davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

| resourceful occupant of the mayorai
chair TO interpret the custom as relat-
ing to the first three market women.
and henceforward they were the re:
cipents of the New Year kisses until
the ancient custom vanished alto
gether.
II is much to be feared that the
abuse of kissing customs has been
largely responsible for their falling
into dlsuse. though some of them are
certainly more honored in the breach
than In the observance.
One such. which used to obtain IN
OxfOrdshire, concerned the tenants Of
certain estates which they held on
condition that on New Years morning
they publicly kissed the parish pump
or paid q drink fine to the assembled
populace.
AS might be supposed. the tenants
almost invariably preferred to pay the
fine hut II is on record that one mis-
guided close-fisted individual actually
kissed the pump in order TO keep the
fine In his pocket.
The pOpulace were so disgusted az
his meanness and infuriated at the
loss of the liquor that they held him
under the pump and pumped the wa
ter on him until he was almost washed
away
The exchange of drink for kisses
was in the bad old days. not infre
quent New Years day practice in pub
Tic houses. where II sometimes led to
rows and riots among the frequenters
AT one hostelry in the metropolis
It was the custom fer the landlord to
hand out to every member Of the or
posite sex who called before the houl
Of noon on New Years day measure
Of ale in exchange for kiss.
What the landlords better halt
thought of this proceeding report say
eth not.
AT another London public house II
used to be permissible for the first Gus
toner on New Years morning to kIs'
the barmald by way of paying for hi
liquor. But only the first was entitled
to this privilege. and any subsequent
caller VINO presumed to pay In this
fashion had to forfeit half crown to
the barmald. One astute Hebe got hel
sweetheart to call first and mulcted
several later callers of the customary
half icrown IN the course OF the morn
ing.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
BRIDGEVILLE

Master Robert Layton, William Can
non, Wilbert and Edwin Layton, Har-
rington and Myles Messick, attended
a luncheon on Monday at the home of
Miss ]. Mogene Hitch at Laurel.
Miss Lula Tucker. one of the pri-
mary teachers at the public school
here, and Earl McCauley of Philadel-
phia, were married on Monday even
ing at 1880 at Epworth Church, near
town.
Quite a large number of our young
people attended the Xmas dinner at
Harrington on Friday evening of last
week.
Raymond Russell spent the week
end with relatives and friends at
Snow Hill. Md.
Robert Clarke spent the first of the
week with friends at Ocean City, Md.
John Harris and daughter, Nellie,
of Wilmington are spending a few
days at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Robert Picards.
Roland Welch of New York spent
the Xmas holidays at the home of his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. C. F. Welch.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Legar, Attic Le-
gar of Philadelphia and Mr.. and Mrs.
Jesse Legar of Milford, spent the first
of the week with their parents, Mr..
and Mrs. j. F. Legar.
Mr.. and Mrs. Archie Wheatley, Mrs.
Mary Kinder and Mr.. and Mrs. George
Whitney were entertained at dinner
on Tuesday at the home of Mrs. E. w.
Davis at Denton, Md.
The Xmas entertainment was held
on Sunday evening at the M. e.
Church and was largely attended and
was very good.
Miss Lydia Swiggert of near Mil
ford spent few days with friends in
town last week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Brown spent
Sunday with their brother, Frank
Brown at Delmar.
Most all of the young people that
are atten Sis. :ssssAsssSi ssAi and college are %
spending the Xmas holidays at the
home of their parents. .
Brantley Shockley of Marcus Hook,
Pa, is spending few days with rel
atives here this week.
Herbert Rash of Wilmington is
spending the Xmas holidays with rel
atives here.
William Hurd and sons. Herbert and
Albert, of Little Greek are spending
the week at the home of relatives.
Joseph Wiley of Philadelphia spent
the first of the week with his parents
here.
Mr.. and Mrs. Horace Layton and
Leon Layton of Chester, Pa, spent the
first of the week with their parents
here.
Linden Owens of Harrisburg, Pa,
is spending the Xmas holidays with
his parents here.
John w. Dickerson of Philadelphia
and Grover Dickerson of Chester, Pa,
are spending few days with their
mother, Mrs. Anna Dickerson here.
Mr.. and Mrs. Layton Houston OF
Millsboro spent Sunday with the lat
ter's parents. Mr.. and Mrs. c. F.
Welch here.
The Bell Telephone Co. and the
Western Union Telegraph Co. are re-
pairing their lines through this sec
ton at this time.
Samuel Warren. aged 70 years, died
on Tuesday morning last at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Eugene Carey,
after a lingering illness of several
weeks.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
HOUSTON

