Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-21
FINE OPENING.
Viking Wheel Club Fair Was
Well Attended.
Mechanics Hall Simply But Pretty Deco
rated-some interesting Booths and
Other Attractions.

In spite of the 6isagreeable weather,
Thursday evening, the Viking Wheel
Club fair In Mechanics Hall had a very
suspicious opening, and It's success
seems assured. The hall was simply
but very prettily decorated. In the CEN
tre was large pyramid-shaped booth,
from whose apex gaily colored festoons
were hung to the four corners of the
hall. The booths on the sides were re-
markably pretty, and presided over by
jolly, dainty -gowned ladies' from among
the Swedish residents.
On the stage was large evergreen
arch, bespangled with roses, and over
it hung the national emblems of Sweden
and America. In frcnt of this arch was
a variety Of articles, which were being
disposed of by vote, or given to the
guessers of the number of beans in a
jar. Each article had its vociferous
champion; and the din and excitement
resembled the prelude = to a Yale-Har-
ward foot ball game. Among these ar
ucles was handsome flute, a substan-
ual-looking and commodious kitchen
stove. a gold watch, which early in the
evening caused a heavy vote; a guitar,
an Iver johnson bicycle, for which the
votes cost only ten cents; double-bar-
relied shot gun, a great French doll with
many accomplishments, and gigantic
bottle OF tomato catsup, which appealed
to many To the left of the stage was
the shooting gallery in which many ex-
pensive prizes were offered. This was in
charge OF Mr.. F. Asklof and A. Noback,
and was literally patronized Farther
ON was handsome exhibit OF the Lowell
Arms and Cycle Co., which includes. be-
sides guns and samples of the '9S model
wheel, a punching bag dog, who per-
formed during the evening.
Three fair-haired young ladies, Miss
Bergenstrole, Miss Carlson and Miss
Olson, presided over the fruit table
which was respondent with great pyr-
amids of oranges and apples: and their
rosy cheeks but enhanced, by way of
contrast, those of the pretty vendors
Inc rancy table was heaped with sofa
plitows, beautiful handmade table,
pieces, picture frames and countless ar
tlcles Of ornament and use. Miss Fl.
Med1ne and Miss Bergquist eloouently
described the beauties of the articles.
ana did a thriving business. The neigh
Dorhood Of the ice cream tables was
very popular, and they were in cbares
OF the Misses Fallstrom, Miss Inn
strom, Miss Rydberg, Miss Ingelborp.
MISS Ekengren and Mrs. Kalquin.
The time-honored fish pond was also
tnere; and the fate of the fisher was de-
cided by Mr.. Anderson.
Inc candy table was prettily deco
rated in white and green; and behind
great mounds of chocolate creams blIt-
Ter scotches and about cord of New
England molasses candy, sat Miss Law
son and Miss Ring. Next to the candy
table was the flower table, ON which
was wealth of roses and pinks and
oalnty boutonnderes, all to be procured
from MISS johnson, who made no ex-
ira charge for daintiIy pinning these on
ones coat In addition to these attrac-
tions, one was tempted by cigars and
doNar bills to throw iron plates upon a
cness board to cast rings over the tops
OF canes, or to pitch a base ball through
hole in a barrel head.
BY far the most valuable ARTICLE off
fered for vote was a Hagen & Ruefer
upright piano. To obtain a chance for
this. one had to pay 10 cents and guess
at the number Of beams in a great jar.
At O'clock G. f. Hanson formally
opened the fair, with a happy speech.
He spoke of the wheel club, its good
purposes and the Significance of its
name. The Vikings of DID, he said,
never allowed a maiden on one of their
much more gallant, and gladly welcome
them. The Glover Quartet (colored)
sang several songs very acceptably, and
Charlie Scott, the comedian also con-
trtbuted to the entertainment
At various times during the evening
the Norton Emery Wheel Band rem
dered the following program;
Spanish Fort March Brooke
Overture, Fall Of Jericho MaiIlochand
Casino Tame GunRl
Wang ................. Morse
American Fantasia" ............ Bendix
Tim Tiefen Keller Lovenberg
Romance" Hanson
The Viking club is four years old, and
has 75 members. The general manager
Of the fair Is c. Arthur Hanson, and on
the committee with him are George
Nelson and John Anderson. The fair
will continue two nights, and on Sat
urday the names of the recipients of the
various prizes will be announced.
NAFEH-