"When the frost is on the pumpkin,And the fodder's in the shock."
"When the frost is on the pumpkin,And the fodder's in the shock."
"When the frost is on the pumpkin,
And the fodder's in the shock."
Almost all the young people who had gotten up the entertainment were dressed to represent Riley's characters, and several of the most important presided over the booths. At one, which was literally covered with paper flowers, "'Lizabeth Ann, she can cook best things to eat," sold cakes and pies. At another Riley's poems and photographs were sold, and at still another "The raggedy man! He works for pa," knocked down apples from an improvised apple-tree as fast as he could sell them. And among the purchasers were "Little Orphant Annie," "Max and Jim," "Pa and ma and me, all three," and many others.
While all were busy buying and tasting the good things, "the old band" marched in.
"Somehow—anywayI want to hear the old band playSich tunes as 'John Brown's body,' and'Sweet Alice,' don't you know?And 'The camels is a-comin'' and'John Anderson, my Jo.'"
"Somehow—anywayI want to hear the old band playSich tunes as 'John Brown's body,' and'Sweet Alice,' don't you know?And 'The camels is a-comin'' and'John Anderson, my Jo.'"
"Somehow—anyway
I want to hear the old band play
Sich tunes as 'John Brown's body,' and
'Sweet Alice,' don't you know?
And 'The camels is a-comin'' and
'John Anderson, my Jo.'"
And the impromptu band played them. Later in the evening some of the Riley poems were recited.
"Actions speak louder than words." So runs the old saw; nevertheless, a single phrase has often served to make a man famous, and many well-known personages are readily remembered through especially striking or appropriate utterances.
How many readers will be able to credit the following to the proper sources?
This fair can be planned by any society that wishes to raise money and is willing to work to earn it.
Monday
Have a booth with everything pertaining to wash-day—wash aprons, clothes-pin aprons, clothes-pin bags, wash-tubs, boilers, wash-boards, clothes-lines, clothes-pins, soaps, washing-powder, bluing, clothes-baskets, etc.
Tuesday
Have everything a housewife wants for ironing day—ironing-boards, irons, stands, holders, home-made holders, fine starch, bees' wax, ironing-board slips, polishing irons, etc.
Wednesday
Wednesday's booth should have everything for mending day, such as needle-books, stocking-bags, buttons, button-bags, pincushions, papers of pins, needles, thread, darning needles, darning-cotton, darning-balls, etc.
Thursday
Make Thursday the reception day, arranging this booth as a reception hall, with a good, live committee in attendance. Have a book for the guests to register their names and addresses (for future use). Serve ice cream, cake, lemonade and candy. Introduce strangers and appoint a special committee to look after the backward ones.
Friday
Let this booth be suggestive of sweeping day. Have plenty of dust caps, dust bags, dusting cloths, brushes, brooms, dust-pans, dusters, large colored aprons (which sell readily), etc.
Saturday
Let this booth be a regular bakery. Have your friends bake various things for you to sell, and have on sale all such articles as will sell readily, such as pies, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, bread, baked beans, etc.
Sunday
Have Sunday the crowning day of all. Arrange to have a piano or organ at this booth, and secure a full choir or quartet to sing the sacred songs; have solos, duets, instrumental music and an orchestra if possible. Have sacred readings and make the time spent here an hour of sacred enjoyment.
If something extra is wanted let the singers dress in old time costumes and sing the old sacred songs with an organ accompaniment.
An Idea for St. Patrick's Day
The invitations were written upon pale green note-paper, with a shamrock leaf painted in water-color in one corner. The exquisitely blended shades of this leaf make it an easy and effective decoration. In truth, we encountered some difficulty in finding a leaf to copy; but a volume of Moore's poems, incased by a considerate binder in a shamrock-sprinkled cover, solved the problem!
The event was called a "Shamrock Luncheon," the hours were from two until six, and the word "whist" explained our intentions.
The score-cards were cut from green cardboard, in the shape of a large shamrock; and across the back of each was written a line of a humorous St. Patrick's Day poem, which we had discovered in a newspaper. The verses will be found complete at the end of this article. It is adapted to twenty-four guests, but it is easy to insert more lines if more guests are invited.
Each lady selected her partner for the game by finding the holder of the line which rhymed with her own. The score-cards were tied with streamers of narrow white or green ribbon, which served both to attach the cards to the gown and to indicate partners in "changing tables"—the green always playing with a white ribbon. (Care must be taken to tie rhyming cards, one with green and one with white.)
When partners had been found, the entire poem, sufficiently humorous to break up all formality, was read. As each line was read, the owner of the card bearing that line took her seat as indicated, until all the guests were easily and laughingly seated.
The six small luncheon tables were set with green and white china, and had for centrepieces pots of blossoming shamrock. Any florist will sell or rent these.
The menu was as follows:
This repast, served by three pretty waitresses in white gowns and green ribbons, was eminently satisfactory. Green and white bonbons are easy to obtain. Care must be taken, however, not to carry the color scheme too far into the menu, as green is not an appetizing color in all kinds of food.
