Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-11
FIFTY YEARS MARRIED.
Golden Wedding Of Mr.. and Mrs. E.
H. Blanchard Of Chelsea,
Great Gathering of Friends to Extend
Congratulations.

domestic unhapplness, it is nIeasa nj
| to look upon a home where love reigns
| supreme after so years of married life
On Friday evening last, Mr.. Edwin H
Blanchard of Chelsea, and his wife
| Charlotte A. Blanchard, celebrated at
| their pleasant home the 5Oth anniver-
sary of their marriage. No social
event occurring in town ever before ex-
| cited such general interest. A large
tent, finely decorated with wild flowers,
| was pitched in front of the hospitablc
house and under the trees. The
grounds We're decorated with Chinese
lanterns. Across the road is one of
the best barns in Kennebec county. so
feet long and AZ feet wide. A new,
smooth floor was laid the entire length
and width of the driveway, seats run
ming down the sides. A scaffolding
near the entrance afforded quarters for
the orchestra, which was composed of
six pieces from the noted Home Or
chestra of ToguS. In the rear of the
floor was a side apartment for the dis
pensing of ice cream, cake and lemon
ade. The barn was brilliantly illumi-
mated, while out from the wide rear
upon the green fields seemed like a
benediction without words. The
crowded mows and bays were redolent
with the odor of new-mown hay.
At half past seven o'clock, the peo-
pie began to come, and what a stream
of interested humanity! They came
with their wives and babies and sweet
hearts, such an OutpOuring as the town
never witnessed before, until $50 would
about express the number. 1t was a
grand tribute to the manhood and
womanhood of the worthy couple, who
through the storms and sunshine of
half a century had been true and stead
fast in their allegiance to each other
and their friends. Accounting for this
popularity, an old neighbor remarked:
mo man ever appealed to Ed Blanch-
ard for help but what he received it. I
tell you, he is a friend to everybody"
Among the relatives present, we
may mention Mrs. j. G. Potter of
Brooklyn, n. Y; Miss Bessie Trask of
the same place; Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
w. Poor of Metcalf, Mass; Mrs. Esther
Cudworth of West Somerville, Mass;
F. w. Blanchard. wife and family of
M I<llci ciIhotld anu SUI
of Bridgewater, Mass; George T.
Brown, wife and son of Augusta; H.
l.. Hayes and wife of Chelsea; Frank
G. Hayes and wife of Gardiner; Mrs.
H. e. White and daughters of Chelsea;
NJ. l.. Rollins and wife, James w.
Blanchard and wife, w. B. Trask and
wife of Chelsea, Howard Owen and
wife of Augusta.
After congratulations and greetings,
dancing was entered upon and kept
up until l o'clock the next morning,
ample refreshments being served dur
ing the intermission. fine poem en-
titled 1.-THE Golden Day." written by
Ellen Hamlin Butler, was read by a
granddaughter, Lena Potter Blanchard.
Altar on the green Maine uplands is the
farm that we know and love,
It's fields lie broad in the sunshine that
breaks from the skies above,
It's doorway facing the sunrise is open to
friend and guest,
It's stately naples at sunset toss back
the light of the west.
It's windows shine through the darkness
the wayfarerS eyes to greet,
The path to it's rest and shelter is trod-
den by many feet,
For none e'er turned from the highway in
search of shelter and cheer
But felt were he kin or stranger, his need
would be Solaced here.
Through the test and trial of winter,
when SHOWS drift heavy and deep.
The farm lies silent and patient, EMBODIED
in waiting sleep.
vex it with bleak winds long.
But the bursting of leaf and Seeding must
follow the robins song
The verdure and bloom of summer must
cover the hardy soil,
For brave hands WreSt from the tempest
and drouth, their triumphS of toll
And at last. in the time of harvest the
treasures of earth unfold,
While suddenly we awaken, to the beau
tiful Day of Gold;
The air a-shine and a-shmmer with glo-
riouS fires of noon.
The night all softly radiant with light of
the harvest moon.
Then. who in the mellow silence, remem-
berS the winter blast,
The blight of the tardy April, the toll of
the summer past,
They are but as the purple shadows that
stretch from the hills away,
And render holier, Swceter, the light OF
the Golden Day
Eut brighter than noontde wonder and
lustcr of autumn charm,
Is the tender radiance that crowns the
lives on the upland farm,
A day of a richer harvest than any the
meadows yield,
A day of a fairer fruitage than CLEANS
in orchard and field;
For two lives blended together in their
wedding hour long past,
Have come through winter and summer
to their Golden Day at last.
The grief the toll, the burden. that some
times were theirs to bear
Are but as violet shadows in memory S
lambcnt air.
Oh ncighbor and friend and kinsman,
who under this roof are met
Bring forth from your recollection and
love that cannot forget
The gifts of their royal friendship, their
sympathy quick in deed
Their heartfelt joy in our gladness, their
ready help in our need,
Their sterling and fearless honor, what
ever the hour might bring
oh, fifty welded years have brought a
glorious harvestingi
They planted in hope and sorrow, they
sowed in gladness and pain,
And now at the time of reaping, God
only measures the gain.
The sunshine of love around them no tWi-
light shall steal away.
For Heavens eternal brightness is the
light of the Golden Day.
Ellen Hamlin Butler
The multitude and richness of the
gifts impressed all. We give a partial
list of the articles presented, without
undertaking to publish the names of