842 
SEPT 27 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
The secret of this was that one paid liberally 
for the privilege of swindling the masses; the 
other was there as an educator, and did not 
directly put anything into the pockets of the 
managers. 
There were not less than 30 or 40 sellers of 
lager beer and other drinks, among which in¬ 
toxicating liquors were easy toget, and before 
night many were much the worse for the 
guzzle. Hall and dub throwers, strikers, lift 
ers. riug pitcher*, whirling machines, and 
other devices were in full force, with each of 
which was some element of gambling, gene¬ 
rally in some way inducing the participant to 
accept of some cheap and foul cigar, t hough 
some were directly offering money. Auction¬ 
eers were freely selling bogus jewelry, the 
brassiness of which was excelled only by the 
face of the venders, We noticed a mock auc¬ 
tion in full blast, almost directly in front of 
the principal entrance to the main hall. A 
scoundrel, with two or three “stool pigeons,” 
was auctioning off brass watches and other 
worthless things, and appeared to be doing 
a thriving business. 
This fair was u disgrace to the civilization 
of this ago and an insult to the people of this 
portion of the three Status interest d. It 
hardly seems that men as decent as those com 
posing this association seemed to be. would so 
belittle themselves and so far forget their re¬ 
sponsibility as to permit such disreputable 
things to detile a public fair ground, for the 
paltry sum of money brought into the treasu¬ 
ry; and, if they do so, we think they should 
be promptly indicted, convicted and punished. 
There is nothing so debauching as an indecent 
fair. W. 
THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR. 
The Thirty-second Aunual Fair of the Illi¬ 
nois State Agricultural Society was held on 
the grounds of the Chicago Driving Park As¬ 
sociation from September 8 to 111. The weather 
during the first days of the fair was oppres¬ 
sively hot and very uncomfortable for exhibit 
ors, and especially so for stock. Fortunately 
for all, Thursday and Friday were rendered 
more endurable by a cool wave, which brought 
comfort both to man and beast. The attend¬ 
ance throughout the week was very small, 
aud fell fur below that of last, year. 8o far 
as the management of this fair is concerned, 
but little can be said in praise of it, while much 
can properly be said against it. In a few of 
the departments the exhibit* were good. Prob¬ 
ably no better lot of draft horses was ever 
seen together on any society’s grounds than 
was shown here, and I very much doubt if a 
better class of Norman and Clydesdale horses 
could lie brought together iu this country. 
Owing to the risk of pleuro-pneumoniu, which 
infests tome localities, few herds of cattle were 
brought out. Poultry, sheep and swine were 
fairly represented aud, as a whole, showed 
good breeding. 
The agricultural implement display was 
large and varied. Manufacturers who have 
permanent buildings on the grounds were for- 
tunate enough to be seen by most of the visit 
ors. Those who had no permanent buildings 
were located inside the race track, and during 
the hours before and after noon, when the 
“agricultural trots” occupied attention, these 
saw no visitors, owing to the fact that no one 
was allowed to pas* over the track until the 
races were over. This caused a great deal ot 
dissatisfaction among the exhibitors, us well 
as mining those who were anxious to examine 
the exhibits rather than to see the racing. 
It appears a little strange that the great 
State of Illinois, with her almost unprecedent¬ 
ed growth and development in agriculture, 
cannot have an agricultural fair without 
horse racing It is still more wonderful that 
the officers of this society should so belittle the 
agricultural interests of the State, and go so 
far towards Insulting the visitors to the fair 
as they did this year, by allowing side shows 
of the most questionable character to invade 
the grounds. Among them were museums, 
that, judging from the inmates seen on the 
outside of the tents', were too disreputable to 
be patronized by any resjiectable person. It 
was undoubtedly bad enough “ behind the 
scenes,” but when men, colored or painted to 
representtne “big Indian” in an almost nude 
state, were allowed to gallop and dance around 
outside and among the crowd, it became 
shocking to the sensibilities of every one. I 
woudered, as one of these processions passed 
along Newspaper Row, whether the officersof 
this society had wives or daughters on the 
ground, aud, if so, what their feelings were. 
Should a man enter their houses clothed as 
nudely ns these men were, and eater the pres¬ 
ence of daughters or wives, how quickly 
would the shot-gun or revolver be used to dis¬ 
patch the rascal who dressed so unbecomingly 
and dared to enter t he society of ladies; and 
yet these scenes occurred every day; yes, aud 
three times a day here, and women lmd to en¬ 
dure the diBg* aceful sight simply because the 
officers had granted these shows the privilege 
of insulting their sensibilities. 
