Transcriber’s Notes
Text printed in italics and small capitals in the original work are
transcribed _between underscores_ and in ALL CAPITALS, respectively.
More Transcriber’s Notes may be found at the end of this text.
GOOD TIMES WITH THE JUNIORS
Good Times
With The Juniors
By
LILIAN M. HEATH
[Illustration]
United Society of Christian Endeavor
Boston and Chicago
COPYRIGHT, 1904,
BY GEORGE B. GRAFF
Preface
“Good times” may be either work or play. But work and play--who shall
define them truly?
Our block houses, toy engines, and dolls once seemed intensely real and
important to us. They are not so now. In the same way, as we grow into
the still larger consciousness, into the “life more abundant,” much that
we now regard as of grave moment will take on a new aspect, and we shall
see that it was only play. But play is blessed, and necessary to the
very growth that discards it.
A dear enthusiast in certain lines of work, who is himself growing, I am
sure, once publicly expressed the belief that too close (!) an adherence
to the Christian Endeavor pledge results in a kind of “paperdolatry”
tending toward idleness and pauperism. Dear, dear! Can this be true?
A look around the social and business world of to-day ought to settle
the question. We take the look, and breathe more freely. Endeavorers
here, Endeavorers there, in places of honor and responsibility--what
could our good friend have been thinking about? We must be permitted to
smile, and think that on consideration he will smile, too. In fact, the
smile cure is the best one for this and all other kinds of pessimism.
Yet we are serious, too. In God’s great kindergarten, where we are all
scholars, learning through our play-work how to live, who shall say
which plays are most--or least--important?
One thing is certain. He who said, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven,”
was speaking of those whose only conscious motive was _play_--natural,
graceful, happy, loving life-expression. The growth resulting was
involuntary. With the growth came new impulses, new activities, and new
growth. It is the plan, in God’s kindergarten. Brother, if we would
_grow_, let us not be afraid of play!
To those whose loving ministry among the Juniors finds frequent occasion
for new plans, this little companion volume to “Eighty Pleasant
Evenings” is offered by one who has found both joy and growth in
preparing it. The proportion of the articles original with the compiler
is larger than in any of her previous collections; but ideas from other
sources have been welcomed and utilized whenever they could be made to
fit the Juniors’ needs.
Credit for specially contributed articles is due to Mr. Vincent Van
Marter Beede, Miss Imogen A. Storey, Miss Mattie Marie Gamble, Miss Ida
M. Parmelee, and Miss Alice Chadwick. The aim has been to make each
evening or afternoon as complete as possible in itself. The games
described are therefore included in the socials and parties, but in
addition to the general table of contents a separate index of games
alone is given, thus helping those who may frequently wish to try new
combinations.
With a smile and a prayer the writer sends forth this beloved piece of
her own life-expression, knowing that it will reach just the right
hands.
Yours in Christian Endeavor,
LILIAN M. HEATH.
Contents
Advertising-Carnival 118
Barrel Brigade 91
Bells of Bonnydingle, The 155
Bird Social 101
Boys’ Book Party, A 113
Card-Pasting 115
Cinderella Reception 139
Climbing the Bean-stalk 116
Evening with “Ads,” An 42
Fairy Strawberry Festival, A 104
Flower-Show, A 41
For the First of April 75
Good Giant, The 23
Good-Luck Social, A 54
Handkerchief Gymnastics 97
Holly and Mistletoe Drill 146
House Book 67
Indian Festival, An 111
Jack Frost Reception 150
Jack-Knife and Scissors Party 62
“Jap” Social, A 44
Letter Social 78
Making Valentines 57
Mistress Mary’s Contrary Reception 152
Mysterious Basket-Ball 121
New Kind of Dinner Party, A 60
Orange Social 39
Pansy-Hunt, A 106
Parlor Athletic Meet, A 69
Parlor Golf Party 119
Parlor Mountain-Climb 93
Pastery Party, A 49
Pillow-Fight, A 52
“Polly Pitcher” Social 66
Puritan Thanksgiving Dinner, A 126
Rainbow Social 96
Rainy Fourth, A 108
Reception at Curlycue Castle 63
Red-Line Jubilee 16
Rope Social, A 20
Santa Claus Drill 11
Sky-Parlor Reception, No. 1 47
Sky-Parlor Reception, No. 2 48
Star Social 141
Teddy and the Goblin 130
Tropical Fair, A 71
Tuffet and the Web, The 81
Washington’s Birthday 72
Good Times With the Juniors.