St. Patrick's Birthday
"'Twas the eighth day of March, so some people say,St. Patrick at midnight, he first saw the day!While others contend 'twas the ninth he was born,An' 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn.But mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock,And some blamed the baby, and some blamed the clock.So that with all the talk there was, no one could knowIf the child was too fast, or the clock was too slow!"Now the first faction fight in owld Ireland, they say,Was all on account of St. Patrick's birthday.Some fought for the eighth, for the ninth more would die;And who wouldn't see right, why, they blackened his eye."At last each faction so positive grewThat each kept a birthday, and Patrick had two!Until good Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins,Said no one could have two birthdays, but twins!Said he: 'Bhoys, don't be fightin' fur eight or fur nine;Don't be always dividin', but sometimes combine.Unite eight and nine—seventeen is the mark.Let that be his birthday.' 'Amen,' said the clark."'If he wasn't a twin, sure his histhory will showThat he's worth at least any two saints that we know.'Then they all 'tuk a dhrop,' which completed their bliss;And they keep up the practice from that day to this."
"'Twas the eighth day of March, so some people say,St. Patrick at midnight, he first saw the day!While others contend 'twas the ninth he was born,An' 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn.But mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock,And some blamed the baby, and some blamed the clock.So that with all the talk there was, no one could knowIf the child was too fast, or the clock was too slow!"Now the first faction fight in owld Ireland, they say,Was all on account of St. Patrick's birthday.Some fought for the eighth, for the ninth more would die;And who wouldn't see right, why, they blackened his eye."At last each faction so positive grewThat each kept a birthday, and Patrick had two!Until good Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins,Said no one could have two birthdays, but twins!Said he: 'Bhoys, don't be fightin' fur eight or fur nine;Don't be always dividin', but sometimes combine.Unite eight and nine—seventeen is the mark.Let that be his birthday.' 'Amen,' said the clark."'If he wasn't a twin, sure his histhory will showThat he's worth at least any two saints that we know.'Then they all 'tuk a dhrop,' which completed their bliss;And they keep up the practice from that day to this."
"'Twas the eighth day of March, so some people say,St. Patrick at midnight, he first saw the day!While others contend 'twas the ninth he was born,An' 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn.But mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock,And some blamed the baby, and some blamed the clock.So that with all the talk there was, no one could knowIf the child was too fast, or the clock was too slow!
"'Twas the eighth day of March, so some people say,
St. Patrick at midnight, he first saw the day!
While others contend 'twas the ninth he was born,
An' 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn.
But mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock,
And some blamed the baby, and some blamed the clock.
So that with all the talk there was, no one could know
If the child was too fast, or the clock was too slow!
"Now the first faction fight in owld Ireland, they say,Was all on account of St. Patrick's birthday.Some fought for the eighth, for the ninth more would die;And who wouldn't see right, why, they blackened his eye.
"Now the first faction fight in owld Ireland, they say,
Was all on account of St. Patrick's birthday.
Some fought for the eighth, for the ninth more would die;
And who wouldn't see right, why, they blackened his eye.
"At last each faction so positive grewThat each kept a birthday, and Patrick had two!Until good Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins,Said no one could have two birthdays, but twins!Said he: 'Bhoys, don't be fightin' fur eight or fur nine;Don't be always dividin', but sometimes combine.Unite eight and nine—seventeen is the mark.Let that be his birthday.' 'Amen,' said the clark.
"At last each faction so positive grew
That each kept a birthday, and Patrick had two!
Until good Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins,
Said no one could have two birthdays, but twins!
Said he: 'Bhoys, don't be fightin' fur eight or fur nine;
Don't be always dividin', but sometimes combine.
Unite eight and nine—seventeen is the mark.
Let that be his birthday.' 'Amen,' said the clark.
"'If he wasn't a twin, sure his histhory will showThat he's worth at least any two saints that we know.'Then they all 'tuk a dhrop,' which completed their bliss;And they keep up the practice from that day to this."
"'If he wasn't a twin, sure his histhory will show
That he's worth at least any two saints that we know.'
Then they all 'tuk a dhrop,' which completed their bliss;
And they keep up the practice from that day to this."
An ingenious hostess provided no little amusement for her guests by what she called her "snowdrift party." This is how it is arranged:
First of all select from a good book of quotations or proverbs twenty sentences applicable to snow. Write these twenty verses on twenty cards, one verse to each card, and number them with the numbers from one to twenty. Now get together a half dozen pasteboard or wooden boxes, and fill these with flakes of cotton, wool or white paper torn into small pieces. Hide the quotation cards away in the snow thus formed. Each guest receives a wooden teaspoon, tied with ribbon, a note-book and pencil. The boxes are distinguished by letters or numbers painted upon them, and lots are drawn to determine in which "snowdrift" each guest shall dig. The digging is, of course, done with the spoons. Each player digs in the snow, turning it up spoonful by spoonful, until he discovers a card. When a card is found the quotation upon it must be read and the name of the author, if recognized, written down. Each author's name should be placed in the note-book opposite the proper number of the card, in order to facilitate the work of the person who reads the lists to decide the prize. The cards, whether the author is known or not, are always returned to the box and hidden away in the snow. At the end of fifteen minutes, work ceases and the diggers begin on new drifts. This changing is done every fifteen minutes, a player digging always in a new snow bank until the number of boxes is exhausted. When the game reaches this stage all note-books or tablets are collected by the mistress of the ceremonies. She compares the answers in the note-books with her own list, previously prepared. Incorrect guesses are pruned away with a blue pencil and the correct ones counted. It is, of course, the player who has most of these last who carries off the trophy. The prize should be in some way suggestive of the occasion.
