Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28
THE WEEK IN BEDFORD,
How Christmas was Spent.
Sunday-Scl1ool Enter
tainnlents.

BEDFORD CITY, VA, December IT,
tSpeciaL)--The weather here this far has
seen as cold as a Christmas OF the old
lime. orthodox type, and people, all nut
sed In wraps hustle along In a hurry
With quick steps in their out-of-door per-
ordinations On the morning OF the 2ot,
thin mantle OF feecy snow covered the
iarth and the s,illen clouds seemed &c
threaten more. But soon the wind came
10 the rescue and showed the clouds
away. and the sun s'lone out with benign
Brightness. making the day an IDEAL one.
rhe spirit OF Christmas was abroad. and
kindly greetings and Christmas wishes
we're heard on every hand. Many beau
Hful and substantial tokens OF good
sfIl were exchanged. and rarely has
santa Claus been SO generous in his re-
membranes OF the little folks.
There was scarce a homo SO poor that
> turkey do not grace its board and
good cheer was the order OF the day.
Never before have there been such brill
inat pyrotechnic displays seen here. The
noise caused by them did not cease until
long after midnight. and it was renewed
n the dim gray light Of early morning.
On the night of the sd Mr. c. D. Rag
cation OF the liberal patronage he has
received by free display Of fireworks.
which was remarkably fine, the bright
scintiliations Of rockets Roman candies.
stc presenting weird and beautiful
sight TO behold. The climax OF the at
fair was a large balloon that scared far
up athwart the sky There were also
many splendid displays Of fireworks at
private homes for several nights.
" II
The merchants report an excellent holi
day trade and the erstwhile gayly-decked
windows Of the stores have been stripped
Of their array Of toys, bric-a-brac, etc.
goodly sight of ante-Christmas prepa-
rations was the shopping Of the country
people. II was pleasant TO see the wag-
ons. carriages and bugges packed with
toys and goodies for the children, and
articles of furniture of all sorts for COM
fort and elegance. Within the past two
years the farmers of Bedford have been
more prosperous than ever before. The
asricuIturist now commands ready cash
and high prices for all of bis products
and as his purse becomes more plethorfc
his mind expands to the needs Of refining.
comic, .aa,e surroundings in his home.
There was an early morning and also
a. II o'clock service at St Johns Epis-
copal church Christmas day conducted
assisted by Mr. Floyd Keller, a student
OF divinity. The church was decorated
with sarlands OF cedar and punches OF
holly.
Friday evening the celebration Of the
Sunday-school of the church took place.
It's rroerafania consisted of carols by the
school, Rotations. etc. Subsequently IN
the Sunday school room there was a
great bag frolic when ali Of the Children
received presents and confecuonarles.
Mrs. J. A. Henser had offered prize to
her class of girls for perfect attendance
and lessons for the past year. Misses
Eileen 0 Iiara, Elizabeth Boiling and
F1orrie Jordan were found TO have maze
perfect records, and to each Mrs Hen
Ser presented beautiful and valuable pres
epts.
Mr, J. a. Henser, the secretary OF the
school had offered a prize Tor regular
attendance, prompt responses TO requests
for Scriptural quotations. For this
there were three deserving the honor
Misses Eileen O'Hara and Elizabeth Sol
ling and Master Black Jordan. The young
ladies who had already received prizes
from Mrs Henser waived their claim, and
the prize was presented to Black Buford
SUNDAI-SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENTS
Friday afternoon there was a very at
tractive celebration Of Christmas by the
Sunday-school of the Presbyterian
church, when appropriate music. recita-
fions and the distribution OF gifts ac-
centuated the blessed and sacred nature
OF the season.
The Sunday-school Of the Methodist
church also celebrated the holy anniver-
ssry Friday evening In very beautiful
and Impressive style. The programme
embraced many novel and beautiful fea-
lures, among which was the playing on
the violin by Miss Ruby Fitzpatrick.
little girl of only nine years, whose musi-
cal ability IS quite remarkable.
The music was spirited. and the re-
citations by some Of the tiny tots and
older children were unusually good. This
Is the largest and one OF the most
fourishing Sunday-schools OF the town.
their celebration was g. signal success.
RCMOR ABOUT a FEDERAL BUILD
ING.
It Is rumored that as q result Of the
heavy Increase OF postoffice business here
f. large building may be put UP by The
department, in which will also be quarters
Tor the Collector Of Internal Revenue.
Such building would prove handsome
addition to the appearance OF the town.
and it is hoped Mr.. ". H. Mosby the
enterprising postmaster, may succeed IN
his effort to secure 1t.
Thursday evening Miss Samnlie Brsa-
zeal and Miss Mamie White gave a very
delightful entertainment TO their young
friends, the sweet sixrseas'' and their
youthful knights. TO whom the world is
all roseate and everything perfectly
lovely"
A GHOST DANCE
After the darkness had descended phan-
tom forms, draped in ghostly white, and
wearing black masks and tall-pointed
hats, were seen fitting through the
streets in every direction. appearing TO
the uninitiated colored folks they CHANGED
20 meet as irritable klu-kluSes. Soon,
to the number of fifty or more, these
spooks assembled in the hospitable home
Of Mr.. f. c. Breazel, and a merry rerel
ensued as each tried to guess the iden-
tity OF the other Miss Sallie Johnston
succeeded IN guessing the largest num-
her. and was awarded the pretty prize,
q GOLF pin. Then came the unrnasking
and games of many kinds ensued. The
affair concluded with a lavish feast of
Christmas dainties. to which the appe-
lite OF youth did appreciative Justice.
Professor and Mrs. NJ P. Burks, Of the
Washington and Lee University. spent
the holiday at their old home, in Bed
ford City. the guests of Mr.. Q. c. Bell.
Mrs Josephine Withers and her sons,
Robert and Martin Withers, OF Le2lng-
ton. also spent the Christmas here
Mr. s. Y. Kent went to his old home in