We’re getting ready for Christmas! And when this communication shall have been noted by the Chronicle’s numerous readers, we shall be ready; if not it will be too late to grieve over unappropriated time. The merchants have their holiday goods; their toys, trinkets, and bric-a-brac; their confectionery and bon bons; everything in fact to tempt the eye of the child and captivate the heart of the older ones. Unlike last Christmas, and preceding ones, the merchants as now and since the fire, isolated, and having no means of showing their wares, as formerly. When the mercantile, confectionery, and toy business were congested, on Front Street mostly, then there was opportunity for display, and though the attractions might not have been many, they were all displayed, and all seen by the sightseers. They are all here however, and though circumstances may compel a part of them to be “hidden under a bushel” for want of a means of display, they are all here, and Milton will have as good a Christmas as of yore. Perhaps a better one. Those who have friends and are expecting recognition the coming holidays, are happy with the joy of anticipation; but, how is it with the ones who have no friends and are expecting nothing? Are they unhappy? No. They console themselves with the axiom “Blessed are they that expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.” During the holidays there will be some attractions and conviviality. On Christmas night the young ladies of the M. P. Church will render the play “Topsy Turvy,” in School Hall. On Monday evening the M. E. Sunday School will exhibit a Christmas tree, and be given a treat at the church, where also dialogues, speeches, recitations etc. will be declaimed by the school.
On Tuesday evening the 28th, the marriage of Miss Ollie Priscilla Morris to John Payne Welch will take place at the home of the bride’s parents Mr. and Mrs. William Morris, near town. Rev. A. C. McGilton will tie the nuptial knot.
Nathan H. Williams has decided to quit the saw mill business and on Tuesday will dispose of his mill, team, and all other paraphernalia connected therewith.
Louis J. Carey is building a residence near Weigand Chapel, in Cave Neck.
John Bailey has completed the plastering of Curtis Reed’s new building on Chandler Street.
A car load of crushed stone lies on the ground at Milton Station, the result of an exorbitant freight charge. The load of stone was consigned to I. W. Nailor and cost the consignee $10.50. The freight charge on the stone was $77.00, this Mr. Nailor refused to pay. The agent of the road came to see Mr. Nailor about the matter; but they could not arrive at a satisfactory understanding. And the […] on the ground.
[…Next six paragraphs are obscured…]
The Shirt and Overall Factory that closed for a couple of days last week has been handicapped to such an extent that it will probably not resume operation until after the first day of January. Then there will be a rush on for some time.
H. E. Workman received a car load of wheel from Pennsylvania the first of the week.
The Milton Public Schools will close for the holidays on Thursday.
Some people—those who can–are taking advantage of the times, and are doing their moving. William Johnson has resigned his position in the Royal Packing Company’s flour mill and on Monday removed into the country. Joshua Gray removed into the building vacated by Mr. Johnson. John Steelman has removed from the north suburb of town into the property of H. P. Burton on Federal Street, lately vacated by William Derrickson.
The cold spell has frozen the lakes, and the boys on Tuesday were skating in the cave to the southwest of town. The water is protected in that place by the surrounding shrubbery and freezes quicker, particularly when the wind is blowing.
The young woman who was shot in an Arch Street, Philadelphia, apartment house on last Friday afternoon, and giving the name of Minnie B. Carey, of Milton, died on Monday afternoon according to a telegram received by her friends from the coroner of Philadelphia. J. B. Atkins went to Philadelphia on Tuesday morning, and brought the remains to the home of her parents near Milton, on Tuesday evening, from whence sepulture was made in Reynolds Church yard on Thursday. The woman’s real name is Minnie B. Johnson, and she is the legitimate wife of Harry P. Johnson, son of George Johnson and grandson of Captain Henry Johnson. The two were married several years ago when both were quite young, and their subsequent career, as man and wife, has not been altogether a bed of roses.
The masons finished the brick work on William Mears’ building on Tuesday morning and left for their homes on Tuesday afternoon. The brick work is now all done, except a small job on Carey & Darby’s store house. The cold weather has forced many of the carpenters to quit work for the time. Isaac Nailor boarded up the open front o one of the buildings he has under way, on Saturday, and his carpenters have been at work on the inside since.
The write does not want anyone to send him a fifty cent umbrella as a Christmas or New Year’s present.