Managed as this fair was, is it at all strange 
that the attendance was meagei f Is it a won¬ 
der that the receipts for entrance on Friday 
night were upwards of #20,000 behind those 
of last year, and no hopes of making up more 
than a small percentage of the shortage on 
.Saturday ( It is fair to suppose that the farm¬ 
ers of Illinois are intelligent men. It is not, 
therefore, unreasonable to suppose that they 
do not intend to lend their aid towards ad¬ 
vancing the interest of disreputable shows 
conducted under the name of un “agricultural 
fair.” 
If this society cannot conduct an agri¬ 
cultural fair that shall lie free from all im¬ 
moral influences, then the State had better 
withdra w its appropriation at once, and not be 
instrumental in assisting a society that allows 
anything of a debasing nature upon its 
grounds, doing, as the writer did, from the 
New York State Fair, where the society has 
fully demonstrated the fact that an agricultu¬ 
ral fair can be successfully conducted without 
horse racing or “catch-penny” shows, the fair 
at Chicago appeared a disreputable exhibition. 
Hornes. —The largest exhibit iu horses was 
made by the Dillon Bros., Normal, III. They 
showed 24 head of Normans that were espe¬ 
cially noticeable for their fine qualities. Out 
of 11 exhibits this company got eight first pre¬ 
miums and two second. Geo E. Brown & 
Co., Aurora. 111., showed 11 head of Cleveland 
Bays aud English shire (draft) horse*. This 
company received first, and second premiums 
on Cleveland Hays. They also exhibited 14 
head of Holstein cattle and received five first, 
premiums. Degen Bros , Ottawa, Ill., showed 
six head of Norman horses. James A Perry, 
Wilmington, III .showed Pi head of Normans. 
Virgen & Co., Fairbury, 111 .exhibited 11 head 
of the same breed. Burgess Bros , Wenona, 
111 , showed 2h head, all Shire horse* except 
one. J. & C. Huston, Blaudisvilla, 111., showed 
Clydesdales. Abner Strnwn, Ottawa, Ill., 
exhibited five Clydesdales. Clydesdales were 
also shown by R. Ogden Ac Ron (19 head), 
Cameron, 111. W. 8. Blair, New Lenox, 111.; 
White Bros.. Bloomlugtou, 111. ; Galbraith 
Bros., Janesville, Wis., and other*. When 
these horses were all shown upon the track to¬ 
gether, it was a sight that is seldom equaled 
in the draft horse line. o. B. B. 
VERMONT STATE FAIR. 
The joint exhibition of the Vermont State 
Agricultural Society in connection witti the 
Champlain Valley Association, opened at Har¬ 
vard Park, Burlington, Vt, September Stb. 
and continued until the 12th inst. The fair 
was a grand success. Exhibitors in nearly all 
the departments were numerous, and the 
attendance was large. On Tuesday, the open¬ 
ing day, the weather was the finest that Au¬ 
tumn affords. An exhilarating breeze blew 
from the lake; the sky was of a cerulean hue, 
and the *un shone most beautifully. The at¬ 
tendance on this day was not very large, but 
on the succeeding day's incoming trains were 
loaded with people, who continued coming 
Until late in the afternoon, giving every indi¬ 
cation that the fair was financially' a large 
success. On Thursday a fearful thunder 
shower was experienced; and the agricultural 
implement tent, for once during the fair, was 
filled to its utmost capacity. The ardor of 
the sporting farmer* at the race track was 
severely dampened. The shower lasted about 
20 nliuuras, and then everything was continu¬ 
ed a* before. The fair this year was not con¬ 
ducted as in former years. Many side-shows 
were to lie seen, also large numbers of fakirs 
with almost every coneeivable scheme for 
making money. Men with lung-testers, gal 
vanic batteries, striking machines, punching 
apparatuses, etc,; in short, gambling was iu 
lull blast. Light lingered gentlemen must 
have lieen numerous, for not u few visitors 
had their pockets picked. The best parts of 
the grounds were given up to these despicable 
creatures. 
A silver medal was offered for the best dis¬ 
play of machinery, but nothing was offered 
for any one implement. Not a trial of any 
kind took place, except for speed Exhibitors 
were compelled to pay an admittance fee 
every time they entered t he grounds. 
