The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-16
LANCASTER.
Interesting Letter From Down the River

Correspondence Of The Free Lance
Lancaster, Va, Jan. I, 1900.
Tie sweetest event of the year has
lust passed, aud we feel disposed to
congratulate sll the children, as well
as ourselves, that II is over. With
them the martyrdom preceding the
Christmas, for we know the darllngs
do get so tired being good in expec,a-
ton Of the gifts old Santa Claus may
bring, as is told them-" Oaly to
good children. As little girl once
said: 81 am so glad my goodies are
all eaten up, and the toys are ell
broken that old Claus has come and
gone, for | can now be just as bad as
| want to be. "
There is no telling the amount of
work acnieyed by the dear tots for
many weeks, for it is, Johnnie
bring mamma some chips, aud Santa
Claus will bring you a big drum at
Christmas - or Lizzie mind tue
baby and sweep the floor, aud | am
sure you'll get your stockings full Oh
Xmas morn.
Poor little dupes Some of them
are thoroughly cheated. But now
they can regain their normal cOndi
ton, be natural, and weary, as they
are of turkey aud plum puddiDgs,
return with Rlee to pork and beans.
The New Year, coming with un-
usually bitter cold, has brought much
sickness in his train.
Mrs. Warner Ball, We hear, is still
in bed, and the family Of Capt. 5. T..
Gresham has boen suffering from
colds. His daughter, who has been
under the treatment of Dr.. Jeter Ed
munds, is low convalescing. 1t a
large number of Christmas gifts be
conducive towards her restoration to
health, then she should mend very
rapidly, for her sick bed was thlckly
strewn with many tokens of love.
We learn that the annual holly
festival at kllmarnock WAS decided
success that Mr.. VIM. B Sanders,
Of White Stone, r young lawyer OF
much promise, Was chosen to crown
the queen, Miss Fannie Chase ,daugh-
ter ot the late Confederate crptsin.
Wm. Chase, and that he acquitted
himself most graciously and grace
fully. both in the act Of GROWING
and in his address.
a party at" Clover Dale" Mr Jas.
Coles hospitable home, sud another
at " p P4rad Sc, " the home Of Mr.. Al
fred Huduall, quickly followed the
holly fete. and there was dancing
in Clover" and " dancing in Para
disc. " Those who participated in
the q" Joys of Paradise " that night
little thought of the inconguDity OF
the expression, " Dancing in Para
disc
Dr.. Barnum has not yet returned.
He pines for the North, while the
Southern pines invite him back, "a
be asserts their ordor is beneficial to
his weak lungs.
Miss Maria Louise Ball, daughter
of Mr.. Warner Ball, is now staying
with her Grandmother Ball, at Bay
View.
Miss Lula Downing. of Richmond
county, has recently paid Miss Lizzie
Snead a visit at lrvington.
The past year was frsught with
grievous sorrow to most Of us, but 1t
is wise to school ourselves to meet
earthly troubles as the years press
upon us with the spirit of resigna
tiop.
1t was painful to many Of US to
note the untlmely cutting off OF
young Newton at Newport News.
Seeing him when be was young at
Linden, for this scribe cannot easily
eff4ce from memory the group who
stood beside his crib, they we're all
so dear to her. -
Allen Bowie, another dear relative
has but recently died in the South,
and the news of his death calls forth
little incident which has lately oc-
Cured in Louisville, KY.
Tue Lancaster boys remember Rus
sell Gresham, who left his home one
year ago for Louisville. Standing
behind the counter of the large
Strauss store during the recent
Christmas holidays he was very dill'
gent in selling some goods to a sweet
looking young lady, who, after buy
ing, requested him to send them out,
giving her address, Miss Bowie ,
This name is familiar to me |
have relatives of that name in this
city, said the young clerk, and
continuing, be said My mother
has an own first cousin, James Liv-
ingstone Bowie, living here, of whom
| have often heard her speak. " Aud
thus was established another tie to
bind this young Virginian to the far
West, for one after another. by some
means, he has found relatives, who
once, like himself, lived in Virginia
How speedily, how lovely was the
welcome and greeting which " Russ"
received at the hands of this sweet.
interesting family need not be told,
for all the Bowie relatives of Caroline
and dear old Westmorelsnd and else
where know the characteristic polish
of this genuine Virginia gentleman.
We should avoid personalities in
these public letters, but sometimes 1t
can scarcely be helped.
Mr. J. Fl. Davenport has recently
shot tremendous wild turkey, and
then wished for Bro. Burwell to help
eat it. However, be sent Mr.. B. the
beard. eleanor.