of which all had piece be-
fore parting time. An only living
brother of Mrs. L., Freeman Chapman,
from far away Nebraska was present,
also sister, Mrs. Hilton, from Oak
land county. Mr.. Lessiter and wife
and all these friends, with DR.. Edwards
and wife, were able the next day to
continue the festivities at the silver
wedding.
Over one hundred friends entered
the happy. home of Mr.. and Mrs j. l.
Weeks Feb 8th, it proving genuine
surprise planned by their loving child
rem, and Mrs. w. had to bear it alone
until John" could be summoned from
his sawmill "a few miles away, and TO
say he received a hearty reception
hardly speaks it when he did arrive.
After dinner fit for kings, o. l. Wat
kins was selected to say to the COM
pany that Mr.. and Mrs Weeks were
united in marriage % years ago this
Feb. Sth, also in their behalf present
the gifts, which he did in an eloquent
speech, very fine silver tea set, a
silver sugar shell with golden bowl
and silver leaves, glass fruit dish set
in silver from Mr.. and Mrs. K. Camp
bell, of Lowell, cousins of Mrs. W., and
lovely remembrance as they could not
be present Mrs. p. McCauley then
read very fine poem which the
friends wish printed. Mrs. Edwards,
of Grand Rapids, who joined her hus-
band at the golden wedding, was called
upon for two songs, one sang the day
before, but one now would not satisfy
So passed the day with all the warmth
and gladness of happy hearts If it was
below zero outside. 1t was a remarka-
BILE coincident that Mr.. and Mr.. o. L.
Watkins had been married AZ years
that day, and Mr.. and Mrs. Giles Nc
Arthur 81 years, all present, and max
ing three happy anniversaries long to
be remembered.
Lines addressed to Mr.. and Mrs. j..
|. Weeks on their twenty-ifth anniver-
sary:
Twenty five years ago today,
A boat was launched upon llfe's sea,
Containing human freight.
One at the head, one at the stern
Awaiting anxously TO learn
What was to be their fate
An open book before them lay
To write their deeds in day by day
Upon its pages white.
For they had just that hour set sail,
The sea was calm without gale,
The sky o'erhead was bright
Dear friends II you'll go back with me,
And trace the years you now will see
The self same couple here;
Only u little older grown
Only little nearer home,
The port where in they steer
And in the presence Of all here.
We view the record OF past years,
And this is what we see
home upon whose altar lies,
Kind deeds that all so highly prize
Fraught with sweet charity.
We see a home where love doth reign,
Bound by affections silver chain,
For twenty five short years.
A home where love has meier grown cold,
Shedding radiance in days OF DID,
dspelling doubts and fears.
God in his mercy gave to you
The richest blessings earth e'er knew,
To bless and brighten home.
Children grown to man and womanhood,
Planning your welfare for your good,
Through happy years TO come.
IT'S with regret we learn today
OF absent ones not far away,
Who cannot meet with you.
Your son and wife, also grandson,
Your aged mother sick at home,
Brothers and sisters too.
Brother and sister may the flowers
Surrounding you from heavenly bowers,
Brighten your pathway here;
May gold ana diamond weddings