Machinery Hall, allotted to the display of 
agricultural implements, was empty. This 
building is situated farthest from the entrance 
and will never be of any use in its present 
location. Exhibitors of implements have 
found out that to gain an audience, it is neces¬ 
sary to get as near as possible to the race¬ 
track and to the lakin, so their wares were 
displayed in a tent facing the entrance. 
Among the many'machines shown, the Matin 
Seeder, barrow and cultivator combined, at¬ 
tracted a great many farmers. A new road 
machine and ditcher manufactured by Strong 
& Parker, was shown. The St. Albans Foun¬ 
dry showed a full hue of their implements in 
motion. The W. A. Wood Harvester was in 
operation on the grounds, and, as usual, at¬ 
tracted a great many. T. B. Everett & Co., 
made a creditable display of their many im¬ 
plements. The Richardson Manufacturing 
Co., Worcester, Mass., showed their new and 
improved mower; also, the Kemp manure 
spreader. This department was a success. 
Cattle were numerous and of fine quality. 
It was necessary to improvise a shed for the 
reception of some, the permanent stalls being 
inadequate to the demand. Many herds of 
blooded cattle were shown. A herd of beau¬ 
tiful Devons was exhibited by Kelly & Wat¬ 
son. Geo. T. Davis also showed a fine herd of 
this breed; his cows arc indeed handsome. 
Herds of Short horns were exhibited by T, & 
E. Moore and C. R. Page. Ayrshires were 
numerous and of flue quality. C. M. Winslow 
displayed 21 head, among which a bull weigh¬ 
ing 1,700 pounds was prominent; H. A. Soule 
was a large exhibitor of this breed. Jerseys 
were shown by Col L. G. B. Gannon 
and C. W. Brownell. Holsteins were 
numerous. H. W. Keyes showed his herd 
of 15 bead, including the bull “Banjo,” five 
years old, weight 2,500 pounds. G. T. O Kim¬ 
ball also exhibited his excellent herd of this 
strain. Some very handsome Guernseys were 
shown by J. C. Sherburne and S H. Weston. 
The show' of horses w’as pronounced the best 
ever seen at this fair. 
The exhibits of swine were fine. Many new 
pens bad to be erected, *o large were the ex¬ 
hibits in this department. J. W. Leonard 
showed a fine lot of Berkshire* aud Chester 
Whites The show of poultry was, as usual, 
very small. The sum of f 150 was appropriated, 
to be divided as the judges saw fit: but this did 
uot help much to make the department a suc¬ 
cess. 
In the sheep department there was a falling 
off as compared with last year. Many pens 
were empty. Merinos made the best showing. 
Floral Hall was well filled. The display of 
apples was very large aud fine. Of other 
fruits there were very few. L, M. Hagar 
exhibited 50 varieties of plums—a creditable 
display for such an unfavorable season. The 
show of vegetables was good; the display of 
potatoes alone was worth the price of admit¬ 
tance. The ladies’ department was fitted up 
handsomely. Many kinds of fancy work, 
brie a brae, etc., were shown. The ladies al¬ 
ways do well here in New England. J. E. 8. 
tor lUomcn, 
CONDUCTED BY MISC KAY CLARK. 
PURCHASING FOR CHRISTMAS. 
The habit of deferring the purchasing of 
materials to be used in making presents for 
Christmas, until a few weeks of that time, is 
no better than any other along the line of pro¬ 
crastination; though the results of such are 
nothing compared to those that follow where 
greater interests are concerned. 
The nearer the holidays, the higher priced 
are the goods, and the more crowded the 
stores, with less chances of getting suited; for 
when one is jostled by a crowd of selfish wo¬ 
men. each thinking only of themselves and the 
articles they want to purchase, it is, to a sen¬ 
sitive nature, easier to “make do” than longer 
to wait for the clerk who is trying to serve a 
half dozen all at the same time, and conse¬ 
quently requiring the questions so often re¬ 
peated, that it is tiresome. 
We know of a lady whose custom it was, 
when she had a large number of purchases to 
make, to spend from ten o’clock in the morn¬ 
ing until oue o’clock in the afternoon, in one 
of the largest store* iu the city; thereby hav¬ 
ing time to make u careful selection, and, as a 
matter of course, seldom failed of securing 
bargains. Not a cheap article cheap, but a 
good article cheap. 