Santa Claus Drill.
BY IMOGEN A. STOREY.
What would “good times” amount to in any well-regulated Junior society
if they did not begin and end with the Christmas holidays? We begin,
then, with a particularly jolly little drill for Christmas; and, as
the girls so often have these matters all their own way, we will try
for a change letting the boys be foremost this time. They will enjoy
the fun of playing Santa. The Sunday-school primary class, too, must
be drawn upon.--L. M. H.
An equal number of tiny boys and girls are to be used for the first part
of the drill. They should be dressed in their nightclothes, and each
little one should carry a pillow under his or her arm, and a stocking
hung across the shoulder.
The stage must be decorated with holly, mistletoe, and other Christmas
greens. A large fireplace should occupy the centre rear, shown in
Diagram B. A decorated motto, “A Merry Christmas” may be placed above
the mantel. The fireplace can easily be constructed of brick-colored
fireproof paper, which can be purchased at any hardware store for a
trifle, and with a piece of chalk from the blackboard the bricks can be
imitated.
On each side, as shown in Diagram A, should stand a small Christmas tree
trimmed up in the conventional way, with the exception of candles, which
it is better to omit unless great precaution is used to prevent an
accident. On each tree the lower limbs should be supplied with hooks
corresponding with a buttonhole in each stocking, which will enable the
little ones to hang their stockings quickly and securely on the trees.
The floor should be laid off for the first part as shown in Diagram A. A
different color used in laying off the diagrams for the two parts will
be found a great help, especially to the smaller children.
[Illustration: DIAGRAM A.]
The children enter from the rear, girls from the right and boys from the
left, or vice versa, carrying pillows under their outside arms and
stockings across the same shoulder, and follow lines R and L in A. When
they reach the dots shown on these lines, all extend their inside arms
diagonally up at the side, and grasp the partner’s hand.
When they reach the diagonal lines, they let go hands, and turn on these
lines, as shown by arrows, turning again on the front line. When the
leaders reach lines R and L, a signal from the piano is given to halt.
In halting, each should keep a distance of fifteen inches from the one
in front, the same as in marching. This distance should be kept
throughout the drill. Another signal is now given to face front, all
turning in the direction of the inside arm. They now recite with
gestures:
“We are going to hang up our stockings” (holding stockings out toward
the audience)
“On the Christmas tree” (turning the body just a little and pointing to
the trees),
“And we know old Santa will fill them,
“For we’ve been good” (girls, pointing to themselves)
“And we’ve been good” (boys, pointing to themselves)
“As good as we could be” (all together).
“Then we are going up to bed” (pointing up),
“And go fa-a-a-st asle-e-e-p” (recited very slowly, dropping heads on
the pillows).
“So, when old Santa comes” (heads raised),
“We won’t be awake to peep” (peep through fingers). The music is now
resumed, the leaders turn to the rear, and follow lines R and L, turning
on the rear line, and again on the side lines shown in A. From the side
lines they turn on the dotted lines, which circle the trees. After
circling the trees a few times, with the common skip step familiar to
all children, a signal is given to halt. The stockings are now hung up,
after which the signal is given to get back into line.
After circling the trees a few times more, they continue skipping,
following the dotted lines to the side lines, then to the front line.
When the leaders reach the front line, they turn on the diagonal lines,
resuming the march very softly and slowly, marching on their toes. When
the leaders reach lines R and L, all turn and throw a kiss to the
audience, then make their exit on the same lines as on entering, still
on their toes.
[Illustration: DIAGRAM B.]
