The record-union., 1896-09-18
LAST DAY BUT ONB OF THE FAIR.

The room was tastefully decorated,
and in the center long table was filled
with luxurtes from the exhibits. The
central figures were two mammoth
watermelons, and piled high around
them were nuts, raisins, grapes. apples,
pears, peaches-in fact, full list of the
varied products Of the orchard and
vineyard. In the banks Of grapes bot
ties of various kinds Of wine were ar
tistically arranged.
President Chase called the meeting to
order, stating that he had understood
it was called for conference OF the ex-
hibitors, but this mysterious order OF
college Chums" was new to him. He
called upon Mr.. Lelong to make an ex-
planation as 1t appeared that gentleman
was the high priest of the society.
Mr.. Lelong happily responded, saying
that two years ago he was called on TO
take charge of the horticultural eXhlDlts
at the pavilion. He was then compar-
ative stranger to the exhibitors, put ne
soon made their acquaintance. A year
prior to that similar meeting 10 the
present was held, but there were not
over six or seven persons present. Last
year he was again called upon to take
the department in charge, and again
this year. He had met many fruit
growers since his first experience In the
work, his acquaintance had been In
creased, and he now felt that he knew
all of them and was in perfect accord
with their interests Naturally they mad
agreed to again call into existence the
college Chums," and presto! they We're
here!
The success of the State Fair and the
work of the Agricultural Society said
Mr. Lelong, were due to the patience
and indefatigable energy and persistent
efforts of the members of the Board OF
Directors Of the State Board of Agri-
culture, and especially its President, &.
NJ. Chase.
On behalf of the College Chums Mr..
I,elong then presented the President
with an elegant gold-mounted cane.
Mr.. Chase, in accepting the beautiful
gift, expressed his surprise at the mys-
terious ways of the new order. He
supposed he was to be initiated, but
Notwithstanding this sore disappoint-
ment he was deeply grateful for this
expression of esteem. The gift would
always be a pleasure to him, surround
ed as it was by the memories OF this
meeting.
Mr.. Lelong again came to the front,
reminding the audience that he had
said there were others who should be
recognized No one had worked harder
forthe success OF the State Agricultural
Society than its honored Secretary, Ed
win F. Smith. AS q token of regard
in which he was held By the "Chums,"
he pesented that gentleman with a
handsome silver match-bo with a
unique enaIpeled figure on the side Of
his satanic majesty, Lucifer, who, the
order hoped, the Secretary would al
ways religiously avoid. At which there
was much merriment.
After Mr.. Smith had received the
gift, which was a total surprise to the
modest Secretary. with an appropriate
response, Mr.. Lelong insisted that
there were yet others. There is one,"
said he, who has worked earnestly
and long, and unfortunately he has
not always found his path strewn with
flowers. But IL he has erred, it has
been by errors of the head and not
Of the heart, for even those who
crossed lances with him know their an
I2ROTlSL Possesses d. W dIIIl tClIOCI
heart In recognition of his services
the exhibitors begged to present the
memento.
Mr.. Lelonk then presented Director
F. c. de Long with a silver flask en-
graved on the side, More Mud" In
doing so, Mr. Lelong said: I'VE present
you this, hoping it may wash away
any mud heretofore thrown. It is
small, but it is full
It was now Director de Longs time
to express surprise, and right well he
did 1t, and he promised to drown his
sorrows according to directions.
After the presentations Mr.. Lelong
invited the gentlemen to escort the
ladies to the buffers buffet, where they
might look upon the wine. for it was
not red. He invited every one to par
take of the bountiful supply Of turkey,
sandwiches. olives and the fruits.
Never did Pomona spread a more
bounteous feast from the horn of
plenty. nor Bacchus pour out more de-
licious wines from his choicest vintage.
An hour was spent pleasantly in social
converse, after which the guests dis
persed among the throng in the Pa
vilion.