The Cecil Whig., 1885-11-28
The following scholars of public school

indeed.
The brutal murder of the man Sharp
less at Chester during the week is one o
the most remarkably horrible things tina
has lately occurred in the criminal history
of this part of the country. 1nnocently
engaged at his home tasks amid the bosom
of his family he is directly called away
from them to secluded portion OF the
premises and murdered in a painful and
inhuman manner without note of warnln.
or cause to be alarmed in fear of such {
happening. This surprises all the laws o
| humanity, and makes every heart to thrill
with the atrocous aspect of the deed
There is generally a terrific motive behind
the act of a murderer to urge him on to his
bloc " work and sustain his spirit during
the progress of his crime, but in the Sharp
less case every trace of motive is missing
Cold blooded hatred and malignity are the
only two possible influences that could
have urged his slayer to the committal OF
such an act. Cold blooded hatred and ma
lignity should not be allowed to dwell in
any heart of any individual who inhabits a
portion of the country so free from lawless
influences as the State of Pennsylvania.
The death of Mr.. Sharpless is such death
as all feel they would like to revenge. 1t
is not revenge that it needs, however. 1t
must be vindicated by the capture of his
murderer and his ultimate punishment
| from the severest decree of our criminal
laws. Every man in the country should be
alert for the Sharpless murder and aid JUS
tice in his capture and punishment. 1t
may serve as valuable lesson to the many
more like him who only await an oppor-
tanity to do as badly.
| The Elkton Academy Lyceum had
| stormy weather for its entertainment on
Monday evening last, but despite this fact
! a nice sized audience gathered to hear the
debate. President Foulke being absent the
| vice-presdent Of the association occupied
the chair. The entertainment committee,
| composed of Mr.. A. Scott, Miss f. Jones
| and Miss Lizzie Merritt, were disappointed
| by the parties whom they had secured to
| aid in the programme of the evening, and
| the entertainment was opened by selection
| on the organ by Mr.. Scott. The Rev. j. =.
Otis then made a happy little impromptu
| speech, and then followed the debate. The
| chiefs upon both sides were absent and the
| following members of the lyceum discussed
the question, "Resolved: That there is more
pleasure in Anticipation than in Possession"
| on the affirmative f. r. Rawlings and F.
McKinsey, on the negative Charles F.
Hinchlitfe and DIR. Howard Bratton. The
judges, Reuben Haines and y. p. Manly,
ESqs., and the Rev. j. p Otis, deciued the
question in favor of Anticipation. All the
arguments of the evening were of calm
character, though full of interest and enter
tainment for the audience. The next de-
bate will be held in Odd Fellows Hall on
Monday evening December 14th, at which
time the relative merits of Thos. Jefferson
Alex. Hamilton, and John Adams as
statesmen will be discussed. In in
curing the expense of hiring the Hall for
this entertainment the members of the as
sociation hope that the audience which will
assemble upon the occasion will be large
and generously disposed when the collection
plate is passed around. Besides the inter-
esting debate an additional programme of
music and recitations will be rendered, and
by the suppression of the small boy perfect
order will be maintained. So far the Elk
ton Academy Lyceum has progressed and
| succeeded wonderfully well, and we hope
to see it supported and sustained in its sue
cessful and excellent course
Thanksgiving Day was fitfully and
| appropriately spent in Elkton in both its
fit and agreeable ways. First as a time for
general and earnest thank offering unto God
| for His bounty of goodness and mercy; sec
ond, as time for friends and relatives, for
the small boy and the snowy-haired grand
parent to gather round the family board
and discuss the appetiZing menu. There
were few, however, in Elkton that were not
happy. Death cast its gloomy shadow over
some, but even there thankfulness was
| felt that the weary sufferers pains were
DER, and his spirit rested calmly and sweet
ly beyond the far eternal skies. The intlu-
ence of the holiday was felt most remark
ably by our people on the evening of the
great day. 1t is always happy influence
| these national and religious holidays hold
over the human heart. IL is such an inHu-
ence as stirred the grand soul of Charles
Dickens when he wrote his Christ tmas tales
The SAVIOR of the roast turkey and the deli
cate aroma of the plum pudding, with their
lelishes of mealy white potatoes long
stalks of crisp, sweet celery, rich dressing
and after all cakes and nuts ami fruits, and
the innumerabe little It'd bits tha: con-
| stitute a well-arraEged board. 1t is the
season when absent sons and daughters
| come to see once more the little brother and
sister and the aging father and mother,
once again to fill the musty rooms Of the
dear old home with their hearts own sun
shine and laughter, so that nobler thanks
can be sent up to God for the sweet results
of the year. In Elk ton on THANKSGIVING
eve pretty sight was witnessed: In front
of its numerous provision stores the sleek
| turkeys and ducks and chickens, with a
tuft of green celery top peeping from be-
meath their wings lined the awning rail-
ings; inside the jolly faces of the grocers
fitted hither and thither, dealing out to
this one enerous pound of raisins, and to
that one, the friendless widow perhaps, a
few rnches of salt to flavor the short-cake
that would constitute her banquet on the
morrow. Shoppers hurried to and fro with
their arms and baskets laden, still positive
they had forgotten something and adding
now and then to their everiowpg sup.
ply some relish or substantial condi
ment. Those who were truly thank
full for the rich harvests they had
reaped through the years did not hesitate
to 60 to the doors Of those whose planting
had failed and who had reaped little in re-
turn for their constant toll and endeayor tc
leave little gift for them of meat and
provisions, just enough to make the day
seem unlike other days and one of ths
many more in which they should prais,
the Great Fountain of Life for its timel,
administration. Over all on :he glad
Thanksgiving day, over all in Elkton ant
that divi@e spirit which thrills from hear
to heart in its great song of love, devotion
and fellowship.
School Commissioners.
The Board met on Tuesday last, &C
cording to bylaws. Present-Messrs
Everist and Biddle. Mr.. D. Scott de
ceased.