fireplace, with lighted candle on the mantel, centre; door, right,
rear. Bare wooden floor. Left, a big cradle, containing the_ GIANT’S
_baby. A rocking-chair next the cradle. Right, a rude table, on it a
drinking-mug as large as a bucket. Smoke-stained walls. At the rise, a
ring-around dance is going on to lively music. Those dancing are the_
GIANT, _the_ BEAR, _the_ DEAR DRAGON, _the_ OBLIGING OGRE, _and the
four lost children. The_ MOTHERLY GIANTESS _stands at right, beating
time with a potato-masher on a chopping-bowl. The door bursts open.
Enter the_ THREE HAPPY LITTLE GIANTS _in great excitement_.
FIRST H. L. G. O papa! papa!
(_Dance and music cease._)
GIANT. What is it, my child?
FIRST H. L. G. Why, we peeped over the edge of the bean-stalk cliff, and
Jack chopped the stalk down, and it fell on his leg, and he lies there
groaning!
GIANTESS. The poor fellow! Hub, what are you going to do about it?
GIANT. We must help the lad. Boys, get the rope ladder. (_They do so._)
OBLIGING OGRE. Here, give it to me. What is an ogre for if not to be
obliging? Come on, everybody!
[_Exeunt all but_ GIANTESS.
_Enter through window, left, the_ FRIENDLY WITCH _and her broomstick_.
WITCH. Good-evening, Mrs. Greatbig.
GIANTESS. Goo--good-evening! How you startled me! What have you been
doing to-day?
WITCH. O, sweeping cobwebs off the sky, so that it will be bright and
pleasant for picnics to-morrow. I cleaned soot out of chimneys to save
work for the poor little sweep-boys, and I gave old men and women
diamond spectacles with gold rims so that they can read without hurting
their eyes.
GIANTESS. You are a good soul indeed.
WITCH. O, no, I’m not. I’m just reporting progress. And I dropped
chocolates, and caps with lavender ribbons, through the open windows of
Old Ladies’ Homes.
GIANTESS. Lovely! lovely!
WITCH. But the best fun of all was giving a breath of air to fifty poor
women who work in city factories. I rode them on my broomstick three or
four hundred miles or so. One dear thing cracked her funny-bone on the
north star. I didn’t mean to brush by so closely. (_Enter the_ OGRE _and
the_ GIANT, _supporting_ JACK, _whose leg is neatly bandaged. The other
people follow._ JACK _is placed in the rocking-chair, by the fire_.) I
can make his leg well, quick as a wink! (_She touches_ JACK’S _leg with
her broomstick. He pulls off the bandage, and capers about
delightedly._)
JACK. Thank you, dear Witch. Giant Greatbig, I am more sorry than I can
say that I have hounded you all this time. I never suspected that you
were a good giant. You know the kind of man your uncle used to be.
GIANT (_shaking hands with_ JACK). Well, now we are good friends, aren’t
we, hey?
JACK. You know I’m an orphan. I wonder if you would care to adopt me.
GIANT. A very good plan. I know you will set a good example to my boys,
and make yourself useful generally.
GIANTESS (_hugging_ JACK). You dear child, you! To think that an hour
ago I dreaded to hear your very name spoken! My! How muscular you are!
JACK. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Greatbig, I would like to change my name.
Hereafter I wish to be known as Jack the Giant-_Lover_.
(_All cheer and clap their hands. The_ DEAR DRAGON, _after embracing_
JACK, _goes to centre and recites_):
O, once I was a Nawful Thing--a dread to man and child.
I snorted and cavorted till the villagers went wild.
I ate a church and steeple and three hundred pews of people,
And then I waved my crinkly tail, and bellowed, bowed, and smiled.
Of course I was a favorite when July Fourth came round,
For my firework and my smoke-murk were the finest to be found.
Why, people paid a dollar just to hear my mighty holler,
And when I breathed out ten-foot flames they fell flat on the
ground.
To shorten my biography, I’ll whisper what befell.
A fire-brigade it was that made me anything but well.
They played the hose, and soaked me, and with their wall-hooks poked
me,
Until I crawled away more wet and sore than I can tell.
I took a cold, and nearly died. When I grew strong again,
I could no more breathe flames, and roar from my grim mountain den.
I had no great desire, sir, to scorch the fields with fire, sir,
Or to make my meals of churches filled with chubby village men.
(_Loud rapping heard._)
GIANT. Come in!
_Enter the_ HONEST ROBBER.
ROBBER. Hollo, everybody. Having a tea-party, Mrs. Giantess?
GIANTESS. O, no. Hub picked up some nice lost children in the wood, and
here they are. Children, this is Rob Highway, the Honest Robber.
(_The_ HONEST ROBBER _shakes hands with all the children_.)
GIANT (_drinking from his mug_). Well, Rob, my boy, how have you been
making yourself useful to-day?
ROBBER. This morning I went to the dog-pound with a furniture-van, and
filled it cram-full of lost puppies--cram-full, children. You never
heard such a growling and yowling in your life. I drove slowly, and
whenever I heard a child crying: “I want my dog! He’s lost!” I’d say,
“Describe him,” and it wasn’t long, generally, before the dog and his
little master were in each other’s arms.
KIT. Hurrah for you, old man!
JOSCELIN. What else did you do?
ROBBER. This evening I have chased seventeen burglars and taken away
their stolen goods from them.
MAYSIE. Did you keep the things yourself?
ROBBER. Fie, fie, no! I’m an _Honest_ Robber. I restored the property,
and made a hundred dollars reward.
(_A distant clock strikes twelve, and the_ GIANT’S _alarm-clock goes
off in his pocket. He takes it out hurriedly._)
GIANT. Yes, I am correct. Gracious, children, it’s very late for you to
be up! My dear, shouldn’t they go to sleep at once?
Giantess. Yes, by all means, hub. I’ve been so excited I forgot all
about such a thing as bedtime.
[_Exit, left._
GIANT. I’ll telephone for the Sand Man. (_Goes to the telephone at the
right of the fireplace._) 128 Seashore, please. Hollo, Sandy. Take the
first gust of wind for Castle Greatbig. He’ll be here in a moment,
children.
(_Enter_ GIANTESS, _left, with green boughs_.)
GIANTESS (_strewing boughs on the floor_). Sit right down,
chickabiddies. (_The_ LORINGS _and_ STACEYS _and the children of the_
GIANT _sit down together_.)
GIANT. Good-night, children. My helpers and I have an important piece of
work to do between now and sunrise. We are going to carry a dozen or two
tenement-houses from the city into the country, and set them down gently
in green fields.
GILLIAN. Won’t the children be surprised and happy when they wake up!
BEAR. And in place of the houses we shall lay out a beautiful playground
for the poor children who are left in the neighborhood. Good night, all!
CHILDREN. Good night!
JACK. Good night!
OGRE. Good night!
CHILDREN. Good night!
DRAGON. Happy dreams!
CHILDREN. Good night!
ROBBER. Good night!
CHILDREN. Good night!
WITCH. Good night!
[_Exit by the window._
GIANT. I’ll be back in the morning to see that you get home safely. Good
night!
