The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-08-27

spite Of the committee In charge, II was
not until the building was packed to the
point OF suffocation that the pressing en-
thusiasm Of the Veterans could be abated
AT this point the delegation from Scran-
ton, which had been delayed by some acci
dent to the track, came marching into the
grounds, led by Bauer's band, with its i'm
posing drum major. The hall, which was
rapidly being cmptied of both food and
people, was again packed to overflowing;
again the jostling crowd spilled hot coffee
on each other, and sandwiches flew around
even In the most important places Of life,
cannot endure forever, and the general in-
terest began to gravitate toward the ball
ground.
The presence of certain uniformed ball
tossers near the Judges stand" indicated
the probable site of the third attraction of
the programme. The "grand stand" was
early occupied by far-sighted crowd who
were quick to perceive the advantages of
the situation, but the long delay emphasized
by the impediment to clear view of the
whole field made by the Judges stand"
caused constant changes among the sltters
and few were obliged to go away for lack
Of accommodations. The field was there
fore early inclosed, several ranks deep, by
great crowd who. preferred TO endure the
inconvenience of hot sun and dusty
seat or tedious standing.
The approach OF Bauer's band to the
Judges stand" was the official signal for
the gathering of the few scattering crowds
who cared to witness the game. One Sc
lection from the band loft, and the game
was opened with the Berwick club to the
bat and the Hazleton club in the field.
The end of the first inning promised a
spirited game, the Berwicks barely gaining
one run and the Hazletons getting nothing.
In the second innings the visiting club re-
turned the compliment of ''goose egg"
but insisted on taking two runs. In each
succeeding iuniug, save the ninth, the
Berwicks failed TO add any more runs TO
their score, while the Haz1etons failed to
do so only in the fourth. Up to the eighth
inning, however, the visitors only made
one run in each of the successful innings,
but in that they seemed to "get onto" the
opposing pitchers balls, and gave the Ber-
wicks their first opportunity to distinguish
themselves in the ont field. Whether they
embraced this opportunity may be sub
ject of opinion when it is observed that
tho Hoz1atppa cppraH five in tbiu in
ming. In the ninth, the Berwicks scored
two runs, when their opponents, waving
the last half, closed the game with the
score standing II to 3, in favor of the
Hazletons.
1t Is as Improbable, perhaps, to discuss
the causes contributing to this result, as
of the question who killed Cock-Robin,
but lest it might betray lack of acquaint-
ance with the reporters duties it may be
said that the chief reason is that the Ha-
zletons are rather more skillful than the
Berwicks. The latter was supported in the
right field by one-armed player, who, al
though remarkably efficient, considering
his misfortune, is none the less Il cause of
weakness in closely-contested game.
Some rather serious errors in fielding, and
an evident firing of the pitcher in the
eigth inning were conspicuous contribu-
tions to the final result. After all, a still
greater hindrance to the success of the
Berwicks is to be found in the battery of
the Hazletons. They are salaried men and
make the game matter of business. They
are well sustained in the field, and it re-
quires very expert playing on the part OF
the average amateur club to vanquish them.
The Berwicks concede theiI superiority
but the home club have nothing to be
| ashamed of in their game of the 10Th,
though they played with little expectation
of winning. The finest personal play OF
the game must be accorded to the Berwick
| short stop, who leaped to catch shot
| line ball and held 1t securely in one hand.
The matter-ofcourse way in which he ac
complishel the feat was admirable.
The game ended, the crowd rapidly
melted and s.reamed toward town in sew.
| eral jostly currents. on foot, in various We
hicles and in the yachts. Those who wen
| by water were obliged to submit to some
uncomfortable crowding, but escaped the
clouds of black dust, which, more or less
completely disguised those who took the
land route. Early trains had somewhat
thipned the crowd before the end of tho
game, and other trains took more of the
visitors homeward, so that at six o'clock a
little persistence brought one to the surface
where it was possible to look about him
| Supper was not so seriods an affair as there
was less of crowd. There was no grum
bling; a good feeling was everywhere man
ifested, and the remaining crowds viewed
the town while patiently waiting for the
train.
The decoration of business and resident
houses was quite general and tasteful.
There was some in this line that was rich
| and elaborate, and much that was pleasing
| B. F. Driesbach's place, on Front street
illustrated the progress of the past century
| by the figure of an aged pioneer woman
| seated at her little wheel with yarn rec
near by, while at the other end of the bal
| SoHy otoou u tuin hSuiO iSpiSsSHtihS @ W.
nan IN modern dress standing near a sew
ing machine. At the upper end of From
street large illuminated cartoon, represent
ing rather flattering view of Berwick il
1886, on one side, and an alleg gorical pictur
OF George Washington and sundry othe
military representations, on the other.
| About seven O'Clock, or little later,
hot air balloon was successfully sent NJ
from the square. 1t rose straight up in tn
quiet air, and after rising to the height o
half mile, or such matter, gradually dc
sccnded, veering westward and bursting
just as it reached the view line of tn
house tops-typlcal, it may be, of the celc
bration. This was generally taken as tn
official close of the ceremonies, and tn
crowd drifted down to the depot and int
the beer saloons.
The quantity of beer consumed durin
the day was immense, but it may b
truthfully said that there was no fightin
nor men in the gutter. Many found tn
side walk too narrow field to fully dis
play their pedestrian accomplishments AN
others were rather indiscreetly confidential
| but IL all might have been very much WORSE