The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-15
THE GREAT NEW YORK FAIR
Great Rush on the Second Day.

Great Rush on the Second Day.
The cry is "still they come" and the
fair buildings yesterday afternoon were
more thronged than ever. Being the frs,
day Of sale, people came in with money in
their pockets, and spent it lavishly at the
various stands. The ladies were by far in
the majority during the day, and in that
respect the beauty of the scene surpassed
that of the evening festivities.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT..
MThe vicinity of the Fire Department
was unapproachable. The rich and varied
assortment of gifts and the popular char
acter of the class to which this important
corner of the building is devoted invested
it with more than ordinary Importance
The ladies engaged at the counters were
busily engaged in selling goods during the
principal part of the day.
IMMENSE SALES AT THE BOOTHS, ETC.
The ladies at the various booths and de-
partments did an excellent business yes
terday. The pecuniary result of the sale
OF the articles exposed in the departments
was extremely tisttering to the skill and
zeal of the fair vendors. Never were GUS
toners served more politely. "What is
the price ?" was answered everywhere by
a smile or some Indication of courtesy, and
a prompt answer followed. This course
made the aggregate sale great success.
The material and capacity of the articles
sought were also explained in almost every
instance, and the ladies showed themselves
adopts alike in realizing money and in de-
scribing the goods. Such was the great
rush Of customers that up to three o'clock
yesterday afternoon thirty-two thousand
dollars had been received at the various
booths and departments for various articles.
The gifts were generally of the finest and
most costly quality. There is "still more
of the same sort left, which will find anx-
iOus purchasers at large prices.
DEPARTMENT OF ARMS AND TROPHIES.
The catalogues of the articles exhibited
in this department were anxiously sought
by the multitude of visitors who continu-
ally entered it. The relics of war, and
the time-stained trophies of 1888, 1912,
and the day of the nations struggle in
Mexico, with the miscellaneous gifts of the
instruments of war and the tokens of the
rebellion, were examined patiently. In
the centre Of the room, however, an oval
counter, with an attache seated inside,
created special interest and momentOus
excitement.
VOTE FOR ARMY OPPICERs-GEN. MCCLELLAN
AHEAD.
On the counter two large blank-books
were placed. one on each side. A label
above them showed the peculiar object
of this extraordinary feature One book
was devoted to subscribers who, having
paid a dollar each, wrote their names on
it and the names Of the general which
each desired should be presented with the
sword donated for this object. The mill
tary race which should decide the martial
favorite of the fair caused much specula-
ton, which was mingled with comment
and sometimes with unmistakable and
mutually hostile feeling. But the sub
scribers held firmly the equilibrium OF their
temper, and good hunor predominateG
THE GENERAL FAvORITE OF TIIs LADIES
The contest was not confined to voters
of the stronger sex; for those designated,
for some unaccountable soplism, the
weaker" resolved to show their strength,
and exhibit their appreciation of the COM
manders of our land forces. Accordingly,
ladies voted in rapid succession for Grant
or Mcclellan, As their preferences or their
judgments directed them and the struggle
IN the afternoon was so close, that it cans-
ed much apprehension among the bellies.
A SEARCH FOR LADY VOTERS
Ar tbroa O.n1noL tho c{4sc:c! -,
counter, announced that "Grant was
ahead, " and the words filled with chagrin
the bevy of beauties who had expressed
their admiration Of "Little Mac.'' This
was an awful dilemma for the lady admir-
ers of the commander who twice saved the
nations capitol. What was to be done ?
Woman never despairs and an expedient
often the salvation of the minority in
the British Parliament-was at once mt
into execution. McClellan's lady friends
sought others, who came to the rescue
for the next half hour secured the sword
for him, by majority Of half a score.
Then the bellies and matrons who would
have Grant obtain the gift pursued similar
tactics, and soon the "hero of Vicksbure"
rose up three or four votes above bis rs.
sumed antagonist.
In the meantime, as each five or ten
minutes rolled, eager inquirers surround
the stand, asking "whos ahead?" when
the answer was "Grant, " the fair oppo-
nents and friends of that general, by the
smiles or the traces of disappointment OF
those near the counter.
DIAIOGur RrrwrrN LADIES'
But the scene was soon destined to be
changed, and the contest closer. A grave
matron in black approached the official,
and inquired "who was ahead +" "Grant,
madam" was the calm reply; the pur-
port of which was self-evidently pleasing
to the sneaker who announced it. "Then