The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-07-25
Letter from the Second District.
HALLS X ROADS, July 22d, 1877
THE CKOPS.

THE CROPS.
Mr.. EDITOR The drought continues in this
section. We have had partial shower ur two;
one of some twenty minutes duration at this
place on Saturday afternoon 1t has now been
taCo months since we had any thing like u general
rain.
The growing crops have been and are suffer
ing very much Our gardens are failure US are
also our potatoes, oats and hay. The grass
seed sowed this last spring came up beautifully
but persisted.
The harvest was secured in good order
(the drought benefited us that much, although
"haryest hands" were very hard to get-thc
American citizens of African descent generally
refusing TO assist, unless paid their own prices,
which were fixed in their leagues. can remem-
Der when all persons and trades were expected
to "tum out' and save the bread crop, and |
am not an antcdilnvan.
DEATHS DoINGs.
Mr.. Thomas Murphy died at his residence near
Perrymansville, on the 10th inst, aged G3 years,
after few days confinement to his bed His
health had been declining for some time.
Mrs. Pheby j. Walker, wife ofCharles Walker
and daughter of Carville Il. Gilbert, died on the
18th inst, at her fathers residence, aged l9years
after an illness of about ten weeks, in which she
was attended by Drs. Hays and Finney. 1t
might be said that she was the bride of an hour
ronly one short week before she was taken ill
with her death sickness, she was led to the altar
youthful,s beautiful, blooming bride,
Just fit to WELD fairy's wand
Who then thought that in so short q time she
would pass Through the valley and under the
shadow" to meet the Bridegroom, who sits on
His Great White Throne; who has said "Come
unto me, and | will give the rest" When disso-
| luton was fast approaching, she aroused from
her slumber, said to her aunt who had faithfully
watched by her bed side, "Aunt Pheby, fasten
my gold necklace on my neck" Was she pre-
pairing to meet the Bridegroom who "awaits
her comng"' or had she been dreaming other
own happy preparations made so short time
| before Rev. Mr.. Shreeves preached very ap-
| propriate and beautiful funeral sermon, and her
remains were followed to their last resting place
by many sorrowing friends, and
Sad and silent the tears that we shed
As the night dew that falls the grass or her head
But the nghtdew that falls though in silence il weeps
Shall brighten with verdure the grave where she sleeps
And the tear that we She'd though in secret it rolls
shall long keep her memory green in our souls.
TOUCHING INCIDENT.
A week or two ago an old gentlemen near
seventy.tive years ofage came to the "Ferry' at
Spesutia Narrows, and while crossing the ferry.
man asked "To which of the places on the island
do you wish to go?" The old gentleman answer.
ed, to the e, Middle Island, to see my old friend
The terryman paused, and gazed at the stranger
in mute establishment; then recovering himself,
he asked: "When did you last see him"
~ have not seen him for thirty one years, and
have not heard from him for some twenty-eight
or nine years; but as [ have aow retired from
business, thought would come and see him
again; he is genial generous and hospitable,
and hoped might meet him at the Ferry
and cross it together as we have done years ago;
but said he soliloquising sit seemingly was
but yesterday"
The ferryman was obliged to break the pleas.
ant remembrances of his aged passenger and
tell him that Mr.. Thomas Biddie twenty.seyen
years ago had crossed the ferry on the road to
that bourne from whence no traveller retuns.-
This old gentleman's name | think is Wythe.
and at one time was of the firm of Wythe d Nor
ris. He spent day or two on the island with
Mr. r. +. McGaw, whose place adjoins that of
his old and valued friend Mr.. Biddle
The blacks are to have 'camp" in Hoke's
woods, commencing this week. / think they
must have held dozen there last season.
Darlington Mills are now cutting great ouanti.
ties Of lumber brought from North Carolina
| pine, cypress, ash, &c. TARA