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OBW October 5 1889 III 25
8 2
A Sixty-Fourth Birthday
On Tuesday, October 1, 1889, Henry C. Carpenter was 64 years
old. About fifty of these years have been spent in Shelby County,
Illinois; and for thirty-two years past he has lived on his farm about
twelve miles north west of Shelbyville, near Prairie Bird. His
neighbors found out his birthday and resolved upon celebrating it by
giving him a surprise party last Tuesday. The day was lovely and the
roads fine and about 100 men, women and children greeted the dear old
neighbor and fellow citizen at his home. It was noon when we arrived.
The tables were spread and shining with the best of everything
beautiful and delicious to smell, look at and eat. Uncle Henry’s face
was wreathed in smiles and outshining the whole, as he shook hands all
around and said: “They kept it hid from me till last and then I dreamed
all this.”
Look at those two tables. Three preachers at one end of the long
table in the house, and the 64 year old young man and companion of 36
years at the other end. crowded along each side were other young people
(notably Uncle Robert Craig
85 (?) years old) whose heads were white with the snows of many
winters. There was Uncle Billy Smith and — but we can’t mention
all now. We have the promise of a report with names of heads of
families. Out of doors was the other table surrounded by those who
stood up for the fun of it. What a happy and sumptuous picture! Elder Griffith
said grace. There were scores of changes to say, No! for one’s
stomach sake at that table. When we were done eating, it was Malcolm
Lane (we hold him a sort of grudge) who first suggested and got seconds
for some after dinner speeches. Right then and there we were caught for
a really impromptu talk — the first after dinner we ever
attempted to make. But Bro. Griffith held us up and followed with
fitting words.
Then all of us boys were weighed. It took the big stock scales to do it.
Hark! There is a call f or all to assemble at the house again.
We want to see Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter and say, good bye. The youthful
man whose birth day we celebrate is requested to occupy a chair on the
door steps with his very quiet and modest better half beside him; or it
takes the two to make the picture complete. Elder Griffith reads to
attentive listeners a hearty letter of greeting from John T. Killam
and wife both of whom Mr. carpenter had held on his knee and smiled
upon when they were children. Then Rev. D. W. C. Kerr was called out
for a speech. He made a good point in saying that the occasion itself
and the scene before us of neighbors come from far and near to do honor
to a worthy man and his good wife is more eloquent than any words could
be. Others were called upon to say something; but all declined at
first. However, we finally endeavored to express some of the honest
sentiment of our heart as to the value to this nation and people of
such a sober, honest and industrious life and happy home as
brother Carpenter and wife have lived and made here on the prairie. It
is such lives and such homes that are the strength of the Republic.
“Now Uncle Henry,” we said, “you must make us young folks a
speech. In regard to strong drink, if it were the last words you could
speak, what would you say?” The aged farmer’s face grew thoughtful and
serious as seated there under the blue sky surrounded by his neighbors
who had known him long and well and with his wife close beside him who
knew him and loved him best of all, he said slowly and solemnly: “I
would tel them to abstain from its use altogether.”
That was all of Uncle Henry’s speech. We have reported it
verbatim. It was the speech of the day, grandly eloquent with 64 years
of an honest, temperate life to emphasize it. Boys, suppose you try to
make such a speech.
It was a good time to sing “Sweet By and By” and of the “Home of
there.” Elder Griffith lead in the singing and all helped swell the
chorus, as one by one — even to the little boys and girls —
we clasped the hands in farewell greeting to these old folks at
home. There was a bright upward look in many countenances, although e
thought we saw tears on some cheeks.
Many of us had never been to such a birthday party before, and
were the therefore not just sure what the order of exerciser should be.
But that was the way it went,a nd now the benediction was pronounced
and we are home again with pleasant recollections of the day.
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