William Douglass, son of Mr. Thomas H. Douglass, of this town, and a recent graduate from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, is at his father’s home.
James Ponder, Esq., attorney-at-law of Wilmington, Del,, wife, and son, were the guests of his sister, Miss Ida Ponder, last week.
John Robbins, of near town, has returned from a visit to his brother James Robbins at Stanton, Montgomery County, Iowa.
Prof. Hastings and Miss Elizabeth Johnson, who were teachers of the Milton Schools, left last week for their respective homes, the former to Delmar, the latter to Millsboro. The three other teachers belong in Milton and are in status quo.
A merchant sent three boys out with a crate of 32 quarts if strawberries to sell for him on commission. The boys returned to the merchant 33 cents for his share. Those boys are learning.
On Saturday July 10th, Miss Ida Ponder will sell at her residence on Federal Street most of the household goods that furnished the large building she now occupies. The sale will begin in the morning and continue until the goods are sold. As Miss Ponder vacates the building by the 15th of July, the goods she proposes to keep will be stored in the tower room of Odd Fellows Hall, corner of Chestnut and Atlantic Streets. Miss Ponder and her niece Miss Sarah Ponder will after the sale spend the remainder of the summer in Maine.
Captain Frank E. Carey has come to Milton to take charge of the schooner Rambo, and put her in the trade between Milton and Philadelphia. The schooner has been laden under deck with pine wood since the spring and lying at the dock awaiting a decision of a question of ownership; and, presumably, it is not decided yet.
“Christian Endeavor Rally Day” was observed at the M. P. Church on Thursday afternoon and evening. The President of the State union, the Rev. Roberts, delivered an address to the attendees, as did also the Rev. H. A. Bryan of Harbeson. In the evening the Rev. Richards of Smyrna preached on “Christ the King,” and an excellent paper on “Christian Endeavor work” was read by Prof. Evans of Harrington. All present enjoyed the occasion wonderfully.
The Royal Packing Company commenced packing peas on Friday. Thus far they are coming in slow.
After a ten-day closure for business purposes, the Douglass White Shirt and Overall Factory resumed business, on Monday.
Otis Goodwin is on a business trip through Ohio.
The berry pickers who went from in and out of Milton to Bridgeville have returned, work having ceased at that point. Strawberries have been selling in Milton at three cents a quart, and for less where the pickers are.
John Welch Jr., while sitting on a porch in front of Mrs. Ida Hughes, on Saturday, had a snake to come from under the stoop and bite or sting him on the ankle. He killed the reptile but does not know of what variety it was. He put an antidote on the wound and has suffered no incontinence from it.
J. B. Welch’s last poem, “The Suffering Saviour,” is quite idealistic and much admired by those whose minds delight in imagery as well as fact.
Mrs. Clarence Welch has removed herself, child, and household goods to Philadelphia, and joined her husband in that city which place they will make their future home.
On Friday evening the Board of Education re-elected the following teachers: E. W. Warren, 2nd assistant Miss Elizabeth Johnson of Millsboro, intermediate department, and Mrs. Estella Bacon of Milton, primary department. Miss Lillian Aker of Milton was elected 3rd assistant. The election of a principal was held over until the next meeting of the Board.
Miss Mamie Conner returned on Saturday from a visit in Philadelphia.
Mrs. A. C. McGilton and daughter, Naomi, are visiting in New York.
William H. Chandler of Scranton, Pa., was the guest of his mother the early part of the week.
Fireman Band went to Harbeson on Saturday evening and finished the music for a fete champêtre held on the lawn at the home of Short Megee, a short distance from that town.
Children’s Day was celebrated at both the M. E. and M. P. Churches on Sunday evening. The rooms were prettily decorated with flowers, and the exercises were of a high order. A forty dollar collection was asked for at the M. E. Church and nearly $24 realized. Twenty-five dollars was asked for at the M. P. Church and $31.35 realized.
Half a dozen men commenced work on Monday putting a new roof on the M. P. Parsonage on Broad Street.
Mrs. Lank, wife of Captain William Lank of Philadelphia, was the guest of past master Black and family and other Milton friends on Sunday.
Rev. Smith proposes to make the coming Fourth of July “Methodist Protestant Day” at the Milton Church. Rev. F. P. Fagg, editor of the “Methodist Protestant,” is expected to be present and help in the exercises of the day.
Another nurse from the Jefferson Medical Hospital arrived to take the place of Martin Keagle, who has been attending to C. H. Atkins for the last two weeks. Mr. Keagle returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
During the electric and rain storm of Tuesday night the electric lights went out and remain out for over half an hour. What is the matter, that on rainy and dark evenings the lights often go out?
Rev. D. J. Blackiston, the newly appointed colored minister at North Milton Church, is now on duty, although his family has not yet arrived. Mr. Blackiston proposes to make some important deviations from the way things have been conducted at this church.
The chimney on the building at the rail road station is to a bad condition. It is badly cracked and liable to fall at any time. Should it do so when a crowd is around the station someone or more people would get hurt. 
Rev. Jesse Taylor, a former rector of the church of St. John Baptist of this town, is a Milton visitor.
[i] “Simp” has appeared in the Milton News letter several times before, usually in connection with some petty crime or altercation.
[ii] A reference to the Old Testament, Exodus 20:4 – This is a paraphrase of one of the Second Commandments forbidding the worship of idols and the creation of graven images.