This little sock we give to youIs not for you to wear;Please multiply your size by twoAnd place therein with care,In pennies or in cents,Just twice the number that you wear,(We hope it is immense).So if you wear a number 10You owe us 20, see?Which, dropped into our little sock,Will fill our hearts with glee.'Tis all we ask; it isn't much,And hardly any trouble,But if you only have one foot,We'll surely charge you double.Now, if you have a friend quite dear,You'd like to bring with you,Or if you know some one who'd come,We'll gladly give you two.So don't forget the place and date—We'll answer when you knock,And welcome you with open arms,But DON'T FORGET YOUR SOCK.
This little sock we give to youIs not for you to wear;Please multiply your size by twoAnd place therein with care,In pennies or in cents,Just twice the number that you wear,(We hope it is immense).So if you wear a number 10You owe us 20, see?Which, dropped into our little sock,Will fill our hearts with glee.'Tis all we ask; it isn't much,And hardly any trouble,But if you only have one foot,We'll surely charge you double.Now, if you have a friend quite dear,You'd like to bring with you,Or if you know some one who'd come,We'll gladly give you two.So don't forget the place and date—We'll answer when you knock,And welcome you with open arms,But DON'T FORGET YOUR SOCK.
This little sock we give to you
Is not for you to wear;
Please multiply your size by two
And place therein with care,
In pennies or in cents,
Just twice the number that you wear,
(We hope it is immense).
So if you wear a number 10
You owe us 20, see?
Which, dropped into our little sock,
Will fill our hearts with glee.
'Tis all we ask; it isn't much,
And hardly any trouble,
But if you only have one foot,
We'll surely charge you double.
Now, if you have a friend quite dear,
You'd like to bring with you,
Or if you know some one who'd come,
We'll gladly give you two.
So don't forget the place and date—
We'll answer when you knock,
And welcome you with open arms,
But DON'T FORGET YOUR SOCK.
This little verse should be sent with every invitation to the sociable, accompanied by a tiny sock made of silk or lawn. On the night of the entertainment, these socks with the money that has been placed in them are brought by the guests and deposited in a large bowl at the door. The sociable then proceeds in the usual manner. This is an excellent way of raising money for some charitable object.
"Will you walk into my parlor?"
On the upper left-hand corner there was a picture of a spider spinning his web, and a fly struggling to escape from its meshes.
When the guests arrived they saw an old-fashioned spinning wheel in the centre of the room, with flax near by, all ready for spinning. They were told that all must try for the prizes that were to be awarded to the lady and gentleman who spun the best thread, after five minutes' trial. The mother of the hostess, who had done such work when a girl, stood near to give instruction, and to time the contestants. Those who have no knowledge of spinning can have no idea how much fun there is in trying to make an even thread, more especially when surrounded by interested young people of no greater experience. As the different threads were finished they were fastened to a tag bearing the name of the worker and then pinned to a square of black cloth that had been pinned to the wall for that purpose. When all had tried, a committee was appointed to help the hostess decide to whom prizes should be awarded.
While the spinning was going on the guests whose turn at the wheel had not arrived and those who had already tried were set to following the threads of what looked like an immense spider web wound around the rooms. It was composed of black and white threads, the black threads being intended for gentlemen and the white ones for ladies. They were instructed that when they found an end of one of these threads they were to begin winding it into a ball; but that they must do so very gently, or the whole web would be knotted so badly that it could not be undone. When they came to a knot it must be untied. These threads were so ingeniously twisted together and wound around pictures, bric-à brac, table legs, etc., that it took some time to reach the farther end, and every one had plenty of opportunity to talk with every one else. A card was fastened to the farther end of each thread, and all the cards had been so well concealed from view that some time elapsed before the guests knew what they were to find.
On each card were written the words, "You will take supper with the one who holds the mate to your card." Then the cards must be compared. Each contained a spider web, some with four circles, some with more; some with eight divisions, others with more or less; but there were always two of each kind, and through the peculiarities of these webs the partners discovered each other. The difference in webs was sometimes so slight as not to be detected without close observation; but it was always plain after having once been pointed out. It is surprising how many different designs can be worked out in these webs. The work is really quite fascinating when once begun, so the thought of it must not frighten any one from giving a spinning party.
When the prizes had been awarded to the best spinners, several tables were brought in and set about the room.
On the top of each there was fastened a heavy sheet of drawing paper, upon which five circles had been drawn. The outside circle was as large as the table would allow. The inner one was only two inches in diameter. The other three circles were drawn at equal distances between these two. In the inner space on one table were the figures 25; the next 20; then came 15, 10 and 5. On the next table the inner space was marked 30, and each of the other spaces 5 less. On the third and last table the inner circle was marked 50, and each of the others 5 less.
