Arizona republican., 1908-01-03
Hit SIl YER WEDDING
 NICELY CELEBRATED
Eighty Guests Gather at the Home of Mir. and Mrs. Townsend on New Years Day.

Mir. and Mrs. K. s. Townsend, who live three miles west, in the Christy neighborhood. celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on New Years day. The scene and the day. warm and salubrious with bees humming about the flowers, was in striking contrast to another. which memory recalled of ! twenty-five years ago in Manitoba. with the thermometer lingering around the 45 degree below zero mark! Speaking of the anniversary of that day. the affair was delightful. About eighty guests. friends of the bride and groom. many of them fellow members of the First M. F. church of Phoenix. sat down to a table out of doors. load ed with all the substantial edibles and auxiliary dainties found in a holiday market. The menu, which was too long 10 attempt to give. was complete and satisfactory.
 It was originally intended that c. T. Hirst should preside as toastmaster. but owing to the recent death of Mrs. Hirst he was excused from filling that office. and Dr. s. J. Rogers. superin- tendent of the M. E. churches of Ari- zona, took the place The doctors re- marks were felicitous and timely. Levi Young spoke pleasantly to the toast How I first met MT. and Mrs. Townsend
 Miss Marie La Chance sang a beau tiful solo. Loves Own Sweet Song" The toast Our Silver Wedding" was assigned to Captain Andrew Downing of Phoenix. He responded with the following excellent poem written for the occasion:
 We who are still found
 In life's merry-go-round, Enjoying the tilting and whirling.
 With the brightest and best
 Of the treasures possessed. Prize everything silver that's sterling. There's no sixteen to one"
 In the brooklets that run Like silver streams down to the ocean; And the clear silver dew
 All the green meadow through, Is pretty, poetical notion.
 But the topic suggests
 Sweeter thoughts in our breasts. And seasons of beautiful weather
 When the journey was new.
 And We strayed, two and two. Into Paradise Garden together.
 And those couples. of course.
 Whom the net of divorce Has not in its ineshes entangled
 In a score and five years.
 Should be greeted with cheers. And their sky should be silver star
 spangied.
 For there's no sort of scheme.
 No philosophers dream. That can vie with the magic of mar
 riage- Just to keep a man straight.
 Very early and late. And better his conduct and carriage. Twas reported down east"
 That a celibate priest On marriage adventured this sentence Tt is good for the race. Ard a fair means of grace For often it leads to repentance!" Now an old man like that
 Though he wears a red hat Is not good pattern to copy, He is ripe. I should say, For the Osler quick way, Or dose of the syrup of poppy. But-ali joking aside Here's d bridegroom and bride Who have set a most worthy example; Every duty well met. They are true lovers yet With love that is steadfast and am
 pie. To conclude. if you please Such reflections as these Our prayers and our wishes embolden, | May our good Townsend friends. Ere their life journey ends. Be the hosts at a wedding that's l
 Golden, Messrs. Lloyd Christy. Coverdale, | Peterson. Bustrum, Abbott. Pinkerton. | Mumma. Mrs. Braxton. pr. Battin and | Judge Kyle gave expert testimony as to the desirability of the marriage re- |