The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-11-01
The State Fair.

Desultorily yours,
@. R. PHiLANDER DoEsrlcKs, P. B.
The State Fair.
The Belmont Chronicle had special
reporter at the State Fair, who gives vent
to his "feelinks'' as follows:
Mr.. EDITOR, Dear Sir:-The Fifth An.
nual Fair of the Ohio State Board OF Ag-
riculture has closed. Upon leaving home
with your complimentary ticket to the Fair
in my pocket, Ihad intended, not only to
play the Editor Of the Belmont Chronicle
by assuming its dignities, and accepting
it's especial prerogatives and privileges
upon the grounds, but had also intended
to accept the labor of the position. and act
as your reporter. but not having arrived
here in consequence Of the detention OF
the train between GAINESVILLE and Newark
until the evening OF Wednesday, the Cd
day Of the Fair, and having fallen in with
goodly company by the wayside, the fact
Of the business is, Mr.. Editor, when ar.
rived here and beheld the immense crowd
of people, became 80 much ercited, that
it was difficult for me to tell, whether was
at a Fourth Of July" or a"General Mus
ter" which excitement continued until the
close of the Fair, consequently was una
BILE to take notes, and can but give a few
desultory items, as they now present them
selves to my mind.
And the crowd itself, Mr.. Editor, who
can describe it? Upon Thursday and
Friday each. there was supposed to be
hundred thousand persons upon the
grounds. noticed gentleman from St.
Clairsville, with pencil in hand calculating
the area upon which they stood, giving each
person two square feet. He made it over
1000, but admitted that his calculation
must be short of the mark; and persons
who have attended the previous exhibi-
tons in the State, confidently assert that
the attendance was much greater than
upon any other occasion. They were Of
all kinds, colors and description light
fingered gentry abounded plentifully upon
the ground, and many an unsophisiicated
and unsuspecting locker on. suddenly
found himself relieved of his pocket book.
1t was often amusing to hear some gentle
man lugubriously relate, where he put til at
pocket book, and where it ought to be, but
where it wasn't, until the idea would force
itself through his hair that it was gone.
sure, and where be wouldn't find it. One
of our Townsmen, DR.. Joseph MitcheH.
caught gentleman who sported a mus
tache. with his hand in his pocket. but the
fellow escaped before he could secure him.
or the assistance of policeman. Outside
of the enclosure curious and motley
crowd, were gathered. Shows OF all de-.
scriptions, circuses, French giants, fat
girls, bearded women. Boa Constructors,
three horned cows, Roulette tables Faro
banks, Thimble riggers, &c. And, by the
way, Mr.. Editor what do you suppose
one Of them Thnmble rigger chaps want
ed your respectable representative to do?
Why they iusu!ted him by wanting him
to bet, s.they knew he could,win." Now.
sir, Isdidn't care for myself, for ! am
meek individual. and don't mind insults.
but felt for you. felt as the Pennsyl-
vania Constable did, when the rowdy
struck him, that he was OF striking him
but the Commonwealth - felt that TO you
the insult was given. In short, felt just
as you would have felt--I felt that .sace"
was respectable when we were al home.
felt that we had neac wife at home who
was opposed to such things. l felt that
we had been but lately married, and we
didn't look as if we had been engaged in
such business as that, and felt that swell
of virtuous indignation which you would
have felt--and 1 treated him as know
you would have treated him. looked at
MIN steady for moments TO see if he would
not shrink abashed from our presence, but
he didn't shrink a bit. Still keeping one
eye upon him we slowly inserted ''our''
hand into ''our" pocket, and felt for a
..quarter,' and we found one--we drew
lit out-and with that same swell of indig,
nation and virtue we bet it-and my dear
sir, you lost it. Let that be warning to
you hereafter, for you can't beat them fell
lows. You will, find that item when we
come to settle, under the head of .,Sun-
dries.' nple9 81 4