Each player was given a top, made from a spool, and all the guests took turns spinning the tops on the table having the lowest figures. When the top ceased spinning the player was credited with the number on which the point of the top rested. As soon as a player had twenty-five to his credit he advanced to the next higher table. There he must win fifty points before he could pass on to the highest table. When he had won a hundred points at the third table he was obliged to begin again at the foot table. The top must not be touched while spinning. Should it drop to the floor the player must make ten before he could begin to count again. Should he make 25 at the next trial he only counted 15; but he had a second trial when his top had dropped to the floor, before the next player spun his top.
Each player had a credit card tied in his buttonhole upon which numbers something like the meal tickets issued at restaurants were closely written. When added these numbers should make 500. The hostess had a punch with which she cut out the numbers to correspond with those won by the player. When any player had no more numbers on his card he was declared winner and the game was ended.
Where a party of girls wish to have an evening all to themselves the "Spinster Tea" will furnish them with much merriment.
As this sort of tea should be quite informal the invitations may be written on plain white note-paper, as follows:
"Being a spinster in good standing in this community you are cordially invited to a 'Spinster Tea' on Tuesday evening, November twentieth, at seven o'clock, at 415 Madison Street. You are requested to dress in character, and to bring with you an old-fashioned picture of a man supposed to have been refused by you. Be prepared to tell the story of his wooing and to state what he lacked to make him pleasing to you. The narrator of the most improbable story will be given a heart."
"Being a spinster in good standing in this community you are cordially invited to a 'Spinster Tea' on Tuesday evening, November twentieth, at seven o'clock, at 415 Madison Street. You are requested to dress in character, and to bring with you an old-fashioned picture of a man supposed to have been refused by you. Be prepared to tell the story of his wooing and to state what he lacked to make him pleasing to you. The narrator of the most improbable story will be given a heart."
When the evening of the tea comes, and the guests have all been introduced one to another, they may be ushered into the dining-room and the supper be served. The dining-table should be arranged in as old-fashioned a style as possible. At the four corners place candlesticks with wax candles, and for a centrepiece have a large bouquet of artificial bachelors' buttons. Use old-fashioned china and silver if you happen to have any. At each place put a few bachelors' buttons, to which attach a menu card by a narrow white taffeta ribbon.
The refreshments should be numbered upon the menu cards, and each guest be allowed to choose one number each time the waitress passes around. The key to the menu given should be held by the hostess and the waitress.
The following menu was recently used at a "Spinster Tea" and created much merriment:
After all have partaken of refreshments the guests should adjourn to the parlor where a circle may be formed, and, beginning at the left, each spinster in turn may exhibit the picture of her wooer, and relate her story. Two judges may be chosen by lot to decide which is the prize story, and a large frosted gingerbread heart may constitute the prize.
In case it is desired to represent the various states of the Union by floral decorations, the following list is given:
[1]Adopted by State Legislature.
Each guest on arriving should be presented with a white card on which has been pasted a picture of General Washington. These need not all be alike—in fact, it will increase the interest in the cards if they are not; any picture of our first President may be used. Small ones cut from magazines will answer the purpose admirably. Beneath the picture have the date, and through perforations at the top of the cards run red, white and blue ribbon hangers. On the reverse of each of the first thirteen cards given out write the name of one of the thirteen original States; on the next thirteen the capital of each of these States, and on the next thirteen one of the principal cities in the States. If the company is to be a large one the forty-five States of the Union may be used instead of the original thirteen.
The company then forms into State groups—those holding cards bearing the name of the State itself, its capital and principal city—and each group agrees which product of its State is most beneficial to the greatest number of people. When a report is called for, a vote is taken from all present as to which product is most essential to the welfare of the nation as a whole. Three small bouquets of red and white carnations tied with blue ribbon will make appropriate rewards for the three supporters of the State which wins distinction.
Invitations to be sent out as follows:
You are invited to attend a gatheringof the Sons and Daughters of Erinat the home ofMr. and Mrs. Patrick O'Rafferty,(Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott),105 Southern Avenue, Cleveland,on St. Patrick's Day in the evening.You will please come masked and representing some Irish lady or gentleman. Each guest is asked to furnish an Irish story, song or recitation.
You are invited to attend a gatheringof the Sons and Daughters of Erinat the home ofMr. and Mrs. Patrick O'Rafferty,(Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott),105 Southern Avenue, Cleveland,on St. Patrick's Day in the evening.
You will please come masked and representing some Irish lady or gentleman. Each guest is asked to furnish an Irish story, song or recitation.
When the guests arrive their assumed names are written on cards and pinned on each one, and they are introduced to the company under these names; for instance, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis McFadden, or Mr. Martin Dooly and Miss Maggie Murphy. Michael O'Toole might go as a bricklayer. There can be an old apple woman with a basket of apples (which could be sold for a penny a piece for the treasury). Mike McGinnis of the police force might go as an Irish policeman. Widdy Malony and her daughter Nora, the priest, Father McCrary, and several sisters of charity could also be represented. Let every one enter into the fun with spirit. Have the decorations of the house all green and have each one wear as much green as possible. Tin spoons tied with green ribbon can be given as souvenirs. Have an Irish potato race. Prizes of stick pins in Shamrock designs can be given the winners, or potato pincushions tied with green ribbons. Have green paper napkins which can be made from green tissue paper. Animals can be made from potatoes, using toothpicks for legs and tails. Have each guest help in the entertainment of the evening by an Irish song, story or recitation.