Charles Armour who has been IL
with pneumonia for several weeks is
able to be out again.
Thomas Cahall is very sick at TINS
writing.
Mrs. Annie Fowler of Philadelphia
and Mr.. Komasar of Fort Jackson are
visiting with Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Hayes.
The Misses Sadie and Anna Thistle
wood of Wilmington spent the week
end with their sister, Mrs. Belle Nor
gan.
Miss Elizabeth Wharton was the
guest of Miss Sara McCabe of Selby-
Vile over Christmas.
Zaek Johnson, Jr., Of Jersey city,
spent the weekend with his parents
Mr.. and Mrs. Zack Johnson, Sr.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Johnson and
Mr.. and Mrs. Virgel McCabe of Sell
byville spent Sunday with Mrs. Geo.
w. Johnson.
MIR. and Mrs. Walter Wharton of
Jersey City and Miss Hattie Vinyard
of Wilmington spent the holidays with
Mr.. and Mrs. David Vinyard.
Mrs. julius Cooper and sons of
Harrington are spending the Xmas
holidays with R. Graham and wife.
Walter Graham of Milford was the
guest at turkey dinner on Sunday
at the home of his brother, R. .Gra-
ham.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dion Sapp of Philadel-
phia spent the weekend with Mr. and
Mrs. Hummel.
Thomas Cahall of Philadelphia Wis
tied his grandparents over Xmas.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ralph Jump and
daughter, Mary. have been visiting
Mrs. James Wright, near Choptan's,
Md
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
DACSBORO

Wedding bells have been ringing
right merrily as we predicted some
time ago and we wonder If they ar,
through ringing.
Miss Alva Hickman, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Hickman, of neal
town, and Mr.. Charles Wells of Lewes
were married in Milford, Friday eve
ming.
On Saturday at noon at her home
in town, Mrs. Sallie Chandler and
Rev. Charles Derrickson of Millville
were united in matrimony by Rev. o
V. Steininger.
At the home of William Steen, OF
near town, a quiet but pretty we'd
ding was solemnized on Sunday NOR
ming when his daughter, Ida. became
the bride of Joseph Chandler, the
son of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. B. Chandler
and one of Dagsboro's most enterpris-
ing young men.
Misses Mabel and Ruth Dobson of
Millsboro and Miss Cynthia Reynolds
of Dagsboro were guests of Miss Ber-
tha Cannon during the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. l. A. Hudson spent
part of the holidays with their
daughters in Wilmington and Philadel-
phia.
Miss Myrtle Hudson of Philadelphia
is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson Hudson.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Parkhurst, Mr..
and Mrs. Frank Baker and Miss Liz
zie Baker, all of Philadelphia have
been in town to attend the wedding
of their sister. Mrs. Sallie Chandler.
Miss Myrtle Baker is home from
Philadelphia for a few days.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. d. Lingo, Jr., Mr..
and Mrs. Raymond Lingo and chill
dren and Miss Della Bunting spent
Tuesday in Lewes with DIR. and Mrs.
Joseph Martin.
Prof. Otis Jefferson of Glendale
spent part of the holidays with
friends in town.
Misses Della and Ella Bunting have
been visiting their brothers in George
town.
Mr.. and Mrs. Elisha G. Cannon of
spent Christmas day with
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. G. A. Can
non, Mr.. and Mrs. Cannon also had all
their other children and grandchil- /
dren at home that day for dinner.
Misses Helen and Madeline Thomas
who are attending Beacom's Business 4
College in Wilmington are spending /
their vacation with their parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Illea Thomas.
Miss Thelma Thomas has been on
visit to Wilmington recently.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Williams en-
.ertained her parents, sister and bro
her to dinner on Saturday.
Miss Margaret Townsend of Wash
ngton, d. c., is with her parents for
he Christmas holidays.
The annual Christmas treat of the
Il. p. Sunday school will be given out
It the meeting of the esLadies Auxiliary
society on Friday evening. II
The Christmas program rendered at
he NJ. E. Church on Sunday evening
,as considered by many to be one OF
he best ever given in the town.
Mrs. Jennie Johnson spent part I
f the week in Georgetown.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
New Year Kissing
Customs

