Who gets the candle colored redWill have long life, but never wed.If you choose the candle greenYou'll have the prettiest wife e'er seen.For you the kind fates have a planWhereby you surewillget a man.
Who gets the candle colored redWill have long life, but never wed.If you choose the candle greenYou'll have the prettiest wife e'er seen.For you the kind fates have a planWhereby you surewillget a man.
Who gets the candle colored redWill have long life, but never wed.
Who gets the candle colored red
Will have long life, but never wed.
If you choose the candle greenYou'll have the prettiest wife e'er seen.
If you choose the candle green
You'll have the prettiest wife e'er seen.
For you the kind fates have a planWhereby you surewillget a man.
For you the kind fates have a plan
Whereby you surewillget a man.
Let each guest take a card and a candle (if the base of the candle is warmed it will stick to the card), read the couplet aloud, then light the candle, and holding it at arm's length blow it out. If it is blown out upon the first trial the person will be married within a year; if upon the second trial, within two years, etc.
Write rhymes of four or six lines on thin paper, and place in chestnut shells. Tie together with ribbon, the ladies' in one color, the gentlemen's in another. If there are personal hits in the rhymes, tie the name of the person for whom each one is intended on the outside of the shell.
Hide a ring, a thimble and a penny in the room. To the one who finds the ring speedy marriage is assured; the thimble denotes a life of single blessedness; the penny promises wealth.
Have one of the young ladies who knows a little palmistry be the witch of the evening. A short, bright-hued skirt, a gay plaid shawl crossed over her shoulders, a scarf bound about her head, will make a very striking costume, and, with the aid of a little paint and powder, quite an effective disguise. If she is enough acquainted with the guests to give some personal history she can produce some very "telling" fortunes.
After the witch has exhausted her ingenuity as palmist, let her offer to disclose the name of the future bride or groom of each one present, by means of the fairy mirror. The room she uses should be dimly lighted. She writes the name on a mirror with French chalk, rubs it off lightly with a silk handkerchief, and calls in the person for whom the name is written.
Prepare a basket of rosy cheeked apples, each with the initials of a name pricked in the skin, which names must be used in counting the apple seeds.
After the supper table has been cleared of all except the decorations and candles, have a large dish filled with burning alcohol and salt brought in and placed in the centre. Seated around this ghostly fire, all other lights except the candles having been extinguished, let the guests tell stirring stories rigmarole fashion; that is, some one starting the story and stopping short at its most exciting point and letting his neighbor continue it, etc., each one trying to make it as interesting as possible.
All formality must be dispensed with on Hallowe'en. Not only will quaint customs and mystic tricks be in order, but the decorations and refreshments, and even the place of meeting, must be as strange and mystifying as possible.
For the country or suburban home a roomy barn is decidedly the best accommodation that can be provided. If this is not practicable, a large attic, running the entire length of the house, is the next choice; but if this also is denied the ambitious hostess, let the kitchen be the place of meeting and of mystery, with the dining-room, cleared of its usual furniture and decorated suitably for the occasion, reserved for the refreshments.
The light should be supplied only by Jack-o'-lanterns hung here and there about the kitchen, with candles in the dining-room.
The decorations need not be expensive to be charming, no matter how large the room. Large vases of ferns and chrysanthemums and umbrella stands of fluffy grasses will be desirable; but if these cannot be readily obtained, quantities of gayly tinted autumn leaves will be quite as appropriate. Festoons of nuts, bunches of wheat or oats, and strings of cranberries may also help to brighten the wall decorations, and the nuts and cranberries will be useful in many odd arrangements for ornamenting the refreshment table.
Have the table long enough (even if it must be extended with boards the whole length of the barn or attic) to accommodate all the guests at once. Arrange huge platters of gingerbread at each corner, with dishes of plain candies and nuts here and there, and pyramids of fruit that will be quickly demolished when the guests are grouped about the table. No formal waiting will be desirable.
Have mirrors everywhere: big mirrors, medium-sized mirrors, and little, wee mirrors, all reflecting and multiplying countless candles that burn in candlesticks of every description (most novel are those made from long-necked gourds and tiny squashes).
