Written for the 25th anniversary celebration held on October 4, 1918
for William and Carrie Chapman Conklin, Brownville, N. Y.
OCTOBER 4th, 1893
You want to know about--let me see--,
'Twas a bonny morn, but a little chill
(I think I'm right--we'll leave it to Will.)
A young man hurried the morning's work,
He never had quite the heart to shirk,
But a date was on and at his request
Dad and mother and all the rest
Quickened their pace, for with such a date
It wasn't the thing to come in late.
At the noonday hour a happy pair
Came walking demurely down the stair
With John and Gertrude on either side
To help the minister make a bride.
A few short words and an earnest prayer
For the happy couple kneeling there,
Then Brother Ernst made the glad acclaim
That Carrie Chapman had changed her name.
Pardon, dear friends, the nonsense mood;
Thank God that memory, for our good,
Omits the sad and leaves the gay
Glad thoughts to cheer us on our way.
For there were faces with us then
Whose smiles we shall never see again
Till we meet at last in our final home
Where sadness and partings never come.
I wish they might look on this happy scene,
And know that the years that come between
Can never blot from memory
That the best we are and hope to be
We owe to the counsel, love and prayer
Of the dear ones waiting over there.
Memory again takes a backward glance--
You remember the night Will went to the dance;
Not for pleasure we must admit--,
But gravely looking for Dr. Witt;
And Mrs. Miller came with a whirl,
And Aunt Minnie held a brown eyed girl.
A little girl who had come to stay
To brighten the days and cheer the way.
God grant that the girlie they held so fast
Be their joy and pride while life shall last.
And now as kinsman, neighbor, friend,
We come that each may help to lend--
A hand by presence, gift and song,
By friendship tried and proven strong
To cheer your hearts and pave the way
To make this anniversary day
A milestone on the journey home
To point to happier years to come.
Minnie A. Conklin