The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-14
Most Auspicious Opening at City
Hall Last Evening.
THE VARIOUS BOOTHS AND THOSE
IN CHARGE.

Local Hits--ModeIling by MRS HOxie.
The fair given under the auspices of the
auxiliary of the Young Mems Christian
Association in order to secure funds for
the completion Of the noble building in
process of construction at the corner of
High and Free streets, opened most aus
piciously at City hall last evening. For
months the ladies have sbeen preparing
for it, and the donations they have re-
ceived have been liberal and cheerfully
given.
No special attempt has been made at the
decoration of the hall itself, and on that
account it's handsome proportions and
beautiful 1rescoing appear to the beet adj
vantage. Tho stage has been set to repre-
sent an artists studio, and the idea is a
very happy one. Here and there groups
of stationary are placed that assimilate
perfectly with their surroundings, and
the palms and tropical plants that lend
refinement and grace to the scene. The
booths are ranged about the hall under
the galleries and in front of the stage,
each of them decorated in distinctive
colors and many embellished with floral
adornments that are in exquisite taste
and are admirably set off by the brillian :
oy of the electric lights.
At the rear of the hall, facing the stage
has been erected a very pretty cottage
that serves as the headquarters of the
officers of the fair. This cottage is hand
nd 10 Ira, "A
with handsome curtains. The officers of
the fair who enjoy this attractive home
are: President, Mrs. e. I. Hall; vice
presidents, Mrs. Edgar Payson, Mrs. J.
J. Pooler, Mrs William Burnham; secre-
tary, Mrs. J. W. Davis; treasurer, Mrs.
Louise Cults; floor manager, Mrs. A. H.
Davis.
At the left of the headquarters cottage
is Booth No. 1, devoted to aprons. Mrs.
Frank NJ Strout of Chestnut street
church, has charge Of this booth with
Mrs. W. R. Evans, Miss Mary E. East
man, Mrs. R. J. Burgess. assistants.
Here can be obtained every kind Of an
apron from those delicate filmy little
affair, that are more a matter of fashion
to those that are of the most enduring
and useful pattern. Aprons for nurses,
for mattresses, for kitchen maids, are
here alongside Of those delicate lace bor-
dered, expensive articles of dress that,
with little lace cap set off woman
charms to such advantage.
Continuing, the next booth is devoted
to candy, the real Simon pure, delicious,
home made candy, that melts in your
mouth. The candy is served fresh
every hour. MIR. Snow is the magician
whose magic wand evolves this triumph
of the oonfect1oner's art, and it Is dis
pensed by Misses Hobbs, Chase, Hussey
and Cloudy. The decorations of the booth
are black and red.
Adjoining the candy booth is the mystic
parlor devoted 10 Palmistry. Here Mrs
Laughlin of Boston assisted by the Misses
Dunbar and c arke, appropriately robod
as seeresses. examine the palms Of their
patrons and give accurate analysis of
their characters and dispositions. Those
who went in to scott came out with such
q subdued demeanor and with such ex.
pressions of wonder at the remarkable in
formation they had received that the seer
esses had their time fully employed by the
demands of those who were desirious of
judging of their talents for themselves.
Next to the Palmists comes the fancy
booth, over which Miss erie of State
street church, presides, assisted by Mrs.
Cummings, Miss Libby, Mrs. Merrill,
Miss Hayes, Mrs. Austin and Miss Bon
ney. The decorations of the booth are in
lavender and purple and very effective
The disr lay of fancy articles is very large
and is admirably arranged. One part of
the booth is devoted to decorated China
and the various pieces shown are models
of exquisite eoloring and graceful design.
The China table is in the charge of Mrs
Charles Bailey, and among other articles
is superb salad set the work of the
China Decorators club.
The Silhouette booth, that faces the main
entrance to the hall, is one of the most
novel and attractive features of the fair
The booth was decorated by Mr.. Cushing
of the Longfellow gallery, and is trib-
ute to his taste and skill. The prevailing
color of the decoration is red. Over the
front of the booth are cut silhouettes and
the colored electric lights behind them
bring them out in strong and pleasing
relief. Here silhouettes are cut with
rapidity and skill. The booth is in charge
of Misses Mable Hersom, Fannie Cham
pan and Georgia Melcher.
Next comes another fancy booth of
which Mrs. J. E. Webster of the Second
Parish is in charge, assisted by Mrs.
Charles Dunn, Mrs. George Smardon,
Mrs William Durham, Mrs. Prudence
Brooks, Miss Ellen Cummings and Mrs.
Walter Field. The whole front of the
booth is a magnificent study in colored
The articles on sale are
numerous and embrace almost everything
that comes under the head of fancy goods.
The underwear booth is nearest the
stage on the side of the hall opposite the
main entrance. Mrs. J. J. Pooler of the
First Free Baptist church presides here,
assisted by Mrs. Cham berlain, Mrs. Mar
shall and Miss Marshall. The decorations