Middletown transcript., 1868-07-18
Letter from Nillington.
Correspondence Of the AiddietoTn Tronscript
WILMINGTON, July 9th, 1868.

For some time your correspondent has
been spying around among his friends and
neighbors for--somewhat-t send out for
the edifioation of the readers of the Mid
dlotown Transcript; but whichever way
he turned his eyes Che is not near-sighted
either) nothing out of the common way
met his enquiring gaze; not loose feather
in anybody's crest-that is, not tangible
feather; none that could be pulled without
a piteous squawl, (have coined that
word l have spelled it three different
ways and at last have settled upon that
way) from the devoted fowl-though fur
nishing feather Or two to assist in raising
a breeze, or brushing out the flies this
warm weather, ought to be considered--if
not an enviable distinction-at least con-
cosson to the public veal. Well, Mr..
Editor, the only thing of much Importance
that has happened lately, is eur " Fourth
of July Sunday School Picnic" Oh no,
some of our friends have deserted us for a
period-what for I don't know-if people
can't enjoy themselves in Millington, it is
pity; it is the incest little gossipy place
you ever saw; we have an ice-cream sa-
loon, too gossip and ice-crcam neptar
and ambrosia what more can civilized
people want ?-oerJa sapientiae satus est.
If the friends only knew how much they
are missed, they would hasten their re-
turn nor wander again; but then you
know " blessings brighten as they take
their fight" and think of that adage, so
old that perhaps none of this generation
have seen or heard of it, +'Een Spring
would be but gloomy weather if we had
nothing else but Spring" Is it not pa
thetic, heart touching, wien we look back
upon the lovely days of Spring, whose del
icate foot steps are being obliteratea by
the advancing wheels of Summers car?
Her picture drawn in my memory reminds
me of the beauteous nymphs of Cape May,
Just emerging from the element from which
Venus is said to have sprung, clothed in
the graceful bathing dress, and umbrella
hat, suitable for visit to the briny deep;
her hat trimmed with sponges, and a stray
rainbow or two for sash, for of course she
must not be out of the fashion. If some
artist could only get hold of my idea, and
transfer it to canvass, we should have a
picture worthy of the subject. But apro-
pos of the Picnic" (Which word once
heard defined by Methodist minister as a
"pick at old nick" because, l presume,
happy children are not in his line. For
weeks beforehand, our little lassies and
laddies were thinking of naught but the
Fourth, and at last it came, bright and
fair, filled with So the ripened July warmth
that seemed akin to fire, that stole long
summers thro' the throws of youth to soft
en- my SOUL" At an early hour, the chill
dren (we have some here that | wish could
stay children all their lives) met at the
church, and after displaying their happy
faces in procession through the town, were
conveyed, flags, banners, and all, by vehi-
cles of every description, to Jones. woods,
about mile distant. Speeches, and dia-
logues We're the order Of the day, inter
spcrsed with vocal music. Two prizes
we're awarded to the two best speakers,
equitably, presume, though | was at such
a.distance from the stand that could not
have the honor of numbering myself among
the judges, and as the sun sank smilingly
to rest, giving place to the Angel of night,
with closing eyes and dropping wings, the
happy little children wended their way
homeward, tired, no doubt, but if they en-
joyed their Fourth half so well as your
correspondent, they. will look back to it
through coming years as to day of unal-
loyed happiness. May they have many
such to help them keep through wrong
and ruth.
In their hearts the dew of youth,
On their lips the smile of truth.
oh that dew like balm shall steal,
| Into wounds that cannot heal
| Even as sleep our eyes doth seal
And the smile like sunshine DART
| Into many suuless heart,
! For smile of GOD thou art'
One beautiful child left his picture in
my memory, and L cant help wishing 10
picture him to all, if can do him justice.
think he must have been about three
years of age, with brown hair and great
black eyes, wide open as if half surprised
at finding himself among so many strange
faces, warm flush on his sweet face, and
his dimpled shoulders fairly out of his
plain white dress, without vestige o.
gold, or green, or broidery, to mar his
childish loneliness l felt as if I woul6
like to run away with him, but was KEEP
in awe by the grave, elderly looking gen.
tleman who had him in charge. never
saw him before and most likely shall never
again.
May he only see upon earth
The brightness and the sum-
And then with smiles upon his lips,
His pilgrimage be done.
FAMA.