The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-14
GOT ONE FIRST PRIZE
THE BANKS FAMlLY'S BIG SUCCESS
AT THE COUNTY FAIR.

| Awaited Them mt the Last.
| The Banks family were flushed with the
feeling of coming victory, but they tried to
stiile it. At least to outsiders they did
not wish to appear yainylorious.
The cause OF this pleasant sensation was
simply this. They each had at the county
fair an article that they felt more than sure
| would gain prize, the prize indeed of it's
class.
Mr. Daniel X. Banks, farmer, had a pig
| it was prominently 1.-The fatted SOW"
Its weight was fabulous its appetite cnor-
nous, and with the assurance of faith MIR.
| Is. knew that it would be eclipscd by none
Mrs. Daniel X. Banks had sent some
pickles and canned fruit, which she con-
s!dered truly desirable. Miss Susan \.
Banks was represented by quilt on which
she had expended much time and labor,
while q. Milton Banks, the prospective
heir Of the farm, had contributed rooster
whose powers in the Growing line had no
equal.
The day had come when these grand
questions were to be settled, and with, us
before said. proud spirit held in check
the Bankses, seniors and juniors, attended
the fair 1t was the last day and the only
time they had patronized it, as the distance
was great and the country roads were not
what they should be-
The fair was crowded. 900 persons Mt
least were there-and the scene was one of
Wild confusion. The Banks family walked
around with amazed interest and stared Mt
| the assortment of domestic animals and
fowls, at the farm machinery and at the
beautiful work displayed by the women
| and'girls. Alas their feelings of self salts
faction died out. The pig, Mr. Banks
feared, would not win so easily; his com
| peers were many
| Mr.. b. Shook his head and said plaintiye-
ly, Ma, be afeared we won't git in on
him."
Never mind, SIS" said G. Milton. 1--WE
will so and take n look at the fancy work.
tables" and the young people started off,
followed by their elders. Here again, how
ever, was bitter disappointment. They
were just in time to hear the judges pass
an opinion on the style of this quilt.
This article" said one of them, lis good
| OF its kind, and shows praiseworthy work.
but we are unable to award the prize here.
as there is an old fashioned mir about it
that suggests that it should have been
here some years ago. The prize is there
fore given to Miss Blank" etc.. Susans
eyes this time overlooked and mortiiica-
ton. and disappointment possessed her
| spirit.
AT the preserve department. the out
look was more hopeful the judges were
sampling the pickles and preserves and
"smacking their lips over Them" Mr.. b.
remarked. But, with insult added to
injary, after using up the best part of the
| pickles and all of the canned peaches, favor
was pronounced for a rival housekeeper
and neighbor of Mrs. Banks, who carried
| off three prizes
| This family WAS now more Disguised
than ever with fairs. They heard that the
| pigs and fowls We're soon to be weighed in
the balance, but they agreed to fortify
themselves with their lunch first, for their
long drive and sad failures had given them
! IN appetite. A sequestered nook behind
the dog Kennels was found, and n good
feast was enjoyed. Then once more they
took fate i'll their hands and moved over
to the pigsties. At this place there was
much said ard once or twice Mr. Banks
felt sure that the pig at least would bring
glory upon them. It's ribs were poked and
it was led out weighed and discussed, but
again the neighbor came Off victorious, and
| the l5ankses sustained another defeat
| The rooster was the last hope. Surely
| his crow could not be beaten" said Banks.
1t could not, but it was thought to be
against him, and the unanimous decision
gave forth that he was nuisance un-
worthy of notice"
The fair now was literally over for the
Bankses, and with n feeling of wounded
pride they wandered aimlessly about They
stared ut other peoples success until their
! eyes ached. They decided that home was
the best place for the vanQuished, but that
| would necessitate Il drive over the next
day for their property, rs nothing on ex-
| hibit could be taken away until the fair
| closed that evening.
| But life as usual offered compensation
| where none was expected The tourna-
ment was about to begin The knights, in
their old time costume and queer sounding
| titles, were riding over the grounds get
ting ready for their run. Brightness and
gayety were dawning as well for the losers
as for the winners. Our friends had be-
come interested, and had just secured good
seats to see the tournament, when II hand
some young knight rode up to them and
introduced himself RS the Knight of the
Iinonium." He craved the honor of rid
ing for Miss Banks, whose name he had
just learned. Nothing could have given
more surprise or pleasure, for such q thing
wts never dreamed of for pretty Susan,
who blushed delightfully."- rs her mother
consented. whispering wish that her
young daughter had worn her new challie
gown and best bonnet, instead of that sim
pie white muslin and sailor hat. But, al
though Susan never suspected it, nothing
could nave been more becoming to her
bright young beauty.
With thrilling interest the tournament
was watched. The herads and mnrshals
rode first in the procession; then followed
some twenty knights on their well broken
horses, while the band played "Razzle
Dazzle," 1.-The Sweet By and By' and
"'rhe Girl l Left Behind Me-" Then each
knight made his run at the ring; the her
aids calling to each other his name. All
had three turns. From the first there was
no question of success. The "Knight of