Middletown transcript., 1869-08-21

from time immemorial as sort of holiday. in
which the people embrace the opportunity of
making excursions to the different points of re-
sort along the Delaware Bay, in large numbers,
and spend the day in fishing, boating, bathing,
| dancing, or such other amusements as are suited
to the varied tastes of the visitors. The succeed
ing Saturdays are thus spent by the colored peo-
ple The origin of these customs has never been
definitely determined, but they are supposed to
have been established as kind of celebration or
period of rejoicing with the farmers over the
Gathering in of their harvest. Somewhat similar
customs prevail in many other places, varied ac-
| cording to circumstances. The banks of the
Wye, at Skipton, in Talbot county, is the scene
OF an annual after-harvest fish feast for the pco-
pic OF the surrounding country who go there in
large numbers. Boating, bathing, fishing, prom
enading, and other amusements abound. The
seine is hauled, and the rock and perch are taken
| huttering from the water and soon transferred to
the trymg-pans. Oysters are brought up in the
shell and soon delight the palate, roasted, stewed
or fried, having first been served upon long ta-
BILE spread with every substantial, and every del
| lcacy, brought in carriages and spread ont and
arranged after the manner of u picnic The oc-
| casion is free and easy one, ceremony is laid
aside, and everybody goes in for enjoyment In
the border counties of Maryland and in many
parts of Pennsylvania, the people have what are
called "Harvest homes" These are similar to
large picnics. Thousands of people assemble in
Schools of the neighboring churches, with ban
ners, sashes and other devices to distinguish
them. Speeches are made songs are sung, and
the local brass bands make the woods resound
with their melody. These assemblages are occa-
sons of rejoicing over the ingathering of the
harvest, and serve as a grateful acknowledgement
OF the bounty of Providence for the fruits of the
earth. These customs are probably of very an
cient origin. The idea was taken, it is likely
from the feast of harvest divinely instituted
and established among the lsraelites. when the
the " first fruits of their " labour sown in the
held," were brought; and the feast of ingath-
ering, which is in the end of the year when thou
hast gathered in thy labours out of the feld,n
VINO CAN BEAT IT "A car load of elepant
peaches, known as Reeves Favorite, was shipped
from Townsend by Samuel Townsend Esq. on
Thursday night last, containing 528 baskets of
double extra. Each basket was garnished with
fresh leaves, and every peach was selected for
size and color. 1t was thought they would aver
age haltspoupd each. So general was the ad
miraton from all who saw them. that when the
car was closed some gentlemen nailed upon IL n
broom, and wrote on the car, 'Beat these if YOU
can" Let us hear from our peach growers; the
Dali is now fairly open for the ripe fruit, as it
was for the competition in green and look well
to it or Townsend Station will sweep us from the
lists. ''e
The empty peach trains are due here Mt o
O'Clock A. NJ. but owing TO the immense number
OF cars on the road, -four hundred in all, exclu-
sively devoted to the peach trade 200 furnished
ny each road, 1.-the trains are somewhat DELAYED :
and the peach wagons accumulate around the de-
pot at times until they reach thirty or forty in
number. And then, when the cars are ready to
receive aud they commence to unload their wa o.
ons, commend us to the eoone presented for one
OF hurry and bustling activity. 1t is thought
that next week will bring the climaz of the sea-
son, at this station.
MAD Ox.-A party of men had terrible
time in capturing mad steer on the farm of Mr..
Sam Fenimore in Appoqunimink, last week.
lie chased large party Of men through the
peach orchard, knocked one over and freed two
who had guns in their hands, and butted the
trees, one of which was severely injured while
the man was treed he barely escaped the butt. The
last man treed shot him with a rifle He had
been previously shot square in the head with
small shot by the other party cup a tree" which
seemed to have no effect lie had been sold to a
butcher. So the Commercial says.
We regret to learn that Mr. VIM. NJ. vande-
grift is ill of typhoid, at Berkeley Springs West
Va. Dr., Hamilton, and Mr.. Joseph W. Vande-
gritt visited him, at Berkeley, On Saturday last,
and DR.. Ii. returned on Monday. Mr.. Vandc-
grifts wife and son are with him, at the Springs.
and he has every attention in his illness.
After the foregoing was in type intelligence of
telegraph. He expired on Wednesday night last
and his remains were brought on on Thursday
evening.
Mr.. John Dfummond is charging and improv-
ing his FIGURING Mill. Mr. Wm Spratt, of Ce-
Gil county, celebrated millwright, is putting in
two 26-inch turbine wheels, and when the work
is completed this will be one of the best mills in
the State. Mr.. Drummond has sometimes had to
run his mill nearly all night, in order to keep up
W h1G hnGft 1,ttl,
grind in day as much as he formerly did in n
day and night together. The stream which sup
plies the water is an unfailing one, even in the
driest seasons.
letter to the Baltimore Sun, from Green Bri-
or White Sulphur Springs, giving an account of
the grand masquerade and fancy ball, recently
held there, makes the following mention of a
young lady lately of this town: Miss TAYLOR.
from Georgetown, d. C. was dressed as Autumn:
her dress was trimmed with beautiful autumn
leaves with head-dress of the same; her costume
was much praised.
FINE PEAR ORcHARD.-ATr. Wm S. Griffith
near Head of Sassafras, Kent county, Md. has an
orchard OF ten acres, planted with pears, and
now IN fine bearing condition. lie commen-
ced picking last week, realizing Sc per crate. His
hrst shipment brought him q return of $500 and
he is likely to realize a handsome profit from his
iruit by the time the season is at an end.
M. IL. Cummins, of this town, shipped three
crates OF Bartlett pears to Reeves, Brow & Van
Wrinkle, New York, last week, which they sold
for Sl5 per crate. They are said TO be the finest
lot ever sent from this State l66 filled crate
bushel. They were handsomely colored. lie |
has twice taken the first premium at the Phila |
Horticultural Fair.-Smyrna Times
The following time table on the Townsend and
Millington road, will be useful for reference to
those residing in the upper sections of Kent and
Queen Annes counties Leave Milington at
l245, P. NJ; Masscy's l25; Morris Station 40;
Vandyke's 200; Townsend 2.2O. Leave Town
send for Millington arrival of train from Will
miugton, about p. NJ.
One hundred and thirty car loads of peaches
passed over the Delaware Rail Road on Tuesday
last each car carrying 500 baskets, making the
immense number Of IS, 600 baskets in one day.
Tuesdays shipment was the largest of the season,
The number of baskets will now gradually de-
cline aud prices advance.
RUNAwAY.-As Mr.. @. P. Cochran, aceompan-
led by Mr.. Henry Jones, was driving his fine roam
out of town ON Thursday evening" Ia new mr.