The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-05-27
THURSDAY AT THE FAIR.
A Very Much Increased Attendance Over
Previous Days.

Previous Days.
The management of the fair in aid of
the Eye and Ear Infrmary on Wednesday
night decided to dispense with the adj
| mission fee afternoons and the, result was
seen in the largely increased attendance
yesterday. Ladies have, as rule, no
time to spare from their household du
ties mornings, when admission has been
free, and therefore the charge for admis-
sion kept away many in the afternoon.
The children, or perhaps it would be
better to say the young girls and lads,
were very glad to be able to seize the OPP
portunity afforded by the free exhibition
of tho Sanford and Westbrook looms to
witness the manufacture of the plush
rugs and the ginghams. The men who
first execute the block work are the cen
tire always of an admiring crowd. 1t is
wonderful to note the patience with
which they trace out their designs on the
block as patterns for the rugs to be
woven. The work on one of these blocks
represents days solid work. The mo-
hair comb is wonder and the manner in
which it separates the short and refuse
from the long and perfect stock is little
short of marvellous The silk loom from
the Haskell Silk Company is another
prodigy and the Bingham loom a third.
The young ladies having these looms in
charge have little laborious work to do
other than what pertains to a keen eye, a
quick touch and perfect knowledge of
the whole business.
Another very interesting feature that
was added to the fair yesterday was an
old fashioned flax spinning wheel, oper-
ated by lady as our great-grandmother
used to spin, which was eagerly watched
by the ladies. By the side of the wheel
was pillow case which was made from
the flax spun on this wheel in 1851 by the
grandmother of Mrs. Harrison who owns
it.
The dry goods and groceries depart
ments received many additional contri-
buttons yesterday. 1t should be borne
| in mind that groceries are delivered to
| any part of the city and they are the
| best that can be found in any wholesale
| or retail house in the city, and at most
reasonable prices
Mr.. Lawrence explains the nickeling
process while it is being performed in
| glass jars.
Today MI. Harrington will have some
Reform School boys at work bottoming
chairs with cane, and any one who has
chairs requiring bottoming can bring
them here and have it done at very slight
| cost.
Don't fail to call at the Atkinson House
Furnishing Companys booth at the rear
of the hall. These articles are all for
sale for the benefit of the Infirmary, and
no better bargains can be made anywhere
in the city, and no more elegant goods pro
cured. An impression has arisen that
the goods Mr.. Atkinson exhibits are not
for sale, and the impression is erroneous.
The Hill, Bates and Androscoggin
mills yesterday sent handsome contribu-
tions of their goods to the fair A very
attractive gift was that of two of the
Globe tubular street lamps, with extin-
guishers. Mahl & Co., New York, sent a
| large variety of portmonnaies and shop
ping bags. Rogers Brothers, of Water
bury, Conn, sent in 25 handsome cases,
each containing a child's silver knife,
| fork and spoon.
At the Ward table yesterday was a
curious collection of wish-bone dolls
and dolls made out of T. D. clay pipes.
They were made by Mary Belle Holt and
are very ingenious, and meet with rap
id sale. This table also received gener-
| GUS contributions from Misses Ellen
Waite and Mary Nash, head nurses at
the Maine General Hospital, which they.
obtained from the hospital patients in
Ward c. In Ward 6 booth was very
pretty water color, painted by Mr.. John
| B. Hudson, and representing Delano
| Park.
In front of the stage is a splendid pic
| ture of Hon. Thomas B. Reed, hand
somely framed. This picture is from J.
L. Clarity, and will be sold at auction on
Saturday night. There will doubtless
be a great competition for the owner
ship. r.
There was a very large attendance in
the dining room in Reception Hall yes
terday, and many business men took
their dinners there. There was also a
good patronage at supper time. Today
the tables will be provided by Mrs. 81. L.
Houghton, of Chestnut street; Mrs. AL
bion Little, of Free street; Mrs. Il. A.
Hallett, of Congress street; Mrs. Isaac
Orr, of Plymouth; Mrs. Margaret Nc
| Donald, of Park street.
There was also a very large sale of ice
cream yesterday afternoon and evening
at the ice cream pavilion on the stage,
while the Little Women dispensed lem
| onade at the lemonade booth.