CHILDREN AND GIANTESS. Good night!
_Enter_ SAND MAN, _softly, by door, right, without rapping_. GIANTESS
_nods to him, then blows out all but one candle. The_ SAND MAN _waves
his hand. The children sink back on the boughs. He then casts a little
imaginary sand from his bag into each eye, and goes out as softly as
he came._ GIANTESS _takes up her baby from the cradle, left. It
squalls. She hushes it, seats herself in a rocking-chair, centre, and
sings this lullaby:_
B-a, ba, b-o, bo,
B-i, bi, baby bye.
Mamma’s little Giant is tired of all his play,
Tired of all the mischief he has done to-day;
Tired of pulling pine-trees clear up by the roots.
Go to sleep, my Giant, my six-foot Tootsy-Woots!
(_Children snore._)
CURTAIN.
Orange Social.
Have bunches of yellow flowers pinned to draperies and in other places
where the romping will not cause breakages. All the other decorations,
as far as possible, should be of the same cheerful hue. Some one may
give a brief talk describing “The Children that Live where Oranges
Grow,” illustrated by stereopticon or by some of the Perry Pictures.
This, if carefully prepared, can be made very interesting to children of
colder climates than those of sunny Italy and our own South. Missionary
features may be introduced if desired.
After the talk have the decks cleared for action. Did you ever see, or
participate in, a game of orange croquet? If not, you have missed a
great deal of fun. It is merely parlor croquet, with oranges for balls,
umbrella-handles for mallets, and big books placed tent-wise upon the
floor for wickets. An umpire could be improvised out of an orange, a
squash, and four or five sticks or clothes-pins. Cut the features in the
orange-peel with a penknife, fasten the orange head and the squash body
together with a short stick whittled sharp at the ends, insert the
clothes-pins for arms and legs, and your umpire is complete.
Following the croquet may be the game of “Mr. Woodenhead.” A strip of
orange-colored cambric is stretched on the floor, across the room, to
form a race-course. At one end place a large tray of oranges, at the
other an empty basket. The game is to see who in a given time can carry
the most oranges safely across the room, from tray to basket, with the
aid only of a wooden spoon. A jolly face painted or carved on the
outside of the bowl of the spoon, and a large yellow bow tied on for a
cravat, turns the spoon into “Mr. Woodenhead.” He may be presented as a
souvenir to the winner of the race.
Refreshments may be sandwiches, lemonade, and orange squares, or other
plain cake with orange icing. As the children are about to go home, they
may be given each a missionary mite-box in the form of an orange, to
fill for the benefit of some mission field; or, if it has not been a
missionary social, a souvenir that would please any child is a little
basket cut out of the peel of an orange, using half, with a strip of
peel from the other half left on for a handle, the basket so made to be
filled with candies.
A Flower Show.
Each boy or girl represents a flower. Every one jots down the names of
the other guests and the names of the flowers which he supposes they
are. The reward for the most names might be a dozen roses, and for the
least a pair of sunflowers, or a bunch of squash-blossoms, or a geranium
growing in a bright-colored tin can. Here are some hints for costumes:
1. Pennyroyal. An English penny hung from the neck by a ribbon.
2. Oxeye. A target painted on a card. An arrow is sticking through the
“bull’s-eye.”
3. Monk’s-hood. A boy wearing a monk’s cowl, or perhaps the complete
dress of a monk.
4. Goldenrod. The boy or girl carries a brass curtain-rod.
5. Hop. The boy or girl must occasionally hop on one foot.
6. Four-o’clock, or Thyme, either one. A clock hung from the neck is set
at four o’clock.
7. Elder. A boy is made to appear like an old man. His hair is dusted
with flour, and wrinkles are painted on his face. He should lean on a
staff, and wear spectacles.
8. Broom. A girl dressed like a housekeeper carries a tiny broom.
9. Rocket (rock it). A girl is rocking her doll in a cradle.
10. Sage. A solemn, wise-looking boy in spectacles, top hat, and long
trousers. He must frequently peep into a large book.
11. Sweet-william. A boy named William should wear a necklace made of
lumps of sugar.
12. Jonquil. A boy named John, wearing quills in every available place.
When the guessing and refreshments are over, a floral game which might
be added is that of “Red and White Roses.” Sixteen can play. Tie a
narrow strip of cloth to one sleeve of each Junior, eight of the strips
white and eight red, to distinguish the Red from the White Roses.
Appoint a captain from each side, or let one be chosen by “counting
out.” Determine in the same way which side shall move first. Spread a
sheet on the floor; mark it off with black crayon in sixteen squares,
four on a side; and you are ready. The object of each division is to get
four players of its own color in a row, either straight or diagonally.
The first captain begins by placing himself on any square he chooses.
The captain from the other side does the same, and the other players
follow, one from each side moving alternately and trying to secure the
row of red or white roses as the case may be. This game, believed to be
a new one, is likely to prove a favorite.
An Evening with “Ads.”
Set the Juniors to collecting clever pictorial advertisements, omitting,
of course, the liquor and tobacco ones. Each might learn what facts he
can, of general interest, regarding the trade-mark chosen or the
business represented in connection with the pictures he has selected.
Then the Juniors invite their friends, young and old, to a social
“evening with ads.”
The pictures are pinned by the Juniors to a large sheet previously
fastened to the wall. After they have been thoroughly examined by the
guests, they are taken down and distributed by the Juniors. One picture,
together with paper and pencil, is given to each guest, who is then
requested to write, in verse, a few lines to fit the picture. After this
all are called upon to read what has been written. For example, a
shirt-maker has an advertisement showing the picture of the back of a
man’s head labelled, “This is Tom; meet me face to face,” with the
question, “Am I Irish or Scotch?” written above it. The rhyme produced
to fit it was as follows:
“Can this be Tom, the piper’s son,
Of pork-abstracting fame?
If so, he must be Irish, sure,
The pig could prove that same!
And Irish linen shirts, you know,
Must be the very best;
So buy your goods henceforth of Tom;
You’ll find they stand the test.”
The papers are collected and put in a safe place, after which a vote is
taken on the merits of the various effusions.
The pictures are then again distributed, this time to their owners among
the Juniors, who have been making them a special study, and each Junior
who is prepared tells a fact or two in regard to one of the pictures.
The trade-mark of a certain popular brand of cocoa originated in Holland
more than two hundred years ago, and no doubt the way in which it came
to be chosen would make an interesting story. These incidents will bring
out still other similar facts which the guests may happen to know
regarding the advertisements, and a half-hour or so will thus pass
pleasantly and instructively to all.
Refreshments may consist of some of the articles advertised, or of
sandwiches, apple salad, small cakes, and lemonade, or, if in the proper
season, hot maple syrup and biscuit at a charge of twenty cents a plate.
If so voted, a more or less extended report of the evening’s
entertainment may be sent to the newspaper; and a marked copy may be
sent to the firm whose unique picture advertisement won the popular
vote. This should be accompanied by a letter of explanation.
A “Jap” Social.
