American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-10-01
Ten Thousand Women Flounlering In
Ea the Mud and Rain. q "-'4t
GREAT DISPLAY or cNINoL1NE.

Z" . the Mud and Rain. g a.'tA
GREAT DISPLAY or CKINoLINE.
From the ST. Louis Democrat, Sept. 10.
ls Nevcr was there such scene in the
wide world as that witnessed yestcr-
day afternoon on the Fair ground.-
Never were so many white and black,
old and young, tall and small, bcauti,
fnl and bad looking ladies in such
horrible dilemma The day. opened
propitiously, with clouded sky that
threatened no rain, and cool breezes
which wero without any admixture Of
dust OF smoke. The city poured forth
her thousands, with al their country
relations and visitors, and by o'clock
z. NJ, the Fair Ground could not have
contained less than tr0enty; fue Mous-
and people. a little shower that pas
sed over about eleven o'clock excited
but small surprise, and did not inter-
fero in the least with the pleasure Of
the day. About two o'clock another
drlzSle came on, which was chiefly in
strpmcntal in driving to shelter the
hundreds Of groups that were taking
their picnic dinners out among the
u trees ,es and on the, green grass. .,,gsa~
The afternoon exhibitions were in
augurated with great spirit, the scenes
of the ring being witnessed by dense
~ crowded amphithcotre, containing
not less than from fiftenn to twenty
thousand persons. While the contest
between the roadstcrs was still going
on, another drizzle passed over, which
was soon succeeded by dashing thun-
der gust with q heavy pour of rain
This drenched ali outsiders, and food
ed the promenade and steps of the am
phitheatre with two or three inches of
water. The clouds broke away again,
and the sun peercd curiously out as if
to note the effect Of MS shower upon
the scene. Evidently disappointed at
the failure Of his thunder gust to scat.
ter The crowds, he again withdrew, and
called up out Of the west very sombre
mass of vapors that stretched almost
from North to South, and camo slowly
N'' h'th NOSiul pOIIGi!J, ...-... .t.. ..... o..
1t was evident that long, steady
rain was about to set in. Tie crowd
toak alarm, and at about o'clock the
rush for omnibussos and other yehi-
cles began. The mud was excessive.
The water stood in puddIes and ponds
oil over the grounds and along the
pathways. The most decided move
ments were first noticed at the steps
leading down from the promenade
OF the amphitheutrc, which was all
muddy and slippery. The descent had
to be made, and there was no other
way for the ladies but to elevate such
of their drapery as they desired to
preserve from pollution, aud make the
rush. Down they came singly, and in
troops. Hundreds Of mean and shame.
less boys and men stationed themscl-
YES at the foot Of the steps to increase
the porplexitics and modification Of tho
ladies'. !.
The rain was coming. No time to
DO lost. Silk dresses were precious
and must be saved, so they were caught
up and drawn around the waists. Hand
some pctticoats were preserved in like
manner. Hoops and crinoline were
very inconycnient. Skeleton skirts
were totally unmapageablc and in hun
drcds Of cases were. left to hang and
sway and grin around the form Of their
posses5or, TO the horror ofmodest men
all over the ground. Slippers werc
entirely engOIphed as the wcarcrs
plunged from the steps and sought the
dry land. Boots and CATERS we're all
lsplashed and soilcd, pants and hose, =.
we'll, everything outsidcof tho ycrycu,
ticle itself Of bifurcatcd fcminity, was
all bcdabblcd and bcspattorcd with mud
and slusb
The rain came steadily ON. The
crowds in the amphhhoatrc rapidly
dispensing, rushed headlong to thd t6,
frances Of the grounds, and soon the
omnibusScs in waiting we're 'bosiegod
| by thousands Of men, women and cbil.
dren, wbowcrc frantic in their efforts
TO gain seats. Couples and squads
| poN tbY.,.,L H. x,,,1 49,. Al I