The same number of larger children, all boys dressed like old Santa
Claus, now enter the fireplace from each side, as shown in B, running in
double time on their toes. Each boy except the last in each line should
wear a rein with sleigh-bells on its full length. All should be supplied
with whips. On their backs old Santa’s knapsack should be strapped,
filled with all sorts of things for the stockings. To increase the
merriment, some of the articles should be grotesque and funny.
They enter, each driving the one in front, following lines R and L,
turning right and left on reaching the front line, as shown by the
arrows in B, then turning again at the next corner as indicated by the
arrows. On reaching the rear they come down the diagonal lines curving
around the trees, shown by arrows, and then to the front line again.
They then run to the rear on lines R and L, and come down the diagonal
lines, circling the trees on the dotted and curved lines, making a
complete circle. After circling the trees a signal is given to halt and
drop reins.
They now proceed to fill the stockings, first unstrapping their
knapsacks and laying them on the floor. Signal. While the stockings are
being filled, the soft, slow music should not cease, but continue the
same as when the little ones are hanging them up. Each Santa should
stick his whip in the top of a stocking.
A signal is now given, and the Santas all fall into line, and the
running is resumed. They circle the trees, and follow the diagonal lines
to the front line, then turn on lines R and L, and make their exit the
same as on entering.
For a Sunday-school entertainment the small Santas can be used to
distribute the presents to the children in the audience after the drill
is over.
Red-Line Jubilee.
It is worth a great deal to have the right kind of memory. Although
there are more bright spots than shadows in our lives, we are apt to
forget this, and let the wrong kind of memory fasten itself upon us
quite unawares. Many would be surprised, if they kept a record, to see
how far the days with at least some gleams of gladness outnumbered the
“days that are dark and cold and dreary.” Try it. For a “red-line
jubilee” you need to begin a year beforehand. At New Year’s, or just
before, each Junior is to be presented with a calendar, and the plan is
as follows:
All that you need is your calendar, a clean pen, and a bottle of red
ink. Every evening you take out your calendar, and, if the day has been
a happy one, draw a red line all around the date; if it brought you only
some gleams of gladness, make a red dot for every gleam; and, if it was
a day of sorrow and trouble, unrelieved by any brightness, leave the
date blank, with only its own black line surrounding it. Then, at the
very end of the year, hold a “red-line jubilee,” and, see whose calendar
makes the best showing. As every one learns by kindness to others to
make his own happiness instead of being satisfied with any stale,
second-hand variety, the red lines will grow more and more numerous. To
the “red-line jubilee” bring all the calendars for inspection; let
there be a little talk from the pastor and a short programme of songs
and recitations by the Juniors, every one of the cheery kind. Here are
four that will serve as samples if the recitations are to be short
enough so that each Junior can have one:
I.
Smile once in a while;
’Twill make your heart seem lighter.
Smile once in a while;
’Twill make your pathway brighter.
Life’s a mirror; if we smile,
Smiles come back to greet us;
If we’re frowning all the while,
Frowns forever meet us.
II.
There’s help in seeming cheerful
When a body’s feeling blue,
In looking calm and pleasant
If there’s nothing else to do.
If other folks are wearing,
And things are all awry,
Don’t vex yourself with caring;
’Twill be better by and by.
III.
There’s never a rose in all the world
But makes some green spray sweeter;
There’s never a wind in all the sky
But makes some bird-wing fleeter;
There’s never a star but brings to heaven
Some silver radiance tender,
And never a rosy cloud but helps
To crown the sunset splendor;
No robin but may thrill some heart,
His dawn-like gladness voicing;
God gives us all some small, sweet way
To set the world rejoicing.
IV.
The little sharp vexations,
And the briers that catch and fret--
Why not take all to the Helper
Who has never failed us yet?
Tell him about the heartache,
And tell him the longings, too;
Tell him the baffled purpose
When we scarce know what to do;
Then, leaving all our weakness
With the One divinely strong,
Forget that we bore the burden,
And carry away the song.