Have you ever seen the pretty little Japanese cottages in Jackson Park,
Chicago, with their quaint decorations looking as if they had been
transported in some really magical way from the land of the lotus
blossom? It was looking at these that gave me the idea of a “Jap social”
for the Juniors.
Arrange Japanese fans, parasols, and lanterns about the room, lay down
strips or rugs of Japanese matting, and partition off various
cosey nooks with Japanese screens. Have no chairs, but plenty of
cushions instead. As to flowers, they can be chosen from a long
list--chrysanthemums, white lilies and roses, purple Canterbury bells,
cherry blossoms, clematis, yellow and white water-lilies; the pink lotus
and white feathery orchid are not so easy to procure, but might be
imitated, perhaps, with paper. At one such social the walls were
entirely covered with branches of trees sprinkled thickly with cherry
blossoms made of pink paper, representing the beautiful gardens of
Tokyo.
[Illustration]
This would be a good occasion for the Juniors to entertain strangers and
“grown-ups,” and charge an admission fee, as it can be made very pretty
and interesting.
Costumes for the Juniors can be improvised from flowered silk or cotton
draperies with a little basting, a twist here, and a pin there, such as
deft fingers can give. Do not forget the _obi_, or broad sash, the
flowing sleeves, and the fans, for the little girls. One of the boys
might wear a straw rain-coat, which is strictly Japanese, and is made as
shown in the picture. Another boy might be a water-carrier, dressed in
dark-blue cotton and bearing a yoke on his shoulders, from each end of
which hangs a wooden water-pail.
The bells of Japan have a remarkably musical, silvery tone; tradition
says that the finest have much silver in their composition, which may
account for their deep and wonderful sweetness. Whether this be true or
not, they are much more musical than Japanese music itself. They are not
sounded by a clapper within, but are struck from the outside, by a sort
of wooden arm or battering-ram. This might be imitated, by a little
experimenting.
Tables should be placed around, containing curios and Japanese ware for
sale, including blotters and other small articles decorated in Japanese
designs, some of which can be prepared by the Juniors themselves; also
real Japanese boxes and trays; the fine Japanese colored photographs
procured from the United Society of Christian Endeavor; and the quaint
Japanese dolls. Coins from Japan, if procurable, will be of interest.
Among the articles for sale should be the toy called by Japanese
children “Daruma San,” or “Mr. Daruma.” It is a strong pasteboard figure
of an old man in a squatting position, and is so rounded and weighted at
the bottom that it will always bob up in a sitting posture, no matter
how often one may knock it over. Another toy still more interesting is
the “Ukibara.” These perfectly plain-looking little paper sticks are
magical in their possibilities, for when placed in water they act as if
they were alive, unfolding and floating around in the form of brightly
colored fishes, flowers, fruits, animals, and many other pretty and
curious things. Children, and older people, too, will watch them a long
time without tiring of the amusement. They come in envelopes. An outfit
costs fifteen cents, and can also be procured from the United Society.
Stories and recitations about Japan are in order. A fan drill by a
number of girls would be a pretty feature to introduce, if desired, even
though not new enough to claim space for description here.
Refreshments might include tea for the grown-up guests, sandwiches for
all, small bowls of rice to be eaten with chopsticks, hot ears of
roasted sweet corn on a pretty Japanese tray, and a variety of sweet
cakes. All should be served on tiny square individual tables about six
inches high; and, if any one complains at being obliged to fold himself
up like an umbrella in order to partake of these delicacies, tell him
that his complaints cannot be understood unless he will consent to
express them in Japanese. But, as every one is extremely polite in
Japan, there will probably be no trouble of this kind.
Sky-Parlor Reception, No. 1.
AN attic is usually a wonderland of delight to any normal child, whether
a reader of Sara Crewe’s charming adventures or not; but it is a
wonderland too little explored. A large, clean, light, old-fashioned
attic may be utilized in turn for a reception-hall, curiosity-shop,
library, work-room, dramatic recital, and romping-ground. Its
possibilities are great, and would fill several afternoons. One such
occasion might be as follows:
Let the Juniors be received with more or less ceremony by the committee
of large or small folk who are acting as hosts and hostesses. If
old-fashioned costumes are worn by those receiving, it adds to the fun.
After the arrival in the “sky-parlor,” the guests are privileged to have
a sight of any antique relics that have curious stories connected with
them. If a nice grandma can be found to tell the stories, so much the
better; but it is to be hoped that she will not prove too fascinating if
there is to be any work done.
Tables are placed around in light portions of the attic, spread with
piles of old papers and magazines, and a pair of scissors and a chair
for each child. The Juniors look through the periodicals, and clip
pictures, and perhaps stories also, that they think would be good for
future scrap-book use, placing them in boxes, to be sorted next time.
Rosy apples, nuts, and pop-corn will be acceptable after their arduous
labors, and the Juniors will go home quite ready to come again the very
next Saturday afternoon.
Sky-Parlor Reception, No. 2.
This time a corner of the attic is transformed into a representation of
Sara Crewe’s odd little room, so cleverly and mysteriously changed from
dismal bareness to cosey luxury by the East Indian friend next door.
There should be a cot, cushions, rugs, draperies, quaint Oriental
ornaments, and last, but not least, the three essentials--Sara herself,
her long-suffering doll, and the monkey. A toy monkey will do. The story
may be read--and more or less acted, if desired--for the entertainment
of the children.
Either before or afterward some of the clippings may be sorted ready for
scrap-books; and a few such afternoons of mingled work and play will be
among the brightest experiences of the Juniors.
A Pastery Party.
Be very mysterious in your remarks about what is to go on at this party,
answering all questions by whispering in the ears of your friends: “Why,
don’t you know what a pastery party is like? I’m really surprised!”
There is pastry and pastry. A pastery party, to keep the secret no
longer, is a scrap-book party, nothing more. O, but it’s fun! Try it.
Get hold of a lot of illustrated periodicals; the more guests you have,
the more magazines you need. If you can find colored picture cards
besides, all the better. Ask your mother to make enough flour paste to
fill several cups. Fifteen or twenty guests are not too many. A sheet,
an old table-cloth, or neat pieces of wrapping-paper should be spread on
the table or tables. There must be plenty of elbow-room for
scrap-booking.
A pastery party need not be an expensive affair. I once had three dozen
scrap-books made for about two dollars and fifty cents. This is the way
I went about it: Down at the wholesale wrapping-paper store I bought a
good-sized pile of sheets left over from a large order. The paper was
manila, smooth, and not too thin or too thick. I cannot remember the
exact measurements. At any rate, the old binder up-town cut them into
two sizes, and the smaller size, eight by fifteen inches, is the best
for a pastery party. There should not be more than twenty pages in a
book. My covers were of terra-cotta cartridge-paper. Any medium heavy
paper will do. If you wish to be economical, you can stitch each book
with a single piece of string, punching the holes with a scissors-blade.
The books should be numbered.