Saluting the Parish Pump
THERE has always been a close
and mystic association of kiss
- - .s.h - A. " ~.

"HERE has always been a clos,
and mystic association of kiss
Ing with the New Year. Every
lover, II circumstances permit. thus
salGtes his sweetheart at the dawn OF
the New Year-and some lovers are
not particular whose sweetheart she
Is that they thus salute on this aus
picicus occasion.
There is an ancient kissing custom
associated with a parish church in
Lancashire. The legend is that any
one who at the first stroke of mid
night kisses the keyhole of the church
door. ana then runs right round the
edifice In time to kiss the keyhole be
fore the lasf stroke Of the hour. is GER
tain Of good luck during the whole of
the year
II requires certain amount of
nerve to enter This country churchyard
az the dead Of night. even for such o
purpose. but rmnor hath # that no
new year is born without someone es-
saying the race round the church. The
distance is such that II is impossible
for more than one person to thus court
q years luck
Churchyards hive always been favo.
rite places for New Year oscillations.
In the wensIeydae district, in days
gone by. all and sundry could kiss
"without scandal" on New Years eve
in the porch Of the church.
1t was largely availed of. too. for
It is on record that the accommoda-
ton fell iamentabIy short of the de-
mand. and consequently there was
even more squeezing than kissing-If
thai were possible
A somewhat gruesome kind of
churchyard kissing used TO obtain
among the Basques of the Pyrenees
on New Years eve. II was the custom
for the maIdens to then repair to the
churchyard and on their fingers watt
kisses TO the four quarters Of the uni
verse.
kiss was supposed to brush their
aIns on refrrn and u g {.
indicated that they would marry and
be happy ever after. On the other
hand. II the kiss was cold and Of the
earth earthly. the inference was that
single "bressedness" would be their lot
The only means by which the omen
could be broken was by repairing to
the church and kissing the church bell.
gravestone and q piece OF coffin
wood. This remedy was very fire.
quently resorted TO: and so supersti.
tious were fhe Basque maidens that
but for the consolation afforded some !
Of them would nave lost their reason
To these degenerate days the lot of |
the mayor OF Durham is far happier
than that OF his predecessors IN an
cient times. If tradition can be relied |
on the chief magistrate was then un-
der an obligation 10 kiss the first COW. |
the frsf sheep and the first pie |
brought into the first market of the
New Year.
This went on unfii II occurred to
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
FIRE CHIEFS DoN-Ts

A list of "Don'ts" has been prepar-
ed by Fire Chief Lutz Of Wilmington
to aid In the prevention Of fires that
are frequent at Christmas and that
are due to carelessness or other cir
cumstances that can be controlled.
Read these carefully and you may be
saved from Christmas of sorrow or
disappointment:
Don't look for tree ornaments In
cellars and lofts with lighted match
or candle; tree ornaments are highly
fnAamAbIe.
Don't use cotton or imitation snow.
There ara better substitutes that will
not burn
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

