The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-01-14
CLUB ANNTVERSARY.
Twentieth Year Celebration of Read
ing Club of Williamstowp.
Bradford, Pa.
Jan. 4, 1904.

Williamstown. Jan. 1.-THE TWEEN
tieth anniversary of the organization
OF the Ladies Reading Club of this
town was observed on Saturday, Jan.
., the meeting being held with Mrs.
B. F. Sibley and her daughter, Mrs
Will j. Young. Invitations had been
sent out to former members to attend
on Saturday, or send some message,
to which came hearty response.
Among its earlier members present
were Mrs. Ella Brown Bailey, of
Montpelier, to whom the club owes
its origin, Miss Matte Watson and
Mrs. Anna M. Franklin, also of Mont
pelier. The frost king was abroad
that day but his icy breath had no
power to chill the warmth of greet
ing between friends of long associa-
tion or the welcome given by those
who so successfully planned this cele
bration. Messages of congratulation
and quotations from absent members
were read in response to roll call by
Mrs. Annie WILDER, one of the earliest
members Of the club. Those present
answered with quotations, chiefly
from Shakespeare, out of regard, per-
hsps, to the fact that the organiza-
ton was originally known as the
Shakespeare Club; and deceased
members were not forgotten, some
favorite saying or quotation being
given as their names were called.
Miss Annette Edison, whose men,
bership dates back to it's beginning,
gave an interesting historical sketch
of the club. Mrs. WILDER graphically
described the village as it was in
1884, and a poem written by Rev.
Frances Kimball for the occasion
was read by her. Dainty refresh.
ments were served and delightful
social hour completed an enjoyable
afternoon which had been so happily
planned by the club members and
which the fondest dreams of its orig
inators could hardly have pictured.
I his has been working club and
the amount and scope of it's study as
we'll as the long period of its exist.
ence may we'll give its members pride.
The poem read by Miss Kimball and
announced as "A tribute 70 the early
members of this club-present or
absent" is herewith given:
Twas indeed happy morn
! When this club of clubs was born.
Since its birth its light has shone
With radiance all it's own;
And though changes sometimes came
1t is shining still the same
Honoring still its ancient name.
Actors new come on the stage,
Yet-unmarred by lines of age
Several then familiar faces
Fill their old accustomed places,
Weld the same old charms and graces.
And we, who in later days
Catch from them reflected rays
OF that ver-fading light
'Circling them like haloes bright,
Tribute pay, this festal night.
Some who at its birth presided,
With affections undivided;
Some who helped it learn to creep,
Then to climb DER pathways steep,
Still its honor guard and keep.
And to you-by silvered lock
now crowned
To you-whom fingers gray hav,
found
To unchanged by passing time,
Ripening into life's full prime,
Now we dedicate this rhyme.
Grateful for your labors past;
By the chains you've forged hell
fast
Hand to hand our sheaves we bind,
Heart to heart and mind to mind
Gathering up the wheat we find
Twenty years--a long look hack
Ger a straight and toilworn track,
Swerving not to left nor right.
Losing not the goal from signs,
Leading forward toward the light,
Toilworn the main road but mile
stones cleaning white
Mark the progress toward the light;
Milestones round which memorie
twining
Tell how work and joy combining
Keep the sun forever shining,
Toilworn theE main road, but here an
there