When the guests, seated at the tables, are waiting for the pie (or
something) to be brought on, you and your assistants should enter,
dressed in chefs’ aprons and caps, from the kitchen, first with a
trayful of paste-cups, which you should set on the table in a very
dignified manner, one cup for each guest. Maybe the guests will peer
into their cups, and wonder whether they are expected to eat their
custard without any spoons! As soon as they catch sight of the
mucilage-brushes--which can be procured cheaply at the stationer’s--and
the scissors, they will begin to suspect what is meant by the word
“pastery.” Bring on next the scrap-books and the magazines, and tell
your friends that at the end of an hour of “scrapping” rewards will be
given by three grown-up judges for (1) the neatest and best-arranged
book, (2) for the book containing the largest number of pictures, and
(3) for the book which is filled first.
The time-limit should be exact. Every person should write down on a
piece of paper the number marked on the cover of his book, and next to
the number his own name. The books should be carried to the judges, who
are seated up-stairs in a room with closed doors. Not until they have
announced the winning numbers will they be furnished with the slips of
paper containing the names to which the numbers belong. By taking these
precautions the contest will be absolutely fair. The scrap-books should
be given next day to the children’s ward of a hospital, or to the
children’s room in a library. Each pastery-cook’s name should be written
in his book, and under the names of the successful competitors should be
set down what rewards they won.
The rewards might be these: A handsome scrap-book, a bottle of library
paste, and a pair of scissors. While the judges are deciding, the
company might play “Jenkins up!” or cut paper dolls. The refreshments
might be miniature apple-pies, the size of a small saucer, for each
guest. After the party is over ask those guests who did not have time to
paste their books full kindly to do so at home and return them to the
hostess as soon as possible.
A Pillow-Fight.
To prepare for this, the Juniors will be busy collecting “ammunition”
for some time, from all quarters--woods and fields, garden and lawn,
library and sewing-room. When there is enough, they can have their
pillow-fight. In fact, they may need to have several of them.
First, the various pillows, or cushions, must be made. The girls can
first make the plain, square, muslin foundation bags, and then embroider
covers for them, or they can make the covers by sewing bright ribbons
together in strips, or by crocheting them, or in various other ways to
suit their own taste. Each Junior girl, from the oldest to the youngest,
will want to make one.
Meanwhile, both boys and girls can collect, prepare, and sort the
materials for filling them. Some can be filled with cotton, with a
little sachet-powder sprinkled in; others, with paper torn into small
pieces; others, with pine needles; others, with dried rose-leaves--or
the rose-leaves, if not very plentiful, may be mixed with bits of paper,
or used with cotton instead of sachet-powder. The clean, fine inner
husks of corn, torn into shreds, and dried, make excellent ones; and a
recent fancy is for pillows filled with dried autumn leaves. I would not
advise feathers; they are not so inexpensive, and are usually too much
trouble when flying about in a room full of people. The other materials
named above are all easy to manage, and still other good ones will be
likely to occur to the Juniors and their friends.
When the foundation pillows are filled and sewed up, which in itself
will be both fun and work for the whole society, and before the
decorated covers are put on, is the time to have the pillow-fight.
Divide the Juniors into two companies; line them up across the room from
one another, with their ammunition; and if they are normal children they
will need no instructions how to proceed. The pillows are “fired”
merrily back and forth until one company or the other is driven from its
stronghold or has had all its ammunition confiscated by the opposing
forces. It is a good test of the sewing, too; for, unless the stitches
are secure, there _may_ be a sudden shower of rose-leaves, paper
snowflakes, or autumn treasures, when least expected.
Nuts and apples, or other simple refreshments, will be welcome when the
battle is over. The outside covers are then put on the pillows, and the
last bit of sewing--the one seam left open in the pretty cover--may be
finished if there is time, or taken home by the Juniors to be completed
there. The pillows, when done, may be either sold at a fair or given to
some home for invalids, where there never can be too many or too great a
variety. If the latter plan is adopted, a cheering message, either a
comforting verse from the Bible--the health promises are the best, and
will often do what the doctor’s medicine cannot--or a bit of sunshine
from some bright or restful poem may be written on a slip of paper and
pinned to each pillow. Selecting, writing, and attaching these will make
more pleasant work for the Juniors, which may be done separately or
together.
A Good-Luck Social.
For a late October social, perhaps for a Hallowe’en frolic, this will be
liked by many; but it is good at any time of the year.
A good-luck fairy, or witch, in a long red cloak and high pointed hat,
should be mistress of ceremonies. If the time is Hallowe’en, the rooms
may be lighted with Jack-o’-lanterns. One doorway may have a portière of
apples hung on strings of different lengths. The tallest Juniors are to
stoop and “bite” for those hanging on the longest strings; the shorter
ones reach for those above, in the same way. In the middle of this
portière hangs a horseshoe, and for the first game let the Juniors each
try to throw three tiny apples between the prongs of the horseshoe.
Those successful in doing so are supposed to have good luck throughout
the coming year.
Another game that might be played is apple-shooting. Place apples of
distinctive colors, red, yellow, and green, afloat in a tub of water,
and let the Juniors shoot at them with toy bows and arrows. To fire an
arrow into a red apple assures one of good health; to shoot a yellow one
means wealth; and those who succeed in hitting the green ones are to
have some especial piece of great good luck.
Arrange the chairs in the form of a horseshoe, and seat the Juniors, all
except two--one who goes out of the room, and one who acts as
“reporter,” and must have a good memory. This is the game of “wishes and
compliments.” Each player makes a remark or wish concerning the one out
of the room. For instance, one says, “She wears a wig.” Another, “I wish
she would sing a song.” A third, “She can’t sing a note.” A fourth, “She
can recite beautifully.” A fifth, “I wish she may go to Africa as a
missionary.” A sixth, “She is dreadfully conceited.” A seventh, “She is
the best scholar in her class,” etc. The “compliments” will not all be
of the most flattering kind, and the wishes will be either sensible or
nonsensical ones, as occur to the wishers. Then the reporter calls in
the absent one, tells her that one person has said so-and-so about her,
and asks her to guess from the remark who the person is. She has only
one guess for each remark. As soon as she guesses one correctly, the one
thus discovered must take her place; and so on throughout the game.
This game might be followed by a number of “good-luck stories,” each
Junior telling the best piece of good luck, as he considers it, that
ever happened to him.
A hunt for four-leaf clovers, of which there may be a hundred or more
made of green paper and hidden about the rooms, will be enjoyed. The one
who finds the most may be rewarded either by some trifle like a pin-tray
or by a stick-pin in the form of a four-leaf clover or horseshoe; or, if
he is one of the younger Juniors, by a copy of that charming little
book for children, by Mrs. Annie Rix Militz, “The Wonderful Wishers of
Wishing-Well.”
Again the Juniors may be seated in their horseshoe row, and play the
game of “wishes and results,” which is quite different from the other
wishing game. Each is given a slip of paper and a pencil, and is asked
to write his greatest wish. These slips are then collected and others
passed, on which each player answers the question, “What do you think
would happen if you should have your wish?” These “results” are
collected as were the wishes, and after thoroughly mixing the slips, but
keeping the two sets separate, each set is numbered from one up, and the
wishes and results are then read in pairs, according to number; the
results, as might be expected, often proving amusingly inappropriate to
the wishes.
