Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-02-18
FAIRS.



men hnd their prospects drifting into the
same strait, they inaugurate fair. It is
their last resort for getting out of n finan-
cial fix, and they carry the matter through
with the zeal, energy and desperate resolve
OF those who have found their last ditch,
and yet mediate no surrender. Whether
they have ahospital to provide for, an indus
'ri"l school to carry on, or a society to sup
port for furnishing parasols to the Hindoos,
the motto wrought into their empty purses
is, Never say die"
The nation may think itself nearly bank
rupt after supporting vast army for three
years in the field, and may find no means
Ior furnishing comforts to its sick and
wounded but women, declaring that it
ought to be done, pitch gay booths in the
heart of every metropolis, and draw in, o.
yer their confused counters, not thousands
OF dollars, nor hundreds of thousands. but
millions from that same depleted, bank
rupt nation. And in duh times of peace,
when trade is stagnant, and the pow-hold-
crs OF church vote, in solemn council.
That their place of worship must wait for
days, few women shake their heads with
knowing air, whisper together, and
straightway announce that in spite of the
vote, fresh paint is to adorn the pillared
arches, new carpets make the asles luxu-
rious to the feet of dainty worshippers, and
unworn velvet replace the battered cush-
ions OF the desk. Or ii it be wheezy old
organ that jars on their sensitive nerves,
they decree that new instrument shall
lit sonorous pipes behind the tuneful
choir, and roll tide of thunderous harmo-
ny a'ong the trembling roof. The men as
sent. but consider it their duty to look
grave, and throw out grave forebodings as
to the results, until the closing day of
successful fair brings in the last hundreds
that were promised, and leaves surplus
on hand for the Sunday School library.
Then the victors claim their right to look
triumphant and self-satisfied; for though
ii ali came out of the masculine pockets ut
last, the owners Of the pockets declared
that it could not be obtained, and these
feminine managers have proved that ii
could.
to obtain money, and that is by whecdling.
Their own individual supplies are procur-
e.; in the same manner, and ii is not to he
wondered at that they make it the basis of
that cXtemporized shop-keeping which they
call a fair. 4 sale of fancy articles is the
ostcnsible means by which their funds are
to be replenished, but all the trifies of nee
/ 10 ,l-
little preteXts to render the work Of coax
ing and compelling more easy and agreca-
BILE.
The wares that are furnished for a speedy
home consumption are by no means such
as the world seems to be in need of. The
luxurious nothings, the gcw-g aws, and
delicate lancy-work, fabricated for the
cause by dainty fingers ut home, seem de-
vscd for Imaginary wants; and consider
ing the durability of pin-cushions and It'd
les and toilet mats, and the vast quantities
which are distributed at every such sale,
one may well wonder where a fresh supply
IL to find its demand. But it is really of lit
tie consequence whether these things are
wanted or not: the crowds are bound to
Articles are not made to suit customers
hut customers are procured to suit articles.
The fair captors are sure OF their victims
when once they get him within their be-
wildering domain. \ man may resist
highway robbcr who puts pistol to his
throat with rough demand to stand and
deliver; but when the little land pirate
has Il haze of golden hair, and eyes of
heavens own blue. when she smiles en-
trancingly and holds out a bon-bon while
demanding impcratively your money or
your life, there is nothing left but to obey
in gallant style. You have walked into
her parlor, like foolish fly, only that she
might spin her web around you, and draw
out the life-blood of your pockets more
comfortably and eXpeditiously in the CLEAN
of the gaslights, under which she has
swung her silvery nets. After a few sad
experiences at the pretty booths that line
the vast hall, you think to escape all dan
ger by steering clear of that dangerous
coast, where, under arches of bunting and
evergreen, sit the row of sirens who would
fain lure you to a blind destruction. But
v
upon runners and agents of all the great
sales that are in progress, whose business
it is to go up and down. seeking whom
they may devour; and these button-hole
and cajole and flatter you, beg enthusiasts
tically and implore delightfully."-, till you
surrender to them the last ragged green
bacl; left crumplcd in the corner of your
F.. Al. Z.
sense of sweet security possesses you, as
you reflect that from nothing nothing can
come.
Until this happy point is reached, you
feel that, to all the eyes around, you pre-
Hent the appearance Of Il walking pocket
book, and the attractivencss of such char
acter renders every step peril. The sale
Of articles is only one method by which
money is to be coined in this greedy mart
all ants, callings and professions are to con-
tribute their means of profit. When you
have bought all the goods you can carry,
You may be led TO appease your hunger at
an improvised restaurant, where sloppy
oysters, cold tea and curdled milk are serv-
cd to you by white fingered waiting maids
into divers entertainments to gaze upon
lovely tableaux, to listen To a miniature dra-
ma or to assist at petty concert. Or you
start in a railroad for the moon, try your
luck in II dry fish pond, drop a bucket into
Rebecca's well, call for a letter that is said
to await you at the post office, or go in to
be sold in the face of admrng friends at a
gallery of art.
II Is disgrace to our churches, that,
while our civil governments prohibit all
games Of chance, rs not only subyersivo OF
honest industry, but as intrinsically inn
moral, and no citizens dare openly engage
in them for fear of the State Police, the
committees from our religious societies
commit them to a defiance of the law, and
to an open support Of lotteries and gamb-
ling, under the hypocritical designations
Of ra Ming and voting. To ask exorbitant
prices for articles, and return.no change tC
the purchaser; to inaugurate all possible
games Of chance, and induce law-abiding
people TO engage in them; 10 condemn
plays and operas in theatres, and then in