Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-15
The Surprised Viking.

The following communication was
sent to the Herald for last Wednes-
days edition but was crowded out
for lack of space:
At last we have surprised Viking.
He who is always ready and willing
to give pleasure to others, and to
perform little deeds of kindness
along his way has had the tables
turned on him. And you may be
sure it was done in very quiet
manner. Mr.. and Mrs, Petersen
were married twenty years on the
ninth of February, SO their neigh
bors, Mr.. and Mrs. Sam Schneider
and Mr.. and Mrs. Matt Schildgen
thought it would be very sensible
and pleasing way to show their re-
gard for them, by getting up a sur
prise party.
All of Mr.. and Mrs. Petersen's
relatives and neighbors were in
vited, and as the people around
Flora are always watching for a
Chance to scatter sunshine along
their brothers path, they thought
this was an opportunity not to be
neglected.
l think they are deserving of
praise, for these kind acts are
prompted by loving hearts, and they
go long way toward comforting
and cheering those to whom they
are rendered. And who could be-
grudge Mr.. and Mrs. Petersen this
happiness, To know them is to love
them, they are so genial and warm
hearted. And my dear friends we
tried to show you this love when
we gathered at your home.
Although the weather was not
what we had hoped for, neighbors
and relatives to the number Of fifty
came to eat dinner with Mr.. and
Mrs. Petersen OH this memorable
day. And what a dinner it was. I
wish some of you could have seen
those chicken pies with their 1aky
crusts tinged delicate brown. But
that was only the beginning.
Prominent among the toothsome
displayed was 'dream" of a we'd
ing cake, made by Miss Edith
Schneider Edith, you know is our
champion cake maker.
After ALI. had been served Mr..
Petersen in his characteristic style
gave us a short sketch of his life.
He told us with touching and pa
thetic words of his emigration to
this country, how he landed here
penniless and friendless, and al
though a meresyouth he had to de-
pend on his own exertions for ex-
istence Yousall know he has sue
ceeded.
He has had like the most of us
many obstacles to overcome, many
heavy crosses to carry, but in these
tasks he was aided, as he so beauti-
fully expressed il, by faithful and
loving wife, one who is a true help
mate in every .sence of the word.
To their union were born three
children. two girls and one boy.
Hannah, the Oldest was married two
years ago to Lewis Wilkinson, an
industrious young farmer, and lives
near her parents. Anthem and Leah
are at home, the pride and stay of
their father and mother. And well
they might be proud of them for
Leah is as charming a girl as one
could wish to meet. Anthem is
young man of sterling qualities,
who, on account of his fathers i'll
health has had charge of the farm
for number of years and has tend
ed it skillfully and judiciously.
Mrs. Petersen also thanked US IN
we'll chosen words for the gifts we
brought, which were a beautiful
china closet and fancy plate. I am
sure all those present will agree
with me when I say I think Mr..
Schildgen and Mr.. Schneider have
very good taste in choosing a pre-
sent of that kind for one more
pleasing to the eye, or more sub
stantial for use, would be hard to
find.