Year: 1877

\ UeOrSe fulSe, Esq, cOncluQeQ TO
make him surprise dinner party, at
his residence, in Dodson township,
on the 23d of December, which was
the SD anniversary of his birthday.


The day was all the most san
guine could have expected or de-
sired. They accordingly started,
with baskets well filled, and arrived
at his residence before he had the
least suspicion of what was going
on.


He was indeed surprised, and
somewhat bewildered, when his eld-
ist daughter and family came in, and
right behind them another daughter
and her family, end others in rapid
succession. But in a few moments
he comprehended the situation, and
enjoyed it wonderfully.


In few minutes thele were roar
ing wood fires in three rooms, and
also in two cooking stoves, in which
the women were preparing to warm
over their turkeys, chickens, sweet
potatoes, &c. Tables were brought
into one of the large rooms, and
soon they looked like they might
.teel, at least, like groaning under
their monstrous load.


When all was ready, the venerable
and venerated father and mother
were seated side by side, with as
many others as could be accommo-
dated around the table, and the dear
father, having returned thanks to
the Great Father of all mercies, they
all went to work, as though they
were determined to get the tables
and their contents out of the way as
soon as possible. But after all had
eaten, till they were afraid it would
be dangernns to eat more they be
gan to study up some other plan to
dispose of the eatables. I think at
least there were twelve basketsfull
taken up.


After dinner the parents received
some presents, which though not
very valuable, were highly priced by
them, as keepsakes.


1t has never been the writer's priv
ilage to pass a more pleasant day.
All seemed to enjoy it. 1t was such
beautiful day that the little ones
could play out doors great deal,
which of course made them happy
Everything was propitious, for al
though there was great deal of
sickness in the neighborhood, there
was not one of the whole family hut
what was in good health and spirits


There were but three missing
guests, who were expected to be
there. A son in-law, D. F. Scott,
grand. son in law, ]. Brush, and a
great grand son, o. Roush. There
were present, two sons and two
daughters in law, two daughters
and one son in-law, and thirteen
grand children, several of whom are
married, having their companions
and children with them, making eight
great grandchildren.


The only shadow which passed
over the assembly to mar their pleas
ure, was caused by the loved ones
who were far away. One son and
daughter, sixteen grand children,
and three great grand children, are
in the far West. If they could have
been with us our Joy should certain
" have been full. But as it was,
all went with the determination to
make it a pleasant affair to all,
but especially to their father, and
they succeeded admirably.


He was in fine health and spirits,
and contributed great deal to the
pleasure of the occasion, by his live
ly conversation. Out of the many
little pleasantries that occurred, 1 will
mention two or three. Being pre-
sented with a beautiful cane, he took
it, and stepped back and forth across
the room, wheeling on his heel, and
walking as briskly as a man of 40,
remarking that none of US would be
likely to do better at his age.


Some one had heard of hi mount
ing a horse so easily, and wished to
see it done. So very tall horse was
bridled and saddled, and brought
for him. He jokingly remarked
that they should not have gotten
such tall one, for man 50 years
o d. I think some of them were afraid
he would fail. But he took hold of
the reins, and mounted as easily as
any one could have done, apparent
ly. Some of the young men could
not do as much, which created no
little amusement.


He being an old citizen, well known
to many of your readers, I thought,
although this article is already too
long, 1 would presume still more on