Ladies Catholic Fair at Harper’s Ferry; Reconstruction

The Ladies’ Catholic Fair at Harper’s Ferry.
MR. EDITOR: —

The fair, which was refer[r]ed to in my last article, given by the Catholic Ladies in this vicinity, closed on Monday night last, after having been conducted with the most satisfactory success. The direct object of its organization being the raising of funds for the purchase of a bell, and making necessary repairs to the church, the objective point has been made without a dun, excepting fair duns by fair ones– to the gratification of all concerned.

While looking upon the tables, filled with heterogeneous misses of friendly donations, and then scanning the joyful countenances of the assembled throng, my mind was often carried back through the clouded vista of seven years, when we met together to enjoy like pleasantries, surrounded by full and plenty of the fruits of prosperity. ‘Tis true, times and circumstances have changed; a thousand winds of adversity have swept through our once happy and contented homes and chilled the hearts of their inmates till they have quivered in suspended hope; the blasting simoon, with its withering breath, has blown into the very faces of our population, seemingly, bent upon destructive ends; but, here we still are, and here, we mean to stay. The old mountains of historic names, though they were robbed of their dresses by the soldiers’ axe, have now new suits of verdure and look as beautiful as ever. Of course, they are short dresses, but they are so fashionable; and ain’t they gay.

The old Shenandoah and Potomac still travel the same course. No visible change, no separation. So we mean to travel, as long as a flickering ray of hope lights our way. But, we must leave the wave on the Potomac, and the wild flowers on Maryland heights, and return to the fair room.

As we enter the door, the first table on our right, was plenteously laden with a beautiful variety of faney articles, presenting quite a tidy appearance, and presided over by Mrs. M. Walsh and others.

The next, a refreshment table, was crowded with the dainty appetizers, generally known by the appellation of pound cakes; though juding from size, I think some of them should have been more properly termed twenty-four pounders, especially, the one presented by parties from Cumberland. For a change of commodities there, spare change was passed to Miss Mary Hall and Mrs. M. Quinn.

At the extreme end of the room, was the indispensable ice cream table. None of your frozen chalk water; nary; that was the place if not to cool your ardor, certainly, your parching lips, (no reference to lips that will utter a prayer for a drop of cold water) Mrs. Walsh and Miss Kitzmiller, were every ready to supply demands.

Next, refreshment table, attended by Mrs. E. Tierney and Mrs. Decauine, where, alone, three hundred and thirty more dollars were realized. The last, a fancy table by Mrs. Tierney, Mrs. Lajoie and others.

And now we have passed around the room, what next?

In the centre of the room stood a sexangular frame work, with as many arches as sides, about ten feet high, and dome like in form; the whole being decorated with evergreens. The representation of the well, was well, and Rebecca might have been outdone. Indeed, there was many a young gent who drank there, and didn’t look a bit thirsty; one eye in the glass and the other wasn’t. Not being very observant of the qualities of human nature, I refrain from expressing an opinion about young men’s impressions.

Friend Frank, did you ever take a chance in a lottery? If you did, you are aware that a fellow generally has a very poor chance.– If you didn’t, you ought to have been to the Fair. I’ll guarantee you would have had a bit of experience. If we havn’t girls here who can talk you blind on the chancery question, you optical demonstrations are iron clad, impervious, fire-proof and invulnerable.– Talk about black eyes and penetrating glances! blue eyes and mild expressions! perfect forms and lady-like appearances! why we have just got those articles here in abundance. By the way, I noticed a controversy a short time ago between the Spirit and a Winchester paper, as to which held the palm of feminine beauty, Winchester or Charlestown. We were silent at the time, but will have it understood now, that if the question arise again, we propose to poll a vote. At the first glance, this may seem irrelevant, but as there has never been a question in which the gentler sex has not figured, in some degree, I suppose the rule will hold good in this case also.

The most valuable articles on sale, were several silver sets, of different descriptions, Bohemian Vases, and others of exquisite beauty, a miniature set of furniture, &c.

The came, of county popularity, was awarded to Mr. John Hyland, he having received one hundred and ninety one majority over his foremost competitor, Mr. Heskitt– the total number of votes making an aggregate of three hundred seventy dollars. Mr. Ed. O’Farrell, received the majority vote, as the most popular young man for the cuff buttons, upon which the amount realized was two hundred and thirty-six dollars.

The whole nett proceeds of the Fair, as I understood, will more than cover twelve hundred dollars.

The presentation of the cane was made on Monday night last in a formal manner to Mr. Hyland, which was thankfully responded to, with the assurance to his friends, that it will ever be held as a living memento of their kindness and generosity. Thus ended the programme of a delightfully pleasant week.