Beginning at stake in hole where
stone had formerly been on a new
PUBIC road from Milford to Davis Mil,
thence N. 40 degrees West with the pub
nc road 1873 perches to a stone in the
center OF said public road and a corner
ior lands late of George Russell; thence
N. ~ degrees e. 1855 perches to the
public road leading from Milford to Ced-
ar Creek; thence South binding on said
last mentioned road 46 3-4 degrees East
yLo perches; s. So degrees West 267 per
ches to the place of beginning.
TERMS-10 per cent will be demanded
on the day of sale. the balance to be
paid on or before the s1st day of jan
uary. 1921, when a deed will be ready
Tor delivery to the purchaser; other
terms and conditions will be announced
at the sale.
JOSEPH G. DAVIS, Executor.
Daniel j. Layton, Attorney d31-3t
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

Don't use lighted candles on the tree
or in toy houses and lamp posts near
the tree; the tree dries and becomes
highly infammable.
Don't fail to have bucket of water
or fire extfnguisher near the tree.
A bucket of water in a handy place
might assure continuance of your
Christmas celebration.
Don't put paper ornaments or deco
rations near gas Jets.
Don't buy or use toy moving-picture
machines that use celluloid film.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
Saturday, January Is, 1921,
Old Windsor Hotel, Milford, DEL,
AT TWO O'CIOcK p M

III TWO OCLOCk p, M
All that certain tract of land situated
In Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex Coun-
ty. Delaware, on the public road leading
from Milford to Cedar Creek, containing
l471a acres, more or less. being the lands
conveyed to Joseph Nj. Davis. deceased,
by James A Harris and wife, by their
deed dated October "a. 1887, and of rec
ord in Deed Book 107. page $50, described
as follows:
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
A NEW YEARS WISH.

To those my friends who hold me dear
wish great Joy throughout the year.
To other friends. who like me less.
full ten months OF happiness.
For such as like me not at all
hope they'll have good luck till fall
Iris
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
ADAMS CROSS ROADS

Mrs. Kern entertained a few Of her
friends Sunday evening.
Miss Grace Adams of Hickman
spent a few days with her sister. Mrs.
Blanche Adams.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
NOTICE

My wife, Alice Bowers, left me Sep
tember, 1919, and warn all persons
not to trust her on my account, / pay
no bills she makes. Thomas Bowers,
Frederica, Del. ltp
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

You have only seventeen more days
to select the gift and get 1t to its des-
tination. DO 1T NOW!
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

Norman C. Collins of Trainer. Pa,
is spending the week in Milford vis-
iting relatives and friends.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
ADVERTISING
RECEIVED TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY
FOR SALE

FOR SALE-Pigs. shoats. hogs, $500 to
5000 Houston Hudson Farm d31-2tp
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

John Lofand gave turkey dinner
to his children on Xmas.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

under the direction OF their leaders,
Mrs. John Jones and Miss Mae Gordy.
Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31

JOSEPH NJ. DAVIS. DECEASED
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05
WRITER 81 VS. GENTLE
HEROINE IS NO MORE

NEW YORK. March 1.-The day
Of the gentle and fluffy heroine has
passed with that OF the much be
whlskered villain. according 20 Sop
HE Kerr. short story writer
"Heroines Of this advanced day
are business women. strong-minded
and full of character" Miss Kerr
said today. They, OF course. only
reflect the economic condition Of the
times
When women changed from huf-
~ decorations Of the household
done up in ribbons and served to
their prospective husbands on a dish
Of simplicity with "a garnish OF re-
serve. then the heroines changed
too
The advanced relationship of
men and women Of today reflect in
our stories Heroines today love
more quickly and more often than
the herOines Of so years ago. The
Hamlet OF today could have stolen
q modern Ophelia away in an air
plane Now it would not matter
whether Ophelia worked behind a
ribbon counter or on milk wagon
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05
Jury Fails to Agree
In Damage Case