There are many who make purchases after 
thestyle of "doodles’” wife, whose mania was 
attending auctions, and never buying a useful 
or complete article, but such us “a door-plate, 
having t he name of Thompson on it, because 
she might have a daughter, who might marry 
a man by the name of Thompson.” This isan 
extreme case, to be sure; but it is about 
equalled by the purchasing of something at a 
low price for which there is no immediate u*e, 
find it is packed away in some drawer or store¬ 
room, to be takeu out some time after, only to 
find it out of style or so yellow that it caunot 
be made white again. 
However, few housekeepers are situated so 
as to be able to spend much time in making 
purchases, even if they were inclined; and 
for those who cannot there is a happy me¬ 
dium, in which sufficient time should be given, 
iu order that an equivalent, for their money 
may be had; for no oue doubts that there is 
always a choice in all iiues of goods So we 
say, buy now what you are intending to use 
in making Christmas presents. 
Dolls will not be cheaper two mouths hence, 
and every little girl from three years old to 
twelve enjoys the companionship of a doll— 
yes, and we have seen boys who did too. 
The wardrobe of a doll should lie well made, 
having all the buttons and button holes nec¬ 
essary. so that it can lie dressed and undress¬ 
ed. which Is the source of much pleasure to the 
doll mothers. In order to accomplish this, t he 
work must be begun in time, else other kinds 
of sewing will come crowding in. and as it is 
only a doll, her dresses will be finished, any¬ 
how, We believe in dolls, and in having them 
well dressed. Don’t spare any trouble to 
make them look pretty: and above all things, 
don't seta the clothes on. One reason given for 
so doing is “because she is too little to keep 
the run of them, and the whole house will be 
littered up.” Well, did you ever watch vour 
child with her doll, and see the look of pleas 
ure and comfort there is on her face when she 
talks to it? or the sorrow, when she plays it 
has been sick, all night? How real these are to 
her childish mind. Why should she not have 
a doll whose clothes are made ns good as her 
own? 
Children are easily pleased, but it is 
difficult to always know what kind of a pres¬ 
ent to make for grown-up people, unless we 
are familiar with tb«ir tastes, and know wlmt 
article* they already posses*; and much more 
so, to know what to give a geutleuiuu. Of 
course there is the never-to-be-forgotteu slip¬ 
pers! But unless they are made up, ready for 
wear, they fail of their mission. Then 
the fancy cane come* next, but the 
cheap one* are uot good enough, and un¬ 
less the party should be a judge of fancy 
woods, one made of the tulip wood, costing 
about nine dollars, would seem no more than 
the common cherry. We thiuk that a fancy 
chair would be as acceptable as anything. 
Not a steamer chair, nor one made of rattan, 
for these are common; but select one odd iu 
shape, something like this which i* represented 
by our cat, and make a stria 11 bolster for the 
back of tnomie, broudeloth. or velvet, hand¬ 
somely embroidered in a simple vine pattern, 
and finished at the ends with ball* of chenille. 
A cover of the same for the Beat, trimmed 
with worsted or silk fringe of fancy colors. 
When the shades are decided upon, it is easy 
to get bails, tassels, or fringes to match. Pur¬ 
chase a strong chair, that will staud tipping 
back, for who over saw a man sitting in a 
chair lor five minutes without tilting it? A 
scrap basket handsomely trimmed, Is another 
useful gift if the gentleman docs any writing 
at home, if ho is u bachelor, nothing could 
be more appropriate as well as Useful, than a 
large pin-cushion made of plush and satin, 
embroidered and trimmed with chenille; with 
a unit of the same material. This is to tie 
half as large as a bureau cover, and in the 
center is placed the cushion Trim both cush¬ 
ion and mul with a box pleating of the satin 
fringed out both edges, and gathered either at 
the edge or in the center, as one may choose. 
Such u gift has generally been considered as 
belonging to a lady. Out try it, and see if your 
gentleman friend will not appreciate it. We 
might suggest something further, but thiuk 
perhaps we have offered enough for the pre¬ 
sent. C. 
MRS. LEE’S JOURNAL. 
BY MARGUERITE. 
1 received a letter to-day from a friend 
of mine in the city, and shB wrote that “she 
should think help could easily be secured among 
farmers’ daughters for a family like ours.” 
What do you thiuk, Aunt Belinda? 
I believe the needles in her knitting work 
clicked faster for a few seconds as she ausvver- 
ed. “Let me think a uiiuute.” Now I had 
turned the subject all over in my mind pre¬ 
viously and was pretty sure there vvs- nly 