Refreshments for Irish Party
(Something green.)
To interest guests who have a sense of humor and thoroughly enjoy a little quick thinking you can easily invent new games or adapt and add novel accessories to some older idea, such as, for instance, "A Telegram Party."
For this party write your invitations on telegram blanks, and let your refreshments be served not by a maid (who never enjoys extra work), but by one or more boys dressed as telegraph messengers. They will delight in their responsibility and will help you in many ways.
Let the boys also pass to each person a pencil and a telegram blank, on which are to be written ten letters, dictated at random by ten guests in turn. These letters each player must manage to use as the initials of ten words following in such order as to form an intelligible telegram. None of these initials can be used for address or signature, but otherwise no limit is placed upon the ingenuity of the writer.
Then let the messengers collect the blanks, and after the hostess has read all the amusing results let a vote be taken for the cleverest message and a prize be awarded to the sender.
Of course, the entertainment can be extended by writing any number of telegrams or varied by requiring that each set of telegrams refer to some assigned subject.
Write invitations on small white cardboard racquets. Decorate the walls with tennis racquets and nets. Have tennis racquets hung from each chandelier, and stretch a large net across the room. Place in this net red and white racquets of pasteboard, each tied to several yards of red and white ribbon, and have them all tangled up. The object is to wind up the string on the racquets, and secure as many as possible without breaking the ribbon. The committee should wear red belts with seven red streamers, each containing a letter, and spelling the word "welcome." Place welcome mottoes about the room and pinned upon the racquets and nets. Red and white flowers of all kinds can be used for decorations. Take small pasteboard racquets, write quotations on, cut in half and give one-half to the ladies and the other half to the gentlemen, and have them match the quotations.
Refreshments can be passed in regular tennis racquets; in summer, lemonade and wafers, or in winter, hot coffee and cake.
Red and white decorated racquets can be given the guests as they leave, for souvenirs.
Select ten young ladies who are good singers—six sopranos and four altos. Divide into two groups, three sopranos and two altos in each group. Have all dress in long white robes and each carry a candle. Five should have lighted candles and five not lighted. Have all behind a curtain and before they appear have the whole ten sing the hymn, "Be robed and ready when the bridegroom comes." This can be found in any sacred song book. Have a small room curtained off on one end of platform. While singing the last verse, "We'll all go forth to meet Him when He comes," the five with candles lighted will march forth from behind the curtain and pass across the platform into the small room. They go in and the door is shut. The other five virgins come forth withno lightand pass across the platform silently, and knock at the door, but they cannot get in. The five foolish virgins then sing, "Oh, let us in, the night is dark and chill," and the five wise virgins who have passed in will answer, using the chorus of the same hymn, "Too late, too late, ye cannot enter now." This is found in Methodist Hymnal, No. 375. The five foolish virgins ask the questions contained in each verse and the five wise ones answer with the "Too late."
Great cornstalks, with the husk merely turned back to show the yellow ear, are extremely effective. A huge bunch of these on either side of the drawing-room door will take the place of palms. They may also be placed at the entrance to the dining-room, their sentinel-like appearance making them charming as a doorway decoration. Here and there great pumpkins, hollowed out to admit of the flower-pot with its growing green, make unique jardinières. A bunch of corn, where the ear is red, tied by means of a bow of yellow ribbon to the chandelier, admits of the same suggestion as the mistletoe of Christmas time, and makes a pretty spot of color, besides being the cause of much quiet fun.
A pretty feature is to have a pumpkin table brought in during the refreshments and hold a guessing contest, which gives an opportunity for much merriment and for the giving of prizes to the lucky guessers.
This table should be arranged as follows: Upon a small, highly polished table (mahogany is perhaps the richest in effect), place a dainty, embroidered centrepiece, and set upon this a large pumpkin, either on a silver dish or resting directly on the white linen. This pumpkin should be hollowed out, as the others, leaving only its yellow shell, the pumpkin holding an assortment of fruit, luscious and beautiful—highly polished red-cheeked apples, oranges, bananas and grapes; trailing here and there among them a few red leaves, or if they can be obtained, a spray of wild clematis, of bitter-sweet, or of smilax.
The guests are told that underneath the fruit lies something suggestive of nature's ways, and therefore of the occasion and that they are to guess what it may be and how much of it there may be.
The guesses will be many and varied. The fruit-dish may be passed, the fruit disposed of, and underneath will be found the pumpkin's seeds, which have been gathered together. The prize for the guest that guesses the nearest can be a little horn-of-plenty drinking glass. If one wishes to give souvenirs of the occasion, charming little pencils can be obtained that have the lead appearing from a miniature ear of corn. This feature, however, is quite unnecessary.
The following is a description of a novel dinner recently given a party of twelve football enthusiasts on Thanksgiving Day.
While the ladies were up-stairs removing their wraps, a maid came in with a tray on which were six wishbones, each having tied to it a knot of ribbon of one of the different college colors. Of these they were to take their choice, according to the college or university they preferred. Meanwhile the gentlemen down-stairs had been presented with ribbon rosettes, and as these matched the ribbons on the wishbones they easily found the ladies whom they were to take in to dinner.
