Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1881-01-05

| had spent the evening with his lady-love
and was going home, and on passing by the
cemetery he was startled by seeing some
thing white suddenly arise up amid the
graves. He stepped, held his breath, q
trembling seized him. He at once thought
that the spirit of his departed wife had
risen from her grave to reproach him. The
apparition moved slowly but steadily to.
wards him. He leaned against the road.
side fence for support and vowed he would
make her a solemn promise never to ego
counting again." Just at the moment,
when he had formed this resolution-Ba
said big ,Ohite pet sheep. Mr.. F. was greatly
relieved and like most persons who are
scared into repentance soon forgot his vowS.
believe the bricks of tho old church
were used in the erection of the P. E.
Church in Smyrna.
There were few tenant houses between
the cemetery and /" Irish Town" ! don't
know that any Irish families lived there at
that time. But an Irishman by the name
of White taught the North side district
school. He was tall, well proportioned,
fine looking man, possessed think with
more muscle than train. lie might have
been trained in some of the schools of which
Dickens wrote. The rod was his instrument
for punishment and he believed in hrasking
knowledge into the heads of his pupils. By
perversity of logic, he chastised on
another intentionally part of the body.
The desks ranged against the walls and
long benches without backs stood in front
of the desks. The scholars sat with their
legs under the desks with backs to the
teachers rostrum. Often boy would un.
expectedly find himself seized by the nape
of his jacket, drawn we'll out from the
bench, his head pressed over the desk, and
in that bent position, receive chastisemsnt
on part of his body that would render a
sitting posture very incompatible for a
few days thereafter.
Denney and Charles Stevenson resided
in this pratt of the town. They were Boss
carpenters by occupation, Methodist in
religion, and think Adams men in poll.
tics. They were useful and respectable
citizens. "Uncle Denney'' was one Of the
pillars of the church and wore the Metho.
dist "Shad belly coat''-quiet common in
those days.
The most of the houses in Irishtown
were occupied by respectable mechanics
and laboring people. Subsequent to "Peda.
yO0na3 WhifafS IL
was built near the rear of the Metho.
dis burial ground and VIVA. Gilbert was
the principal. lie was good teacher and
enjoyed the confidence and respect of his
pupils. Many years after l met him at q
hotel in town on the banks of the blue
Susquehanna, in impecunious circumstan
ces. | was real glad to meet him again and
was pleased at an opportunity to aid him
Not long ago met at hotel young mar
who was tending the bar and was surprised
to learn that he was the son of my ole
friend VIM. Gilbert.
On the East side of the road near Cum
Minis stable, stood frame house, end t.
the street, occupied by John Cross team
ster Of Mr.. Cummins. On a certain eccas
ion Mr.. C. said to Cross "Too light mar
John Cross, too light a man SIR" Tn,
boys caught it and for a long time adopted
it for by.word, much to the annoyance O
"Lttle Johnny Cross
Next was the residence of Presley Spru
ancs. He and his brother Enoch wer
leading merchants. Their father was
farmer and lived near to what is nov
Clayton. Mr.. P. Spruance married, | thinI
a sister of Daniel Corbit, of Odessa; sh
) was superior woman, and greatly esteemed
The Spruance brothers had a large trad
with the " Forrest" and sold large quaint
ties of salt fish. When ehe Legislature G
Delaware elected Mr.. S. to the Senate G
the United States, his competitor, the Hor
It Richard Bayard, is reported to have said
y off the State of Delaware prefers to b
o represented in the U. S. Senate by a ifs
It naOnger, rather than by me, it is time for m
r, to leave the State" and leave he did neve
J. to resume his residence in the State Their,
r. after. Not SO his Nephew, who l hav
" heard left the State in disgust some year
n back and like his uncle removed to Phils
It delphia; but unlike bis uncle returne
IS again to Delaware. An old gentleman VIII
10 visited Washington for the first time, afts
of his return said to me: 81 found Sir, that
], man may be very great man at home an
e yet be very small man in Washington.
Or Perhaps the younger Bayard as larry
i found about the same contract betwee
le Wilmington and Philadelphia.
When was boy we sang:
/" Little Delaware is the Pride of the Nation
And the greatest man in it is John NJ. Clayton
Now hear that you sing:
Little Delawares great men are Bayard and Saul
bury,
The old Sire; then Dick ,""J Jim" and Tom
~ Congress have been;
I'd Ell the sober, followed willard" the merry,
lv Ring rule" must continue and Cove next of kin
a, Next to Mr.. Spruances was the large brio
d dwelling Of John Cummins. He marie
n. Susan, daughter of Hon. George Wilson
have heard that when they were marie
Of they occupied the little one story houi
m that stood just South Of his commodiol
TX residence. In those days young marie
IS. people began in small way, and "sprea
n, out" as they progressed. Now the chill
- fnt1at ha &C aaI NM an a acaIa uraoJn, al .