ELKHART, Ind, March A.
Seventeen hours was not long
enough for a jury in a $4,000 dam
age suit in the superior court here
Thursday 10 reach "A verdict but
long enough for the jury to decide
that II could not agree.
Roman Jagin of South Bend
brought action against the Chicago,
South Bend & Northern Indiana
Railway Co. lie said that he was
riding on a running board of an
open car between South Bend and
Mishawaka last summer. and when
NE refused 10 enter the car. the con-
ductor threw him off, causing him
10 be injured.
Floyd o. Jellison represented the
plaintiff and Drummond and Church
represented the street car company.
The attorneys are all from South
Bend.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05
RIVER PARK

Mrs. Clark Brown and Mrs. J. J.
Schock were hostesses to the Ladies'
Aid of the Methodist Episcopal
church Wednesday afternoon at the
home Of Mrs. Brown, S. Seventh ST.
The meeting opened with a short
devotional service lead by Mrs. F.
T.. Wolfe. who read the Scripture
lesson from Deut. .. The business
session followed, reports OF commit
tees were heard and plans discussed
for the annual experience social
which viii be held on the regular
meeting day. March Il. in the en-
tertainment room Of the church.
Plans were also discussed for the
annual Easter bazaar to be held in
South Bend the last week in March.
It was decided to hold an annual
memorial day at the meeting near
est Mothers day" when an effort
viii be made TO secUret new mem
bers. The program for the social
hour consisted OF a st. Patricks con-
test and a select reading by Mrs.
Schock. The hostesses for the meet
ing March II will be Mrs. @. L.
Rulison. Mrs. Arthur Mawson. Mrs.
Clark Brown, Mrs. NJ. w. Fisher
Mrs. Charles Anderson and Mrs.
John NewcOmb.
Miss Orpha Hoover. Pleasant St,
whose marriage TO Melvin Ruperight
Will take place March 20, was ten
dered a surprise shower Wednes-
day evening by a number Of Mish-
awake and River Park friends.
Music and games featured the even
ing. a two course luncheon was
served.
Charles Straub, S. Tenth st, was
pleasantly surprised Wednesday
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05

but in the Elizabethan age she
had to be Of royalty TO be a hero
inc.
"In the Puritanic age heroines
were all slim princesses who 'theed'
and 'thoud' their way 10 the heart
OF the hero, hiding their real
thoughts behind an innocent COM
plexion. while now it is perfectly
proper 10 rouge ones way TO love.
During the revolution in Ameri-
ca and for "a good time after hero
ines were still women of reserve
whose only duty it was to sacrifice
for man. In the world war they
were much more cosmopolitan.
But since the first romance Of
Sir Adam and Lady Eve in the Gar
den a sameness in the spirit Of hero
and heroine can be traced down
through doings of Venus and
Adonis; Cleopatra and Antony:
Romeo and Juliet: Sidney Carson.
Beatrix. Annabel Lee and the love
artists Of the present day
The fluffy heroine has passed
she is too busy working TO tie blue
ribbon bows about her throat"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05
BLIZZARD VISITS
SOUTHWEST COLORADO

DURANGO. Colo. March 1.-THE
worst blizzard in 80 years wrapped
southwestern Colorado today in a
show blanket many feet deeU, STALL
ing trains ard blOckading cities and
towns one weStbOund passenger
train stalled near Cumbres Pass re-
ceived food by snOwshOe runners
from Durango. In Las Animas can
on rock slides have torn up long
stretches of railroad track. No
trains have entered Silverton i'm the
last 13 days while Durango has only
had one train in 10 days.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05
GOVERNMENT ISSUES
R EP0RT FAVORING
NATIONAL DRY LAW
Claim Economic Benefits Are
Converting People to
Dry Cause.

