The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-05
Freedmen,s Fair-sixth and Last Day.

The Fair was opened to the public at 10
O'Clock, Saturday morning. Hundreds i'm
proved the opportunity to examine the arti-
clcs and make purchases. The time was IA
vorable, for the crowd was not so dense as to
prevent one from getting at the tables. The
afternoons and evenings have afforded a poor
chance for seeing or purchasing. Saturday
afternoon there was full attendance, and we
think there were more purchases made than
on any previous day, at least, it appeared so
to us. The people did not seem to be tired,
but appeared to be willing to give their atten-
dance for another week. They We're deter
mined at the outset to have good time gen.
orally, and they have had it. We have never
seen crowd in better humor.
The young managers were about, busily en-
gagged in getting subscriptions for the differ
ent articles, and it was difficult task to resist
smiles and so earnest. These little lotteries
if such they may be called-were thick in all
the rooms and the young ladies spared no
pains necessary to insure the sales of the va
rious articles entrusted to their management.
Business and traffic were very lively in all de-
partments. The dining rooms have done a
very profitable business. Perhaps no single
department has done so well Immense guam
titles of the good things of this life have been
consumed, and yet our different religious So
cieties have provided abundant supplies
There has been no lack. And how could
there be when such nberality has been mani
tested? Our citizens have opened their hearts
their larders and their purses most generous
ly.
The closing scenes in the evening were
lively, and every one seemed determined that
the finale should be as happy and enthusiast
tic as the commencement As the price of
the various articles had been very considera-
bly, reduced, purchasing was very active in the
evening. All seemed anxious to carry away
some article as memento of this great and
successful Fair. The Forest City Band, a
comparatively new organization, gave some
excellent music to enliven the occasion. The
members OF this band must have practiced a
good deal and must possess good tact for
music or they could not perform so skilfully
as they did Saturday evening. We are glad
these young gentlemen have formed this or
ganization, and hope they will continue their
practice, for that makes perfect. a
If those who have superintendent this grand
enterprise and waited and tended upon the
visitors feel fatigued-as we think they must
we saw no signs of fatigue or impatience
among the dense crowd. 1t did not seem as
if the novelty of the affair had been worn off,
for the good humor and enthusiasm OF the
visitors seemed not to flag in the least degree,
remaining the last evening about the same as it
was at the first. i-.a -li r-l
Those who have had the management Of
the Fair, both ladies and gentlemen, are emit.
tied to great credit for the unwearied pains
they have taken to make it complete sue
cess. Those too who have tended the tables
and waited in the dining rooms have worked
hard and showed no abatement of their zeal
and enthusiasm in the good cause. They
have labored more industriously than they
would if they had been engaged for their own
benefit. Their labors have been severe, but
they have held out and held on with an indus
try and perseverance worthy of the noble
work in which they have been engaged, ALI
the business connected with the Fair has been
managed with good judgment, and we hear
no complaints from any quarter. .aa,
They have done a weeks work that will be
long remembered, and the clear profits will
amount to more than ten thousand dollars
This amount exceeds the most sanguine ex
pectations of the projectors of this enterprise
The First Parish, in addition to what they
had done for the dining tables in connection
with two other religious societies, gave spen.
did supper Saturday evening, to the members
of the Executive Committee and their hus.
bands and wives. 1t was very pleasant af
fair and the Committee had fairly earned the
honor and the distinction thus bestowed
Never before has such Fair been holden in
the Forest City, and its great success. proves
conclusiyely that the people are imbued with
the spirit of a true patriotism and the love o.
Liberty and Equality.