Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-09-10
The Bethel Fair.

BETHEL, Tuesday, September 9-3P.M.
Excepting the gumo Of euchro which well
known citizen Of Randolph was playing with
some strangers in the smoking car, on the way
down have seen nothing lively in connection
with The Third Annual Fair Of the White River
Agricultural Society" up to present writing
Nevertheless, my Impressions concerning It ore
favorable rather than else, as it Is not time to
make much showing as yet, this being the first
OF the three days which the fair is to continue
the preparations for which seem 10 be quite
elaboTatoa and extensive. The groundsaro large
and convenient, the accommodations for cxhib-
itors good, and all the appointments seem to
have been arranged with care and good iude
mont
The enclosure has half mile track, which
is in good condition, and easily kept so, the
soil being a mixture Of sand and clay, not
very dusty when dry, and not very heavy,
judge, when moderately wet Here are
to be witnessed the numerous races and
trotting matches, which have come to be Sd
prominent a feature in all our agricultural
fairs the good or bad tendency Of which will
not attempt to discuss On the outer edge Of
the ground near the fence enclosing it. are
the long rows Of stalls, occupied by fine speci-
mems Of improved stock the largo and well
filed Floral Hall the extcmporzcd resteau-
rants the little side-shows, and all the para
phornalia Of such gatherings. which arc now
so familiar to everybody as 10 render any de
rff.Nfa n l.. Al
enclosure, in q nook contiguous thereto, Is the
inevitable Fronchman, with his everlasting,
Internal Strap de.hoss," which seems to be
the constant accompaniment Of all large holt
day collections, bat which constitutes an in
delible disgrace and damning shame to every
community which tolerates its existence; to
the civilization pooras it is Of the nineteenth
century, and to humanity at large. There
stands at this moment--or did an hour ago
hitched to the fence enclosing, or partly en-
closing pleasant spot Of ground whercon
commondable religious zeal has erected a COM
modious house to the worship Of mercful
CODA horse whose bones almost literally
stick through his skin, pleading for mercy and
for food the skin itself Worn largely from his
back whereon a hard pad olings to the quiz.
eriug flesh or ao.less bone, waiting
starving while he wats-for the human, or
half-human brute, who is now firing his pas
sions with the burning stimulant which civil
zaton must have, but who will come at length
with hi- fierce march-doR, - and his mercless
whip, and will goad the poor beast to some com
fortress stall, or shed, or open field, which shall
afford just sufficient sustenance to prolong his
suiierings, nndenohlo him to return tomorrow
to throw again with tremendous emphasis, the
base ingratitude, and the heartless cruelty Of
IA deblsed humanity, in humanity teeth. And
he is not allne The church lawn is dotted
over With like illustrations-moro or less
strongly marked the lack Of sympathy and
lack Of justice on the part Of the only being
whom God ever made upon the earth to stand
erect, and to rule with considerate mildness,
and carefully protect the lower orders Of Ills
handiwork
Not large collection of people have ap-
pearod on the grounds to day, though perhaps |
MS many as anybody expected and tomorrow,
If the weather should be good, will doubtless
witness the coming together of the deuizens Of
this valley in much larger numbers.