Martha was delighted with the plan Mr. Irving proposed, and, with the
help of Miss Connington, the young lady who took the part of Autumn, she
made ready for her November booth.
When the night of the bazaar came, everything was in readiness, and
hundreds of people were waiting for the entrance-doors to open.
And when at last they were admitted, the beautiful scene was greeted with
great applause.
At the end of the room was the throne of Father Time. This was on a
raised platform, behind which was a large sheet painted with the figures
of the zodiac.
Time himself, who was, of course, Mr. Irving, was robed in long white
garments, which fell in classic folds about his tall and stalwart frame.
A white beard and “forelock” added to the effect, and he carried a scythe
and hour-glass.
But his genial smile and cordial words of greeting were not much like the
grim old gentleman who is represented as going about and cutting down
all, both great and small. Not wishing to shirk his part of the real work
of the evening, Mr. Irving had some small articles for sale on his
“throne.” There were hour-glasses and smaller sand-glasses; clocks and
watches; diaries and calendars; and even a metronome, which, he said, he
was particularly anxious to dispose of, because it beat Time! As all
these articles had been donated, and as they were quickly bought from the
entertaining old gentleman, the funds of the Fresh Air Club were
considerably added to, that night, by Father Time.
The young ladies who represented the four seasons were dressed as if they
were models for the pretty modern picture calendars. They did not sell
things, but hovered round the booths that were under their supervision,
and took care that everything went right.
The booths themselves were marvels of elaborate ingenuity.
January was what looked like a snow palace. It was really a little
mosque-shaped house, built of a light framework covered with cotton-wool.
This was sprinkled with diamond-dust, and scattered bits of tinsel
frosting, and glass icicles. It was electric-lighted, and a more
fairy-like palace could not be imagined. Jack presided over it in the
guise of Jack Frost. His suit was white Canton flannel sprinkled with
tinsel frost, and his peaked cap and roundabout jacket were trimmed with
ermine—or what looked like it.
He had on sale anything and everything that had to do with
January—skates, sleds, sleigh-bells, warm caps and mittens, New Year’s
cards, year-books, and even soap-stones and foot-warmers for sleighs. His
booth was a gay and cheery place, with a bright fire of gas-logs blazing,
and red-shaded lamps all about.
Mrs. McGuire had assisted, and many visitors thought Jack’s booth the
finest of all.
Harry Harper, as St. Valentine, presided over the February booth. He was
dressed like the pictures of the old saint, and in his booth were many
cupids and doves.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account