The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-11

BY Guy +. Williams.

BY Guy f. williams
Friends who have come to do honor.
And relatives who claim our hosts
If youll cease your talk and laughter
If you'l put aside amusements.
If you'll draw yourselves together
We will lose our tnougns for the day
For the morrow we'll turn them aside
We will ponder for a moment.
Ger the days we cannot restore.
Let the younger ones imagine.
Let the older ones recall
What has happened round this farm
Since about the time of the war.
Back In the days of the sixties
Among the youths of our town.
Dwell one who titled his acres,
Dug and cleared the rocks from the
And kept the fires of his mater
That home glowing with cheer and
warmth.
In those same days dwelt maiden
Eased she the burden of housewives
Who dwelt in neighboring farm houses.
Busily she piled at housework,
That noblest of all arts which have
Been left to the hand of woman
Deity she piled her hands for time
At the looms in the twin city.
According to all traditions,
According to history's say,
According to laws of Nature
Which Our Maker holds In command.
Tis meant for our youths and maidens
TO snare together llle : DuTueHS.
New Years day, seventy-two,
Rode these two to town of Scion,
Rode they 'dorned in best attire,
Pledged they before notary Whipple,
Pledged them to walk this earth to-
gether
Till Cod may cease their earthly dwell
ing.
Back to his farmstead came they,
Back to his hill side Ger looking
The warmed hills of Concord,
l. nj n tt,fr % inR hnt
Greened with spruce. the pine and
hemlock.
Here began their long, habitation.
Here adVersities they have endured
Here shared they the pleasures of
Should We take the time for all things
That have happened in two score years,
Should we mention all the failures.
Should all victories be mentioned.
Should we list pleasant gatherings
That these rooms have given audience,
Too much time would be required.
Diligence las been their watch word,
Planted he the seed in springtime'
Hoed he tie crops in summer
Harvested the fruits of autumn.
In winter sed and cared for barn
OF sheep and cattle and horses.
Broke the roads with white-face oxen.
While with cares of the household
Prepared she meals for the family.
Between times in winter with scissors
And needle shaped she some piece
OF raiment or stocking or mitten.
For children or husband or self.
Manifold were her tasks in summer,
Flowers by the door were nurtured,
Fruits of he season We're gathered.
And placed in store for coming need.
Milk was converted to cheese or
Butter from cream which rose on pans.
Whate'er the season or weather,
Whate'er the trouble inflicted
Be 1t death or illness or sorrow.
Ready have been these two people
To lend a helping hand or word
OF advice or cheer or comfort.
To this household came three children,
Played they round the hearth in winter.
Helped they on tn efarm In summer,
Down the Hill to school in autumn,
TIL one had grown to manhood and
Two had reached the stage OF woman
hood
AS the old folks did in their youth,
Thus must we expect the young ones,
So with a youth went one northward,
So with a youth went one southwark,
And to atone for broken home ties,
Two grandchildren tighten this home
With their noise their FRANKS and
laughter
Very many familiar pictures
Might be recalled to your memory
OF this place and it's surroundings.
Perhaps us younger ones best recall
Seeing our hosts on their trips
To the village with Jim, the horse,
Or always being met at door
BY Toss, the dog. before the members
OF the family had time to greet you
But II seems IL is time to close.
So friends relatives and neighbors,
Let us congratulate our hosts
On forty years of wedlock,
On the tasks DER come in life time.
Let us wish them health and vigor,
Let us wish them JOY and pleasure,
When two score ten years have passed
away.
For we're sure they feel grateful
And wish you all God speed your way.