Across the top and down the sides of each doorway hang festoons of yellow and white corn and turn the husks back to show the firm, glistening kernels. Each window can be garlanded in like manner as well as the tops of mantels and picture frames. Clusters of red ears may depend from the chandeliers. Here and there, in the most unexpected corners, can be placed Jack-o'-lanterns, smiling or gnashing their teeth, amid great shocks of corn. The great hall and stairway can be draped with fish-nets through the meshes of which are thrust many ears of corn. A stately Jack must point the guests up the stairs where two other individuals will usher them to the dressing-rooms.
Drape one doorway with a portière of apples—apples strung on strings of varying lengths. As the guests pass through, the tallest stoop for those suspended on the longest strings and the shortest reach for those on the short strings. Those who succeed in throwing three tiny apples through the horseshoe, which is hung in the midst of these apples, are assured of phenomenal luck for the ensuing year.
In another doorway hang a big pear-shaped pumpkin, on whose shining surface all the letters of the alphabet have been burned with a hot poker. Keep this rapidly twirling while the guests, in turn, try to stab some letter with long meat-skewers. The letter that is hit will establish beyond question the initial letter of one's fate.
Place in a tub of water red, yellow and green apples. Provide each guest with a toy bow and arrow. The young man or maiden who succeeds in firing an arrow into a red apple will be assured of good health; plenty of money is in store for those shooting arrows into yellow ones; and good luck is in store for those hitting the green ones.
Blindfold each girl present and, presenting her with a wand, lead her to a table on which have been placed flags of the different men's colleges. The flag her wand happens to touch will indicate the college of her future husband.
Browning nuts, popping corn, roasting apples, and toasting marshmallows will add a great deal to the pleasure of the evening.
The dining-table should be draped in pale green crepe paper, the lights above being shrouded in gorgeous orange. Pumpkins of various sizes should be scooped and scraped to a hollow shell and, lined with waxed paper and filled with good things to eat, should be placed in the centre of the table. Lighted candles and quaint oriental lanterns will add greatly to the decorations.
The menu should include bannocks, scones, and other Scotch dainties. If desired, droning bagpipes might accompany the feast.
After listening to ghostly tales related by white-draped figures, the guests may receive all sorts of amusing souvenirs from a large pumpkin placed on a table at the door.
Of all our friends, both far and near,We beg the kind attention;So please to lend us now your ear,While we a subject mention.To carry on our C. E. work,In the country and the city,We need more money very bad,And hope you'll help us with it.The committee intend to holdOn a day not distant farA sale for both the young and old,—A handkerchief bazaar.So this, then, is our plea in brief:To aid our enterpriseWe beg of you a handkerchief,Of any kind or size.
Of all our friends, both far and near,We beg the kind attention;So please to lend us now your ear,While we a subject mention.To carry on our C. E. work,In the country and the city,We need more money very bad,And hope you'll help us with it.The committee intend to holdOn a day not distant farA sale for both the young and old,—A handkerchief bazaar.So this, then, is our plea in brief:To aid our enterpriseWe beg of you a handkerchief,Of any kind or size.
Of all our friends, both far and near,We beg the kind attention;So please to lend us now your ear,While we a subject mention.
Of all our friends, both far and near,
We beg the kind attention;
So please to lend us now your ear,
While we a subject mention.
To carry on our C. E. work,In the country and the city,We need more money very bad,And hope you'll help us with it.
To carry on our C. E. work,
In the country and the city,
We need more money very bad,
And hope you'll help us with it.
The committee intend to holdOn a day not distant farA sale for both the young and old,—A handkerchief bazaar.
The committee intend to hold
On a day not distant far
A sale for both the young and old,—
A handkerchief bazaar.
So this, then, is our plea in brief:To aid our enterpriseWe beg of you a handkerchief,Of any kind or size.
So this, then, is our plea in brief:
To aid our enterprise
We beg of you a handkerchief,
Of any kind or size.
Please send by mail before April 5th to
Please send by mail before April 5th to
The above invitation, which should be printed on a neat card, explains itself. The details of the bazaar may be arranged as desired.
If the Hatchet Party is given at home appropriate invitations can be issued in the form of a hatchet, bearing the words in quaint letters:
"Ye Young Women's Christian Temperance Union extends ye invitation to meete ye Hatchet Familie of ye anciente tyme at ye home of Miss May Caspel, 236 Bell Avenue, on Wednesday evening, ye 22d of Februarie of ye year of our Lorde 1905, at eight of ye clock."
