Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-07-16
THoROFARE

THoRoFARE.
We are so accustomed to seeing Thoro.
fare as it il; sleeping SO peacefully among
its green fields, with hints Of outrageous
forest places, here and there, and glimpses
of the blue waters Of the Delaware at inter-
walls, that we feel it to be almost sacrilege
to disturb its serenity by a suggestion that
| it might, could, or should be changed or
improved anywhere. But il Thorofare can
lack anything, it is enterprise. It is true,
its inhabitants are patrons Of husbandry''
in its truest sense; the farms are fertile
and well-tilled, and the farmers are fore
handed, Y as they say down East; but re-
gard for the human element is entirely left
out Not the human element which be-
longs in Thorofare that is well cared for.
1t can, for the most part, wear purple and
fine linen, and fare sumptuousIy every
day, if it chooses; but there is no pro-
vision made, by Thorofare, for the stranger
within its gates; and yet -Thorofare is
anxious to be called a atown,n and has
metropolitan instincts and aspirations. If
there is doubt in your mind regarding
this last statement come and look at our
railway station, and you will say that,
patience has ceased to be a virtue,n in
Thorofare. A good, respectable mechanic
comes, and would like to bring his family,
and make this his home, and send his chill
dren to school, and attend the church, and
become part Of the community, but there
isn't roof to cover him, and he is obliged
to leave. People come out from the city
occasionally, and think, awhat lovely,
quiet, restful place in which to spend the
Summer but no shelter can be found for
their defenceless heads, and they must re-
turn with their longings for peace and
rest such as only Thorofare can give, I'M
satisfied. The chance trave' er, should he
find himself here after night-fall, may in
quire YEARLY, HAnd is there for the night
a resting place ?''-but he will find none,
and will be obliged to walk either to Wood
bury or Paulsbcr0, in order to secure a
downy pillow upon which to rest his tired
head. The question arises, do potato
patches and corn fields pay better than
people ?-Would not few acres sacrificed,
or sold, and little capital invested in the
building of a few neat, pretty houses attract
to Thorofare class Of people who would
not only do credit to the place. but so in
crease the demand for corn and beans, to
say nothing of fruits, and other vegetables,
that the ubiquitous truck wagon might
cease from its labors one night in the week,
at least And Thorofare does need
boarding house, not one Of the vulgar sort,
you know, but nice, quaint, old-fashioned
place, with Iow-rafted ceilings and wide
spreading, gracious verandas; and in the
inside, all chintz and contentment. A
place where they would have beautiful
brown batter cakes for breakfast, and love
their neighbors; and where the coffee would
always be without grounds for complaint.
It is really sad to think what an eden upon
earth Thorofare might be made, if only
some of the residents could be stirred up
bit.
Speaking Of truck wagons, we are told
that Mr.. j. Wilmer Leonard sent his to
market, last Monday night, with one hun
bred and seventy baskets of green
stuff. A large number Of baskets contained
eggplant.
Miss Blanche .Synther, Of Camden, recent
ly of Hightstown. N. j., was married to
Mr.. William r Shute, of Thorofare, by the
Rev. Isaac L. Fowler, on Wednesday, July
eighth.
Mrs J. H. Bozarth, of Elwood, N. j., is
visiting her daughter, Mrs. George S.
johnson.
Mrs Lydia Rambo Gallaher has gone to
Sherbrook, Canada, where she will visit her
niece, Miss Emma Buzzell.
The usual business meeting of the Ep-
worth League had place one evening last
week, with the president, Mr.. Edward
Shirk, in the chair. The pastor, the Rev
George S. johnson, moved that the de-
votional exercises be dispensed with. As
the evening was intensely warm, and as no
one present. desired fore-taste of purgatory
here below, it was so ordered. The minutes
were read and approved, and the various
reports acted upon. There was the usual
amount Of desultory talk which resolved
into vote to hold a peach festival, in the
interest Of the church building fund, on the
night of August first. in the Town Hail.
A special meeting of the Ladies Aid was
called last week. The president, Mrs.
Julia Gibbs, was in the chair. The ques-
tion under discussion was, whether the
society should pledge itself to raise GER
tain sum of money by the first Of next
March toward the fund for new church
building After some discussion it was
voted to do this, and the ladies will invite
their friends to eat oysters with them early
in October Don't think because they be-
gin in this way that they consider the
scheme little ssfshy.n
The w. c. T. U. held their regular meet
ing, in the basement of the church, one
afternoon last week. The president, Mrs.
Mary r. Low, was in the chair, and the
opening preliminaries were observed. The
principal point before the society was,
whether the request that the Matrons con-
test for a silver medal be repeated at
National Park during temperance week,
should be granted The vote was in favor
of this; and gold medal contest will
probably be arranged for the same week.
This can easily be done as there are five,
already, in Thorofare, who hold silver
medals.
All good Changers will remember the
| Changers picnic which will take place al
Alcyon Park on August eighth and ninth
Governor N. ]. Batchelder, of New Hamp
shire, worthy lecturer of the National
Grange, and Albert NJ Cornwell, lectures
of Pennsylvania State Grange, will be tht
speakers, we are told.
Our latest sensation has been what il
called, San Icicle Serenade." On Thurs
day evening, July ninth, the White Rib
bon Club" wishing to extend their good
wishes to a newly welded member, lef
their headquarters, thirty in number, will
musical instruments suited to the occasion
On arriving at the house they made dis
play Of fireworks and gave a perfect,
respectful serenade with good music. Thu
groom did not make his appearance, but hi
father came out and with great show o
anger ordered them from the premises
They then went to the house of anothe
member recently married. He was not a
home, but his wife received them pleasant
ly, and expressed regret that she could no
entertain them in the absence Of her hus
band, and assured them Of a hearty wei
come from both if they would come again
After giving three hearty cheers they re
turned to their headquarters, and are nov
looking forward with pleasure to their mex
visit, which will be at an early date
Action will be taken at the next meeting
upon the conduct Of the first-named mem