The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-15
LANCASTER.
cleaner On the Servant Question
Summer Topics and Personals.
Correspondence of The Free Lance.

Lancaster, Va, June 18th, 1899.
June is said to be the month Of brides
and roses This year has brought the
roses in profusion, but we have not
heard Of any weddings in this vicinity,
although several parties are said to be
engaged in the fascinating art that
Cupid perpetuates.
The heated term always brings its
doarth Of news not "A soul engaged in
digging a well in building hen house.
nor engaged in whitewashing, and not
one 30 DO reported sick or dead, as our
noighborhoOd is uncommOnly healthful /;
the NJ DIS. so numerous, not at all
busy.
The farmers are just now our busiest
men having little time for lolliDg about
in the shade
The house. keepers are rs yigllant as
eyer IN warning against the common
house flies. and in seeking Tor hired
help, which, as heretofore, is hard to
secure. The warm, long days Of sum-
mer seem to lend q peculiar charm. in
exercising over the colored race, an un-
due amount Of freedom, and since the
berry fields are beginning 10 turn, an
air If supreme Indifference 10 labor,
an acute independence has taken pos
session Of them all They are like the
birds. particularly the crows and hawks
IN taking every advantage, while the
poor. hard.worked white women are
sadly handicapped. \ lady WAS heard
~ say not long ago that she was tempt
ed 10 wish her family could turn canni-
halls. and eat their food raw IN the ter.
rilly hot season, or be content with
less food
Orators and writers both have PEN
chant for describing the negro rs Of
happy disposition They are really the
most miserable and unhappy people in
the world Stoicism and recklessness
are not the attributes Of real happiness.
They are merely the creatures of the
hour and their complete satisfaction Is
only amid excitement and in crowded
places. where they can witness exciting
scenes Persons living in isolated homes
find difficulty in employing them, as
they always complain of its being "too
lonesome. " " Why don tyOu push yer
house close ter 'ther road nobody can {
see nuthin' way of here in ther woods
likes ter live on ther road, wha kin
see people passin', az hOller out tenn
is they pass " These and kindred
words are often hurled out to their en-
ployers.
Not long since this scribe was greeted
in this wise "Dis is .her meanest ole
place Jest like Miss l.. s place. She
almos got on her knees ter me fer ter
stay dar glib me lots O. nice things ter
try ter get me ter stay WIDEN, but L
wont stay at lonesome places-no in
deed :"
People of happy, contented natures
are seldom lonely, their occupations OF
mind and body keep them in a cheerful
state amidst the most uncOngenial sur
roundings, or under adverse conditions.
The happiest woman we have ever
known lived as Alexander Selkirk did
on the desert isle entirely alone with
her animal and pet birds for her COM
panionship.
The Misses Chiffon have returned
from the Farmville College, to the JOY
Of their neighbors, both the boys and
girls
Miss Mary Norma Gresham has re-
turned from her delightful visit to
Washington city. Probably the most
satisfactory feature Of her trip was her
visit with several friends out to Luray
Gave She had read and heard so much
of its wonders, and says now that "the
half had not been told This cavern
has developed and expanded wonderfully
since the year 1873, when frightened
rabbit pursued by party Of small boys,
led to its discovery.
According with the prediction OF the
Weather Bureau, we had most copious
rain last evening. accompanied by
lightning and thunder, and now the
farmers are laughing, and the world
laughs with them, for the success OF the
world depends upon the farmers exert
ions.
The exhibition Of the Sun Bros. was
largely attended at Lancaster Court
house. which was hugely enjoyed by
the Juveniles, but to the elders rather
disappointing.