The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-23
FACTS AND FANoIBs OF FAIRWBBK.

The powers that be have decided that
the employees in the Office Of the New
NORTHWEST are justly entitled to a
weeks vacation annually. This gala
week commenced on Monday the 18th
inst, and we, determined to make the
most of the time thus granted, proceeded
to pack up our best dress, an unlimited
supply of handkerchiefs, an extra pencil
and package of proof-paper, and TAX
ing the omnipresent umbrella (which
by the way was not the traditional blue
cotton affair that Woman Suffragists
are supposed to carry on state occasions),
we, in company with numerous deni-
zens of our city, set our face Salem
ward. A rapid, safe and comfortable
ride was soon terminated by the cry Of
"Fair grounds" and we stepped upon
the platform with q feeling of thankful
ness toward the 'soulless monopoly -
that had saved us from humping for
hours in vehicle over the way that we
had just so pleasantly traversed. 1t
was quite dark when the train arrived
at the grounds, but the ruddy glow of a
thousand camp-fires lighted the irregu-
lar streets of the canvas city, which n
few days had sufliced to build. Our OBJ
servations on this evening were confined
to the cheerful and busy scene outside
the enclosure, preferring to watch the
evershifting living pictures spread
around about US, even to the unfolding
of the wonderous beauties of Reeds
Panorama, with its musical and oratori-
cal accompanimeuts. We early retired
to rest in the rude, but cozy little
shanty, designated by its genial pos
SCISSOR as his "county seat" and from
one of the many windows formed by the
storms and sunshine of three years
watched the stars, endeavoring the while
to recall some long-forgotten lessons in
astronomy until sentiment and science
alike succumbed to slumber.
Wednesday morning dawned bright
and balmy. Campers were early astir,
meat was sizzling, coffee boiling, house
wives bustling, babies crying and every
body chatting in the busy temporary
little city. A stream of pleasure-seek-
ers was soon pouring through the vari-
Gus entrances TO the grounds. Places OF
amusement abounded on every hand.
Here huge type in gorgeous colors in
formed us where Reeds Panorama -
might be seen; there the spreading
wings of canvas surmounted at the en-
trance by highly wrought pictures OF
hideous looking individuals and horses
standing spiritidly on air, proclaimed
the headquarters of the circus. Numer-
Gus side-shows, more or less hideously
advertised, according to the depth OF
depravity into which the taste of the
managers had fallen, were TO be seen on
every hand, while venders of candy
were rendering themselves hoarse i'm the
attempt to convince the multitude that
that article "red hot" was just what
was needed. The doors of the grand
pavilion were early thrown open, and
thither, after having paid our regards to
the ham, eggs and SaUer krdH of the
Aurora Restaurant, we wended our
way. The hours of the forenoon passed
quickly away while we traversed the
building-pausing now to wonder over
the huge proportions Of the mammoth
squashes, potatoes, cabbages, beets, tur-
nips, carrots, parsnips, tomatoes-well
our catalogue is lost; yours, dear reader,
must supply the rest-now enjoying the
floral beauties which rendered the cen
ter of the south wing redolent with
sweetness again listening to the voluble
tongues of the agents of the various
sewing machines, while our eyes were
busy with the cereals displayed hard by.
Coming now into the department de-
voted to the display of ladies' handi-
work, we pause almost bewildered at
the endless ruffles and tucks, Draiding
and embroidery, tatting and crochet
work, she'll and bead work, slippers and
watch pockets, worsted cats, dogs,
squirrels and carriage robes, pillowcases
elaborately trimmed and shirts daintily
hemstitched, stockings neatly darned
and good sensible wrappers devoid of
nonsense, babies petticoats, heavy with
silkembroidery, and substantial socks for
PdterG Gdmitids, quilts intricate in design
and tedious in execution, mo sarcasm
intended), heavy rolls of rag carpet,
brilliant door mats and gorgeous hearth
rugs, together with innumerable non
descript nothings, which we were doubt
less too obtuse or strong-minded TO ap-
preciate, were displayed in almost mar
velous array. Much of the work in this
department was beautifully and taste
fully executed some combined the use
ful and ornamental, while some merely
served to show the dire effects of friv-
olity and hideous ingenuity let loose
among worsteds, silks, beads, shells and
cardboard. AS we turned away with
aching eyes, it did not require much of
an effort of the Imagination to behold
these bright young women who here
displayed with such pardonable pride,
the work of their hands, sitting a few
years hence, trying by the aid of un-
slightly spectacles to recall the abused
eyesight of their youth.
We come now to the art department,
and here, conscious of our inability to
furnish an acceptable critique, we fain
would stay our pencil. Suffice it to say
that this department exhibited credi-
table display-chief among which we
note a collection of fine oil paintings by
Miss Nelly Meacham of Salem, pencil