Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-01-30
SMYRNA.

the regular review of the Maccabees,
we hope TO have a large attendance.
Jan. 23 being Charles 5. Cowles sew
entieth birthday, his wife thought to
give him surprise party in honor OF
the event. Therefore due prepare
tions were made for feast and guests
were invited, last Thursday being the
date, and fine day, everything pass
ed of in fine order. In the morning
Mr. Cowles had not yet smelt a mouse
and to still keep him out OF the secret
his son Spencer invited him to come
over and show him how to dress a
beef which of course he did, but upon
returning about 10 O'Clock, he found
his yard full of carriages and house
full of people then it dawned upon his
mind what was up, and to say that
Mr., Cowles enjoyed the day very much
would be putting it very mild. 40
guests were present, those from dis
tance were Mr.. and Mrs. Clifton
Cowles and their daughters Percis
and Edith from Trufant, Mr.. and Mrs.
Clarence Arnold from Greenville, Mr..
and Mrs Calvin White of Lowell, j.
w. and b. + Rickert of Keene. AT
o'clock the guests were invited to
the feast of baked turkeys, chickens,
pies. cakes and every conceivable
good thing to tickle the palate of a
human being After dinner was over
they all repaired to the parlor where
their souls were filled TO overlooking
with music by Percis and Edith Cow
les and Verne Davis, then came the
six grandchildren with a fine song and
responded to a hearty encore. Next
Mrs. Spencer Cowles brought the
house down with one of her selections.
After quiet was restored fine Morris
chair was rolled into the room and in
behalf of the company was presented
to Mr.. Cowles by his brother II b. as
a token of friendship. Mr. Cowles
then made happy and touching re-
spouse, after which Percis Cowles
rendered several fine selections on the
organ including the Fishers Horn Pipe
which brought Mr.. Cowles to his feet
and he took trip around the room
with gait much lighter than most of
the kids at 20, it was several minutes
before order was restored when Miss |
Edith Cowles stepped forward and
said She had the honor to read some
poetry prepared for the occasion by |
II. b. Cowles which is as follows:
with pleasure my friends we meet today,
To cheer brother on lfes way;
With a hearty greetdg and extended hand
We wish him COD speed, this brotherly band |
This brother they tell us, way back, long ago,
Wa born and bred in Ontario.
II is seventy years since that eventful time,
That he opened his eyes in Queen Vic's Cline
And after he had grown few years or more,
His ambitious mind began TO soar,
And he longed for the time he would be a man,
For he had heard people talk Of "A NJ chigan.
place outw west where land was so cheap
with forests grand and q sill rich and deep
And his ambitious spirit would give him no rest |
Until he concluded to take "A trip west.
And as time sped on he got him a farm, arm
But whe' night came on and no supper was
ready
He seemed TO be in a very deep study
And 1t can e to pass soon after that day
That with solemn thoughts he strayed away;
Some thought be acted strange, for from his
abode
He often Travelled down the same old road
And after awhile ii was plain TO be seen
That his pathway led to the town OF Keene.
And for months and months. then day after day
He kept on wandering in the same pathway
But one bright June morning, as by records can
be shown alone.
he drove the same way but did not come back
For he had induced maiden to leave her
mothers home
To share with him life's pleasures while
through this world they roam
Now singular things did happen, least that's
IN, way IL seems;
For in their midnight snoozings they both
Dire med tine same dreams.
They dream, that lhey were owners Ola house
so big and grand, Hand.
Surrounded every side by many acres Of
And on the lawn around the house instead OF
three or four score |
Were little tots enough to number bout a
But alas. o alas how sad did they seem, dream |
When they found that the thing was only a
And that round their log cabin that stood on
the hill,
Was no little Prudy nor Eddy or Will door |
And TINT the broad acres that surrounded their |
Was by dense forest all covered DER.
But do you suppose they mourned e eat while
Oh no, for their ambition bcl an for TO boil.
Ard with their Drawn and muscle the forests |
laid low,
And in its place fields OF wheat made TO grow
An buildings sprang up on every hand.
Where once was forest began TO LOOK grand |
But one winter day when the mercury was low |
And this old earth was covered with snow;
Thei~ hearts were again made with grief to |
overflow.
For their dear old home was in ashes laid low |
And as they locke at the ruins there,
DO YOU suppose they gave up in despair