Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-24

YlouS session.
The CATHOLIC FAIR.-The grand fair in aid
of the ST. Johns convent of NOtre Dame, which
has been looked forward to for many months as
the event of the season, opened last evening
with good attendance. The managers of the
fair have worked very diligently for some time
III arranging for this festival, and now that the
result of their labors is displayed before the pub
lie, they expect, what they will surely receive,
liberal patronage. The hall seldom if ever pre-
scented better appearance than it did last even
ing. The walls and ceiling were decorated in a
tasteful manner, and the stands around the sides
ornamented with colored drapery, and brilliant
ly lighted, SCI 5ed to make the scene attractive
and fascinating. The decorations, which were
under the charge of Messrs. Patterson & Co. of
Lowell, consist of a quantity of streamers rad
ating from a flag covered cone at the center of
the ceiling to the sides, where festoons of bunt-
ing are hung in graceful folds along the cornice
In the rear of the hall, over the west gallery is
a large blue shield, bearing in gilt letters the
motto, Fair in aid of St. Johns Convent
of Notre Dame" and large gilt cross.
The shield, or semicircle, to speak more
around the arch, while in the centre, at the
top, is the cmblematical lamb and cross. On
either side of this device are large pictures of ST.
Patrick and the Virgin, elegantly framed in
colored drapery. Owing to the limited time
which the decorators have had to finish their
work, the display is not yet completed. To-
morrow the gallery rails and organ front will
be handsomely trimmed
The tables, which extend from one side of the
stage entirely around the hall. are arranged
with great taste, and filled with articles both
useful and valuable. At the left of the
northwest entrance are the tables of the
Grattan Literary association, presided over
by Mrs. James McDermott. The St.
Johns choir table comes next, under the di-
rection of Mrs. P. H. Carroll and Miss Nora
Reed, and JUST above that is the Rosary table,
with Mrs. John Carroll in charge. The Sodality
table is the last on the north side of the hall,
under the superintendent of Miss Margaret
McConvile. Upon a stand in the corner near
the stage, is fine portrait of Rt. Rev. Bishop
OReilly, which is to be presented to the society
polling the largest number of votes. Upon the
opposite side of the hall the st. Johns Sunday
school occupy the table nearest the stage. Mrs.
Jere Sullivan! has charge of this table, assisted
by Misses Agnes Kelley and Maggie Geary
The table of the Father Mathew temperance
society occupies the next position, presided over
by Mrs. Richard O'Flynn. Next in order comes
the tables of the ancient order, and the Ameri-
can society OF Hibernians, the first under charge
of Mrs. Owen O'IIagan and Mrs. j. j. OGor-
man, and the latter superintended by Mrs.
Patrick Dover, assisted by Mrs. D. Coughlin
and Mrs Thomas Keye3. The South Worcester
and Quinsigamond Sunday schools table,
which is ASST ned the position next the entrance
door, is presided over by Mrs. James Dunn and
Miss NJ. L. D. King
In the lower corners of the hall are semicircu-
lar tables, that on the south side filed with
choice bouquets and adorned with floral
designs, while at the other side cider
and soda will be dispensed to the thirsty
crowd. The liquids are under the charge of J
B. OConner and J..J. Sullivan, and Mrs Hugh
Ward presides over tie Aower stand. Between
these tables is a refre hment stand, and the west
ant room has been fitted up with long tables, at
which substantial eatables may be obtained.
This department is in charge of Mrs Patrick
OConner and large ps of assistants.
Attached to each of the society tables is large
number of volunteer canvassers, who make fly
ing tips about the hall, presenting subscription
books, upon which those charitably disposed
may place their names and take the chance of
obtaining somc. of the valuable articles to be
disposed of in this manner
The exercises of last evening consisted of
singing by the choir of ST. Johns church. and
selections of stirring music by the band of the
Father Mathew temperance society. The voting
for the picture Of Bishop O'Reilly, which is
likely to prove the most interesting feature of
the fair started off very briskly, and at the close
of the evening the Sodality were twelve votes
aheGd, with the st. Johns Sunday school next,
Rev. Father Burke, the distinguished and elo.
quent Dominican friar, will be present this ev.
ming, and it is expected will deliver a brief adj
dress. The fair is to continue through this
week and part Iof next, and judging Blythe
favorable auspices under which it has opened it
will be fully as successful as its wa1mest friends
have dared 10 hope. A variety of pleasing stage
entertainments will be given each evening after
the decorators have completed their work.