Refreshments may be apples roasted and corn popped by the Juniors
themselves, to which may be added nuts, lemonade, and cookies in the
shape of horseshoes and four-leaf clovers. Just before the close, the
good-luck fairy or some other “grown-up” should give a short talk
clearly explaining the truth that every person really controls his own
“luck,” and saying that a magical recipe will be given to each Junior on
starting for home, which, if followed, will keep him always fortunate.
This “recipe,” typewritten and handed to each in an addressed envelope
labeled “Good-Luck Recipe,” is the definition of “luck” given by Max
O’Rell, as follows:
“Luck means rising at six o’clock in the morning, living on a dollar a
day if you earn two, minding your own business, and not meddling with
other people’s. Luck means the appointments you have never failed to
keep, the trains you have never failed to catch. Luck means trusting in
God and your own resources.”
Making Valentines.
If some of the Juniors wish to surprise their friends, or the inmates of
their pet charitable institutions, with kind thoughts in the form of
valentines, those made by themselves are sure to be most acceptable; and
then, too, it is such fun to make them!
The materials needed are white and colored paper, including gilt and
silver paper, also paste and scissors. One has first to cut the colored
paper into squares, which may then be folded into quarters and the
quarters into triangles; then cut these into all kinds of intricate
tracery, and they will be pretty when unfolded, for the repetition gives
beauty to the most awkward cutting. Next paste them on a background of
white, and decorate them with mottoes or with tiny doves and hearts, in
gold.
One little girl even attempted to cut out a Cupid for a very special
valentine, to be given to her grandma; and, although the Cupid was a
little lop-sided, it was still quite imposing. Another wee girl, the
little sister of one of the Juniors, made good use of her kindergarten
skill by _sewing_ a valentine! Her sister prepared it for her by cutting
a heart about three inches across, from a piece of folded paper; using
this as a pattern, she marked around it on a piece of cardboard, made a
small oblong in the centre, for a picture-frame, and pricked the outline
for the five-year-old to sew with blue silk. This was accomplished with
much delight, and with a stamp picture of the giver pasted in the centre
of the oblong was as pretty a valentine as need be.
One favorite kind, the “window” valentine, was made by taking a square
of paper, doubling it and cutting one straight slit half-way across from
centre to the outside; then folding it once the other way--into
quarters--and cutting off the corner so as, when unfolded, to make a
square opening in the centre, with its corners opposite the sides of the
larger square. While the paper was folded in quarters, a third slit was
cut, parallel with the last one. When unfolded, this brought strips each
side, which were folded back on the outside of the valentine; a picture
was pasted back of the opening, and the valentine looked like this:
[Illustration: WINDOW VALENTINE]
Another was made to represent the front of a house, with a “Welcome”
door-mat and a door that opened and disclosed a photograph of the giver.
On the door was inscribed,
“Open this door, and you will find
One who would be your valentine.”
Still another represented a dainty lady on horseback just ready to jump
through a paper hoop held by a clown. Underneath was the verse,
“Jump through this paper hoop of mine,
And find your own true valentine.”
The paper in the hoop concealed a photograph. Of course it should be
explained to the children that valentines containing photographs are
supposed to be for relatives.
One of the prettiest surprises of all on the occasion of which I am
speaking, was a wonder-box, made from a piece of heavy paper six inches
across. Fastened securely in a most mysterious way, and with bits of
candy rattling tantalizingly inside, it was a delightful, but not an
easy, task, to open it, even to those who knew how.
[Illustration]
The diagram shows by dotted lines exactly where the paper squares must
be folded, and the heavy lines show where it must be cut. The holes are
for the corners, folded small, to be put through, and then straightened
out again.
This is the way the wonder-box looks when done:
[Illustration: WONDER-BOX (Closed)]
It would be as good for a Christmas present as for a valentine.
A New Kind of Dinner-Party.
This was one of the invitations:
DEAR BERTOL:
I hope you will not think it odd if I ask you to be either a
table-furnishing or something to eat at my dinner-party. Will you be
kind enough to be served at my house two weeks from to-night; that is,
Tuesday, October sixth, nineteen hundred and three, at half-past
seven? And, if you accept, will you not please let me know what you
choose to be?
Hungrily your friend,
L. BETTINA ARNED.
_45 Muscovy Street,
Tuesday, September twenty-second._
About thirty children came. Of course there were more girls than boys
(there always are); still, the boys could be discovered without a
microscope. Some of the guests were these:
1. Mock Turtle (soup). A boy with green cloth slippers on hands and
feet, and a green oval cardboard shield on front and back. He wore green
trousers and stockings, green tissue-paper hair, and green goggles.
2. Black Bass. A boy in burnt cork dressed like a negro singer. On a
card hung about his neck was drawn a bar of music showing “bass” notes.
3. Duck. A little girl in a white duck dress.
4. Turkey. A boy in a fez and Turkish clothes--orange sash, baggy red
jacket and trousers, and pointed shoes. He wore an immense burnt-cork
mustache.
5. Game. A girl carried a checker-board under one arm and a pachisi
board under the other.
6. Hare. A girl with her “hair” worn long.
7. Pear. Two girls kept hold of hands all the evening.
8. Sole (the fish). A girl wearing a card on which was pasted the
picture of a shoe-sole.
9. Whitebait. A boy dressed in white (not duck, however). He carried a
short bamboo fish-pole. The hook end of the line was fastened about his
neck.
10. Chinaware. A girl in Chinese clothes.
As soon as a guest arrived he was given a numbered sheet and a pencil,
and was told to guess--without exchanging hints with his neighbors--what
everybody else was supposed to be. The reward for the longest list was
an angel-cake, and for the shortest a stick of barber-pole candy, tied
with bright green ribbon. Really, there were two dinner-parties that
evening, for while the lists were being counted Mrs. Arned served
lemonade and crackers.
Jack-Knife and Scissors Party.
The boys all bring their jack-knives, of course, and the girls their
scissors. Other tools and materials, provided by the committee, are a
pile of white pine boards knocked from old boxes; a bundle of
tissue-paper and crape paper; some cardboard; a pot of glue; some wire,
pins, tacks, small nails, and hammers. Rewards are offered to the boy
and the girl who at the end of two hours have made the most useful or
ingenious articles.
There is a wide range. Wooden spoons, plates, toothpicks,
paper-cutters, dolls, toy boats and sleds, statuettes (!), window-sash
supporters, and tabourettes; tissue-paper lanterns, mats, valentines,
bouquets, and dresses for some of the wooden dolls; these form only a
partial list of the result of one such contest. Ingenious Juniors will
delight in inventing new and astonishing effects in both paper and wood.
“The American Boy’s Handy Book” and “The American Girl’s Handy Book”
would be suitable rewards. After their arduous toil the workers will
appreciate a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade. The articles made
may be either given to some charitable institution or saved for a
Christmas tree or fair given by the Juniors. The latter plan will
generally prove more desirable, as only a few of the articles would be
as suitable for inmates of any one institution as they would be for
those of private homes.
Reception at Curlycue Castle.
