a way as they choose. She who represents "Rose in Bloom" need only wear
a full-blown rose. "Sentimental Tommy" wears a Scotch cap bearing the
words "From Thrums" on the front, and, when talking, finds many
opportunities of informing his questioners, "I'll find a w'y!" "The
Hidden Hand" may be represented by a gentleman who carries his hand in a
sling concealed from view. "A Penniless Girl" is easily represented by a
girl carrying an empty purse open and suspended at her belt. "The Woman
in White," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "The Scarlet Letter" are all
easily represented. Three small white wings tied together with a ribbon
represents very well "White Wings" by William Black.
It is not desirable that the costume speak too plainly of the title
selected, for the guests are expected to question one another regarding
their peculiarities, and so they must be well informed as to the books
they represent.
An appropriate menu for a literary evening follows:
MENU
"And like a lobster boiled."--_Butler._
(Lobster a la Newburg.)
"What first I want is daily bread."--_John Quincy Adams._
(Bread and Butter.)
"You are lovely leaves."--_Herrick._
(Lettuce Salad.)
"I will use the olive."--_Shakespeare._
(Olives.)
"My choice would be Vanilla Ice."--_Holmes._
(Ice Cream.)
"Water with berries in it."--_Anon._
(Coffee.)
"Oh, that I were an almond salted!"--_Merrill._
(Salted Almonds.)
LITERARY PEOPLE
Write the questions on red cards and the answers on white. Have each
question and answer numbered in succession. Let the gentlemen select the
red and the ladies the white cards, and when the gentlemen read the
questions, let the ladies read the answers. This is also a good way to
match partners for refreshments.
1. What flower did Alice Cary?
Pansy.
2. What did Eugene Fitch Ware?
John Godfrey Saxe.
3. What does Anthony Hope?
To Marietta Holley.
4. What happens when John Kendrick Bangs?
Samuel Smiles.
5. Why did Helen Hunt Jackson?
Because she wanted him to Dr. O. W. Holmes.
6. What did Charles Dudley Warner?
Not to go into a boat and let E. P. Roe.
7. Why was Rider Haggard?
Because he let Rose Terry Cooke.
8. Why is Sarah Grand?
To make Ik Marvel.
9. Why is George Canning?
To teach Julia Ward Howe.
10. What ailed Harriet Beecher Stowe?
Bunyan.
11. What is it William Macy?
How Thomas Knox.
12. When did Mary Mapes Dodge?
When George W. Cutter.
13. What will turn John Locke?
Francis S. Key.
14. When is Marian Evans Cross?
When William Dean Howells.
15. When did Thomas Buchanan Read?
Just after Winthrop Mackworth Praed.
16. What did Julia McNair Wright?
Judge Joseph Story.
17. What did Eugene J. Hall?
Charles Carleton Coffin.
18. What is James Warden Owen?
What ten pounds of Hezekiah Butterworth.
19. Where did Henry Cabot Lodge?
In Mungo Park, on Thomas Hill.
20. How long will Samuel Lover?
Until Justin Windsor.
21. What gives John Howard Payne?
When Robert Burns Augustus Hare.
MEASURING PARTY
The giving of such a party is a pleasing way of raising money for some
charitable object.
The invitations should read somewhat like the following:
_You are cordially invited to attend a
Measuring Party to be given by the
East End Connett Y. W. C. T. U.
at the home of the President,
Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott,
Monday evening, October 29th, 1905._
Below, this verse should be printed:
A measuring party we give for you,
'Tis something pleasant as well as new.
The invitation carries a sack,
For use in bringing or sending back
Five cents for every foot you're tall,
Measure yourself against the wall.
An extra cent for each inch you'll give,
And thereby show how high you live.
Then with music and song, recitation and pleasure,
We will meet one and all at our party of measure.
With each invitation should be sent a tiny bag made of a bit of silk or
ribbon. On the night of the entertainment, these bags with the money
that has been placed in them are brought by the guests and deposited in
a large bowl at the door. The party then proceeds in the usual manner.
Care should be taken to carry out the program suggested in the last two
lines of the above verse. Much amusement may be created by having some
one appointed to take various measurements of the guests attending, such
as the length of the nose, size of the head, size of the hand, etc.
