“And now a bubble bursts and now a word.”[i] The above explanation has no bearing on any particular person, firm or corporation. The point is these […] of bubbles that swell up abnormally in our town only to burst and throw their gases over such as may be within their reach. The most astute of us are often led into grasping the plausibility of some chimera that only too soon vanishes as it came. Many of us are too sanguine, we shoot first and inquire afterward. Whenever some new project is spoken of we are all eagerness to see it materialize. We are carried beyond our depth, and when the “bubble bursts” we see the folly of our enthusiasm. Such has been a case of late, over something expected to take place, and such will occur again. From present indications the printing office and newspaper outfit was to have become an establishment out of town has like the “old woman’s soup, all gone back.” It may, however, yet come. That which is needed is proper financing and should one appear with willingness, and sufficient money to back a moiety of the enterprise the establishment may yet become a reality. In our communication of a few weeks ago, we set forth this matter as it was related to us by one of whom of all others was supposed to know all about the matter; and he was right, and honest in his narrative, but subsequently events have removed the glamour, and he now views the situation really as it is.

On Tuesday afternoon inst as Robert J leverage and wife were coming into town via north Union Street, when near Carey & Darby’s store, Ernest Conwell came through Broad Street in an automobile, and at the intersection of the streets faced up with Mr. Leverage. The animal was so badly frightened that it reared and fell, and—in the language and Mr. Leverage—died in 5 minutes. Undoubtedly the horse was frightened to his death.

We were in error last week in stating that Stephen Palmer had returned to the Soldiers Home at Hampton. We met Steve on Saturday. He told us he had been spending a few days in blissful ease, among his many country friends. […] anthropologically amid Elysian decorations and within an apotheosis of everlasting dedication.

R. M. Colms, of near town, has started a milk wagon and furnishes the liquid in bottles. The only objection to Mr. Collin’s modus operandi his wagon comes to town too early for many Miltonians.

N. B. Register of Lewes has been awarded the contract to raise the sunken schooner Rambo, for $217.00.

The Fourth Quarterly Conference of this Conference Year was held at the M. E. Church, on Friday evening. Only routine business was transacted. J. M. Lank was previously elected lay delegate to attend the coming session of the Annual Conference, which will be held at Salisbury, commencing on the 16 proximo.

Miss Naomi, daughter of the Rev. A. C. and Mrs. McGilton, is ill with pneumonia.

There is a great deal of young pine being cut on the Peter B. Jackson farm, now owned by Elmer Dickerson, for coaling purposes. This tract of land will in a short time be converted into a first class farm.

The frame for David Dutton’s new building is up, although the weather has been pretty cold for outside carpenter work.

The W. C. T. U. held anniversary exercises in commemoration of Miss Frances Willard’ home going on Tuesday evening, at the M. E. Church.

The Y’s will hold a public meeting in the M. E. Church on Friday evening the 25^th. The program will consist of dialogues, drills, recitations and quartets. The public is cordially invited.

Charles H. Atkins Jr. preached at the M. E. Church on Sunday morning, and District Superintendent Morgan in the evening.

Revival services now in progress at the M. P. Church are not as prolific of converts as the pastor, the Rec. Smith, devises, and in order that they may be more productive of good, they will be continued during the present week.

Prof. W. G. Fearing, on Monday took passage to Wilmington, with his delegates, to the State Council Jr. O. U. A. M.

Lincoln’s Birthday Anniversary passed with but few of our people being aware of the fact. Not so, St. Valentine’s Day. All the youngsters know when “Valentine Day” comes and they make use of it.

The large maple tree that stands on the property of George Carpenter, corner Coulter and Chestnut Streets, has been trimmed, and now looks like some ancient gentleman shorn of his locks.

William Derrickson of north Union Street is convalescing from an attack of grippe.

Otis Goodwin attended the meeting of the Canner’s Association at Atlantic City last week.

The electric bulb that has been in darkness of Federal Street one week was replaced by another, or righted on Monday evening, and gave a more resplendent radiance than ever.

A case of Scandalum magnatum, came before Squire Collins on Monday morning. As this is altogether a family affair, we don’t propose to have anything to say in regard to the unfortunate controversy. The more anything like this is […]—the reader knows the rest; and the parties engaged should know it also.

County Superintendent Hardesty came to town on Sunday, and on Monday had writs issued for the arrest of Benjamin Peker and James Mosely, both colored men, for violation of the compulsory school law. They were arraigned before Squire Collins on Monday evening, Mosley appearing on person, and Peker by proxy—being represented by his wife. Mosely was fined $2.00 and cost, and Peker 50 cents and cost. And now what are you going to do about it?

Black & Lingo are removing a part of their goods this week into J. J. Black’s new store house, and will take full possession the first the […] week.

The finances of Milton are in a much better condition than many may have expected. We have […] go into detail of the assets, and expenditures as furnished by Mayor Jones. To sum up there will be about $130.00 surplus in the town exchequer on the first of March. True there has not been much work done this year on the streets, but there has been a big debt paid, contracted by unwise management the previous year.

James Dickerson died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Fowler, near Georgetown, on Tuesday evening the 8^th, of dropsy, aged 78 years. Funeral services were held at his late home on Thursday afternoon by Rev. Thomas of Georgetown, and sepulture made at the Morris Cemetery by S. J. Wilson & Son.

Verna B. Pettyjohn, wife of John Pettyjohn, died near Cedar Creek on Wednesday of blood poison, aged 23 years.

Ella Marie Aronson died at the home of her parents, near Lincoln, on Friday evening of pneumonia, aged 18 years, […] months and 25 days. Funeral services were held at the Episcopal Church in Milford on Tuesday, and the body inhumed in Off Fellows Cemetery, by S. J. Wilson & Son. Deceased with her parents came to her late home from Talbot County, Md., at the beginning of the present year.

Laura Adele Lamb died at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Angeline Pennewill on Broad Street, on Saturday evening, of pneumonia, aged 57 years. Funeral services were held at her later home on Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. J. D. Smith and interment made in the M. E. Cemetery by J. R. Atkins. Miss Laura A. Lamb was a devoted Christian, and her heavenly Father has taken her home. We cannot believe she ever did a wrong. This is saying a great deal. And it means more than a multiplication of words might convey. And it is the only way we know how to put it.

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[i] Slightly paraphrased line from Essay on Man, by the English poet Alexander Pope (1688—1744)