If longer selections are wanted, “Cheer Up” and “The Bright Side” from
“Junior Recitations” are both especially suitable. Such a meeting could
be held the last Sunday in the year; or it could be made a sociable
instead of a meeting, and held some evening during the week. In either
case, don’t forget to invite outsiders and share with them the sunshine
that is being made. If on a week-night, the programme should be very
short; and games, with the refreshments, should fill the rest of the
time. Decorate the rooms with red, including red shades over the lights
if possible, and let a large frosted cake suitably marked with red
lettering help to make the occasion memorable.
Among the games the variation of tag called “red line” could be included
if the room is large. Stretch a red ribbon across the floor in a
straight line, fastening the ends with weights or pins. This serves as a
goal. One of the Juniors who has been chosen “it” cries, “Red line!” and
starts to chase the other players. As soon as he touches one, both
return to the line; then these two, clasping hands, start out again and
touch some one else; then the three do the same; and so on. When there
are four, or any even number, at the line, they may go two by two; but,
whenever the number is odd, they must all run together in one long line.
When all are caught, the game begins again, the first one caught in the
previous game playing “it” as the new game is begun.
A “red-line hunt” would be fun, and could be arranged by hiding various
small gifts or souvenirs, each tied to one end of a red cord, this wound
and interlaced for some length around furniture, doors, etc., each child
to be given a free end with the task of following the “red line” to its
happy conclusion. Have each parcel wrapped in white tissue-paper and
tied with a red ribbon or a bit of red embroidery silk, to carry out
still further the plan of the evening. The gifts themselves should be
very simple, and should be something equally suitable for boys and
girls.
A Rope Social.
This is best fun when held in a barn, or a large attic, if stairways,
etc., are safe; and it will prove a good opportunity to “rope in” new
members, or at least to make those who are not members wish that they
were. There is no programme, though Christian Endeavor songs at the
beginning and close are in order at every Junior social. Girls may bring
their skipping-ropes; and, if the place admits of swings, by all means
put up several stout ones. Introduce the game of “rope ring-toss,” or
“grommet-pitching,” as it is called by sailors. The rings are made of
rope, with the strands first separated so as the better to weave them
into smooth, firm rings about six to ten inches across. They are made
all of the same size, or of graduated sizes, as preferred. If desired,
they may be wound with ribbon. The game consists in throwing these
“grommets” over an upright stake, or over pegs driven in the wall or in
a board, each peg being numbered. The players have each a certain number
of throws, and the score is kept to see who is most skilful.
When tired of this, they may play the game of “pink violets,” composed
of a little delightful nonsense and a good deal of running. The song
which accompanies it may be sung to the tune of “Sing a song of
sixpence,” or to any other that it will fit, or to not much of any tune
at all. The words are as follows:
“Pink, pink violets, and roses bright and blue!
A Junior in a prison--whatever shall we do?
We’ll open the window east, and we’ll open the window west,
And never, never tell if the prisoner does the rest!”
The children range themselves in a circle, holding a rope to help keep
the circle of a uniform size. One of them, the prisoner, goes inside the
ring; another, the jailer, stands outside. They begin to sing, and at
the words, “We’ll open the window east, and we’ll open the window west,”
the players on first one side, then the opposite, lift the rope high
enough for the prisoner to pass under; but the jailer outside is
watching. The prisoner may take his choice, but must run out at one side
or the other before the song stops, and must try to run once entirely
around the ring before being overtaken by the jailer. Those holding the
rope must neither help nor hinder the runners after the start is made,
and the openings must be at about equal distances from the jailer. If
the prisoner can run clear around the outside of the ring without being
overtaken, he takes his place with the rest, between the two whose “open
window” set him free; the former jailer becomes prisoner, the former
prisoner’s right-hand neighbor becomes jailer, and the game proceeds as
at first. But, if the prisoner is touched ever so lightly by the one in
chase, he is sent back to the centre, where he must remain; the jailer
joins the ring anywhere he chooses; his right-hand neighbor becomes the
new jailer and his left-hand one a new prisoner with privilege of
escape; and so the game continues. Each time only the _new_ prisoner
may run out. Whenever a third of the players are in the centre at one
time, it ends the game.
