The Press., 1896-10-15
ANNUAL FAIR.

me falr mas come and gone, and as us- ual was success. The way the weather acted was not quite what the management had right to expect after the efforts that had been put forth. Tuesday, Charles Gary and President Dennis were far from being happy, and when Wednesday open- ed with drizzling rain 1t seemed like a personal insult to the officials. Even their best friends were almost afraid to ap- proach them, and those who had owed them coal or grain bills for more than q year, gave them 8 wide berth. If the fa- kir, who struck MT. Gary for five the day before, had tried it again there would have been a scene. The other officials shared the feelings of MT. Gary and.,M MT. Dennis, to certain extent, and did not wear the cheerful smiles that visitors to our annual fair have learned to expect. Even Patsey Sullivan's usually smiling and expressive countenance was cloudy, and reflected the genes laepression.
 In sIsw of the fact that the program had already been set ahead one day on ac- could of the weather, it was decided to commence the fair Wednesday, in spite ofsthe unfavorable conditions. It was well that this was done, for the old prov- erb, 'It is always darkest just before daWn," was again exemplifed, and along in the forenoon the weatherscleared. The weather undoubtedly affected the attend anee the first day somewhat, but there was fair sized crowd notwithstanding. Owing to the delay the hall exhibits were nearly complete when the crowd began to assemble, and it Is the general verdict that these departments of the fair were up to the usual standard.
 The vegetable and fruit department was in charge of l.. M. Reed, of Union, and presented very appetizing array. It has been great year for fruit, and the best selections of the choicest varieties weTe in evidence Three hundred varie- tieas were displayed. Wyles Bradway took first prize for best collection of ap- pies, showing forty-one varieties, and J. c. Upham, of Union, second. Dwight Glazier of West Stafford, Edmund Joslyn of Holland, Roscius Back of Union, o. E. Bradway of Monson, and William H, Hoyt of Wilmington, were given awards for their collections. The vegetables, cereals, etc., were rich in appearance high. in quality, and sufficient in quantity
 boI ixYr displays in the halls. Anthony Adams showed fineseollection of stoves, and A W. Kingsbugy exhibited collection ot monuments and headstones in the hope that people would become resigned te death when they realized how nicely theil last sesting place could be marked. B A. Tuck & Co.,, G. H. Baker $ Co.,, were well represented in the usual places witt nicely arranged samples of their stock.
 With the we'll known limitations of thu English language it is hard to describe the fancy work and fine art departments There were quilts and tidies that showed industry that would make the little "busy bee'' turn green with vy-embroider. and outline needle work, so delicate ant intricate that the spiders, who are only familiar with one design, left the hall il disgust. Specimens of China painting water colors, and case of colonial rel ics, all came in for their full share o attention. Mrs. Dr. Perkins, of Daniel son, with sixty-three entries, was a no ticeable exhibitor in the fancy work de partment.
 At the hall where ''the largest in Nev England" poultry exhibit was located there was unusual commotion. The hen were critically examining what thei neighbors had on and expressing thei appreciation or disapproval very audibly The motherly Brahmas thought the silve Hamburgs were 'little loud" and woul' show better taste if they wore more sub dued colors, while the Hamburg famil, were of the opinion that the Brahma looked "dumpish." The open filtration that Stafford Springs game cock carries on with a Willington black Spantsl bullet, without regard to the feelings o his own family, was a subject of muc gossip and every hen in the hall agree that he was brute. The poultry hal was in charge of Joshua Wood and Chas A. Comins and their hands were ful Tuesday and Wednesday getting the ez hibits In shape. B. s. Upham & Co.,, 0 Wilsonville, Ct., exhibited over 200 fowls and George E. Cooley, of Staffordvllle over 100. l.. B. Gum, of LanesborC was the judge on this department, and hi rulings gave general satisfaction.
 After leaving the poultry hall the mos natural thing in the world was to revie' the Midway; and what Midway it wa this year. It did not show up at it's bes
 until the second day when the wheels ( fortune were in all their glory and the bi
 candy kitchen was about the first thin
 on the list, and as it was directly opposit
 the animal show 1t probably derived som
 benefit from the stentorian notes of tt
 organ in that tent which had drawin
 effect on the crowd. That the fakirs al
 the life of the fair Is we'll known, ar
 while the state, no doubt, means we'll
 trying to curtail their effoI ts to entertain
 1t must be remembered that all have y
 to learn some time that you cannot beat kKT040~