THE COUNTY FAIR The big amphitheater at the fair grounds was filled as completely and evenly as a new paper of pins.

Through the air floated that sweetest of all music to the childish ear--the unceasing wail of expiring balloons; and childish souls were held together in one sticky ecstasy of molasses candy and pop-corn balls.
Behind the highest row of seats was a promenade, and in front of the lowest was another.

Around these circled a procession which, though constantly varying, held certain recurring figures like the charging steeds on a merry-go-round.

There was Dr.Fenton, in his tight Confederate suit; he had been circling in that same procession at every fair for twenty years.

There was the judge, lank of limb and loose of joint, who stopped to shake hands with all the strangers and invite them to take dinner in his booth, where Mrs.Hollis reveled in a riot of pastry.