The Press., 1912-10-16
A SUCCESSFUL FAIR
 IN SPITE OF BAD WEATHER.

day was ideal, but the last two days
 were so threatening that many staid
 away. The attendance the first day
 was above the average. The second
 day the crowd came in spite of the
 threatening clouds. The last day, 2
 legal holiday, there were hundreds
 who had heard how good the fair was
 this year and were anxious to come,
 but did not dare to. All the fore noon it looked as if it would rain any minute. The bolder ones kept coming
 during the morning and at noon,
 when it cleared up, the people began to swarm in until at o'clock there
 was crowd larger than on the
 second day. The society spent con- siderable money this year in arrang. ing program that would please the partons, but there is no doubt that 3
 little money will be cleared. It was good clean show, and all up and down the road words of commendation are heard. The wild west acts in front of the grand stand added much to the diversity of the program and were thoroughly enjoyed. The bicy- cle act, the acrobats and the Ernesto trio were all good numbers. Cotton, with his donkeys, proved an amusing act. One of the best acts in the platform program was that of the sextette of young women. They were capable musicians and presented a fine stage appearance. One of their best numbers was when they appeared in Scottish costume and rendered some of the old favorite airs of the nation ality represented. The young mon
 who performed the acrobatic work were capable in their line and had a thrilling finish. With spring board arrangement they caused one of their number to fly in the air, whirling like pin-wheel, coming to rest after few somersaults in a reclining up4 holstered affair made on purpose to catch. The fielding average of those
 having charge of stopping him was perfect or he would be going yet One of the most comical things of the fair was the donkey race arranged by Levi D. Gary, who stands without peer in adding a touch of humog
 where it is needed Levi is the youngest of the four Gary brothers, all of whom have attained eminenca in various lines. There were four
 mule race. TlIe cfssS d1tfons 4red that the animals should be unharnessed, hitched up again and driven half. This sounds like simple proposition, but there are complications The complications were thoroughly enjoyed. Earl Gary was the last to get away, but he won the race. The claim that it was a frame-up was started by a Rockville man, who was all worked up because his own fair association did not think of the feature. The balloon man furnished the sensation of the fair.
 Thursday he made one of the most successful and spectacular triple para chute drops ever seen on the local grounds. Friday, owing to atmos- pheric conditions, he did not go up
 Saturday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, the spectators were startled soon after the big bag went up to see that it was on fire. The balloon burned rapidly and drifted in the direction of the grand stand and judges stand. As the balloon burned it sank, and only barely cleared the judges stand as it went over. It. came down partly on the fence and partly on the track, just below the stand The police and by islanders pulled ifzzoff the fence and no damae was done, although the incl dent caused much excitement and un- easiness. The accident was caused by the people holding one side of the balloon letting go. before slthose- on the other side released the ropes. When the word was given, only part of those holding on heard it, 5 The big bag careened and caught. People on tile grounds who were away from the spot where the balloon was filed were anxious until they saw that the owner was safe, as they did not know but what he might have started with it and dropped before he got up far enough to open parachute.
 Ground rent receipts this year were about the same as last and the mid way did active business. The effect of the general up-lift which is gain ing ground among the leading fair was noticeable in the high moral tone that pervaded the greater part of what was formerly known as Monte Carlo avenue. Those low browed, selfish individuals, who make B practice of taking it away from lem fifty and hundred at a time, were chased early, giving the modest paddle men a chance to exercise their philanII trophy without damaging competition, and thereby bringing sunshine, Teddy bears, poodle dogs and chocolates tol those who yearned for such vanities. | The beautiful oriental ladies from the seaport towns were noticeable by their absence. Their extreme aversion to soap and certain carelessness in their and manner have made them unpopular with the local officials. The officers of the Stafford Sprfngs1 lair association are not narrow or \ prejudiced, but they refuse to stand for this .Salome business. The lead ing attraction on the midway was. the } wild west tent. It did good businessa each day and deserved 1t. The fancy riding and roping put on in front of { the grand stand gave a4good idea of the excellence of this aggregation and a longer program was available for these who visited the headquartefs