Invite the Juniors to a reception at Curlycue Castle, giving date, hour,
and street address, but no other particulars. When they arrive, they are
introduced to the Queen--or King--of the Curlycues. This important
personage is dressed in a more or less fantastic costume, in which the
most conspicuous feature is profuse ringlets made of lovely light golden
shavings; and carries a sceptre or wand, which in explaining the games,
etc., is waved about in a style full of curves and curls, peculiarly its
own.
The Juniors are suitably welcomed, and in a brief address the habits
and customs of the singular, newly discovered race of people called
Curlycues are explained to them, and they are informed that for the next
two or three hours they are to consider themselves as belonging to the
same race. Each is furnished with a long shaving curl, which badge of
honor the newly made Curlycue, whether girl or boy, is expected to wear
throughout the occasion.
Tell them the Curlycues are expert in shooting at a mark--whether they
always hit it or not; that they have been much troubled by certain small
wild animals called “excuses” which are found in the woods about the
castle; and that occasionally these animals become so bold that they
make themselves great nuisances, creeping into the castle itself, and
hindering the Curlycues about their work and study. Then call all the
Curlycues to an excuse-hunt.
In a large unfurnished room have a target almost half covering one side
of the room. Have it prepared in advance with drawings of a number of
comical faces, each plainly labelled with the name of some foolish
excuse, such as “I didn’t think,” “He dared me to,” “Just this once,”
“No one will know,” “She did it first,” “He began it,” “I don’t want
to,” “I’m afraid,” “Wait till to-morrow,” “In a minute,” “By and by,” “I
forgot,” “I can’t.” Truly a formidable array! Of course it should be
explained that the most of these are entire strangers to the Juniors,
but as Curlycues they are privileged to hunt them out and shoot them on
the spot.
Each hunter is supplied with a bow and three arrows, and is told to see
how many excuses he can dispose of. Some excuses count more than others
in the score. This may be arranged at the discretion of the Junior
superintendent. For instance, each excuse might count five, except “I
forgot” and “Wait till to-morrow,” each of which might count ten. If a
hunter has shot a certain excuse, it does not debar the rest from having
a try at the same one if they wish. As in real life, each excuse may
have to be killed several times over. The Curlycue who scores the most
with his three trials is the winner.
After all have had a chance, and the excuses are pretty well disposed
of, the children will enjoy a “Curlycue drawing-contest.” Give them
paper and pencils, and tell them each to draw a Curlycue; that is, it
must be explained, a single line about two inches long containing one or
more crooks or curves. Exchange the papers, and let each draw a picture,
using in it the line already drawn. Twenty minutes, or a half-hour, if
preferred, may be the time-limit. A small reward may then be given for
the best drawing.
A lively piano march now calls the Curlycues to their feet. They form in
single file, and follow their leader in a very whimsical and circuitous
march, finally bringing up at the dining-room, where crullers or other
“curly” cakes are served, with milk or lemonade. Or the cakes might be
flat, with chocolate, pink, or white icing decorated with “Curlycues” in
another color.
“Polly Pitcher” Social.
This is a missionary “jug-breaking” in which the mite-boxes, in the form
of tiny gilded jugs or pitchers, are all fastened to various portions of
an imposing rag or pillow doll, the size of a grown person, if possible,
named “Polly Pitcher.” Polly is fond of jewelry, and wears bracelets,
necklace, earrings, and even a nose-ring, all composed of the
mite-boxes.
As the Juniors know well for what purpose they have been saving, this is
a time for rejoicing and merrymaking rather than for set speeches. After
“Polly” has been despoiled of her treasures there may be, in another
room, a game of “Polly Pitcher bean-bag.” This is the way it is
arranged:
Have three bean-bags, two of them four inches; the other, five inches,
square; a hoop fifteen inches in diameter, wound with ribbon; suspend
this hoop from the ceiling by a ribbon loop tied to one side, from which
you are to hang a small bell so that it will swing in the centre of the
hoop.
Each Junior in turn is the “pitcher,” and in this case the bell is
“Polly.” The player takes the three bags, and throws them successively
through the hoop, trying not to disturb “Polly,” who will be sure to
protest every time that she is hit. The two smaller bags are thrown
first, then the larger one. Whenever the player succeeds in throwing a
bag through the hoop without disturbing “Polly” it counts ten; that is,
if the bag is one of the smaller ones. If it is the large one, it
counts twenty. Whenever Polly lets it be known that she is disturbed, it
takes off five from the pitcher’s score.
If there is time, other favorite games of the Juniors may be introduced.
But usually it will be found that la belle Polly is fascinating enough
to divide the honors about equally with her bejewelled namesake, and
that by the time the refreshments are over and the size of the
missionary fund is announced, the social may close with a few of the
Juniors’ brightest songs.
House-Book.
When my sister was a little girl, she had one play that always gave her
unfailing delight. It was her “house-book” as she called it, and I am
sure the Juniors, especially the younger ones, would enjoy the
fascinating play-work as much as she did, and the “houses” thus
concocted might be given to a children’s hospital, where they would
serve as fairy palaces for the tired little sufferers to dwell in.
The brown cover of Daisy’s house-book was nothing ornamental; in fact,
the book, to begin with, was a more or less blank one that had already
served its purpose in some commercial capacity. But that did not matter.
You opened it to the first page, and saw the front of the house,
outside, with its piazza and lawn. A hammock was swung somewhere,--I
forget whether it was on the lawn or the piazza,--and some very
distinguished-looking paper-doll people were going up the steps. Then
you turned over the leaf, and found yourself in the parlor, with rug,
chairs, and little tables, a piano, and all complete. Each page was a
room. Going on, you visited in turn the library, dining-room, kitchen,
and, I think, hall and stairs; then you took a peep into several
sleeping-rooms, and of course the most important room in the house was
the playroom, with two children in it, and toys of various kinds and
sizes, scattered about. Generally speaking, the furnishings were in
remarkably good proportion and well arranged; but the house lacked a
cellar. Perhaps it was in Florida, where cellars are seldom indulged in.
A house-book can be made as simple or as elaborate as one desires.
Pantries, cellar, china-closets, linen-closets, and attic might all be
included; and one could put a cheery-looking cook in the kitchen and a
trim maid with a ruffled apron in the dining-room, besides a large
family of children and the father and mother, and, if you like, the
grandfather and grandmother too. With such a wealth of pictures to
choose from as can be found in the different papers and advertising
sheets, very little need be left to the imagination. By all means set
the Juniors to making house-books, and by the time they have real houses
of their own to furnish, or even before, they will have acquired a very
good idea of what is needed and where to put it.
A Parlor Athletic Meet.
Send the Juniors an invitation reading somewhat like this:
“You are invited to enter one or all of the athletic events of the
Parlor Athletic Club, on Wednesday evening, November third, at 65
Sycamore Street. Everybody will break training at the end of the meet.
“BERTRAND C. FROST, _Field Marshal_.
“_October twenty-fifth, 1903._”
As each guest enters the front door, the scorer should put down the
guest’s name, number it, and pin on his back a plainly numbered card. As
he enters the parlor or dining-room, a paper and pencil should be given
to him. The events should be plainly listed on a blackboard. The
announcer should say: “Will each competitor please write his number at
the head of his sheet, and under this the numbers, but not the names, of
the events which he means to enter? The more entries, the better. Hand
your sheets to me.”