MEDICAL SOCIABLE
Procure the small glass vials used by homoeopathic physicians. On the
outside of each one paste a narrow slip, on which is written the name of
some trouble for which the Bible offers a remedy. On another slip write
the Bible verse which gives the cure. Roll it up, and run a thread
through it which is fastened to the cork. Here are some suggestions:
Discouragement, Ps. 42: 5; Sadness, Ps. 16: 11; Pain, Rev. 21: 4; Doubt,
Despair, Anger, Impatience, Laziness, Unruly tongue, Loneliness,
Sleeplessness, Weakness, Pride, Bitterness, Covetousness. The
corresponding Bible references will easily be found by using a
concordance. Have one corner of the room arranged for a drug-store. Each
person will receive from the "store" one bottle and the cork belonging
to a different bottle. He must hunt till he has discovered the
"medicine" (cork and paper) belonging to his own bottle, and has
delivered the cork he holds to the proper bottle. Have papers read on
the care of the body and the care of the soul, and also Bible-readings
on miracles of healing. Later have some one, who has looked up the
subject beforehand, read a list of some of the most interesting
Scripture references to various parts of the body. These can readily be
hunted out with the help of a concordance. Some of the Old Testament
references will be found to be very quaint indeed. Decorate the room
with mottoes, such as: "Is there no balm in Israel, is there no
physician there?"
MEDICAL TRUNK
"In my wonderful trunk I have two very tall tropical trees (palms);
something used by an artist (palette [palate]); weapons of war (arms);
many wild animals, and two domestic ones (hares [hairs], calves);
something worn by a king (crown); a bright garden flower (tulips [two
lips]); a musical instrument (drum); two fish and many shell fish
(soles, muscles); branches of trees (limbs); a student (pupil);
something used in ship-building (ribs); whips without handles (lashes).
a product of a spruce-tree (gum); something used by carpenters (nails);
a part of a clock (hands); a large wooden box (chest); part of a wagon
(tongue); something grown on a cornstalk (ears); a part of a shoe
(heel); ten Spanish gentlemen (ten dons [tendons]); part of a nail
(head); weather cocks (vanes [veins]); two kitchen utensils (pans
[knee]); part of a knife (blade [shoulder]); edge of a saw (teeth);
terms used in voting (ayes and noes [eyes and nose]); covering of an
apple (skin); a certain measure (feet); something seen in accidents
(blood); a part of a house (roof [of the mouth]); covers to pails
(lids); something used in upholstering (tow [toe]); part of a stove-pipe
(elbow); a part of a table (legs); something served with ice cream (lady
fingers); a kind of deer (hart [heart]); part of a river (mouth);
something used by negro minstrels (bones); best part of a goose (back);
part of a ship (side); a narrow strip of land (neck); hotel steps (inn
steps [insteps])."
MILITARY SOCIABLE
This is a form of entertainment suitable for Independence Day. "Military
Checkers," played at small tables, may furnish appropriate amusement.
Each table is named for some fort: "Fort Ticonderoga," "Fort Duquesne,"
etc. Though the players "progress" from one table to another, all their
honors are counted as belonging to the fort of their first allegiance,
to which table they return each time they win.
The prizes may be in any form suggestive of Independence Day. An
enameled pencil in the shape of a firecracker, or flag-shaped
cuff-links, would do for the man's prize, and a cracker-jar for the
lady's prize.
The piazza should be strung with colored lanterns, which can be lighted
when the guests are in the dining-room at supper. The dining-room may be
simply decorated with red roses and vines, and the dining-room table in
the same way, a big blue-and-white bowl in the centre of the table
holding the roses. These roses should be bright red in color. Small
flags serve as doilies, and the china used should be blue-and-white. The
candlesticks upon the table hold white candles; the shades should be
red, and streamers of blue ribbons are tied about the base of the
candles, falling with graceful effect over the brightly polished
candlesticks. The bonbons are placed upon the table in two small raffia
baskets. Each bonbon is tied about with a band of baby-ribbon.
When the supper is nearly over the baskets of bonbons are passed, one to
the men and the other to the ladies. Each guest takes one candy, and it
is found that no two in one basket have the same colored ribbon. Each
confection in the men's basket, however, has a mate in the ladies'
basket, and in this way partners are found for the old-time Virginia
reel, which is danced on the piazza. As a jolly ending to the fun the
men of the party set off some fireworks.
MORNING GLORY FAIR
At a recent church fair the flower-booth attracted special notice. It
was decorated with morning glories made of crepe paper, in different
colors. The flowers were profusely twined among the spruce boughs that
formed the top of the booth, and were extremely effective and very
natural. The flower-girls wore large hats with morning glory trimming,
and were in light summer dresses. All the other tables were similarly
decorated, and those in charge wore morning glories in profusion, twined
in the hair and falling in graceful festoons from skirt and bodice.