After the enjoyment of the games and swings an old-fashioned molasses
candy-pull may complete the festivities, and, as the Juniors vie with
one another in pulling and deftly handling these most fascinating
“ropes” of all as they gradually assume a light golden color, the social
is sure to be voted a success.
The Good Giant
A Fantasy in Two Acts and Two Scenes
BY VINCENT VAN MARTER BEEDE
People of the Play
KIT LORING, _a boy of twelve_.
JOSCELIN STACEY, _a boy of ten_.
MAYSIE LORING, _a girl of eleven_.
GILLIAN STACEY, _a girl of twelve_.
THE GOOD GIANT GREATBIG.
THE THREE HAPPY LITTLE GIANTS.
THE GIANT’S BABY.
JACK THE GIANT-LOVER.
THE SAND MAN.
THE KIND BEAR.
THE OBLIGING OGRE.
THE DEAR DRAGON.
THE HONEST ROBBER.
THE MOTHERLY GIANTESS.
THE FRIENDLY WITCH.
Time: This Very Minute.
SCENE: Act I.--The Wood.
Act II.--The Castle of Giant Greatbig.
Costumes
KIT, JOSCELIN, MAYSIE, GILLIAN: Summer clothing, of the present fashion.
GIANT: A father, uncle, or big brother, tall, deep-voiced. Scarlet
shirt, loose, elephant-colored jacket and knickerbockers, scarlet hose,
rough shoes. Needless to say, he should be stuffed out as much as
possible. A scarlet sash stuck full of swords and daggers. An
alarm-clock, with a brass chain, in his breast-pocket. Beard black and
full, mustache large and fierce, eyebrows corked heavily, nose and
cheeks reddened. Red bandanna bound about his head. He should _not_ look
as if he had just stepped out of a bandbox.
LITTLE GIANTS: Boys of twelve, the fattest that can be found. No matter
how fat they are, they should be stuffed out, just the same. Fluffy,
light wigs, short gingham frocks, legs bare except for gay-colored
socks,--say of emerald, scarlet, and vivid blue. Low shoes with a strap
across them, after the fashion of French dolls.
GIANT’S BABY: A boy or girl of ten, well stuffed out. White long
clothes, tight white cap, ruddy face. The Baby should carry a
policeman’s rattle.
JACK: A trim boy of eleven, handsomely dressed. Brown jacket, slashed
with Lincoln green; long green hose, pointed brown shoes. A gilt belt,
and a sword and a dagger in gilt scabbards. A curling horn slung over
his shoulder. A small brown cap with green feathers.
SAND MAN: A boy of ten or eleven. Buff or light-gray jacket and
knickerbockers, pointed cap, long white beard, brown stockings, canvas
slippers. A sack, apparently filled with sand, slung over his shoulders.
A sand-pail fastened to a leather belt, and in one hand a child’s
sand-shovel.
BEAR: A good-sized boy of fourteen, with a gruff voice. A skin of a
polar or black bear thrown about loosely-fitting white or black
clothing. Clumsy shoes. Better still, a regulation costumer’s bear’s
head, a long fur coat, and Indian moccasins of fur.
OGRE: A boy of twelve. Jacket and knickerbockers in red and white
stripes, red sash, high boots. Huge nose, brown beard, Turkish fez.
DRAGON: A slim boy of ten or twelve in tight-fitting clothes striped in
orange and red. Gold belt, long claws on hands and feet. If possible, a
rented crocodile’s head; but a head can be constructed of red and orange
cloth sewed over pasteboard, a large cone representing the snout, two
smaller cones the horns. A long, crinkly tail,--orange and red strips
wound about a heavy rope.
ROBBER: A piratical-looking boy of ten in a green jacket, red
knickerbockers, and top-boots. A blue sash stuck full of weapons, large
mustache, wide felt hat with green plumes.
GIANTESS: A mother, aunt, or big sister, dressed to look as large as
possible. Yellow gown, a long white apron.
WITCH: A nimble little girl of nine or ten. Black, pointed cap, black
cape and skirt.
Scenery