"Ye Young Women's Christian Temperance Union extends ye invitation to meete ye Hatchet Familie of ye anciente tyme at ye home of Miss May Caspel, 236 Bell Avenue, on Wednesday evening, ye 22d of Februarie of ye year of our Lorde 1905, at eight of ye clock."
The decorations should conform to the spirit of the evening. A large hatchet covered with white curled tissue paper may be hung in the hall. Plaques of little red, white and blue hatchets may take the place of flowers, and in the hall or reception room there should be a little table of "Souvenirs." These should be little bronze hatchets with the letters Y. W. C. T. U. on one side. Their handles should be tied with narrow ribbon—red, white and blue—and each guest should be allowed to select his color. Thus everybody has the opportunity offered to him of becoming a member by selecting the white ribbon, and in this way everybody is compelled to "show his colors."
If simple refreshments are served, let the Japanese napkins have a big hatchet gilded on them, and let there be some plates of hatchet cookies, formed by the cutter that any tinsmith will make from a pattern.
Have old-fashioned candy—peppermint, wintergreen, sassafras and molasses—instead of bonbons. Play the old games—hunt the slipper, blind man's buff, hide and seek.
Names for the members of the Hatchet Family who are to receive the guests:
Ask the girls who impersonate these characters to come in Martha Washington dress, a flowered chintz or silk overdress, opening in front to show a silk or sateen skirt of a plain color, which may be quilted if desired. The waist is made to open over a white neckerchief and has elbow sleeves. A little round mob cap of muslin or lace, with a frill, a band of ribbon around it, and a coquettish bow complete the costume.
To step from midsummer into winter was a surprise, when the admission ticket was dropped in the box at the door on the night of the festival and its erstwhile owner passed into the hall. Small tables stood by pine and cedar trees that were covered with alum icicles and sifted over with diamond dust. Here groups of friends ate their cream and cake together, served by snow spirits in white tarletan gowns that sparkled with diamond dust, or ice fays whose white costumes glittered with glass beads. On the stage, white canton flannel and diamond dust, heavy gray wrapping paper folded into rocks, trees and a rustic bridge made a realistic representation of a snowclad landscape. The pleasing program consisted of dainty dances by children dressed as snowflakes, a pretty ball game played with snowballs, recitations and songs appropriate to the winter season. Another novelty was a tree covered with raw cotton snowballs, with numbers attached. These were sold for twenty-five cents—each purchaser choosing a number—and contained the small fancy articles usually sold at fairs—pincushions, needle-books, cups and saucers, etc. The windows were all screened and electric fans hidden by evergreens kept the hall from getting overheated. In one corner was a large pond, made of a shallow wooden tank surrounded by more gray paper rocks and white cotton snow, in which real cakes of ice were floating, and from which any one was at liberty to dip as much ice water as he cared to drink. This festival was a great success.
The guests at this luncheon are to represent the Vice-President and the eight members of the Cabinet, but if the hostess wishes to entertain a larger number, she can introduce one or two of the foreign Ambassadors. Give to each guest, as she arrives, a card bearing the title of one of the Cabinet, as the Secretary of State, the Attorney-General, and, if necessary, the English Ambassador. While waiting for luncheon, each one must guess the name of the man she represents, in order to know her place at the table, where only the proper names, not the titles, will be used. It will be surprising to discover how few of the members of the Cabinet are known by name to the majority of persons.
Pink carnations will be appropriate for all decorations. Have a large bowl of these in the centre of the table, and at each corner lay on the cloth as a doily a spread eagle cut from gilt paper, the pattern for which can be taken from a revenue flag or a ten dollar gold piece. Make the distance from tip to tip of the wings about twelve inches, and from the head to the tail seven inches. Place upon the eagles dishes of olives, nuts, and pink candies.
From the chandelier to the corners of the table have sound money festoons, which are made by cutting out of gilt paper a number of disks the size of a twenty-five cent piece. Paste these together in pairs, first laying between them a long thread which connects them through the middle and forms a chain.
For favors have cards of water-color paper painted around the edges with a festoon of pink ribbon, in which, at intervals, are knotted scrolls and documentary envelopes upon which are printed some of the principles of the Republican party, such as "The Monroe doctrine reaffirmed," "Reduction of war taxes," "Allegiance to the gold standard," etc. At the top of each card write the name of the person whom each guest is to represent.