Morning glory tea was served from a small table, over which stood a
large Japanese umbrella covered with the flowers; the cups carried out
the color scheme of the flowers. Each person purchasing a cup of tea was
presented with a flower as a souvenir of the occasion.
MOTHER GOOSE GAME
During the evening a slip of paper is handed to each guest with the name
of one of the Mother Goose characters upon it. The hostess retains a
list of these, and calls each in turn to repeat within the space of one
minute the familiar verse relative to this character. Failing to do this
a forfeit must be paid. The one who is most prompt in responding
correctly may receive as a prize a goose-quill pen; and the one who
fails, a copy of "Mother Goose." Just before refreshments are served the
"Goose Drill" may be participated in to the time of a march, and the
couples proceed to the refreshment room, where they are served with the
following:
1. Shared by the walrus and carpenter. (Oysters)
2. A King's dish. (Bird pie)
3. A Queen's lunch. (Bread and honey)
4. Taffy's spoils. (Beef sandwiches)
5. The golden eggs. (Egg sandwiches)
6. Old woman's broom. (Cheese-straws)
7. What the baker made. (Rolls)
8. Sample of the pieman's ware. (Washington cake-pie)
9. Jack-a-dandy's delight. (Plum cake)
10. What the ships brought. (Apples and comfits)
The numbered list of refreshments should be printed upon small cards,
which may be retained as souvenirs of the occasion. The guests order
what they choose. The key is retained by the hostess.
MUSICAL CARD PARTY
A good color scheme for this affair is brown and yellow. Invitations may
be in the form of a scroll, engraved with a selection from some favorite
opera, or may represent the "G" clef in brown and yellow water colors.
For decorations use yellow flowers, yellow shaded lights and yellow and
brown hangings. Tally cards may be painted to represent different
musical instruments, such as violins, guitars, mandolins, etc.; or
miniature tambourines and banjos may be used for scoring, hung by long
loops of ribbon over the shoulders, and becoming before the close of the
evening gayly decked with ribbons--yellow for the winners and brown for
the losers. Musical quotations in halves may designate partners. For
prizes, musical pictures in brown coloring, burnt wood plaques of famous
musicians, a Flemish musical stein in brown and yellow, a brown leather
music roll tied for the occasion with yellow streamers, musical novels,
an upright piano candy box with the key board movable to show the candy
inside, etc., may be used. Toy music boxes and grotesque musical
instruments make amusing booby prizes. A triangle, like those for
orchestral playing, may indicate progressions, instead of a bell.
For a brown and yellow menu:
Brown Croquettes Potato Balls
Brown Breadsticks
Chicken Salad, yellow Mayonnaise
Orange Ice Cream, served in orange-peel baskets
Chocolate Cake Chocolate Icing
Chocolate and Lemon Bonbons
Yellow Cheese Balls
Coffee, with yellow whipped Cream
MUSICAL EVENING
The invitations should be sent in small imitation music rolls, and
headed with a line of appropriate music. As each guest enters he
receives a long, narrow strip of pasteboard, bearing a portion of some
familiar song, both words and music. Each card bears a number, and the
eight whose cards are numbered alike are instructed to get together and
practice to sing a verse formed by the union of their eight cards. A
bell calls them to order, judges are appointed, and each group sings its
song, a pianist accompanying them. While the judges are preparing their
verdict, a short musical program may be rendered. A bouquet of flowers
may be presented to the group whose musical effort is considered the
best. The bouquet may consist of eight small buttonhole bouquets, one
for each member of the group. Make a list, numbering from one to twenty,
of tunes that are perfectly familiar to every one. "Yankee Doodle,"
"America," "Annie Rooney," or any of the later popular songs, are some
of the airs that are known everywhere. Number as many cards as there are
guests, with twenty numbers on consecutive lines. These, with pencils,
are distributed to the people as they arrive. An accomplished pianist
then plays snatches of each tune, in the order that the list calls for.
Just enough of the piece is played to let the melody be indicated. Each
person, as the air is played, puts down against the number on the card
what he thinks the tune is. At the end the cards are collected, and
prizes given to the most successful.
To match partners, write the notes of a bar or two of some well-known
melody on the lady's card, and the balance on the gentleman's card.
