The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-24

Of cattle, sheep and swine has always been
good and each year has brought out better
class of animals than the preceding one until
the territory embraced in the limits Of the
society contains nearly, II not quite, as many
thoroughbred animals as the same area in any
other part of the state, almost every breed
known being represented. The society has
voted to exclude all gambling inventions and to
strictly prohibit the selling Of Intoxicating
drinks upon the ground. or course quite a
sum of money might be realized by admitting
them, but the society will endeavor to run the
fair upon right principles. In 1883 the reporters
who visited nearly all the fairs were unani-
nous in pronouncng it one Of the best fairs Of
the season, and there is every indication that
with favorable weather the show in every de-
partment will be better than ever before. All
are invited to contribute to Its success by bring
ing the products of the farm and garden, OF me-
chanical industries, and live stock in short,
anything that is really meritorious.
A sIGHT-sEER in st. Johnsbury, unless he is
posted, will bs likely to miss one of the attrac.
tions of the village. Every one goes to see the
scale works, the new North church and the
AthenRum as q matter of course. But a few
doors south of the latter attraction there is a
display Of taxidermic novelties that will greatly
interest and instruct a visitor. Mr.. c. w.
Graham, young native of the town, is one of
those clever geniuses whose wits incline them
to the study of such out-of.the-way arts and
sciences as do not attract or interest more mat
ter-of-fact mortals. Mr.. Graham has pen.
| chant for taxidermy He has not only become
80 skilful practitioner in the art that subjects
for his treatment are sent to him from far and
| birds and animals that is quite extensive and
rare, and in many Of its specimens is entirely
| unique. The squirrel seems to be a favortt
with MIR. Graham in the formation of grotesqut
groups. He displays his mechanical ingenuity
| in the construction of various devices for ex
| hibiting his groups. Among these is full
rigged ship representing H. NJ. S. Pinafore,
upon the deck of which appears in full costume
1.-THE Nutcracker Opera Company" The ap
pearance Of the squirrels decked out in nava
costumes, OF Little Buttercup iu her famous
role, Is exceedingly ludicrous. Among othel
| pieces of this character are Don Qlixote" {
frog mounted on a woodchuck charging s
windmill; Skating Rink" frogs on roller
skates with some of the inevitable conse
quences; "The Cd, Old Story" squirrel
making love; Burial of Cock Robin" intro
ducing the principal actors in that lamentab
tragedy, and many others, to enumerat
which would require much time and space
Position, poise and expression are all SO care
fully studied and accurately reproduced tina
the illusion his groups and single pieces pro
duce is complete. Among specimens OF worl
Mr.. Graham has recently done are two steers
heads for Mr. Harris of Lyndon, the breeder @
Hereford cattle The young man has bee
offered large sum for his collection and
high salary for his services, but he prefer
the independence and the emoluments of fo
lowing the bent Of his own professional incl
nations.