Four judges (grown people are the best) can quickly make lists of the
people entering each event. Then the announcer should clear the field,
and the events should begin as promptly as possible. The following list
may be too long:
1. Taking the largest bite from an apple hung by a string. The hands of
the competitor must be held behind his back.
2. Holding the breath the longest without laughing.
3. Balancing a cane on one finger the longest.
4. Throwing bean-bags into a hole cut in a board. Fifteen feet is a good
distance. Each competitor should be allowed five bags.
5. Laughing in the most original manner.
6. A tickling-match. Two competitors should each be given a feather. One
hand must be held behind the back. An eight-foot circle is drawn. The
winner is he or she who stays the longer in the circle without making a
sound.
7. Hand-wrestling. Two people stand opposite each other, with legs
braced, and grasp each a hand, holding the other hand behind them. The
point is to jerk or pull your opponent in such a manner that he is
forced to move one of his feet.
8. Standing on one foot, on a chair, the longest. The right arm must be
held up straight, and not supported.
9. Sitting down on the floor, and getting up again most gracefully. The
arms must be folded.
10. Thrusting a cane through a swinging napkin-ring. The fewest thrusts
count the most.
11. Running up-stairs in the quickest time. Every stair must be used.
12. “Putting” the balloon. The competitor must stand in a seven-foot
circle, or come up to a line from not more than seven feet back, and
“put” a toy balloon as far ahead as possible. The distance must be
measured from the spot on the floor or ceiling where the balloon first
strikes, to the middle of the putting-edge of the circle or of the
putting-line.
13. Bending over and touching the ground with the palms of both hands.
The knees must not be bent. The point is to go over as many times as
possible.
Three places should be counted in each event. A first place should score
three points; a second place, two points; a third place, one point. The
largest reward should be given to the boy or girl having the largest
total score. Be sure to give rewards that either a boy or a girl would
like, for girls have a way of winning them when they have a good chance.
A Tropical Fair.
For decorations use the graceful Florida moss if it can be procured; if
not, tissue-paper orange blossoms are pretty. Palms and similar potted
plants may be placed here and there. Have a pond made of a large mirror
with the frame covered with foliage, and in or on the pond should be a
number of pond-lily needle-books and penwipers; these the Juniors can
easily make of white and green cloth for petals and leaves, with bits of
yellow wool in the centre. There may also be in the pond some
frog-shaped and alligator-shaped boxes made of wood with the bark left
on for the alligators, and finished in both cases to look as lifelike as
possible.
In the centre or at one side of the room have an orange grove. The
oranges are various small articles, each wrapped in a wad of cotton,
made as nearly round as possible, covered with orange-colored
tissue-paper and tied with a green string to the evergreen trees
composing the grove. Each purchaser is to select the orange he prefers,
paying a trifle for it.
Besides the pond and the orange grove there may be a lemonade-well
profusely decked with foliage, a booth where real oranges and other
tropical fruits are sold, another booth for cake and candies, one for
fancy-work, one for flowers, and a special one for fans, all having
suggestions of the tropics about them. If the orange scheme is to
predominate, the fancy-work booth should be filled with articles made in
shades of orange, and the cakes, candies, and ices may be flavored with
orange; the booths may be draped in orange and white, and the girls in
charge of them should wear white dresses with orange ribbons. In the
grove should be seats and small tables where refreshments can be served
as ordered.
This will be found no more trouble to prepare, on the whole, than most
ordinary fairs, and is much prettier.
Washington’s Birthday.
In Miss Alcott’s “Jack and Jill” are described several good tableaux
taken from scenes in the life of Washington. The cherry-tree episode is
delightful; Washington crossing the Delaware, exciting; and the
“Daughters of Liberty,” the “Surrender of Cornwallis,” the pathetic camp
scene, “Washington at Trenton,” the Washington family, and the simulated
statue of the “Minuteman,” all very effective. The detailed description
would take too much space here, but the book is to be found in most
libraries; and, even if it is not obtainable, the subjects may prove
suggestive, and are all within the ability of children or quite young
people.
Many, however, will prefer games. Did you ever play “cherry-tree blind
man’s buff”? For this you will want twenty or more candied cherries, and
an impromptu cherry-tree, which may be the bough of an evergreen placed
upright in a flower-pot or a box. Tie the cherries to the branches with
bits of silk thread a few inches long. Blindfold the Juniors one at a
time; turn the blindfolded one around three times; give him a pair of
scissors; and tell him to clip all the cherries he can from the tree,
allowing him three minutes for the trial. He must not feel for the tree
with his hands, but simply reach out with the scissors and clip where he
thinks the cherries are. A little box of candied fruit is given as a
reward to the one who succeeded in clipping the most cherries.
On one occasion of this kind the “yarn-spinning contest” described
originally in the “spinning social” of “Eighty Pleasant Evenings” was
included, the guests each trying to tell the most improbable story. But
instead of the most successful story-teller’s being honored with the
title of “fibmaster-general,” the reward was quite unexpectedly
presented to the one who had told the _poorest_ story, on the ground
that Washington was a poor hand at telling stories and to be like him is
a mark of patriotism worthy of reward.
“Burying the hatchet” is suggestive of all sorts of peaceful things,
but is in reality quite a lively contest. Divide the company into two
sections. Have ready one of the little hatchet-shaped candy-boxes, to be
had at most confectioners’ about February 22. One division of the
Juniors leaves the room; the other division hides the hatchet; and the
outside party returns, and tries in five guesses to locate it. If
successful, their side wins a point; if not, they win nothing. The two
divisions change places, the first hiders of the hatchet going out of
the room and becoming the guessers. Each side has three turns,
alternating in this way. The side which has then won most points
receives the hatchet filled with bonbons.
A “Washington quiz” historic in character, might be included, with such
questions as the following:
1. In what State was Washington born?
2. In what year was he born?
3. Did George attend any college?
4. Who sent him on his famous journey through the wilderness?
5. What position did he hold under Braddock?
6. How did he act when complimented first on his military service?
7. In what year was he made commander-in-chief of the Continental
army?
8. Where did he spend the winter of 1777?
9. When was he elected president?
10. How long did he hold the presidency?
11. Where did he die?
12. Did he hold slaves?
13. Did he approve of slavery?
14. What became of his slaves after their master’s death?
15. By whom was he called “First in war, first in peace, and first in
the hearts of his countrymen”?
ANSWERS.--1. Virginia. 2. 1732. 3. No. 4. Governor Dinwiddie. 5.
Aide-de-camp. 6. Blushed, stammered, and could not speak. 7. 1775. 8.
Valley Forge. 9. 1789. 10. For two terms of four years each. 11. At
Mount Vernon. 12. Yes. 13. No. 14. They were set free. 15. Henry Lee,
in a resolution presented in the House of Representatives.
Little paper flags tinted red, white, and blue were used in one such
test, the questions being written upon the reverse side.
For refreshments, serve lemonade with canned cherries dropped into it,
and fancy crackers or cakes in the form of little hatchets.