In the centre of the card will be the menu, which is as follows:
A clear soup, with noodles for letters, fills the requirements of the Post Office. The second course is creamed sweetbreads served in small paper boxes, which stand upon large pilot crackers, or, in army language, "hard tack." A sheet of paper folded double, like an army tent, rests upon the crackers, covering the box; wooden toothpicks stuck through the sides of the tent into the paper box will prevent the former from slipping out of place, and can easily be removed after serving. On the outside of the tents paint in large, clear letters U. S. A. The crackers are to be eaten with the sweetbreads.
The navy is represented by having the chicken croquettes formed in the shape of a ship, flat, and having one end pointed, the other somewhat rounding. From a druggist get two or three straws, such as are used for soda water, cut them into short lengths, and just before serving, stand two or three in each croquette to represent smokestacks. If these straws cannot be obtained, toothpick masts with paper sails will be quite as effective. The croquettes should be served with green peas—small shot—and scalloped potatoes.
Agricultural or vegetable salad, served in beets, makes a most attractive looking dish. Beets of medium and uniform size are first boiled until tender, then peeled and placed on the ice. When cold cut off a slice at the bottom, so they will stand firm, scoop out the insides, leaving only thin walls. For the filling use peas and apples, celery and beets, cut into small pieces, and mixed well with mayonnaise; fill the beets, serving them on lettuce leaves. The cabinet pudding is that which is to be found in any cook book, baked in individual forms, and served with foamy sauce.
The ices are in the form of horseshoes for good luck, and with them are the Philippine cakes. These are small cakes having in the centre of each a tiny black china doll, two of which can be purchased for a cent at any toy shop. These are put in after the cake is baked and before icing, leaving them just far enough out to show the arms.
The "coffee which makes the politician wise," may be served at the table or after returning to the parlor.
The answers are held by the hostess, of course, and are only divulged after all the guesses are in. They are as follows:
Answers
Independence Day Menu
Invitations may be printed or written on birch bark or paper imitations of same, or on paper cut into the shape of tomahawks, tepees, etc., and may be hand-painted if desired. Decorations should be Indian blankets (as portières, couch covers, and mantel draperies), Indian rugs, baskets, tomahawks, bows and arrows, war clubs, chromos, colored photographs, clay or papier-mâché Indian heads, plaques and busts, etc., any of which would make suitable favors. A miniature wigwam made of blankets in an out-of-the-way corner, adds effectiveness. Footman and maids may be dressed in Indian costumes made of burlap with bright colored trimmings and fringes; or the guests may be inviteden costume.
For table decoration a skin should be placed over table cloth through the centre of the table and upon it an Indian basket filled with any red or yellow common flowers, such as marigolds or nasturtiums (red and yellow), or better still with wild flowers, red or yellow.
The menu cards and name cards, of stiff ecru paper, have Indian decorations in brilliant red, green and orange; the candles are also striped in the same vivid colors and the candle holders are made of corn husks. The canoe, designed for the entree, which is the chicken, is made of heavy brown paper.
Menu for Indian Dinner
Our social committee, of which I was then chairman, wanted very much to have a lawn party; but the season for such things was quite over, as the evenings were too cool. However, a bright idea occurred to one of our number, and we decided to have an indoor lawn party.
The Saturday afternoon before it was to take place, four of the committee took a team, went out into the woods, and secured a lot of pine boughs, autumn leaves, etc., and Monday evening, which was the evening before it occurred, we increased our force of workers, and went to the vestry to turn it, as far as possible, into an outdoor scene. We trimmed the chandeliers, posts, and every available spot with boughs, strung Japanese lanterns all across the room, made a beautiful bower in one corner for the orchestra, for which we had three pieces, a piano, a violin, and a cornet. In the opposite corner of the room we had a canvas tent where fortunes were told at five cents each (by palmistry) by one of our young lady gypsies. Hammocks were swung from the large stone posts, and a standing double swing was placed on one side of the room, where the younger people enjoyed themselves hugely.
Small tables were put into odd corners of the room, where ice cream and cake were served by ten young ladies in pretty summer costumes. Lemonade was served from an old well, which was a large square box or packing case, covered with canvas, painted to represent a stone wall. To this we attached a well-sweep made from a branch of a tree, tied on a large new tin pail, and served the lemonade in small glasses at two cents a glass. During the evening we had a male quartette gather around the well and sing "The Old Oaken Bucket," and other selections. The orchestra played the whole evening with very short intermissions. On one side of the room was arranged an artistic corner where peanuts were sold at the usual price of five cents a bag.