When the company entered the dining-room they found that the decorations were in perfect harmony with the character of the game which they had just witnessed. Chrysanthemums, which are considered a necessary accompaniment of a football game, were everywhere. A yellow jardinière filled with ragged beauties in red and bronze stood in the centre of the table, while a single long-stemmed flower was laid beside each plate. There were also chrysanthemums in vases on the mantel and sideboard. The favors, or "mascots," of the dinner were small turkey-gobblers of papier-mâché containing the bonbons.
A feature of the dinner enjoyed almost as much as the feast itself was the novel form of the menus. These were written on two opposite pages of dainty booklets, the outside covers of which were decorated with characteristic football sketches accompanied by appropriate quotations. These were so unique and apropos to the occasion that each guest carried his home as a souvenir when he left at the end of the evening's entertainment. Instead of being separated into the usual courses, the menu was divided, like a football game, into a first and second half, with an intermission between, and was arranged to read somewhat like a football program, giving in outline the particulars of a game, the various terms and expressions in which described the names of the viands. The following is an illustration, except that in the original the names of the different articles were omitted, a word in parenthesis giving a hint where the meaning seemed doubtful:
First HalfI. The spectators arrive and discuss the "points" (blue) of the game.Blue PointsII. A tally-ho "bowls" in with the football team, said to be "superior." The players enter the field with great "celerity," the small boys enthusiastically declaring them to be "crackers."CelerySoupCrackersIII. Play begins with "a fair catch taken on the fly."FishIV. A "foul (fowl) tackle."Turkey"Pease" follows a "runner," but "Murphy" interferes and "beats" him off.PeasSquashPotatoesBeetsV. The game at the end of the first half is distinguished by the fine playing of the "backs" (canvas).Canvasback DucksIntermissionDuring the intermission the "heads" of several players, young and green, bruised in the mix-up, receive a "dressing" down.Lettuce SaladSecond HalfI. The wedge, or V-shaped, play is tried.Pie—Mince and PumpkinII. Followed by disastrous results, necessitating a call for "sponge" and "ice."Sponge CakeIce CreamIII. The "fruits" of faithful training are manifest, A "bunch of purples" go down before a single "orange." "Bartlett" and "Nellis," a fine pair (pear), become "candidates" for great honor, "raisin'" cheers of delight from the spectators by circling the ends, who are "nut" what they are "cracked" up to be.Fruit—GrapesOrangesPearsCandied DatesRaisinsNutsIV. The cup is presented.CoffeeV. Everybody leaves the grounds.
First Half
I. The spectators arrive and discuss the "points" (blue) of the game.
Blue Points
II. A tally-ho "bowls" in with the football team, said to be "superior." The players enter the field with great "celerity," the small boys enthusiastically declaring them to be "crackers."
CelerySoupCrackers
III. Play begins with "a fair catch taken on the fly."
Fish
IV. A "foul (fowl) tackle."
Turkey
"Pease" follows a "runner," but "Murphy" interferes and "beats" him off.
PeasSquashPotatoesBeets
V. The game at the end of the first half is distinguished by the fine playing of the "backs" (canvas).
Canvasback Ducks
Intermission
During the intermission the "heads" of several players, young and green, bruised in the mix-up, receive a "dressing" down.
Lettuce Salad
Second Half
I. The wedge, or V-shaped, play is tried.
Pie—Mince and Pumpkin
II. Followed by disastrous results, necessitating a call for "sponge" and "ice."
Sponge CakeIce Cream
III. The "fruits" of faithful training are manifest, A "bunch of purples" go down before a single "orange." "Bartlett" and "Nellis," a fine pair (pear), become "candidates" for great honor, "raisin'" cheers of delight from the spectators by circling the ends, who are "nut" what they are "cracked" up to be.
Fruit—GrapesOrangesPearsCandied DatesRaisinsNuts
IV. The cup is presented.
Coffee
V. Everybody leaves the grounds.
Although the above may seem a little far-fetched to an authority on football, the guests were not over-critical, and the novel menu proved a great source of entertainment, keeping them wondering and speculating between the courses as to what was coming next. Some of the guests supposed the "bruised heads" to be those of the cabbage, it having apparently escaped their minds that there was such a thing as head-lettuce. Others failed to see the connection between squash and "runner" until reminded of the fact that squash grows on a vine running along the ground, while a smile went around the table as one by one, after concluding that coffee was referred to in "The cup is presented," discovered, also, the double meaning in the final words of the menu, "Everybody leaves the grounds."
A number of things served on the table, such as cranberries, jellies, olives, etc., were not named in the menu, owing to the difficulty of expressing them in football language.
After dinner there was much fun and merriment over pulling the wishbones, the ladies having offered to break theirs with the gentlemen attending them at dinner. Later the guests gathered around the open fireplace, cracking nuts, telling stories, and having a good time generally. When the time came for them to depart they voted the Thanksgiving dinner of which they had just partaken the most unique to which they had ever sat down.