WASHINGTON. March 4. - Ma
tionaI prohibition is clearing jails.
boosting production and increasing
thrift throughout the country, ac-
cording TO reports to the govern
ment. Daniel =. Roper internal
revenue commissioner said today.
These apparent economic benefits
are converting to the dry cause
many former vets. according to
Federal Prohibition Commissioner
Kramer.
DRY leaders cited the statements
OF Roper and Kramer as proof that
the nation is not backsliding in en-
forcing the resolution to be COM
plcteIy dry that it took when the
18th amendment was ratified.
Public Sentiment Changing.
Wet leaders. however, charge that
public sentiment is changing. For
proof they point TO developments of
the past weeks. The official report,
however. says.
Business men IN many loCdillles
state that workmen are reporting
for work more promptly and are
losing less time and that banks show
"a large increase in new accounts.
This they attribute to the effect Of
prohibition.
In some localities, police officials
are accredited with the statement
that crime has recently diminished
which they attribute to prohibition
Jails. they say. now are becoming
tenantless. In one of the large cities
OF the country. for instance the So
called sun rise court has beer
practically discontinued because oil
"a lack OF cases. The commissioner
of public safety in another large
city recently requested reduction
i'm the police force because Of the
decreased number Of arrests since
prohibition Became effective.
These seem 20 be some Of the
economic and social BENEFITS of pro
bi1it.on so far"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05
GOSHEN TO FIGHT
INCREASE IN RATE
FOR ELECTRICITY
Report Hawks Company As
Having Purchased Plant
At WinOna.

GOSHEN. Ind. March At IS
reported that the Hawks Electric
company OF Goshen has purchased
the plant of the WinOna Power
Water and Light company at WI
mona Lake. The sale has not been
confirmed. but 1t is said here that
the Hawks company has been in
terested in the Winona concern for
year.
A petition in which the Haws
company asks the Indiana Iublic
service commission TO authorize
general increase in rates is pend
ing in indianapolis. The company
furnishes light and power in Co
shen. Middlebury, Millersburg. Ben
ton. New Paris. Waterford, Syra .
cuse. Lake Wawasee, Milford, Brls-
tol. Wakarusa and Bremen.
Fights Increase.
Goshen city is fighting the pro-
posed increase in rates. Recently
the Hawks company contracted &c
furnish Goshen city with electro
current. undertaking the Indiana
& Michigan Electric company, oil
South Bend. The Goshen municipal
plant is not being operated, the
management claiming it cheaper tc
buy current of the Hawks company
than TO generate it at the city liant
The city is not in favor of increas-
ing electric light rates and unless
prohibited from doing so by thf
public service commission. viii con
tinue furnishing customers at the
esta bliShed rates.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-05

evening by 35 friends and relatives
in honor Of his birthday anniver-
sary. The time was spent socially
with contests and instrumental and
vocal music. Favors in the contests
were won by Mrs. George Fetters,
Mrs. George Seeler and Miss Emma
Buck. A three course luncheon was
served.
Mrs. r. ". Kemp. y. Ninth ST.,
entertained a number of young peo-
pie Wednesday evening in honor of
the birthday anniversary of her
niece, Miss Irene Miller. The even
ing was spent with games and con-
tests. Favors were won by Glen
David and Miss Nilah Sage. The
decorations were in keeping with st.
Patrick's day the green and white
motif was also carried out in the
dainty luncheon served.
Mrs. d. c. Motifs was hostess at
8 o'clock dinner Wednesday. Covers
were laid for nine Mrs. Harry
DeArnold Of Marion, Ind, was the
guest Of honor.
Mrs Harry Harring and daughter.
Miss Mary Harring OF Elkhart have
returned after several days visit
with Mrs Frank Jackson, Mish-
awake av.
Miss Mary Read has returned
from Chicago where she has been
visiting friends the past three weeks.
George Gibson left this morning
for an extended trip through the
west.