The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1888-12-20
The kirmess.

Tmongh the uutring Efforts of the
leading workers in the tnieersali>t So
ci,ty Of this place, Skowhegan people
were given a rich treat in the entertain
ment line, on the evenings of the 18th,
10th and 18th inst. which was new, novel
interesting and pleasing to those who
attended as well As heartily enjoyed by
the participants.
1t is hardly four weeks since the idea
Of producing The Kirmess IN connection
with the annual fair of this society found
favor, and then only with few, as the
necessary out lay for its production
would be large, and the chances of its
taking" small as seen from the stand
point of the many. But Notwithstanding
these drawbacks, the young people of the
society went al it, sent an agent to Lew
ston to bargain for the necessary seen
ery. and so enthusiastic were they in its
success that first one after another be-
came Interested, and to speak mildly, at
the proper time "it went drought with
rush. and proved one of the grandest
successes ever inaugurated under the
auspices, netting them about $3.50 90.
This in the face of the last evenings be-
ing one of the worst nights of the sea
son as far as weather goes, we regard a.
phenomenal, for had it been fair the net
receipts must have been swelled to al
most another $4,000.
The committee were extremely fortu-
nate in their selection of Stanley Plum
mer, Esq, "a orator, who opened the
fair by brief but interesting address
appropriate to the occasion.
The following general description of
the hall and programme Is borrowed
from the notes of one of Skowhegan's
best writer's, and only does justice to
the occasion;
The scenery represented the picturesque old
dutch houses set ON piles, leaning sometimes Il
little, but caring no more for that than the
hearty looking burghers cared for their increase
in eorpurusity. Entering Cobnn Hall through
what was supposed to be street, We found the
"llet lIof Van Holland on our right, and tie
I typical uulCNlHdn, taIl NpIttkltSt AtdHulHS ~
his door way smoking pipe, his hive feet OF
girth well set off by the white trousers and
/ short Jacket Of linen duck, while the short and
/ pottly Mrs. Spreckles sat near alfred ia her
easy fitting short gown and lace kerchlef, lace
cap, and quantities Of chains, rings and brace
/ lets. Ii was evident that the Spreckles had
made a good thing of the lIet llof business, oc
casionally she turnedan eye upon her womei
but the knitting needles never wavercd mo
ment in their incess ant clicking and tue ampi'
bag at her side testified to the size OF skeln re
quired to cover Spreckles' calves.
On the opposite side of the street was dutci
kitchen, invitingly open. Ofc0ursc went il
and saw the clock and turned up bed, the ha'
wheel dutch cheese and doughnuts, and th'
neat looking woman in cap, kerchief and shor
gown fminus the monstrOus Yankee bustle) tn
knitting bag attachment and busy needles lead
ing to the otherwise unusual scene, a cosy looI
and touch that makes the whole OF ~omankin'
akin. Passing came to the town pump
and although the handle within easy reacl
and the tub ample not drop of water drlbble'
from the spout and we reluctantly passed alon
saving our Schidam Schnarps until NOR
propitious season. Next came candy sho
and ice cream saloon, and now we strike nov
city, a camp Of Spanish gypsies with the laz
men and handsome women-beauties, some c
them, and II fortune teller OF course.
Uncle Sam Arnold was chewing his cud an
complaccntly reposing his hand in that of tn
good looking prophecies, while the amuse
spectators listened to the fact that it was goo
: Euchre hand, and right up here on the button
r see large company of people on hill, and
bald headed man in carriers is up making
speech etc, etc. We concluded she in
dulging in retrospective glance and mean
Howell. There happened to be breeze enoug
to keep the windmill at work grinding out lii
erary salads for which we paid five cents lea
Next in line was place for the sale of dome.
| ii r. leo and urtn Ef
= ful articles, and next came department OF Of
. namental and useful things, some Of theme ole
and beautiful. Everywhere the women wer
tending their shop and all knitting, knittinl
knitting. Soon we came to an elaborate Ia,
out which we were informed was "receptio
ROOM" sure enough, there were the burgher
wives Eat home" and such dresses and lac
caps, aprons sleeves and Jewels! and the eyei
lasting knitting work The surroundings wer
worthy of the OCCASION showing the int ior Of
dutch house belonging to one of the wealth
class. The orchestra struck up march an
from the back of the stage marched hundrc
[ dancers led by c. III. Atkinson in woode
. shoes and smoking long stemmed dutch pipe
lie took it easy and comfortable" down
e few steps, on to the village green and the Law
!, Tennis dance, the Hungarian and Dutch,
= costume, followed his portly pc SON The Lam
t lord and Lady of the iet Hof, the receptf
II committee, in their best Dutch costumes, Spa
, lsh ladies and gypseys, in fact everybody who HI
h any part to play in the evenings entertainne
e po"eu II, 'e WIN" ,h al 'na, ,oR h n
: green and it was soon covered with picturesq'
a hY9res' Last pnt not ieas. came lot OF mo-"
we're out for holiday and the women too
} their knitting along
i was exccednoIv nretty The dancers we
: young, viii supple figures, in pretty costumes
JUL, sM" 'PGn, vs" Tho mn,c du
e loves. We have seen professionals whose bus
! ness u was 10 snow .; Inc poetry o. motion, u
o modesty that would make the oprofesh" gree
with jealousy. a.. ,,....;.. H., !, :;
+ teen misses in pretty White costumes, wi
n pink, blue, and red sashes, The manipulate
: sir and no ealing ar nromnting was given
5 any of the dances. Next came the Lawn Te
ean ua'I ho,nt,tlu ill.,; the
such dress for dancing as compared to the o
uinafy sun costume vi 'nu oaii loI 1 -
. " in all of the changes. Small boys handle
,he nee o'I ~ ~ ,nJ,,on was " 'N"'' '''''