who holds the mate to your card." Then the cards must be compared. Each
contained a spider web, some with four circles, some with more; some
with eight divisions, others with more or less; but there were always
two of each kind, and through the peculiarities of these webs the
partners discovered each other. The difference in webs was sometimes so
slight as not to be detected without close observation; but it was
always plain after having once been pointed out. It is surprising how
many different designs can be worked out in these webs. The work is
really quite fascinating when once begun, so the thought of it must not
frighten any one from giving a spinning party.
When the prizes had been awarded to the best spinners, several tables
were brought in and set about the room.
On the top of each there was fastened a heavy sheet of drawing paper,
upon which five circles had been drawn. The outside circle was as large
as the table would allow. The inner one was only two inches in diameter.
The other three circles were drawn at equal distances between these two.
In the inner space on one table were the figures 25; the next 20; then
came 15, 10 and 5. On the next table the inner space was marked 30, and
each of the other spaces 5 less. On the third and last table the inner
circle was marked 50, and each of the others 5 less.
Each player was given a top, made from a spool, and all the guests took
turns spinning the tops on the table having the lowest figures. When the
top ceased spinning the player was credited with the number on which the
point of the top rested. As soon as a player had twenty-five to his
credit he advanced to the next higher table. There he must win fifty
points before he could pass on to the highest table. When he had won a
hundred points at the third table he was obliged to begin again at the
foot table. The top must not be touched while spinning. Should it drop
to the floor the player must make ten before he could begin to count
again. Should he make 25 at the next trial he only counted 15; but he
had a second trial when his top had dropped to the floor, before the
next player spun his top.
Each player had a credit card tied in his buttonhole upon which numbers
something like the meal tickets issued at restaurants were closely
written. When added these numbers should make 500. The hostess had a
punch with which she cut out the numbers to correspond with those won by
the player. When any player had no more numbers on his card he was
declared winner and the game was ended.
SPINSTER TEA
Where a party of girls wish to have an evening all to themselves the
"Spinster Tea" will furnish them with much merriment.
As this sort of tea should be quite informal the invitations may be
written on plain white note-paper, as follows:
"_Being a spinster in good standing in this community you are
cordially invited to a 'Spinster Tea' on Tuesday evening,
November twentieth, at seven o'clock, at 415 Madison Street.
You are requested to dress in character, and to bring with you
an old-fashioned picture of a man supposed to have been refused
by you. Be prepared to tell the story of his wooing and to
state what he lacked to make him pleasing to you. The narrator
of the most improbable story will be given a heart._"
When the evening of the tea comes, and the guests have all been
introduced one to another, they may be ushered into the dining-room and
the supper be served. The dining-table should be arranged in as
old-fashioned a style as possible. At the four corners place
candlesticks with wax candles, and for a centrepiece have a large
bouquet of artificial bachelors' buttons. Use old-fashioned china and
silver if you happen to have any. At each place put a few bachelors'
buttons, to which attach a menu card by a narrow white taffeta ribbon.
The refreshments should be numbered upon the menu cards, and each guest
be allowed to choose one number each time the waitress passes around.
The key to the menu given should be held by the hostess and the
waitress.
The following menu was recently used at a "Spinster Tea" and created
much merriment:
MENU KEY TO THE MENU
1. Always in pairs. 1. Cup and saucer.
2. Would they were here. 2. Jolly boys.
3. Front curls. 3. Curled molasses chips.
4. Objects of envy. 4. Preserved pears (pairs).
5. Warranted to pop. 5. Bottle of ginger ale.
6. A solace. 6. Tea.
7. Sadly missed. 7. Kisses.
8. High-backed comb. 8. Honey in comb.
9. Cause of woe. 9. Spiced tongue.
10. Courtship. 10. Mush.
11. A lover. 11. A spoon.
12. A small deceit. 12. A plate.
13. Our tears. 13. Salt.
14. Left over. 14. Heart (baked).
After all have partaken of refreshments the guests should adjourn to the
parlor where a circle may be formed, and, beginning at the left, each
spinster in turn may exhibit the picture of her wooer, and relate her
story. Two judges may be chosen by lot to decide which is the prize
story, and a large frosted gingerbread heart may constitute the prize.
STATE ABBREVIATIONS
1. Which is the most religious state? (Mass.)
2. The most egotistical? (Me.)
3. Not a state for the untidy? (Wash.)
4. The most Asiatic? (Ind.)
5. The father of states? (Pa.)
6. The most maidenly? (Miss.)
7. The most useful in haying time? (Mo.)
8. The best state in time of flood? (Ark.)
9. Decimal state? (Tenn.)
10. State of astonishment? (La.)
11. State of exclamation? (O.)
12. State to cure the sick? (Md.)
13. Where there is no such word as fail? (Kan.)
14. The most unhealthy state? (Ill.)
STATE FLOWERS
In case it is desired to represent the various states of the Union by
floral decorations, the following list is given:
Alabama--Goldenrod.