How surprised every one was at the changed appearance of the Sunday-school room! All the chairs had been removed and at various places stood great shocks of corn. Upon the wall were hung red berries and bright-hued autumn leaves, garlands of which may be easily made if the leaves are gathered as they fall, waxed, pressed, and strung on strong threads. In the centre of the room was arranged a large semicircular divan made of pew-cushions covered with dark, richly-colored draperies. There were a number of sofa-pillows heaped upon the divan. The room was dark save for the light which glimmered from hideous-faced pumpkin lanterns.
The committee in charge welcomed the guests and invited them to be seated in the charmed circle. The first thing that met their gaze was an immense pile of corn on the cob. Over this, standing on three legs, was a goblin pumpkin with three pairs of glaring eyes, three noses and three large mouths. A hush fell upon the company, while here and there could be heard a suppressed giggle. Suddenly a chorus of girls' voices broke out in a bright autumn song to enliven the drooping spirits of the guests.
No sooner had their fears been somewhat allayed than a spectral figure approached from behind a curtain and sat down by the heap of corn. All held their breath as it slowly reached out its hand and pulled an ear of corn from the pile, gazed at a tag which was fastened to it by a ribbon, read the name of some one who was present, and threw that person the ear of corn, demanding in a deep, thrilling voice, "A ghost story." It is needless to describe the quaking and shivering while the story was being told. The dashing piano solo which followed was fully appreciated.
A second ghost story was demanded in like manner as the first, after which came singing, more stories, and music. Then one of the girls, who could recite well, stood facing the company, with a background of curtains, and gave Whittier's poem, "The Pumpkin" When she reached the last stanza the curtains back of her were drawn, as if by spirits, disclosing a long table covered with a snowy cloth, upon which were piles of doughnuts, pumpkin pies, cheese and cups of steaming coffee. Every one gave an exclamation of surprise at the sight, and refreshments were served amidst much fun and laughter.
The sociable closed with gifts of a pie apiece to each person contributing to the entertainment, and an ear of corn, tied with bright ribbon, to each guest.
In order to have the ghost stories a success the committee arranging the program had selected them beforehand.
A great deal of the success of the entertainment was due to the fact that its nature had been kept secret, and, curiosity having been aroused, an unusually large number of people attended.
Pass slips of paper around with the names of different trees, all in capital letters, but not spelled in order; for instance, Y-H-O-K-R-I-C, which when transplanted will spell the name Hickory. A suitable prize can be given the one who succeeds in transplanting the greatest number of trees.
For a June entertainment nothing could be more suitable than a tree party, for at this season the new leaves are all out and everything looks fresh and green. Trim the house with branches and blossoms, having as many varieties of trees represented as possible. When all the guests have arrived, give to each one a strip of cardboard (having a pencil tied to it with a bit of green ribbon) upon which are written the following questions for them to answer:
Then the following game may be played:
Pin a slip, containing the name of some tree, on the back of each person present.
Questions may be asked concerning it, which will give a clue to the wearer, who is to guess the tree he is supposed to represent.
As fast as each one is guessed, the slip is taken off the back and pinned on the breast. Allow fifteen minutes for each person to write an original poem on the tree he represents. Judges are appointed to select the best poem, and a suitable prize can be awarded.
That the guests may choose partners, give out cards of red, green, yellow, and brown cardboard cut in the shape of leaves,—maple, elm, oak, etc. There should, of course, be but two leaves of the same shape and color, one of each being passed to the ladies, the corresponding ones to the men. The game is played in the usual way where there is a pool of letters, except that the words made must be only the names of trees or shrubs. For those who may not be altogether familiar with the game, the rules are that each one in turn draws a letter from the pool, then tries by transposing one of his opponent's words to use this letter, and so make a new word for himself. Plurals are not considered new words. If one cannot use the letter to draw from his opponent's, or in his own list, it is thrown back, and the turn passes to the next. If, however, the letter is used, the player has another turn. When either couple at the head table have made ten words, the bell is rung and the guests score and progress as in any other game.
When supper is served, have the table decorated with a plant standing in the centre, and from this to each corner of the table have a row of Noah's Ark trees, which can be purchased at any toy shop. Stand one of these on each of the plates as they are passed to the guests. They will make very attractive souvenirs of the occasion.
The guests invited to our trolley party were twenty in number. When all had assembled, cards with pencils attached were given them, after which the hostess announced that the trip would take half an hour, that the conductor would ring his bell for start and finish, but that the guests must prove their familiarity with the names of the streets, which were represented on cards scattered through the rooms—pinned to curtains, table-covers, pincushions, etc. Carnations were given to the one guessing correctly the greatest number of streets, a tiny bank and a new penny to the one having the least.
The cards were as follows:
A Trolley Ride—St. Louis to Kirkwood
The names of the streets represented were:
This same idea could be carried out in connection with the streets of any other town.
The invitations requested that each guest appear in costume and masked. This was the keynote of the affair. An early lunch was planned, as they were to choose partners while still masked, and naturally they would wish to remove their masks after that form of the entertainment had flagged a little.
The rooms were decorated with valentines which had accumulated in the household through fourteen years and others prepared for the purpose.
After the choice of partners, masks were removed, and all marched to the dining-room, keeping time to a pretty march.
