The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-01-01
NORTHUMBERLAND.
Business Changes Sad Roads
Other Notes Of Interest.

Heathsville, Va, Dec 26. 1 SOP
/ Mrs. Felicia Rice, who has for many
years conducted a hotel here. Suffered a
stroke Of paralysis some weeks silcs aud
( u is not thought possible that she WI
at her advanced age be- able 20 supcrin-
I tend the business The property has
been IN consequence advertised for lea-a.
aud many articles pertaining 20 it viii
Z be sold at public auction. liz i "A matter
oi interest TO many who VIII be the next
TO take possession ~ the house anu con
duct the well known hostelry.
The young men and larger boys Of this
vicinity entered into an RLrst ment some
time since not 70 shave their chins until
after Christmas When the writer meets
one now he i fOrcibly reminded of a re-
Gently published book entitled. "Bi Is
Nhiskers. or The Autobiography OF "a
Goat.
Mr. John Brent has vacated bis farm
near this village. aud with his family oc
cupies the store formerly kept by Mr.
Lee Burgess. at Burgess Store. He sill
now devote his energies TO the mercan
tile business. aud many friends here will
miss his familiar face and genial smiles
Alr John Reamy. vho has rented the
Greenfield farm below Burgess Store
ipr several years past. will occupy Mir
frent's house and cultivate his place for
t1e coming year.
Alr. Joseph Bryant. living near Mako
mis-, has just completed an attractive
and coy residence. which il an orna
ment TO the neighbOrhood
Mr.. Charlie Hogan. who has for many
months past served a. clerk for Mr. -
G Snow. one Of our leading merchants
here. viii vacate his position at the emo
az the present year. Like many other
young men of the county. he appears T.
have leaning toward life on steam
boat. and will probably secure posi-
ton on one.
For several winters past the NorthuT-
herland roads have been surprisingly
/ good. having kept for the most part tirm
and smooth. The excessive rains of late
however. have changed all this and a.
ready our highways have become far
from things 81 beautv' OF a "jov Tor
ever. Their bad plight has IN some
eases been much aggravated by the re
cent use OF the road machines viii e the
earth was still very wet li there's q
time for all things. it follows there l. one.
for road working.
Mr. james g. Rice had the misfortune
TO lose his faithful family mare "a Few
nights since. The accident was due &c
the animal being tied in the stall. cau--
ing II in some way 60 be ehoked O.
{ death
Mrs. Charles Naliandingham who un-
Ter went a hazardous operation in Bsi.
timore in November aud was brought
/ home "A few weeks ago. has since stealil,
/ improved in health. much 20 the gratih
cation of a large circle oi friends
4 number oil the youths OF this vicinity
have made a much needed pecuuiary
raise through the shipment cl holly
and mistletoe bou.hs % baltimore. Thh
industry never reached 81 large proper
tons before
The ancients believed that the missile
toe had an ominous bearing on the in
teresting matter OF matrimouy and tha'
the movements OF its beautiful leave,
fOretold coming events la that lice. How
ever this may be. the boys have been dis
turbing the mistletoe. and marriage,
have been numerous. one minister al
least, having tied more knots than il
any previous year Of mis- life
G.. ". b.