April 8, 1904

“Spring hangs her infant blossoms on the trees rocked in the cradle of the western breeze.”[i] The past few days have given us the prospect of whet we may expect. All are glad of the change, be it ever so short, from the chilling blasts of an Arctic climate to the precursor of vernal spring; yet this kind of weather may not only be expected but is certain. Did not God say once, “Seed time and harvest shall not end, and day and night shall not cease,” or something like it? The buds are swelling on the shade trees of town. The maple stands pre-eminent in its pretty red and variegated hues; and the grasses and ferns along the boulevard, and pastures of Milton are showing with their pretty green, and half-peeping shoots, the care that has been exercised over them during the blast of old Boreas[ii]. A short walk into the country gives us even more delight than we can find in the town. The suburban district is even to be admired than in the urban. Along the hedge row now can be seen the first shoots of the summer grasses, some of them pretty in their incipiency, but the detestation of farmers further on. If we scrape away the leaves, on entering the woods and along the banks of the upper Fanganzyki, we shall find ensconced under the [moisture] the pretty arbutus, the flower I most love. This flower is now eagerly sought after by the young misters and misses of town, and carried in bottom holes, as the extreme accomplishment of dudes. The robins of which there are now many, are putting in their morning songs as they pop around over the freshly-ploughed gardens, hunting for their morning meal, or sit perched upon the bough of some tree chirruping with all their proverbial sauciness. We’come Spring!

Several Bohemians from abroad are purchasing small lots of land near town, and settling thereon. The parties may probably help to develop some of the old land, which their former owners were unable or unwilling to do.

As predicted, one half of our butchers or meat butchers have gone out of business. There must be lots of money in selling beef, to warrant such an early retirement. When I was a boy and beef was five or six cents a pound, the meat was mostly kept hanging on hooks in front of the shambles[iii], and the meat merchants of that day were like the civil service incumbents of the U. S. Government of the present: none were never known to resign (this business) and few were ever known to die.

P. Frank Atkins, Philadelphia, a former resident of Milton, visited his parents last week. “Pete” is one of those jolly whole-souled fellows that everyone likes, and his visits to Milton are always appreciated.

We have it from indubitable authority that a farmer of near Waples’ Mill planted corn three weeks ago. Perhaps this was experimental. At least the corn is yet underground and likely to remain there is some condition.

Many jokes were played among the “April fools” on Friday.

It is said the canneries will be operated the coming season by the same parties who managed them last season.

An agent of the Diamond State Telephone Company was in town last week looking to the establishment of a general system in Milton. All of the business houses in town have agreed to take a phone each, and the agent said the work will be done, 17 phones were ordered.

Prof. W. G. Fearing has contracted to paint and paper Odd Fellows Hall.

The Pilot, in noting the purchase from Milton of “a band wagon” by the Firemen’s Band of Lewes, added: “It is a large affair, etc.” The fact is, the thing was originally intended for a barge, but while in course of construction, a mistake was made by the builder, which ruined it for the purpose intended; and it was turned into a “band wagon.” The Milton Band has much trouble with the “affair” for whenever they got it in stays, it appeared to want to stay. Its troubleousness caused its relegation to an old shed on the wharf where it continued to stay until purchased by the Lewes Band. The architect still lives.

John Cottrell sold his household goods on Saturday and will remove to Wilmington.

Rural mail delivery started from Milton on April 1st. Joseph B. Gray is the carrier, and the route is 2.4 miles.

Rev. L. P. Corkran, although convalescing, shows the effect of his recent illness. On Sunday morning, though unable to preach, he made a few remarks on the subject of the “Resurrection,” and administered the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

An Ushers’ Union will be organized at the M. E. Church on Thursday evening, after the services of the prayer meeting are over.

Mr. Edward Atkins and wife of Philadelphia are visiting the former’s father, Prof. P. Page Atkins, who is quite sick.

Asa F. Conwell has removed himself from Milton and will in the future reside with his daughter, Mrs. Andrew Coulter, near Harbeson.

Rev. H. S. and Mrs. John son left on Tuesday to attend the Maryland Annual M. P. Conference which convenes in Baltimore. John Conoway represents the M. P. Church as delegate.

B. C. Beardsley has purchased a farm, near Townsend, Del., and will remain thereon.

At the organization of the M. E. Sunday School on Sunday afternoon, the following officers were elected: President, William Davidson; first vice-president, Leon Black; second vice-president, John Hazzard; secretary, Miss Rena Steelman; treasurer, Miss Virginia Brockington. The collection was $10.

Alice A. Massey, wife of John Massey, died at her home in Long Neck on Saturday, ages 43 years. Funeral services were held at Connely’s Chapel on Tuesday morning by the Rev. Strickland, of Nassau, and interment made in the cemetery nearby. S. J. Wilson & Son conducted the funeral.

An entertainment was held at the M. P. Church on Easter evening. A fine program was rendered and a good time enjoyed.

There was no session of the principal department of the public schools on Monday, Prof. Deputy being called to Georgetown as defendant in a suit for whipping an obstreperous boy. The case was continued.

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[i] This quotation is taken from Tirocinium, or a Review of Schools, written ca. 1784 by William Cowper (1731 – 1800), the English poet and hymnodist quoted elsewhere by David A. Conner.

[ii] Greek for “North Wind.”

[iii] Archaic name for a butcher’s slaughterhouse