The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-24
LANCASTER.
An Interesting Letter From Cleaner

| last thursday. A nine mile drive IL
bold undertaking for one 80 long
on the invalid list, yet not altogether
"a decided invalid; for one can echo
the language Of one Of our pets. who
was convalescing about year ago. and
being called upon at intervals 10 help
during the varied routine Of the days
duties, exclaimed with disgust in his
face and tones: There is no fun or
pleasure in u fellow being sick at this
place "
Well, about the memorable drive A
balmy afternoon in the very heart OF
the year : golden season, called by the
poet. The Saddest Of the year "
Just sunshine enough to cast an eff
fulgence over the lorely landscape,
and Just enough breez9 TO tingle into
deadened nerves renewed vigJr A
precious daughter had exclaimed in her
morning greeting: Can you realize
dearest that you VII leave home to-
day. "
Well even sickness has few com.
pensatiOns. Ii was very sweet TO have
help in getting r Il and no queen has yet
ascended her throne Of State amid such
eifusiveness as did your humble scribe
last Thursday as she was lifted TO her
seat ia her sisters cariiags with so
many parting precautions and injunc
tions ringing in her ears as she was
driving otf with two loving nleces aud
no wonder that her own spirits par
took u their youthful vivacIty. The
road was in good order. having been
recently repaired, and we were not
long in reaching the Village Of Maut-
ua commonly called Lancaster @. II.
A few years have really wrought some
decided changes here The large Ma
sonic Hall is missing. where 50 many
school exhibitions were held in years
gone by. A neat new schOol-house
stands near the. Confederate monument,
and the monument itself seems TO lie
leaning to one side. which will proba-
bly necessitate its early remova, to
another spot.
DR.. Barnum's home has received
some new additions, and picturesque
cottage, ow ned by Mrs Tribble, aud
now occupied by Mr.. Harvie Gresham
is another happy addition to the viii
lsge.
But the most prominent feature Of
the place is the lovely home Of Mr.
II Davenport, which has been erected
since the writer last visited here.
1t was pleasant to note the many lew
homes during the progress OF our jour
ney towards Kilmarnock Baptist
church A new superintendent house
adorns the poor-house farm, and the
colored people have established neat
and comfortable dwellings 10 many
places.
Level Fields" does not glitter in a
new coat Of paint, as in years gone by,
but it still reminds one of its original
owner, standing out as DR.. Thomas
Dunaway does-sturdy and invincible.
Even In this splrsely settled section,
it would be task to mention all the
improvements along our principal
county roads. We were so enthused
anyhow and in just the humor to be
appreciative The forest on all sides
and the fields cleaned in the rays Of
the sinking sun-a mass OF glittering
colors-stretched out and waving their
golden banners, as il to'welcome an in.
valid back to life and bliss. To the
left along the ''Pinkard's road" as it
is often called, we counted five houses
within "stone's throw" almost OF each
other.
Mr.. Herbert Ii ILLS sweet. pictur-
esque cottage. and opposite the
home Of his brother -in-law, Mr.. John
Pinkard, Jr the present sspirsnt Tor
legislative honors, whose pretty home
is nestled within the embrace OF
Young oak forest. We felt sad enough
in passing Mr.. Thomas Pinkard's,
Sr, for we were reminded Of the
young and patient sufferer, Mary Sloan,
who is still lying there, having been
stricken with paralysis nearly two
months ago
DR.. Pinkard 8 handsome dwelling
offers really more attractions within
its walls. than its exterior presents; in
the persons Of his graceful wife and
winsome daughters A little farther on
we reaceed the new Rehoboth church,
and such graceful and artistic build
ing IL isl Surrounded by luxuria ant
young trees, we do not wonder that
people love to come here to worship
God.
Leaving here we seemed to emerge
into an open country. for much clear
ing had been accomplished since we
last visited this part or our county
In the neighborhood Of the four Car.
ter brothers, we have broad, expansive
view, as many we'll titled fields stretch
out before our gaze, so accustomed to
view more contracted. We have
reached broader roads. and pretty
homes on every side.
The breeze from the Chesapeake
kisses our cheeks and caresses our
locks. We inhale the balmy breath OF
Autumn, with almost the buoyancy OF
youth.
Reaching the home OF Mr. james