Smyrna times., 1885-12-23
Letter from ClavtOn

with another Christmas holiday Mt hand
we realize the near close of another wear
with impress Flight and shadow, whatever
there may have been of care or sorrow all
for this period at least will try to write i'm
making tins a season Of merriment of de-
termlned pleasure and we wish YOU Mr.
Editor, and all our readers Il kindly hnupv
enjoyment of the event.
Doctor HarmOnsOn having bought the
stock, good will and fixtures of the drug
store formerly owned by b. b. Ferguson,
we tender our best wishes for the continued
success OF the business in his behalf while
we regret the retirement Of friend Fergu-
son who had become very closely identified
with the Interests of Clayton. lie informs
US his reason for yielding up the business
IS tempting offer from the Pennsylvania
University to accept the position Of fdispen-
ser.
VanEarl, Clayton, Is still receiving
names of those who wish to subscribe fnr
that great work entitled General Grant
Memoirs
The custom 50 long prevalent of contrib
utlng costly, profuSe floral displays aS an
attest of affection, esteem or respect for the
dead IS fast passing into disuse. So
much 50 that we find it frowned down bv
frequent announcements of please omit
mowers accompanying funeral notices.
Recently the sum of twenty-five dollars was
collected for such purpose bV SttbScgiD-
tioR IN this community. Could not this
amount have been invested for some more
enduring mementO to the departed? and
are there not other reasons when Won come
70 tnlnk, why this kind Of observance
should fall out of fashion,
Serious charges are made of inbumon
treatment on the part Of a farmer and wife
near Brenford Of Il l5-year-old colored girl
they nave IN charge, formerly an inmate of
Il home IN the city. We suppress pnr-
uculars trusting Il warning word will pre-
vent the continuance of the abuse and be-
get respect as pr0tessed christians for God $
| laws If not love
Certain of our farmers are finding profit
IN the sale OF Christmas trees to warm the
| hearts of the little ones when adorned with
Kris kringle gifts and amidst the glow of
wax lights they are carried into fairylaud
FOultry Is hne, plentiful and cheap.
Jerry Goldsborough, after careful
study OF the stars, currents Of Delaware
bay and other authorities is confident the
Winter will be mild until the last of Feb
ruary. Jerry is very busy at present trap
ping muskrats They sell at present at
seven cents and the hides at ten cents
each.
Pound parties are almost universal in
| some towns, a peculiar method for asking
presents. We read the other day of one
taking. place in Augusta, Maine, for which
non James q. Blaine received an invita-
| ton. In acknowledgement of the same he
procured eighteen silver dollars to weigh
| one pound as nearly rs possible, did them
up IN roll and sent them with his com.
plments We don't suppose very many
Will act upon this novel plan as sugges.
ton. -
stephen Walker is about restoring the
| machinery formerly used in the manufac
turing of peach baskets. crates, &c. to hi.
factory building here and will add to it such
as may be necessary for turning out by
steam power wood work for building
Mr. Walker complains that while his fac.
tory has been out Ofservice bows ofevil ten.
denotes have made sad havoc in smashing
out window lights, about l25 having been
| knocked out
The noise made by workmen from the
interior OF your stand pipe has a startling
| break, overturned the wagon, throwing
out the occupants and injuring one quite
severely. f'>
John Wright is having an ornamental
fence built about his new house, which is
now about complete
Reese Lewis, at Brenford, cut two water
| melons this week that were most excellent
IN flavor They had simply lain in hi,
mix house, without any artificial resort nj
preserving them
Ned Boyer is doing nicely at his COW
little store, keeping much that farmers 01
their wives want, while Louis Spruancf
has provided good assortment of confec.
tons and fancy goods for holiday demands
Clayton, DEL, Dee. p. 1886.