It being a birthday party, the ever new feature, the birthday cake, with its candles, graced the centre of the table, the cake being white decorated with red hearts and red candles. Three kinds of small cakes and wafers (all heart-shaped), a plate of each at either end of the table, made up that part of the refreshments. Cocoa in small cups and ice cream in heart-shaped molds completed the repast. Confectionery in the predominating color and shape was also on the table.
The table decorations consisted of red carnations, ferns and smilax, and were added to by the souvenirs which were laid at the left of each plate. These were prepared by our family artist for the occasion, and were red, heart-shaped affairs with gold borders, in the centre a small sketch in oil, below a line of poetry, and each one numbered. These were connected by ribbon (running to the centre of the table) to buttonhole bouquets, carnations and smilax, which with ferns formed the flat centrepiece. At the ends as many as were convenient were arranged around the end dishes. Much merriment was created by some reading the lines on their souvenirs.
Upon leaving the table each guest adjusted the ribbon about her neck, which brought the bouquet to its proper place "across the heart." After returning to the parlors the guests were requested to read the lines which they had found upon their souvenirs, and of which some had been wondering the meaning; by beginning with No. 1 and reading in rotation a well-known poem was completed. As you will see, this form of amusement, with the character representations, goes far toward an evening's entertainment. Young people consider a party incomplete without a prize winning contest of some sort. The one I will describe was adopted.
Pencils and slips of paper were distributed, each bearing the name of a book or song, and numbered; then pieces of drawing paper were handed around, the first slips being collected, and each person was requested to make a drawing representing the book or song, and putting his number on it. These were gathered and pinned up for exhibition. The best drawing won a prize. Then the person that, upon inspecting the drawings, could give correctly the names of the most books or songs they represented (more paper being passed for this purpose) received a prize.
The remainder of the evening was filled in by music, singing and games of the guests' own choosing. When the time of departure came, all wished they might enjoy it "all over again."
A Yale luncheon given last Christmastide was a brilliant success. The ideas may be utilized for the entertainment of students from any college, merely changing the colors.
Our decision was to have no flowers, not even a palm, and to keep the entire house in harmony of coloring. Fortunately for our scheme, every room had a quiet gray or bluish paper, and in carpets, furniture and hangings there was not a touch of color that would clash with the blue of Yale. Our first bit of luck was the loan of a huge bundle of Yale flags and bunting from the College Men's club. A flag, with a great white "Yale" on it, we stretched across one end of the sitting-room, another, as immense as a campaigning banner, draped the west wall of the dining-room. The stairs were garlanded with blue bunting, and all over the house fluttered little class flags bearing dates that ran from '80 to '05. We allowed bunches of mistletoe tucked cunningly under gas fixtures. Holly was out of the question: it would have suggested Harvard.
Serving luncheon at one was an innovation, but an excellent one. When the dishes were cleared away the anxiety was over, and the hostess moved about among her guests without a thought of a meal to be served at the end of the games. We set ten small tables, three in the dining-room, four in the sitting-room, two in the parlor and one in the hall. The tables were snowily linened, there were doilies in blue and white, and the centrepiece on each table was a glass dish filled with small bunches of splendid blue and white grapes. There was nothing blue to be found in the fruit or flower kingdom except these, and the coloring was superb. All the dishes we used were handsome old-fashioned willow ware, solid dark blue, or mottled blue china.
Two dozen couples make a very goodly company of young folks for a pleasant little evening; therefore, send out invitations to that number. The cards of invitation might have on them, either in India ink or water-colors, an arrow-pierced heart, a whole heart or a broken one; even a cluster of them, like fishes on a string, according to the pleasure of the hostess. For each of the twelve young ladies invited, select a rôle that she will impersonate; for instance, we will say that the twelve characters to be represented are:
Number twelve can be either a sentimental or a comic character. If the latter, a good deal of amusement may be derived by getting a younger brother or some mischievous boy to represent this character. Have the young ladies gather at the home of the hostess somewhat earlier than the men present themselves, and when the latter have assembled in the parlors pass a tray around to them containing a dozen cards, on each of which is written a couplet. These couplets are suggestive of the rôles the young ladies play, and each gentleman may select such a couplet as he sees fit. When all the cards have been taken, the young men in rotation read aloud the couplet each has chosen, and after the reading of the couplet the one representing it is brought into the parlor by the hostess and introduced to the reader, who has thus chosen her as his valentine.
Among the pleasant features of the supper a "Valentine cake" may be introduced with good effect. A nicely iced cake, decorated with candy hearts having sentimental mottoes on them, should be divided into twenty-four slices before it is brought to the table. In the slices for the young girls to draw make a small slit with the sharp blade of a knife, and insert into the opening a slip of paper on which is written the name of some young man who is present.
In those slices the men are to draw are such small articles as denote the sort of wife Fate has chosen to be each one's partner for life. Thus, a silver coin signifies wealth; a scrap of silk, a fashionable wife; a penny, poverty; a tiny spoon, a good housekeeper; a pen, a literary woman; a small silver heart, a marriage for love; a small brush, an artistic wife; a tiny mirror, a vain woman; a piece of crape, a widow, etc.
First a young lady chooses a slice of cake, then the man whose name she draws selects one and learns the kind of life-partner he is to have. Much merriment may be derived from such a cake.