MUSICAL GUESSING CONTEST
1. Used on a bundle. (Chord [cord])
2. A place of residence. (Flat)
3. A reflection on character. (Slur)
4. Bottom of a statue. (Bass [base])
5. An unaffected person. (Natural)
6. Used in driving horses. (Lines)
7. What makes a check valid. (Signature)
8. What we breathe every day. (Air)
9. Seen on the ocean. (Swells)
10. What betrays nationality. (Accent)
11. An association of lawyers. (Bar)
12. Used in climbing. (Staff)
13. Part of a sentence. (Phrase)
14. Belonging to a fish. (Scales)
15. Used in wheeling. (Pedals)
16. A girl's name. (Grace)
17. Used in flavoring soup. (Time [Thyme])
18. Often passed in school. (Notes)
19. Used in a store. (Counters)
20. An instrument not blunt. (Sharp)
MUSICAL ROMANCE
The young hostess announced that a love story of the Civil War would be
related in musical numbers, and to the one who should best interpret
them a prize would be awarded. All were provided with cards and pencils
and a young woman seated herself at the piano. The hostess then asked
"What was the heroine called?" Whereupon the familiar notes of "Sweet
Marie" were heard, and it began to be understood that the names of
popular airs--given with much spirit by the pianist--would furnish the
answers to the questions propounded, to be recorded upon the cards. The
story progressed thus:
What was the hero's name? "Robin Adair."
Where was he born? "Dixie."
Where was she born? "On the Suwanee River."
Where did they meet? "Comin' thro' the rye."
At what time of day was it? "Just as the sun went down."
When did he propose? "After the ball was over."
What did he say? "Only one girl in this world for me."
What did she say? "I'll leave my happy home for you."
What did he then bid her? "A soldier's farewell."
What did the band play? "The girl I left behind me."
Where did he go? "Georgia."
Where did he spend that night? "Tenting on the old camp ground."
What did the band play when he came home? "When Johnny comes
marching home."
Where were they married? "Old Kentucky home."
Who were the bridesmaids? "Two little girls in blue."
Who furnished the music? "Whistling Rufus."
Who furnished the wedding feast? "Rosie O'Grady."
Where did they make their home? "On the banks of
the Wabash."
What was their motto? "Home, sweet home."
Where did they always remain? "America."
The music was a new feature, and the fact that the airs were so well
known made it the more enjoyable. The advantage of the winner being so
slight, the pleasure of success was the more general.
* * * * *
After supper the hostess said that if they were not tired of guessing
she had another game to propose--a sort of fortune-telling game which
would give each man present the name that his future wife should bear.
It was for him to discover it. The first name was told to make the
subject clear--which was that a chemist's wife should be named "Ann
Eliza." Then they were told to guess the name of a civil engineer's wife
(Bridget); a gambler's (Betty); a humorist's (Sally); a clergyman's
(Marie); a shoemaker's (Peggy); a sexton's (Belle); a porter's (Carrie);
a dancing-master's (Grace); a milliner's (Hattie); a gardener's (Flora);
a judge's (Justine); a pugilist's (Mamie); a pianist's (Octavia); a
life-saver's (Caroline); an upholsterer's (Sophy); an astronomer's
(Stella); a doctor's (Patience); a fisherman's (Netty); a gasman's
(Meta); a marksman's (Amy). Each man could judge, from his occupation,
the name of his future wife.
MUSICAL TERMS ILLUSTRATED
Have some one play these songs:
"Star Spangled Banner," "Marching through Georgia," "Columbia, the Gem
of the Ocean," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,"
"Hail Columbia," "Home, Sweet Home," "Yankee Doodle," "When Johnnie
Comes Marching Home Again," "Auld Lang Syne," "America." No titles are
announced, but the guests are asked to guess the names and write them in
order upon slips of paper.
Following each piece of music some musical term is illustrated. These
terms, with the means employed to illustrate them, are as follows:
"time," some one hold up a small clock; "measure," a yardstick; "key," a
door-key; "flats," two flatirons; "lines," a pair of nursery lines;
"sharps," a carving set; "tie," a gentleman's tie; "bars," small
clothes-bars; "staff," a cane; "a whole note," a dollar; "a half note,"
a half dollar; "a quarter note," a silver quarter.
