Milford chronicle., 1916-10-20
D. A. c. AT FREDERICK.
Man,s RemInIseenees d e0yhOOd.

Mans "reminiscences Of 5oyhood.
We are stin in Frederica. During
these visits we naturally become rem
iniscent and often wander back fifty
years ago when we were young and with
the other boys OF Frederick played our
pranks on the farmers of the vicinity.
The watermelon patches were the es-
pecial prey OF the boys at the time of
ripening One evening a company went
down the river to Coal Shoal in a yawl
boat and visited a watermelon patch, re-
/ turning with the boat half loaded. After
arriving at the wharf they carried as
many OF them as they could to Tom
Iinson and Reynolds wheelwright shop
to hide them, and while they returned
I for the remainder a party who had been
watching them took the lot and hid them
somewhere else. When the boys return
ed with the rest Of their freight the
reader may judge Of their chagrin to
find their first installment gone. The
farm Of John West-whilch is now the
Wix farm-was handy for this purpose
and Mr. West raised nice melons. His
patch was raided so often that he con-
ceived the idea Of watching at night
with a gun. On one particular night in
Stedu OF Watching Hc went ~ SACeP I
against a nice big melon with his gun |
across his lap. The boys arrived as
usual, and picking up a nice big melon |
proceeded to dash it against what they |
supposed to be a stump, but which proved /
to be the head Of Mr.. West. He jump /
ed up, threw away the gun and ran for /
the house, but the boys were as much /
frightened as he and ran in all direc-
tions, and this ended the raids on Mr..
Vests patch for time. In later years,
when the Civil War broke out, these same
young men became heroes and upheld
the flag OF the Union on many battle
fields.
A Prosperous Farm.
Last Sunday we were the guest Of Jehu
Reed and family at his palatial home
two and one-half miles north of Frederi-
ca. This farm contains 400 acres. mostly
in a state OF cultivation. and is one Of
the largest farms in this locality. The
mansion house was built in 1771. almost
with Barratt's Chapel. 1t
was enlarged, remodeled and repaired in
1868 by Mr.. Reeds father. The grounds
and surroundings are laid out with
beautiful lawn in front, and there are
several varieties Of chestnut japanese
walnut and other fruit and nut trees on
the lawn and around the grounds, and we
saw more chestnuts and Of a larger vari-
ETY. than ever before. Mr.. Reed has a
20-acre field in asparagus. from which
he shipped a great quantity this season.
pears and apples are also largely
raised by him, and at present he is ship :
ping apples and chestnuts. which bring
good prices. Mr.. Reeds shipping sta
ion is wyoming, seven miles away, and
or transportation thereto he keeps four
zen mules and some horses; besides he
las cattle, hogs and chickens galore.
We often think, when we see old men
Walking around enjoying life, that Oar
wins theory of THE Survival Of the Fit
est" is true, but when we see groups Of
.ble bodied young men standing on
treet corners idle, when there is plenty
# work to do. we are almost inclined to
hange our mind. In the first instance
We think the aged are permitted to stay
iere beyond their allotted time because
hey have proved themselves to be the
httest:" and second we do not see any
hing the others are doing. or are likely
o do. to make them anything. least or
Il the fttest."
Some of the young ladies Of Frederica
re taking six o'clock morning walks
bout the town as a health panacea On
Wednesday morning, by previous en-
agement. we accompanied five young la
les through the woods that skirt "Old
pring Creek. to the fishery beyond
he morning was cool and the air frosty
ct we left at $50 a. m. and were back
time for school. We had fine walk
nd the misses were delighted and en-
lusiastic, and now that they have be-
'me acquainted with the route will
'ubtless take it for their morning
rolls.
The Steamer Frederick is carrying lots
freight. chief among which is coal and
rtilizers, and the farmers are using
UGH Of the later for their wheat crop.
On the seventh of the present month
e saw an osprey (fsh hawk) lowering
er the waters of the Murderkiln. It
unusual to see one of these birds in
is latitude between the goth of Sep -
mber and the goth of March.