The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-23
LANCASTER.
An Interesting Letter From Cleaner.
Correspondence of The Free Lance }
Lancaster, Dee. 10, 1879.

Astronomical pursuit aud produced a
sensation of awe-inspirlng nature
towards and upwards to Him WHO
holds the secrets of the universe IN
His own keeping.
AS we grow older the years see N
shorter. and 1T is hard to realize that
twelve mouths have passed since the
devoted little coterie at Lancaster
Court house were putting their
he4dstogetle'," land planult g-devls
ing with all the ingenuity that hard
times cAn inYeDt-tO grace little
Trinity chapel with h Christmas tree,
to make happy the little tots who
were won't u attend thst Sunday
school. And now, how sad to say It,
for We feel tue absence Of the b, loved
Burwell more ard more, and the WIN
niug qualities Of his sweet wife. Yes,
how sad to confess It: " No pastor,
an isolated reetory, no Christmas
tree this year.
We noticed during the eclipse how
heavy was the pressure Of tue dark
ness But it did not remaiu,it was soon
dispelled. Wnen the Queen Of
Heaven emerged from her pail, the
restoration of light seemed Ike a
benediction-s promise that JOY sue
ceeds sorrow, compensation follows
loss. Oar souls will not always be in
spiritual eclipse some day lndltfer
ence will be succeeded by the yearu
ing winch Graves q successor to fill
Rev. + b. Burwel's place. Cau
such q one be found
Tue Library" party given 10y
Mrs. 5. 2. Harvey, of Coob's Hall, IL
honor OF ner guest, Mss Ada Grsr ger
Sklrven, Of Maryland, vas deemed
success, and much praise Is due Mrs.
Harvey and her fair daughters tor
their zeal in promoting the pleasure
Of the young people Of their vicinity
and elsewhere Mrs. II s entertain
ing qualities are too well known to
be cited here, and all who were un-
able to respond to her kind invita-
tion, through sickness and other
ways. feel grievously disappointed
Both skill and tact were employed IN
the selection of such a choice " III
brsry," aud the reading of hearts
begun there may continue for years
to come. Cooper, Scott, WIlkIe Col
Inns, Black, and many other standard
writer's were here brought into requisi.
tion, aud for days preceding the
event some Of the boys were reading
over the long catalogue Of well known
authors works. Regal " Black
Beauty" with her sister, who repre-
seated " The Antiquary," and funny
mirth provoking Samantha " were
there. Also the Woman in White"
with her sister, the little Girl 10
Blue" "The Red Gauntlet, " and
Hard Times" we're absent, and
poor little " White Wings" just fold
ed her wings and nestled down in her
sick bed ,chsgrined because she could
not go. We have the inclination,
but neither the time nor space for a
full recital Of all the costumes and
various Books - represented. The
Chesapeake Watchman " and " Vir-
ginis Citizen were remembered too,
and Mrs. S. p Harvey, in the midst
of all Of it, and so capable with her
eady pen, will probably give to those
journals a description of all. The
preliminary oyster supper given by
three young men of Hope Side forll-
fed those from a distance for the or
deal of facing so many pretty girls.
The Books" were soon drawn, and
happy lntroductions to the very lit
erary partners for the dance, which
followed speedily, and then as speed
ily to the tired, hungry, thirsty
dane RS was spread out the bountlful
collation. by the indefasigable hostess
Mrs. Belle Gresham and her three
daughters, who have been attending
the Convent School, in Georgetown,
will soon be guests at Water
view," the home of Capt. G.'s sister,
Mrs. j. S. Chowning.
A long article has lately appeared
IN the Providence Journal, relative
to Capt. John c. Gfesham's army
life, which must be most gratifying
| TO his friends. The sketch is accom-
panied by a portrait Of the Captain
which many say bears strong re-
semblance to his cousin, Dr.. 7. s
Dunaway.
A young man Of Lively Oak neigh
borhood, and not long ago from
Cuba, q soldier brave, yet not brave
enough to resist the disappointment
of rejection from his lady-love, OF
rather one, who be bad fsttered him
self, would listen to his appeal; so be
undertook to take his own life by an
overdose Of laudanum. By dint Oi
heroic treatment, his life was saved
but be threatens to take advantage
of the first opportunity for another
attempt.
Many housekeepers are complain
ing Of the depredations of mice. In
many households where pampereC
cats abide, and receive almost
Egyptian reverence, these rodents
have full nightly sway. We would
admonish people who are thus
troubled, to rid themselves OF The
nuisance called cats, and buy goot
traps.
The gypsies received but slight en-
couragement In this neighborhood
but they were impottune in thei
demands, especially in the fortune
telliog line. One OF them bad
knowledge of palmistry and talked
really well.
The holly party occurs on Christ
mas night, and then will follow th'
endless chain of gayety SO prevalen
here during the season, eliminating
often in pleurisy or pneumonia.
Most of the legal fraternity wer'
favored with cards OF invitation u
| 4, &c Rtoh m n " Z