The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-08
HARVEST HOME FESTIVAL.
THE GERMANS MERRYMAKING RE-
SUMED ON UNION HILL.
Branches OF the Tall Tower Croe shop Fur
nishinG Inspiration-A Monument TO Fritz
Reuters Memory-Fun for the Dancers.

Branches OF the Tail Tower GroR shop Fur
nishinG Inspiration-A Monument TO Fritz
Reuters Memory-Fun for the Dancers.
The Plattdeutsches volks Fest was re-
sumed Yesterday, and although there was no
procession or public display such as had consti-
tuted the feature Of the nrst days festivities,
the enthusiasm rather increased than dimin-
ished. At least half the houses In Hoboken
were decorated with German and American
flags, and the sidewalks Of the road to Union
Hill were thronged. The street cars were so
crowded that the horses could hardly drag
them to the top Of the hill, and II was resolved
to send all the heavy loads to-day by way Of the
elevator. At 4 o'clock there were twenty five
thousand persons In the Schutzen Park, and the
number did not diminish toward night. There
were unnumbered booths for refreshment and
amusement, but the establishments owned by
the proprietors Of the tall-tower rum shop so
fer outstripped all competitors In the race for
ducats that the other saloon keepers grew jeal-
Gus, and said they didn't know out It would be
good thing for the trade n their license was
revoked. Posters setting forth that the tents
or temporary restaurants were branches OF
the tall-tower rum shop" attracted immediate
attention, and the tower itself could hardly
have secured a more constant stream OF Gus
toners for Its basement than did these placards.
Besides the games Of chance. In which the
dice gave all prizes and no blanks, there were
merry go rounds, Ia which adults well as
children rode at dizzy speed, mounted on
was an arena In which awkward riders sham
bled around at nonescript pace between a trot
ana gallOp In futile efforts to carry away ring
on the point Of spear. There was a donkey
who kicked OF every one who attempted TO
riue him, for the replenishiDg OF his masters
pocket; and there were boats on n miniature
pond, and shooting galleries, and acrobatic feats
on tight rope, aud creased pole with prizes at
the top, that all day long dened the efforts OF
the most agile boys and men to climb IL, becom-
Ing. Indeed, more difficult to ascend, because
greasier, after every vain attempt. Then there
were batteries, explaining by inscription that
electricity was life, and Offering opportunities
for ladies' and gentlemen to purchase a shock.
"The sacred bul Rajah,' from India, the
greatest curiosity in tho world. with arm, hand,
and tngers, confined In "A small tent, was indif-
ferently patronized because for several days past
II has been shown IN Broadway In conjunction
with another amusement. not wholly uncon-
nected with cards. IL was thrown completely
into the shade by tue presence In a still smaller
tent, Of" wild African chicken with human
stood upon an inverted barrel, and speaking
alternately In German and English, described
this FOWL as " the greatest living curiosity OF the
age promised also that all who were disap-
pointed with the spectacle could have their
money back with the greatest ease" by simply
nshng Tor H. But nobody was sufficiently un-
reasonable to make such a demand for though
the bird bore no distinguishing marks OF her
less, sufficiently defOrmed about the counte-
nance to make her an object of sympathetic in
terest to all. Her bill had oeen artistically
shaven on at the root, her nostfils slightly en-
larged, and the feathers ON her mutilated face
trimmed. Thus operated upon, her features
were not wholly dissimilar to those OF a mon
key, but very little suggestive OF humanity was
discernible In them.
The event Of the day was the laying Of the
foundation stone OF the monument To be erected
IN the park IN memory OF Fritz Reuter-, the Low
German poet and patriot, who died last year.
The site chosen was directly In front of the
castle, and space had been portioned OF with
ropes, outside OF which vast crowd collected.
Cant Busch spoke briefly, and MIR. =. +. stephen
delivered the Grafton. dilatiug upon the poets
courage and patience during his seven years im-
prlsonment. He was concerned in the insurrec-
tion OF lSN, and condemned to die, but this SEN
tence was subsequently mitigated. Three hearty
cheers were given at the close OF the speech, and
hand, placed in a cavity drilled In the stone
copies OF the morning newspapers OF YESTERDAY,
currency aud gold and silver money, and glass
tube IN which was sealed tightly some OF Fritz
Reuters original manuscript Of his most popu-
lar verses, which were sent To the society by the
poet widow. Then the aperture was plastered
up ana amid great enthusiasm the corner ston ne
was lald by Capt. Busch.
The approach Of night did not put stop to
the festivities, though II somewhat dampencd
the ardor Of the tight-rope walkers, and sub
Jected them TO several rather serious falls. The
uslirantS Tor seemingly unattanahe prizes de-
spite the increasing darkness, attacked the
creased pole as perslstenily and with as little
success as peiote, Inc hundreds OF canvas and
other saloons were lighted up. and the lager
beer aud Rhine wine lowed more freely than
ever, Even the gambling and amusement
booths remained open, but they were leas liber-
ally patronized than at an earlier hour. Dancing
drew general attention, and even the nightly
ascension Of the lighted balloon failed to draw
the disciple- OF rerpsichore from the pavilion
and the other boarded structures where the
waltz and polka were In progress. II was two
O'Clock this morning before the days amuse-
ments closed, but II may reasonably be doubted
whether the park was entirely cleared OF the
merry makers before dawn.
To-day there is to be wedding In the ancient
style, nor VIII II be mock ceremony, for
young couple have consented, not unwiilingly,
their friends.