For the First of April.
Perhaps one of the Juniors has a printing-press; if so, this is a good
chance to use it.
Print hand bills asking “all the wise people” in town to come to your
entertainment to be given the evening of April 1, naming the hall and
the price of admission.
Tickets should be distributed when asked for; as the hand-bills should
announce, the tickets of admission are to be at a certain price, payable
at the door as you go out, after the entertainment is over. This plan is
in keeping with the rest of the evening, and is also partly to reassure
any who suspect that an April First entertainment might be so complete a
hoax as not to take place at all.
Have a poster at the entrance of the hall, warning every one, “Who
enters here must leave all sense behind.”
The decorations are truly unique. Rugs, strips of carpets, and an
occasional chair ornament the walls, while pictures and posters are hung
up on the floor. A curtain might be gracefully draped along the floor of
the platform. Everything, as far as possible, is in the place usually
assigned to something else.
Programmes printed all sides up with care, and as unexpected in
typographical arrangement as the furnishings, should be handed around.
The announcement at the top of the page should be in small type, the
rest in larger size; the margin should vary in width from line to line,
each paragraph beginning at the edge of the sheet; and every sentence
must begin with a period and end with a capital. The Juniors, with a
little suggestion now and then, will find this part of the work great
fun, and will learn some things regarding correct rules of printing in
the very effort to break them.
The first thing on the programme is, of course, the good-night speech,
thanking the audience for their kind attention and generous applause,
and inviting them, before leaving, to partake of refreshments. The menus
that are then passed may contain all sorts of possible and impossible
dishes, but the refreshments themselves must be always something widely
different from what was ordered. For instance, if one orders quail on
toast, coffee, and layer cake, he is likely to get a cheese sandwich, a
pickle, and a glass of water, with the grave assurance that these dishes
were exactly the ones that he ordered.
After the refreshments the programme is rendered. “A recitation by
little Edith Jones” proves to be some time-honored selection like “Mary
had a little lamb,” or “You’d scarce expect one of my age,” recited in a
childish lisp and high key, by the largest, tallest boy in the society;
in fact, one of the seniors may have to be called upon for this honor,
as he should be, if possible, more than six feet tall. “A patriotic
address by General Wynhart” should be, on the contrary, a particularly
captivating dialogue or duet by two pretty little girls, or a motion
song by several tiny tots. “A violin solo by Signor Grateforio” is a
song by a quartette. “A bass solo, ‘Rocked in the cradle of the deep,’
by Professor Rorer,” should be a little girl’s lullaby to her doll, very
soft and sweet. “Grand chorus by four hundred voices” may be a violin
solo. And so with the whole programme, ending with the address of
welcome. Aim to have many really fine numbers, but see to it that every
one is something unexpected.
As the people go out, the spirit of fun will have so thoroughly taken
possession of them that it will be a wonder if there are no buttons or
similar treasures offered as the price of admission, or rather of
escape; but not many would be so mean, and then it need not be accepted,
for, when asked, every one will be obliged to admit that he has had his
quarter’s worth of fun.
Letter Social.
Label each Junior with a letter on his arrival. This may be done by
having ready in advance small cards, each with a letter plainly painted
on it and with a ribbon loop attached, to be pinned on the dress or hung
around the neck. In preparing the letters omit V, X, and Z, and make
several copies apiece of the letters in most common use.
First, the Juniors may see what words they can form by grouping
themselves according to their letters. For instance, a Junior labelled
with F goes and finds one with O, and together they have made one word,
“of”; then these two group themselves with a third labelled R, and by
rearranging the order they have “for”; then by finding successively T,
H, and U, they have “fort,” “forth,” and “fourth,” etc. No group may
discard a letter once accepted, nor add one that will not make a
correctly spelled word, but they may rearrange the order of their
letters as often as they wish. At the end of a stated time the group
that has the longest word has won the game, which might be known as
“word-building.”
Another letter contest, with the same labels, is perhaps still more
interesting. It is called the “Alphabetical Question Game.” One of the
Juniors asks another a question. The answer must begin with the letter
worn by the one replying, and must be given before the questioner can
count ten slowly and distinctly. If the one questioned fails to reply in
time, or starts his reply with a wrong letter, the questioner takes his
letter from him and adds it to his own. All players supplied with one or
more letters may go about asking questions in this way, but two must not
question the same player at once, and no one may give the same answer
twice. A player may answer from any of the letters that he is wearing;
and, if a player loses his only letter, he is supplied with another, but
not more than twice. When time is up, the player having the most letters
is the winner.
A game of “letter tag” is one in which the vowels all chase the
consonants. Each Junior wearing a vowel is given a particular corner for
his “den.” There is also a general goal. At a signal the vowels start in
pursuit of the consonants, all circling the room in the same direction.
Those consonants that escape to the goal without being overtaken are
safe for the first run; those tagged are obliged to return with their
captors to the respective “dens” and remain there until the end of the
game. After a certain number of these runs the vowel that has captured
the most consonants is pronounced Czar, or Czarina, as the case may be.
But this is not all. The players remain where they are. Paper and a
pencil are given to each vowel, and the one that can make the longest
list of words, using only his own letter and his captive consonants, is
the final winner, and receives the reward.
By this time both vowels and consonants will be ready for refreshments,
which may consist of lemonade and fancy alphabet crackers, or cakes with
lettered icing. A few songs and recitations may be introduced to add
variety; and a pleasing exercise for the close would be “The Juniors’
Message to All,” given as follows:
Select eight of the Juniors who are rather slender, about the same
height, and dressed in white. Take off their labels. Placing a large
screen temporarily before them, or closing the sliding doors between
them and their expectant audience, arrange them in front of a dark
curtain or other background in such positions that they will themselves
form letters of white, spelling a short word easily recognized. It is
not very difficult, but you will need to experiment a little. For the
first letter, one Junior stands facing the audience for the upright
part, another sits on the floor just behind, facing the right; for the
second letter, two Juniors curve themselves as completely as possible
around a hoop which they both hold, the open part toward the audience;
for the third, two stand leaning away from each other, with hands or a
string tightly clasped to keep from falling; for the fourth, the same
arrangement as the first except that the standing Junior reaches one arm
straight out at the side, toward the right of the audience, and the
seated one also reaches one arm partly out in the same direction. Remove
the screen when you have them arranged to your satisfaction, and the
other children will recognize, in living letters of white, the word
“LOVE,” which is the Juniors’ message to all.
The Tuffet and the Web
A Fantasy in Two Acts and Two Scenes
BY VINCENT VAN MARTER BEEDE
“Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet,
Eating curds and whey.
There came a black spider,
And sat down beside her,
And frightened Miss Muffet away.”
People of the Play
LITTLE MISS MUFFET, _Queen of the Meadow_.
THE BLACK SPIDER.
THE FLY.
THE CRICKET.
THE WISE MOLE.
THREE FIELD-MICE.
SIX LITTLE DAIRYMAIDS.
THREE ELVES, _boys_.
THREE SPRITES, _girls_.
SIX RABBITS, _three boys and three girls_.