“How are the mighty fallen!”[i]
“Tell it not in Gath; publish it not in the streets of Askelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.”[ii]
When we first came to Milton, we met men robust of physique, and strong of finance. They posed as leaders of the community, and were looked upon as such by those who consider them par excellence. Large were their bank accounts, and their pocketbooks bulged with the currency of the day. They drank their gin from the finest of cut classes, and smoked the best of Habana cigars. Indeed, their lives were a melody as tuneful as a mountain brook. But, alas! Twenty-one years of time produces many wonderful changes. Physically, the body shrinks the mutations of time, and the fluctuations of business makes sad havoc with the pocketbook, and bank account. The Holland gin is superseded by a stimulant of lower proof; and a 2 cent pipe takes the place of the Habana cigar. And the most melancholy fact is, tottering age is fast carrying those once well-made forms to that “bourne from whence no traveler has ever returned.”[iii] “How are the mighty fallen!” Alas! Alas!
Rev. J. A. B. Wilson, D. D., after having attended the Judicial Conference held three weeks ago in New York, and visited many friends in that State, arrived in Milton Wednesday and stopped a short time with his brother, S. J. Wilson. Mr. Wilson left Milton on Thursday for Fairmount, Md., and on Monday morning he bade adieu to Delaware and started for his home, Grass Valley, California, at which place he will arrive, barring accident, on Saturday afternoon.
Miss Letitia black, postmistress, has returned from a visit to Smyrna.
James Palmer, proprietor of the Ponder House, has widened the sidewalk in front of that hostelry, and the town has rearranged the gutter. Mr. Palmer now has a pretty sidewalk, and the brick wall that encloses it down Federal Street returning on Front Street, is a credit to Fred Pepper, the builder.
Telephone men were down on Wednesday of last week, repairing the damage done in the line between Milton and Harbeson, by the storm of the 19th inst.
One of our enterprising truckers planted a supposed quantity of cucumber seed, and is now raising a crop of cantaloupes.
Gov. John F. Carey, of Cheyenne who, with his wife is visiting in town, expresses disappointment and not finding many of the eastern delicacies oysters, fish, etc., as he had anticipated.
Steamer Mary M. Vinyard, on the first trip of last week, made a run for Broadkiln Bar and back in twenty-four hours.
Captain Frank Outten is repainting his residence on Union Street, north.
Alfred Wright, a former resident and bailiff of this town, but now a resident-and electrician of Tremont, N. Y., is visiting Milton.
Gov. Lea has reappointed Eli L. Collins Justice of the Peace and notary public for Milton. This is no disappointment to the people. Though in holding up the appointment, knowing ones predicted a change.
W. J. Fredericks, purser of the steamer Mary M. Vinyard, has removed from Union Street to Broad Street, North Milton.
People say, “Don’t mention ‘Children’s day’ anymore, please. We’re really tired of hearing tell of ‘Children’s Day;’ please don’t say any more about it.” And we won’t.
Rev. R. T. .Coursey returned on Saturday, and on Sunday morning preached an instructive sermon on “Faith,” illustrating it by four characters–Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham–radically different from one another; get all blending into one “harmonious whole” to the purpose for which they were “raised up.” On Sunday afternoon Mr. Coursey preached at their reopening of Union Church near Ellendale, and was in his pulpit in the evening at Milton.
Miss Adele hall, of Milford, is visiting her aunt’s Mrs. Annie Carey and Mrs. J. B. Chandler and other friends.
Miss Ethel Wilson has been suffering with an affliction of the eyes. She is now improving.
The causeway leading from town to Lavinia’s Woods is in bad condition. The attention of the overseer is called to this matter.
Mr. Hartman and wife of Baltimore, are visiting their son Lemuel Hartman and his wife.
Tom Corwin use to say: “If there were anything beyond the foreknowledge of God, they were a decision of a Justice of the Peace, the verdict of the petit jury, or the result of a general election.” Mr. Corwin might have added something about governmental appointments.
On Saturday evening Theodore Jarvis, of Harbeson, while driving around Milton, ran into a telephone pole on Union Street, breaking the shafts from the carriage: the horse then ran down Union Street and into the river. Backing out from there he continued his flight to Front Street, and was caught at the painting office. No other damage than to the shafts.
Alfred Wright of Tremont, N. J., attended the M. P. Sunday School on Sunday afternoon.
Rev. G. J. Hooker left on Monday as delegate to the Christian Endeavor Society Convention. Mrs. Hooker accompanies her husband, and this twain will be absent two weeks.
Rev. Mr. Sykes, of Harbeson, will preach at the M. P. Church on Sunday morning next.
Two automobiles were in town on Sunday.
Wheat cutting is on.
Edward Walls of Stevensonville while plowing, struck a stump and broke a trace. The spirited horse continued on, dragging him over the plow, the handle striking his breast hurting him badly.
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[i] Quotation from Old Testatment, 2 Samuel 1:27
[ii] Quotation from Old Testament, 2 Samuel 1:20
[iii] Quotation from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1; the “bourne” refers to the boundaries or limits of the “undiscovered country” (the afterlife)