MUSICIANS BURIED
1. There were verd isles and tender blue of summer skies.
2. Maud Muller raked the hay, deny it not, O Judge.
3. The bell in ivy tower rings knell of passing day.
4. I arrive, King, most gracious sovereign.
5. She still wears her old smile--the sweet, modest maiden.
6. The mother of Charlie Ross in idle dreams still clasps him.
7. We berate our neighbors soundly, but excuse ourselves.
8. How famous the cherub in ideal art.
9. There will be no confab to-night.
10. If he asks your hand, Eliza, do not say nay.
11. Be brief; lo, toward life's setting sun, man hastens.
12. You've dropped a beet--ho, vender, heigh.
13. The dog spies a cat, and it makes his tail wag nervously.
14. A beau, berrying, needs a basket and a sweetheart.
15. My chop I never eat with peas.
16. You have found an egg, lucky boy.
17. Liz still improves from day to day.
18. Whoever else leaves, the Co. stays in most firms.
19. Cattle enjoy herbal feeding grounds.
20. I do not care a sou, Sarah, whether you will, or not.
KEY TO MUSICIANS BURIED
1. Verdi.
2. Hayden.
3. Bellini.
4. Rive King.
5. Herold.
6. Rossini.
7. Weber.
8. Cherubini.
9. Abt.
10. Handel.
11. Flotow.
12. Beethoven.
13. Wagner.
14. Auber.
15. Chopin.
16. Gluck.
17. Lizst.
18. Costa.
19. Balfe.
20. Sousa.
_Note:_--The letters composing the names of the sought-for musicians
come successively together but the name may begin and end in different
words.
MYSTICAL DINNER MENU
_Menu_ _Key_
SOUPS
1. Capital of Portugal 1. Pea
2. An imitation reptile 2. Mock Turtle
FISH
3. The largest part of Sambo's feet 3. Sole
4. An express label 4. Cod
GAME
5. A universal crown 5. Hare
6. Portion of a mountain range 6. Partridge
7. A tailor's tool 7. Goose
8. To shrink from danger 8. Quail
ROAST MEAT
9. A genial English author 9. Lamb
10. A country of the Crescent 10. Turkey
BOILED MEAT
11. One of Noah's sons 11. Ham
12. Woman's best weapon 12. Tongue
VEGETABLES
13. To steal mildly 13. Cabbage
14. Complete upsets 14. Turnips
15. What successful candidates do 15. Beet
16. Two kinds of toes not found on man or beast
16. Potatoes and Tomatoes
RELISHES
17. Pertaining to regions underground 17. Celery
18. Comical performances 18. Capers
19. Elevated felines 19. Catsup
PUDDINGS
20. What we say to impertinent agents 20. Say go
21. Exactly perpendicular 21. Plumb
22. The mantle of winter 22. Snow
23. What the lawyer says to his clients 23. Suet
PIES
24. To walk in an affected manner 24. Mince
25. A relative of the dairyman 25. Pumpkin
FRUIT
26. The historian's delight 26. Dates
27. Water in motion 27. Currants
28. Small shot (plural) 28. Grapes
MYSTICAL PARTY
_The Y. W. C. T. U.
Has cordially invited you
To the Mystery Reception,
Strange and weird beyond conception.
At seven-thirty o'clock night fall
We will welcome one and all;
With solemn rites and grewsome sights,
We'll meet you all on Monday night.
Street and number._
All those who take part in this should arrive early and have everything
in shape when the guests appear. First, each one should wrap a white
sheet over her and wear a small white mask. Have all the lights turned
low or have candles, and on the gas jets or candles have red paper
shades to cast a red, gloomy light over everything. Have each one who
takes part stand like a statue, and dispose these statues about the
house in corners and in dark places. As the guests arrive have one of
the white clothed figures meet them at the door, and without a word,
motion them to take off their wraps, and then to enter the next room. If
possible get some bones from a medical college and have skulls and cross
bones all about the room. In one dark room should be skulls and pumpkins
with faces cut in them and candles inside. Do not have any other light
in this room. When the guests go into this room have some small pieces
of ice wrapped in muslin presented to them to be felt of in the dark.
All this time the statues should be quiet and remain so until all the
company has arrived. Then seat all the statues at a large table with a
small candle or a dish of burning alcohol in the centre and have each
one tell a weird story. Have a witch in a dark room with a dish of
burning alcohol and have the guests, one at a time, go in to have their
fortunes told. Tricks of different kinds can be played upon the guests.
The program for the mysterious company consists of a number of contests
in which eyesight gives place to the sense of touch.
First of all the hostess produces a book printed in the raised lettering
for the blind and suggests that each guest read ten lines from it. This
is no easy matter. To the contestant reading the ten lines correctly in
the shortest time a prize is awarded.
For the second trial of skill the guests may gather around a circular
table. Beneath the table place a covered box or basket containing the
most variously assorted small articles that it is possible to secure
upon the spur of the moment, the more unexpected the better. No player
must see the articles placed in the basket. When all is in readiness the
objects are taken from the basket and passed rapidly from hand to hand
below the table, ending in the hands of the hostess, and by her are
placed in an empty bag provided for the purpose.
Distribute pencils and ask the guests to write down as many of the
objects passed under the table as they can remember. A prize should be
provided for the person who hands in the fullest list of the objects.