New Britain herald., 1929-10-30
54TH ANNIVERSARY
 DAWNS ON COUPLE
MT. and Mrs. ". E. Sternberg Happy Reviewing Past

With 54 years of married life be.
 hlnd them, MT. and Mrs. William F
 Stcrnberg, one of New Britain's best
 known couples, are spending their
 anniversary quietly at their home
 on Maple street
 Anything wrong with the young
 people. did you say? No, of course
 not. They are somewhat different
 from those of our days but they're
 all right. They have changed some,
 but only as the fashion and the
 style changes" comments Mrs.
 Stcrnberg, championing the young
 folks whom she learned to love
 when as years ago her son played
 host to many of his friends.
 And divorce? Why it wasn't
 heard of in my time and there is so much of it going on now. Hasty
 marriages are to blame for most of that. Family life isn't what it used to be and mothers are neglectng their children in this age, even though families are a great deal smaller, she added.
 By the way, did you know that l was supposed to be clergyman and that my family had it all planned for me to become a minister, and then the war broke out?" MT. Sternberg reminesced. For the past 600 years the family has had some one in that field and I was supposed 10 be the one in my generation, but then the war came and l joined with the Union soldiers. It was a terrible war, but old Abe Lincoln was a good man. Did I know Lincoln?' The old soldier leaped to his feet hand raised in the old salute of the ranks as he described his personal acquaintance with Lincoln.
 He was returning from the bat ties and on his way through Wash ington he stopped off to see the pub lie buildings. Try as he might he could not gain admittance because guards stubbornly refused to let him through. Sitting dcjectcdly on the steps of the capitol he became aw2re of figure watching him, the figure of old Abe, the president of the United States. The usual salute and the rail splitter sat down be- side him. Young Sternberg unfolded his tale of woe, how the guards had refused admittance to him and | how much he desired to see the l buildings, "hut if l cant l can't" he | exclaimed. Lincoln took out an old . note book and tearing a page from | it wrote a note permitting Stcrnberg | to pass through the buildings. Then ! a. memorable trip through the build | inGs. and the eyes of the old war rior lit up as he told of the surprise on the face of the sentry who had refused him admission. and of the respect in which the sentry greeted him upon learning that the pass had been written by Abraham Lincoln himself.
 For the past few months Mir. Stcrnberg has not felt well and only lately has he been able to resume his weekly trips to the library, where he is q well known figure, .tIlu tIlclt ODldll HIS SIX DOOkS " HIGH he and Mrs. Sternbcrg read during -hc week. During the late years, Mir. Sternberg has shown q fondness for novels and detective stories. while his wife is still a Shakespeare 
 By the way, I performed several ceremonies while l was he justice Of peace in New Haven." 1e exclaimed, evidently thinking Of lis 54 years of married life.
 There are only seven members of he c. A. R. left in New Britain and tt times Mir. Sternbcrg is lonely for ,f the seven two are sick. two are n Florida and two are not allowed O go out nights and I must sit rcund all alone at the post" smiled he veteran.