Scranton band was giving of its very best from time to time, and the
air robbed with martial music suitable to a country just then at war
with a foreign nation. It was a fair sort of band in the bargain,
and well worth listening to; so that the music really added greatly to
the enjoyment of the occasion.

When the three-legged race was pulled off the spectators howled their
sympathy with this or that pair of contestants as they hopped along,
now rolling on the ground while bound together, and, at times, even
trying to creep in desperation, then it seemed as though a difference
of opinions in the two minds trying to control what was just the
same as one pair of legs, caused confusion, and a lack of progression.

Later on came the climbing of the greased pole. This always comical
enough, and aroused much enthusiasm. Nobody seems to be a favorite,
and each successful attempt to mount is greeted with shrieks of
laughter. So long as a valiant fellow is seen to be steadily making
his way upwards inch by inch, he may be applauded; but let him display
the slightest hint of having "shot his bolt," and begin to slip back
again, howls of derision will greet his ears, so that in confusion he
finally gives it up, and retires in haste.

All sorts of small means are resorted to in order to allow the contestant
to get a surer grip on the slippery pole; for, up to a certain point,
these are allowable. One rubs sand in his hands, and for a brief
time this seems to enable him to do splendid work; but then it soon
wears away, and then his troubles begin; until, unable to make further
progress, he is seen to glance over his shoulder to note how far from
the ground he has risen. This is a sure sign of weakening, and, of
course, the watchful crowd again roars at him to keep right on, that
he's doing nobly, and all that; but John knows better, and so down
he comes with a rush, and passes out, shaking his head in disgust
and bitter disappointment; for possibly he had been within five feet
of the top when his energies failed him.

So the time went on, merrily enough.

Many persons were declaring they had not enjoyed such an afternoon for
years, and felt weak from so much laughter.

Watches were being consulted more and more frequently now.

"It's getting time we saw something of those chaps," could be heard
here and there, showing that numbers had figured things out, or else
received a tip from an authority in the game as to just h