Chapin's Address. 
381 
tasked, overworked boyhood. Fairs were not originated for boys, 
but for men and women. Boys are only permitted to attend upon 
good behavior. 
Boys, a better day is coming for you. You will soon be on the 
stage of active life— and then, you will be the actors, and I pray 
you, don’t forget, that once, you were boys. 
WHAT SHOULD, AND SHOULD NOT BE DONE. 
Managers who get up and support our Annual Fairs are entitled 
to great credit. Their time is freely given, not for money, not for 
glory. They are at work for the* public good. They are striving 
for improvement, not in farming alone, but for better results in the 
several departments of industry. They are striving to give each 
interest the encouragement it demands; and, “ if I may be permitted 
to venture a word in season,” as the actor in Kerry Gow ” says — 
let me say to you as I would to every person who attends the sev¬ 
eral annual fairs in the commonwealth: Give these gatherings your 
support; give them your presence, your heart and hand. Don’t be 
stingy; don’t try to ‘‘beat” the society out of a penny. Don’t 
venture upon the grounds with one season ticket which your neigh¬ 
bor and his family, his mother-in-law and her family, have used in 
quick succession. Don’t enter for competition and premium an 
“ old plug ” of a horse, or a “ pair of old plugs,” just to obtain stable 
room and forage while the fair lasts, if you have a poor relation in 
town to visit or a nickle left. Don’t curse the officers of the society 
for charging an entry fee. Don’t curse the secretary of the society 
because he cannot do two things at once, or be in two distinct and 
different places at the same time — or because he does not pay the 
premiums before the judges announce the award. Don’t charge 
the managers with originating a scheme to fleece the farmers. 
Don’t charge the executive board with being a ring, for wrong, 
roguery and robbery. Don’t curse the superintendents of the re¬ 
spective departments because you think that your products or wares 
from farm or shop do not occupy the best place for exhibition. 
Don’t grumble at the judges because you failed to receive the first 
premium on every article which you have brought for exhibition, 
competition, premium. Don’t swear because another horse made 
better time than yours. Don’t, I pray you, don’t, swear because 
this speech is brief, is long, and filled with nothing new, but do re¬ 
member 