The little guests at this particular party were invited from three o'clock until seven, and when they arrived they found the rooms were darkened. The lamps had yellow shades, and as such an occasion would not be complete without pumpkin Jack-o'-lanterns, there were
"Pumpkins large and pumpkins small,Pumpkins short and pumpkins tall,Pumpkins yellow and pumpkins green,Pumpkins dull and those with sheen."
"Pumpkins large and pumpkins small,Pumpkins short and pumpkins tall,Pumpkins yellow and pumpkins green,Pumpkins dull and those with sheen."
"Pumpkins large and pumpkins small,
Pumpkins short and pumpkins tall,
Pumpkins yellow and pumpkins green,
Pumpkins dull and those with sheen."
They hung in every nook and corner. Even the jardinières filled with flowers were made of them. Wood was crackling and blazing in the large fireplace, as if anxious to do its part to make every one happy, and hanging from the chandelier was a branch of evergreen, with nuts suspended in such a fashion that they readily fell to the floor when given a slight shake. Before this was done, however, each child was given a paper bag to hold the nuts, which tumbled in all directions. Then a huge pasteboard pumpkin covered with yellow crinkled paper was brought in. I do not know what else it was made of; I only know that it looked like a real pumpkin. Bright-colored ribbons hung over the sides, and when the small boys and girls took turns in pulling them, out came all sorts of comical little toys and pretty knickknacks.
Before supper was announced the children were given French snappers in fringed paper, in which they found either a gay cap or apron. After putting them on they marched around the parlors, out into the hall and into the dining-room, while the mother of the little girl who had planned this delightful Hallowe'en party played a marching tune for them.
The greatest surprise of all awaited them in the dining-room, for the walls were covered with large branches of evergreens, making it seem like "real woods"; not a chair was in the room; the little ones were invited to seat themselves on soft cushions placed on the floor, in true picnic style, and they had the jolliest time eating their picnic supper from the yellowest of yellow gourds, which had been hollowed out, lined with Japanese napkins, and filled with just the things children like best. On top of each one was an apple—or at least they thought it was, until taking it in their hands, when it proved to be a bonbon box filled with delicious nut candy. Then there were dainty sandwiches, pop corn balls and salad in orange baskets. But better than these were the gingerbread animals; these were so natural looking that the little ones knew right away which animals were represented.
After supper they played games until seven, when they went home, laden with their bags of nuts and toys and souvenir lanterns.
Invitations may be written as the natives write—up and down, instead of across, on rice paper or paper napkins; or little Japanese dolls may be sent, each clasping a note of invitation.
For decorations, use Japanese draperies, cushions, bead curtains, rugs, baskets, swords, scrolls, umbrellas, vases, fans, lanterns, screens, bamboo tables and chairs, Japanese fern balls, with tiny Japanese flags and fans stuck in here and there, red, or red and white Japanese lilies, ferns combined with red and yellow ribbons, etc.; or the walls of the rooms may be entirely covered with branches of trees profusely decorated with cherry blossoms made of pink paper, representing the beautiful gardens of Tokio. Burning Japanese incense will add to the effectiveness. The playing cards used should be lacquered designs in red and yellow—Starlight, Sunlight, Storm, Japanese Lady (Congress brand), and Japanese Garden, Japanese Scenery, and Sunset (Lenox brand). For the signals a Japanese gong should be used in place of a bell. The favors may be Japanese fans, toys and novelties. For keeping score, Japanese paper fans may be had in pairs (for finding partners), and punched with a conductor's punch for games won. Or Japanese dolls may be used, punching their paper kimonos. For prizes, select Japanese incense burners, vases, cloisonné, tablewares, white metal and bronze novelties, lacquer goods, handsome fans, or embroidered kimonos.
The refreshments may be served from a buffet—the guests seated Japanese fashion on floor cushions—and may include rice cakes; tea punch; tea as a beverage; "Japanese" salad, made of all kinds of vegetables, served in inverted Japanese umbrellas; cherry sherbet; Japanese nuts, etc.
The invitations to a Japanese sociable should be written as the natives write, up and down, instead of across, and have a cherry blossom or a Japanese lady in water-colors in one corner of each.
