Milford chronicle., 1940-11-01
MEMORIES OF MILFORD.
a Recent Visit TO The Home Town
Brine Memories Of The Old Milford
Hotel And Ita Genial Proprietor


ner of North Front and Walnut
streets, stood the Old Milford Hotel,
which, at the time Of our sketch, was
one OF the most popular hostelries Of
lower Delaware. Justice kOwery was
the proprietor, which explains I'm a
large part the popularity Of the
hotel. Statesmen and visitors were
attracted by the unique personality
and geniality of Mine Host Lowery.
Back in the SOS, when the big
reading room furnished a place for
relaxation and rest for guests and
fellow-citizens there was won't to
meet several famed local story-tell-
ere, who always had appreciative,
interested hearers. No one of those
narrators was heard with closer at
tention than was given the proprie-
tor-Justice Lowery.
eve feel like saying here, paren-
thetically, that the art of story-tell-
ing has been largely lost to the
present time. the factor being most
pr0bably-the discoveries and in
Ventions that have since those days
come about to occupy the time and
thought Of mankind-airplanes, ra-
dios and automobiles.)
Il was one night in winter when
the warmth of "OId August" was
found most comfortable that the
following story was unreeled, retold
here (but not in the inimitable way
''Jet" Lowery told it,:
The buying Of furs in Delaware's
lower counties was quite a business
in those day. Our old friend had
jnst returned from such a trip to
lower Sussex, coming home with
many skins Of rabbit. mink, musk
rat, o'possum, and a few fox and
coon hides.
When he left Milford he had load
ed a barrel of Whiskey into his
wagon for a man who kept a gen.
eral store and had expressed a de-
sire to trade skins for liquor. It
must be remembered there was con-
siderable trading or swapping going
on at that timel. AS it happened,
when this fur traders place was
reached. a large stock of furs were
awaiting disposal
As the buyer had not a great deal
of confidence in his own ability at
figuring and as the merchant was
not strong on mathematics, there en-
sued considerable conversation as
what might be a fair exchange of
commodities. There were the furs
and here was the Whiskey, alright,
and the man knew how much he
wanted for his furs and Mr.. Low
cry knew how many gallons were
In the barrel and his price per gal
Ion. So all that was necessary,
seemingly. was to get together, hg-
ure up and settle the difference. II
any, in cash.
After much loss In time and test
OF patience, they agreed TO turn the
job over to a gangling son Of the
merchant who was good at figuring.
he having recently graduated from
a cfoss-road school. So, as a pencil
could not be found, the young man
armed himself with a pointed stick
aud got down on his hands and
knees on the smooth-packed yard, |
back Of the store, and began his
work, and the two principals of the
deal took places where the opera |
tion might be watched. Beginning at
the upper end Of the yard the youth |
started in. FuTs and gallons began !
to appear and multiply. MuItiplica-
ton and addition progressed rapid
", and row after row of figures and |
line after line appeared, the boy
moving backward to keep ahead of |
the work. smoothing the ground for
further effort as he progressed.
Wonder and amazement began to
iIl the eyes of the interested par
lies, as they looked at each other
puffs on their cigars. Their
bodies became tense and rigid; until
finally the father Of the young man
called him OF and they all adjourned
Ior dinner. The merchant was a
patient man and his wife was
sussex county cook, so the dinner
proved to be a welcome break in the
ask before them. But II became ap-
parent that the boy did not eat with
much Jest and showed unmistak-
lble anxiety to get back to his job.
Conclusions had not been arrived
t.
So. in an hour or so they went out
gain into the yard where finals I
we're begun. Lighting up cigars, IA |
her and buyer took their places and (
he boy with his crude instrument
legan anew his hierogyphics on the
andy soil. The rays Of the after I
loon sun came under the old naples, '
nd yet results we're lacking. At
asst. when the ground was covered
With figures, the knees of the boys
worn through, the point Of I
is stick but pulp, and his hand
ramped with much effort II became
nown to all that Just what the I
was worth or what the furs 8
anne to had not yet been divulged.
So, as the shades Of evening drew c
light, the buyer from Milford arose
rom the old arm chair where he
ad been reclining. stretched his {
Teary limbs and gave mp the fight. a
Mr.. Brown" said he. Il know you 4
ave a smart boy and he's good at
CURING, but / must say he's
anged poor one to settle an argu- d
ient. admire, I do, your faith in =
10 young fellow; but I'm afraid
lere is not enough ground In Sus-
* county for him 10 strike a likely
alance, and / propose we call the
hole thing of. We'll call It an even
ade-your fUrs for my whiskey. n
ow about it?' d
well, Jet, expect that would o
I'VE time.' replied the fond father. G
The rascal was good at figuring one
me; but ! reckon he's been out Of v
ihool too long to do a good Job i
It now" 81
ROpERT I MEARg .,