The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-01


streets are the space occupied by exhib- |
itors. The sustaining posts along these |
streets have both the letters and figures |
upon them, very explicitly marking the |
different places. Thus, in the Italian |
section was one Achille Oliviere, who
sold numberless beautiful things in mo-
sale, silver, glass, shell and wood work.
A lady who had made more satisfac-
tory purchase there than at similar
stands, took his location, Post "a, NJ, for
the benefit of her friends. The post
next him, to the north, is "a, n, the
next eastern post 20, NJ NJ.
Raised aloft all over the building in
large letters are the names of separate
eign portions having their national flags
suspended, and their national colors
draping the posts.
Breaking these streets in the center of
the building is the music hall, with a
seating capacity for IL 900 persons, and
in front OF II a great music stand, with
tiers of seats leading up to the immense
pipe organ, built by the Pitcher Bros,
of New Orleans. Prof. Pitcher is fine
musician as well as composer, and for
tunate were those who in their wander
ings came upon the spot when he came
to render his own and various fine old
compositions into harmonies, sweet,
deep and soul stirring. The Mexican
musicians were the popular favorites.
Swarthy fellows are they, about eighty
in number, of medium height, none old
but some quite young, with instruments
like themselyes-very foreign; but not
like themselves speaking in an unknown
tongue. They dress in dark blue, with
cavalry boots reaching to the knee and
above, followed out at the top in the
back, for free movement in walking.
The very skilled leader of this band does
not look like Mexican, but he does
look most kindly and pleasant, of what
ever nation he may be. He is ever
obliging in responding to encores, and
takes pleasure in calling out his special
lists in solos. Their singing sounds so
quaint and pathetic that it suggests sun
dered home ties, and longing for the I'M
attainable. yet it just as probably may
be war song, and stirs memories or
hopes of fighting scenes and fields Of
conquests. An American band was en-
ployed during the earlier days of the
Exposition, but the funds were made
quate to such an outlay. The managers
usually employ the Louisiana band, of
New Orleans, when music is required
for special occasions, such as the open.
rate associated representations are form
ally presented to the managers.
New Orleans occupies very promi-
nent place in its many, and varied, and
beautiful displays. One dry goods arm
presents an array of brocaded goods in
richest colors and patterns, and laces of
fabulous worth. In large glass case is
lady's model, robed in white brocaded
satin, trimmed with white lace of ex-
quisite pattern, and the price toe high
to mention.
The druggists exhibit wonderful speci-
mems of chemical combinations, the
colors rivaling those of the the rainbow.
Their oxides, and per-oxides, and sui
pilates, and sulphites, and sulphides be-
wilder one by their profusion and learn
edness. The largest cup sponge ever
found is in one Of these exhibits.
Fine jewelry stores, music stores,
hardware stores, crockery stores and
every kind of store, and every mechan-
les workroom also added their contribu-
ton, that New Orleans might compete
with all the world. Very tastefully and
elegantly were these divisions fitted up,
with carpets and curtains, and glass
cases for the ChoIcer goods; not forget
ting seat for the visitor. One firm
dealing in flour had a beautiful Brussels
carpet on the floor, and little railing
about their square, with little gate,
and their brands of flour arranged
around three side of the room, towering
high to be seen from either approach.
Old New Orleans has, in it's day OF pow
er, been lover of the sword and dagger,
the pistol and the carbinc. With fond
ness and care were the goods selected,
that beauty of adjoining, perfection of
~ e H.
all be secured. And the old spirit is not
dead vet. Not that many men wear
concealed weapons, always ready for an
encounter, but some do; and the quick
southern blood likes to do violence in
the temper of u moment. Dear to the
heart of many youth from north and
south must have been the glittering ar
ray of firearms of every size, shape and
efficiency.
Tho Dozier Weyl cracker house have
house of crackers-inside, outside,
walls and roof, all of crackers in paper
boxes, with crackers seen through the
ends. Near by them was another crack
er display. The cracker boxes were ar
ranged in pyramidal form inside of
glass case, which constantly revolved,
bringing into sight many tempting bits
of bakers art.
In beauty of design and beauty of col
or, nothing exceeded the soap displays.
Imagine a column of variegated pink
soap, as high as man or higher, about
eighteen inches in diameter, and sever
al Of them supporting a soap structure!
Not far from them we're collins Of elab-
crate finish, quilted and pulled in satin,
with embroidery and rich lace. But
what idiosyncrasy led their maker to
name two little white ones the Daisy"
and the "Pansy."
Men with unfailing cement cried with
unfailing diligence, giving ocular proof
Of their truthful statements. Their
mended articles were made to appear
more desirable than new ones. Soap
for cleaning soiled kid gloves took prom
inence too, among the fine arts, where
utility and exaggeratiOn are conjoined.
Another wonder of the ephemeral
stand. 1t was the representation of
hoofs and horns, and a hinged udder,
presumably the outlet for the canned
milk from the internal refrigerator.
Some one declared the milk in the city
to be all chemically made, as their ice
certainly is.
A wander of more than usual interest
was the lightning artist" whose rapid
brush movements completed a very
credItable oil painting in twenty min
utes. His canvass was about ten by
twelve inches, and his price one dollar.
He copied any picture brought him, and
charged in the same proportion, accord
ing to size and time.
In conspicuous places, here and there,
stood scales with lady in attendance,
politely inquiring wouldn't you like to
be weighed?" and the small sum of five
cents was the penalty for yielding.
The poor man with the "baby jump
err" declared every day dull dny. The
pen artist with his visiting cards, the
boy with his miniature liberty bells,
the miner with his ores and shells, and
the "unspeakable Turk" everywhere,
with his olive wood from Jerusalem,
and fragrant sandal wood articles, stood
living petitions for money. The glass
engraver cutting ones name in vase or
cup in few seconds; the new knife for
pairing potatoes; the new toy, called the
Gyroscope; knife polish; a patent UNI
brella catch; bead work of Indian man
ufacture, with two veritable Indians there
to sell il, all called for the passer by TO
stop and examine.
IT IA aaid that Mra GIadstona nccuniaS