Bridgeton pioneer., 1897-09-02
OHILDREN's CARNIVAL.
The Traction Company Gives the Young
sters Happy Time at the Park

on record in pronouncing the Traction
Company the best thing in the city.
And why shouldn't they?
Inc children's carnival was a grand
success. 1t was great big happy day,
and all the pleasures were enjoyed with
out the cost of penny to the youngsters.
The Traction Company arranged the
day especially for the youngsters and
they took advantage of the whole pro-
gram. Many fond mothers and indul-
gent papas went along to enjoy the fun
with the youngsters, and the result was
day rounded out complete with lively,
happy, entertaining features.
By one o'clock the children began
gathering in large numbers about the
corner of Commerce and Laurel streets.
They were all sorts, sizes, and the color
line was not drawn. Little bare foot
boys and plainly dressed girls mingled
with their more fortunate companions in
ribbons and laces. The youngsters all
had one objective point. They were
seeking the man with the free trolley
tickets. And they found him, too.
The popular, much sought after man
was handsome Ike Stetser. He was
located in the lane on Commerce street,
between Ayres Il Mulford's and Fred
Crosta's store. He passed out the covet-
ed tickets most cheerfully, at one time
putting out sufficient tickets to comfort
ably fill a car without crowding.
Secretary Walter HI. Bacon personally
over looked the loading of the cars.
Mayor Appelgate had called out the en-
tire police forces, and the officers gave
him valuable assistance. The young
sters were put upon the cars and the
pleasant trip was begun In the throngs
were very many youngsters who had
never been upon trolley car before, and
lots of them had never spent a day with
the folks at the Park.
Upon the arrival of the cars at the
Park, the children were look ed after and
introduced to the pleasure place. There
the romp began. What clatter there
was. Every little tongue was wagging,
every little foot was pattering The
youngsters just swarmed all over the
and they simply owned the Park.
Who was there? Don't ask that. 1t
would be easier to tell who was not there.
There were over thousand of these little
folks under fifteen years of age, and
when you turn thousand children loose
you have pretty big bunch. One little
girl applied for seven tickets all for one
family, and the oldest child was but ten
years old. That little family would not
have had days outing but for the
generous action of the Traction Company.
There were many others
From the band platform about three
O'Clock, the scene was remarkable one.
There were children everywhere, and
not dull, unhappy, sad face in the ten
hundred. Not one. 1t was happiness,
and joyousness predomnated.
Before three O'Clock the youngsters all
began crowding about the platform. The
benches were filled. the chairs were all
occupied, the standing room was every
bit taken. Two thousand eyes were
steadily turned upon the stage.
The Park manager welcomed the little
folks, and then told them of the arrange
ments prepared for their amusement,
and out bounded Evanso, clad in green
tights, and resplendent with plush trim
mings and sparkling spangles. He did a
whole lot OF almost impossible things
Tor Juggling. Big balls, little ball, sharp
knives, boxes, lamps, plates, whips,
everything, anything. A marvellous ex
hibition. Then came little four-year old
Evanso in series of statuary posing. AS
soldier he presented nine charming
tableaus and they were more than pleas
ing to the happy audience.
W1lbert Gross came next. He appeared
In series of tumbling and contortion
acts, that kept everybody enthused.
Again Evanso came out. This time he
Gid his great pyramid act, standing upon
his head while on two tables and four
chairs. The two Gross boys continued
the program with acrobatic features, and
then the children went into the Casino,
and over two hundred joined the chorus,
which little later came out upon the
platform. Each one had small flag,
and they sang patriotically America"
and Red, White and Blue" The flags
were waved in time with the music, and
the chorus welled up strong and beauti-
ful. Then three rounding cheers were
given, and the platform was vacated that
the City Band might take the shell. The
Band rendered a most charming program
OF lively airs, which were highly pleas
ing to everybody.
AT six o'clock the pic-uic parties occu-
pied all parts of the grove, and the well
filled lunch boxes gave everybody a most
substantial meal.
Al night the City Band rendered a most
successful concert, and when the waltzes
were rendered many couples enjoyed the
dancing upon the first floor of the pa
vilion.
Tired, but happy, the children began
their homward trip. A tired little fellows
last audible expression was an interro-
cation, when he brushed up against the