Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-04
LETTERS FROM TWO STATES
WARRENVILLE
MT. and Mrs. w. L. Durkee Given Silver Wedding Surprise and Many Gifts-Death of Arnold Upton

About 40 relatives and friends of Mir and Mrs. w. L. Durkee gave them a surprise party last Friday afternoon in honor of their 18th wedding anni- VerSary. The presents were numer- ous and included money and various silver pieces. Friends were present rom Gurleyville, Hampton, Chaplin Hartford Mansfield Center and Ash lord Following is a letter written for the anniversary:
 Ashaway. R. l., March 27. 1914.
 Dear Brother and Sister: Probably ere this reaches your eyes or ears as the case may be you have been made aware that today is the twenty fifth anniversary of your marriage. Silver tongued expressions of congra tulation and silver tokens of esteem and lov- Ing remembrance bear witness to the fact that others are also mindful of what is appropriate to this occasion. When we speak of 25 years we hardly realize the period of time signified but when we designate it as a quarter of century, we begin to think of it as the central period of human life of usual good length What the heart of a tree is to the whole in strength practical value and durability the first p years of married life seem to be in their relation to the lives of the man and woman spared to such a union so long continued. To you as to all others have come the clouds and sunshine
 
 the clouds have shown their silver lin ing, some still hide them to be re- vealed, perhaps, when the mists have rolled away" Many of those who watched the beginning of your married life and then lavfshed on you congrat- ulations and good wishes have gone on to where they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the angels in heaven. Among the cloud witnesses we like to think of them +rsrlsa in the race toward the final goal
 At the beginning of your journey together life's problems seemed easy of solution, when you were attack ing them together now in maturer years you doubtless find that many of them were too hard for you and they must be left to the A1lwise Be ing who alone knows the rule for so1v- ing them because he is their author Two sturdy ofshoOts from the parent stock have grown up in the shelter and environment of your home life and are now taking up lifes activities. In their loves and labors, achievements ana failures you may live over the past and bring to them encouragement and comfort from your years of expe- r1ence. May they be spared to you dur ing the remainder of your journey as for better or worse, in sickness or health, in prosperity and adversity you jog along together through sun Sh1ne and shadow, fair weather and foul to the end of the way.
 If agreeable to the will of Our Father above, may you be spared to observe the golden anniversary marking 50 years of united effort and enjoyment and then may some of those who have helped make this day joyous come to shower golden gifts, bring or send golden tokens and in return catch and carry away some golden grains drop ping from your ripened sheaves almost ready for the harvest
 To me a sunset in clear sky seems rather tame, even though it may prom ise a fair tomorrow. lut with the sky f1ecked with clouds, how the golden raiys set all aglow with dazzling splen- dor. May it be with us all that at evening time it may be light
 1 wish I could be with you to enjoy todays festivities, but can only from a distance bid you Godspeed and pray that your strength may not fail nor spirits falter till our Heavenly Father says come home
 F. P. MATHEWSON.
 Local Rrevities.
 Paul Wl1itehouse has been confined to the house with quinsy.
 Mir. and Mrs Andrew Weeks have