The guests should be informed beforehand that each one is to tell something or read something about Japan, any little item of interest that may have been heard or read, a pretty poem or a little story. The hostess and whoever assists her in receiving should wear kimonos and have tiny fans in their hair.
Seats in a Japanese corner may easily be arranged of boxes with portières thrown over them. Numerous cushions may be piled on these improvised couches and on the floor. A Japanese parasol may be hung in the corner, tilting forward to form a canopy, and the walls be hung with bead curtains. The odor from burning joss sticks will contribute to the realness of the affair. Japanese lanterns should hang about the room.
After the stories have been told tiny bits of paper and pencils may be passed and each one present should write down the name of the one who did best according to her opinion. A Japanese cup and saucer are presented to the one who receives the most votes.
A pretty decorative idea for a Japanese sociable is to cover entirely the walls of the room with branches of trees, with cherry blossoms made of pink paper—their color in Japan—scattered profusely over them, the scene representing the beautiful gardens of Tokio. If musicians are to be present they may be screened by a lattice covered with gold paper, and vines intertwined, while tiny incandescent lights shine through. Souvenirs may be distributed from a jinrikisha covered with the cherry blossoms.
The dining-room may be readily transformed into Oriental style with very little trouble. In place of the usual tea-table have several tabourettes, each holding a teapot, cups and saucers, lemon and sugar wafers, and Japanese napkins. A cushion made of matting should be placed on the floor before each tabourette. Those who serve should be in Japanese costume. Paper cherry blossoms, fastened to tree branches, and lanterns would make effective decorations.
If it is desired to have a more elaborate menu, it may be served on Japanese plates, and should consist of sandwiches folded in Japanese napkins, vegetable salad, and rice in some form. For dessert serve sherbet, calling it "cherry blossom ice," and with it have wafers. Tea and Japanese nuts may be served last to complete the Japanese idea.
Have small tables numbered and arranged to seat four or six persons. Select for each table a judge, who will distribute the cards and blanks. These judges hold the keys to the contests, so that they may be able to mark the players correctly.
Give each player a card attached to a piece of baby ribbon that may be fastened in the buttonhole. Upon these cards the number of points gained may be written, punched with a ticket punch, or marked with fancy wafers of different colors. The cards must be numbered to correspond with the tables, and as many number one cards provided as there are players at table number one, and so on.
When the players are seated at the tables which correspond in number with the number upon their cards, let the judges distribute blank paper and pencils, also copies of the questions comprised in the several contests, among the players at their respective tables.
A different contest must be prepared for each one of the tables.
When everything is ready the hostess of the evening should tap a bell for "silence," and announce that ten minutes will be given for each contest; that at the first tap of the bell all must begin to write their answers out, numbering them according to the numbers on the questions; at the second tap the judges are to collect the answers at their respective tables and mark on each player's card the number of points made. The system of marking is as follows: Each player is given as many marks as he has answered questions correctly, and the totals are summed up at the end of the game.
During the progress of the game there must be no talking nor any questions asked. At the third tap of the bell the players at table number one go to table number two, and so on, those at the last table moving up to table number one. This progression continues until all the players have had their opportunity to answer all the questions in the contests. At each change blank paper is distributed, and a bell rung as in the first instance. When the round has been completed the points are counted and the prizes awarded. A popular book makes an excellent first prize; a box of candy in the shape of a book, a second; and a "Primer," a third.
The following are the various contests:
Contest No. 1
Contest No. 2
Write out the following quotations correctly:
KEY
Contest No. 3
Heroes and heroines—in what books do they figure?
Contest No. 4
Fill blank spaces with titles of popular novels
In the little village of S—— o— t— P——, F—— f— t—— M—— C——, lived the H——. P—— S——. With him resided his lovely ward, J—— M——. She was A—— O—— F—— G——, and knew little of T—— W——, W—— W——. She had, however, A P—— o—— B—— E—— and G—— E——. Among her admirers were R—— C——, J—— H——, and T—— L—— M——.
KEY
In the little village of "Stringtown on the Pike," "Far from the Madding Crowd," lived the "Hon. Peter Sterling." With him resided his lovely ward, "Janice Meredith." She was "An Old-Fashioned Girl," and knew little of "The Wide, Wide World." She had, however, "A Pair of Blue Eyes" and "Great Expectations." Among her admirers were "Richard Carvel," "John Halifax," and "The Little Minister."
