Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1887 — A Golden Wedding. [ARTICLE]

A Golden Wedding.

The reports lhat have reached us of, the Holden wedding of that most estimable couple, Father John Lewis and wife, ol Jordan tp., which took place on Tuesday, Dec. 27, indibate that it was a very pleasant and memorable affair. There were a goodly number of guests present, and there was feasting, music aud pleasant reminiscenses of the okleu times, Among the most interesting features of the occasion was the repitition of the quaint and simple marriage ceremony of the estimable couple. They were married according to the Quaker rites, and a sister of Mrs. Lewis, who was present, being a licensed preacher in the society of Quakers, the ceremony was repeated at the occasion now described. The curiously worded original wedding contract, made and signed fifty years before, was shown to the guests. It was, of course, yellow with age, but the writing was still clear and legible. The names of some 200 witnesses were appended to this document. In imitiation of this contract another formal paper was drawn up, at the golden wedding, and signed by all the guests. The sister of Mrs. Lewis, above referred to, is an able and ready talker, and favored those present with some interesting remeniscenses of the old tinieg when the aged couple, in whose honor they had assembled, first entered upon the long and peaceful journey of life together. A goodly number of handsome and desirable presents were left as souvenirs of the anniversary, and testimonials of the good will of friends and relatives. A Plea for tlie Old Year. “Ring out, wil.l bells to the wild sky,,, The Hying floods the frosty light; The y'enr is dying in the night; Ring but, wild bells and let him'die." * “Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring happy bells across the show ; The year is going, let him go ; Ring out the false,, l ing in tlie true." But slop; lotus not be too hasty in speeding the departure of the Old Year; lift up his bowed and silvered head, it ruav be that the words which fail from his trembling lips may be rich and fruitful with wisdom, li, may be that after we have heard him speak to us, the memories which cluster around his grave, will be the dearest of any written in the j ntrnals of time. Gray heads are crowns of glory, wrinkled and faded brows are like the parchment covers of ancient manuscripts; but beneath those covers sacred truths are stored; Bent forms are only bent by the weight -of the experience v/q are loDgiiig for. Tho eye is dim, the electric glare of time and sense dazzles it. but it looks far beyond time into eternity. Who would not stop to listen to the dving words of an aged man? Who could fail to be impressed with the counsels of one who lays aside the scythe of a well spent life. Welcome the New Year with all thy heart; welcome its rising sun; welcome its inspirations; welcome its open doors of opportunities; welcome its new resolves, its noble ambitions and good

dosires. Welcome! thrice welcome! ***** ‘-This innocent heir, ruddy and blythe and fair. "King in the valiant man and free. TII9 larger heart, the kindlier hand. King out the darkness of the laud. Kir.g in the Christ that is to be.” But let not the mad, merry chimbs of the morning bells entirely drown the peaceful refrain of t hose dying bells. “The-old man lie is dead, young heir, Alid gone to his long account,Coine stand on his hearth aud sit in his chair, And unto his saddle mount” But scorn not his memory, Let there not be a breath of slander upon his name, lie has mistakes, failures and sins? Let them be buried, and remember that long before this young bright lad of of 1887 will have reached manhood he like 1886 will have bowed his face in tjie dust at the memories of seoret sins. ••Alas for the old man—where is lie now? And fear/for thyself, young heir ; Kor he was innocent once as thou. As ruddy and blythe and fair; - Kean wisdom from his furrow ed face. Cull counsel from his fear ; O speed the young heir In giftsand in grace, And blessings upou thee, New Year.” -K. J. D. _ . . * Toolli Pulling Extraordinary.

65 teeth in one day ; 24 of which was extracted otoe after another in rapid succession for one person, at Div Kelley’s dental office, by J. W. Horton* , At the Trade Palace is the place to buy a cheap durable overcoat or suit for yourself or your boys. Park Wright lias engaged Frank Osborne to assist him in filling his many contracts in the repairing of all kinds of Furniture. It iis needless to make any blow as to [ his workmanship, as he is too generally known to the public to need any comment. Those needing repairing done will find it to their : interest to call at the old Fuiniture Stand. if.-