The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-15
The MODERN
BOX PARTY.
Other Forms Of Entertainment
Forced to Take a Back Seat.
1T ENJOYS A MONOPOLY
The "Box Party" Described and Fully
Set Forth as Worthy Aspirant to
Popular Favor-Each Gentleman
Attending Is to Bring a Box.
isncc,o, 70 The rlmes.plspa tcb,

Especial to Tho Times.Dispatch.) @
CONFORM, VA, March 14.-The modern
''box party has become so immensely
popular among tho young folks in the
rural districts that various other kinds
Of entertainments and "pass-times" at
private residences have been assigned to
back scat, soon to be numbered among
the things Of the past Dancing parties.
card parties, valentine parties and the
like. which have been in vogue for many
generations. have been in evidence but
little this season, while their successor.
the "box party''-has enjoyed a sweeping
monopoly.
A number ofyoung people gather at tho
homo OF some friend who Is not nversc
to innocent fun and frolic, and while
away the first half Of the night by car
rying out and informal programme of vo-
cal and Instrumental music plays
games practical Jokes. &C., the amuse-
ments being snugly sandwiched with a
sumptuous supper and an abundance Of
confectionery; and, before dispensing the
participants agree upon another night as
tho time and some other residence as
the place. of the next box party"
which must I" ike place. in less than a
week from that time.
1t is always understood that each gem
tlemen attending these parties must carry
neat box containing confectionery or
tho best quality, and that the owners OF
the houses where the parties are to be
held must know nothing of the coming
event" until the young folks begin TO
meet at the time appointed, 80 that the
entertainment will be a Surprise. But,
somehow, the secret leaks out, and, as
a rule, big supper awaits the partlci-
pants,
1t looks as IL the valentine fever which
manifested itself about tho 14th of Feb
ruary, has become both chronic and con-
tagiolls in some localities, for the comic
article is still going tho rounds Just as
It iwans O month ago. 1t is very much
like tho game Of "last tag" played by
school children. The fellow who is hit
is determined to hit back again and won't
give up unless he is allowed to deal the
last little lick, Much bad feeling and
many personal quarrels and nelghborhood
fueds have resulted from the sending Of
tom has become so disgusting in some
communities that the merchants have de-
cded that they will never again keep the
comic valentine In stock, f
IIYDROPHO l3TA. t f
What Is generally believed to DO n.y.
tlrophobia has reached very serious pro-
portions In some parts OF this country.
A little moro than month ago q mad
dogI made two tours Of this neighbour
hood and attacked dogs, hogs and cattle,
an account OF which appeared IN these
columns at tho time, Tho Incident caus-
cd widespread uneasiness. but the owners
Of animals attacked were unwilling to
hnyo them killed because they were not
entirely certain that they had been ac-
tually bitten, In the course of Il week or
ten days from the rabid dogs FIRST tour
of tho nelghborhood, an animal here and
there showed signs Of rabies Some OF
these few were killed, and some died. La
ter the disease manifested itself In cattle
and hogs. and now a number of fine hogs
have hydrophoba. Mr.. Robert Newton,
a prosperous farmer near this place, has
lost nearly all 1of his hogs since the first
ono showed signs Of RADIOS about ten days
ago.
1t Is believed now that justice OF the
peace will have to require q constable to
kin the dogs known to have been bitten,
in order to prevent a further spread Of
hydrophin In tho county, The magistrate
at this place has called attention to tho
fact that the law requires tho killing Of
dogs known to have been bitter by q rabid
animal, and that any person concealing
such a dog Is liable to a fine of 81 for
each and every day bitten dos Is con-
scealed, ,,.
Measles is epedemic In some sections Of
King George. and the disease Is tnterfer-
ing considerably with tho attendance
mnon some OF the public schools.
The pound Fishermen along the Poto-
mac are busy putting their nets ~ the
river. with view 70 Degln the spf'ne
one time anticipated. Some Of the. seines
have been making very satisfactory
catches for several days past.
ST. .PATRIcli's DAY,
Naxt tuesday, eSt. Patrick's Day''',awill
be lie time for soWlng cabbage seed. and