Contest No. 5
Synonyms for names of literary men
Contest No. 6
The answers to these questions are the names of authors
Contest No. 7
Give the name of—
Again, the hostess may prepare a certain number of blank cards, with the heading on each one "Who and What?" On a second lot of cards she can have pasted the pictures of some noted writers—Thackeray, Dickens, Scott, Dumas, Balzac, Tolstoi, Browning, George Eliot, Carlyle, Longfellow, Cooper, Emerson, Bryant, Holmes. The pictures of more recent writers will answer her purpose just as well. These pictures can be obtained from illustrated catalogues of books. Of these cards there should be as many as there are guests if the company be a small one, or as many cards as the hostess may desire; a dozen is a very good number.
Supply each guest with one of the blank cards and a pencil and then start into circulation the cards on which are pasted the pictures of the authors. Let the guests pass the cards from one to another, and write down, according to the number on the picture-card, and opposite the corresponding number on their own, the name of each author and some book he has written. This will be found a more difficult task than one imagines, and numerous guesses will doubtless go wide of the mark. The one whose card is filled out correctly, or the nearest to it, may be presented with a copy of some late popular book, and a toy book might be used as a booby prize.
In the note of invitation each one should be requested to wear something suggestive of a book title.
Upon arrival, each guest should be furnished with a card bearing the names of the entire company. When one fancies he has discovered a title, he should say nothing about it, but write the title opposite the name of the impersonator. When as much time has been given to this part of the program as has been thought desirable, the hostess calls the company to order and reads aloud a correct list of names and titles, and each corrects his card accordingly; or, still better, let the cards be exchanged, so that each must correct that of his neighbor, which will relieve the victor of the necessity of announcing his own success.
The guests may represent their titles in as inexpensive or as elaborate a way as they choose. She who represents "Rose in Bloom" need only wear a full-blown rose. "Sentimental Tommy" wears a Scotch cap bearing the words "From Thrums" on the front, and, when talking, finds many opportunities of informing his questioners, "I'll find a w'y!" "The Hidden Hand" may be represented by a gentleman who carries his hand in a sling concealed from view. "A Penniless Girl" is easily represented by a girl carrying an empty purse open and suspended at her belt. "The Woman in White," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "The Scarlet Letter" are all easily represented. Three small white wings tied together with a ribbon represents very well "White Wings" by William Black.
It is not desirable that the costume speak too plainly of the title selected, for the guests are expected to question one another regarding their peculiarities, and so they must be well informed as to the books they represent.
An appropriate menu for a literary evening follows:
Menu
"And like a lobster boiled."—Butler.(Lobster a la Newburg.)"What first I want is daily bread."—John Quincy Adams.(Bread and Butter.)"You are lovely leaves."—Herrick.(Lettuce Salad.)"I will use the olive."—Shakespeare.(Olives.)"My choice would be Vanilla Ice."—Holmes.(Ice Cream.)"Water with berries in it."—Anon.(Coffee.)"Oh, that I were an almond salted!"—Merrill.(Salted Almonds.)
"And like a lobster boiled."—Butler.(Lobster a la Newburg.)"What first I want is daily bread."—John Quincy Adams.(Bread and Butter.)"You are lovely leaves."—Herrick.(Lettuce Salad.)"I will use the olive."—Shakespeare.(Olives.)"My choice would be Vanilla Ice."—Holmes.(Ice Cream.)"Water with berries in it."—Anon.(Coffee.)"Oh, that I were an almond salted!"—Merrill.(Salted Almonds.)
"And like a lobster boiled."—Butler.
(Lobster a la Newburg.)
"What first I want is daily bread."—John Quincy Adams.
(Bread and Butter.)
"You are lovely leaves."—Herrick.
(Lettuce Salad.)
"I will use the olive."—Shakespeare.
(Olives.)
"My choice would be Vanilla Ice."—Holmes.
(Ice Cream.)
"Water with berries in it."—Anon.
(Coffee.)
"Oh, that I were an almond salted!"—Merrill.
(Salted Almonds.)
Write the questions on red cards and the answers on white. Have each question and answer numbered in succession. Let the gentlemen select the red and the ladies the white cards, and when the gentlemen read the questions, let the ladies read the answers. This is also a good way to match partners for refreshments.
The giving of such a party is a pleasing way of raising money for some charitable object.
The invitations should read somewhat like the following: