Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-11-07
Anniversary Day.

Anniversary Day.
Read at the Thirty seventh Anniversary OF
Paris Grange by Mrs. S. E. Jackson)
In our quiet little village,
In October seventy-four
A band OF farmers gathered
With closely guarded door.
And, dressed up with signs and passwords,
A creation new and strange
Was launched upon the public,
With the name of Paris Grange.
At first the people Stunned 1t,
And passed it by with scorn,
And said, they thought 1t better
Such thing had ne'er been born.
But "the thing" Il grew and flourished;
And from infant on the lap
That satisfies its hunger
With taffy and with pap,
1t has now reached mans dimensions,-
Or at least that's how Ii seems
For now It takes most kindly
To good old pork and beans,
With just little brown bread,
Such as Paris matrons make,
Doughnuts, pies and pastry
And, most any kind Of cake.
Its hand is felt in politics
When warning factions fight,
To help our legislators
To battle for the right,
And when It's Prohibition
I'd have you all to know
1t puts its foot down strong and hard
With resounding mol
Its noise is heard In state affairs,
Also at Washington, d. c.,
When there they try to legislate
On reciprocity;
For Worthy Master Stetson
Sounds the tocsin OF alarm,
And urges every Patron
To stand behind the farm.
And so we write to congressman
And those In senate too,
And draw up resolutions
Telling what we'd have them do.
But they "sagely" turn us down,
And say we must be daft
To think we know our business better
Than President VIM. TAFT.
But the people up In Canada thought
They saw rat beneath the meal,
And so they put the lid on tight
And thus closed up the deal.
That little band Of farmers,
With faith so firm and true,
That laid the first foundation,
Wrought better than they knew.
And we who follow In their lead
Have only praise to say,
And honor, for their noble work,
This Anniversary Day.
With fleeting wing the wears speed on,
The seasons come ana go,
With spring time sweet and summers neat,
And winters frost and snow.
And year by year as time goes on,
We meet, as here to-day,
And forces join to celebrate
Our Anniversary Day.
rTis well to mark the milestones
AS we travel down the years;
IT'S well to note the gladness,
'Tis well to note the tears;
IT'S well TO note mistakes we've made,
Success We note always;
And to make the years the brighter,
Note Anniversary Days.
Now, seven and thirty years have flown
Since Paris Grange had birth,
new and untried factor
just started here on earth.
But more and more In strength II grew
As the years they passed away
sturdy band of Patrons true
This Anniversary Day.
We miss within our home to-day
Friends that we used to know,
Who met with US to celebrate
In days of long ago.
Those erstwhile friends we used to greet,
With the years have passed away,
And new friends come to swell our ranks,
This Anniversary Day.
With love we greet these new friends
As we greeted those of old,
And from all harm would guard them,
AS shepherd guards his fJld.
And, from the kindly, sheltering care
May they never go astray,
But Join with US 10 sing the praise
OF Anniversary Day.
As time with cruel finger
Leaves his impress on our face,
And brows as alabaster pure
With burrows he shall trace,
When jetty locks and golden
Are turned TO softest gray,
May we meet with hearts still youthful
On Anniversary Day.
Brother and Sister Patrons
Who listen TO my voice,
To zee your kindly faces here
Makes my heart to rejoice.
And may the ties fraternal,
AS the years shall ebb away,
Grow only strong and stronger
Each Anniversary Day.
And let us to our pledge stand true,
wheree'er our lot Is cast;
And strive to make each coming year
More fruitful than the last
And when life's work Is ended,
And all time Is passed awav,
May we meet "just over yonoer''
Some Anniversary Day.