Arkansas--Aster.
California--Columbine.
Delaware--Peach blossom.
Idaho--Syringa.
Iowa--Wild rose.
Maine--[1]Pine cone and
tassel.
Michigan--[1]Apple blossom.
Minnesota--Moccasin
flower.
Missouri--Goldenrod.
Montana--Bitter root.
Nebraska--Goldenrod.
New Jersey--State tree,
sugar maple.
New York--Rose;
State tree, maple.
Oklahoma Territory--[1]Mistletoe.
Oregon--Oregon grape.
Rhode Island--Violet;
State tree, maple.
Vermont--Red clover.
Washington--Rhododendron.
[Footnote 1: Adopted by State Legislature.]
STATE NICKNAMES
Which is the Hoosier State? (Indiana)
The Nutmeg State? (Connecticut)
The Keystone State? (Pennsylvania)
The Buckeye State? (Ohio)
The Palmetto State? (South Carolina)
The Pine Tree State? (Maine)
The Prairie State? (Illinois)
The Sucker State? (Illinois)
The Lone Star State? (Texas)
The Lumber State? (Maine)
The Mother of States? (Virginia)
The Mother of Presidents? (Virginia)
The Old Dominion? (Virginia)
The Old North State? (North Carolina)
The Hawkeye State? (Iowa)
The Green Mountain State? (Vermont)
The Granite State? (Vermont)
The Freestone State? (Connecticut)
The Empire State? (New York)
The Diamond State? (Delaware)
The Creole State? (Louisiana)
The Corn Cracker State? (Kentucky)
The Blue Hen State? (Delaware)
The Bay State? (Massachusetts)
STATE SOCIABLE
Each guest on arriving should be presented with a white card on which
has been pasted a picture of General Washington. These need not all be
alike--in fact, it will increase the interest in the cards if they are
not; any picture of our first President may be used. Small ones cut from
magazines will answer the purpose admirably. Beneath the picture have
the date, and through perforations at the top of the cards run red,
white and blue ribbon hangers. On the reverse of each of the first
thirteen cards given out write the name of one of the thirteen original
States; on the next thirteen the capital of each of these States, and on
the next thirteen one of the principal cities in the States. If the
company is to be a large one the forty-five States of the Union may be
used instead of the original thirteen.
The company then forms into State groups--those holding cards bearing
the name of the State itself, its capital and principal city--and each
group agrees which product of its State is most beneficial to the
greatest number of people. When a report is called for, a vote is taken
from all present as to which product is most essential to the welfare of
the nation as a whole. Three small bouquets of red and white carnations
tied with blue ribbon will make appropriate rewards for the three
supporters of the State which wins distinction.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY
Invitations to be sent out as follows:
_You are invited to attend a gathering
of the Sons and Daughters of Erin
at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O'Rafferty,
(Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott),
105 Southern Avenue, Cleveland,
on St. Patrick's Day in the evening._
_You will please come masked and representing some Irish lady
or gentleman. Each guest is asked to furnish an Irish story,
song or recitation._
When the guests arrive their assumed names are written on cards and
pinned on each one, and they are introduced to the company under these
names; for instance, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis McFadden, or Mr. Martin Dooly
and Miss Maggie Murphy. Michael O'Toole might go as a bricklayer. There
can be an old apple woman with a basket of apples (which could be sold
for a penny a piece for the treasury). Mike McGinnis of the police force
might go as an Irish policeman. Widdy Malony and her daughter Nora, the
priest, Father McCrary, and several sisters of charity could also be
represented. Let every one enter into the fun with spirit. Have the
decorations of the house all green and have each one wear as much green
as possible. Tin spoons tied with green ribbon can be given as
souvenirs. Have an Irish potato race. Prizes of stick pins in Shamrock
designs can be given the winners, or potato pincushions tied with green
ribbons. Have green paper napkins which can be made from green tissue
paper. Animals can be made from potatoes, using toothpicks for legs and
tails. Have each guest help in the entertainment of the evening by an
Irish song, story or recitation.
REFRESHMENTS FOR IRISH PARTY
Wafers tied with green ribbon
Olives Pickles
Irish potato chips served on lettuce leaves
Green tea
Lady fingers tied with green ribbon
Green ribbon candy
ST. PATRICK'S GUESSING CONTEST
(Something green.)
1. Name of a celebrated poet. (John Greenleaf
Whittier)
2. Name of a celebrated authoress. (Grace Greenwood)
3. Child's artist. (Kate Greenaway)
4. Revolutionary officer. (General Greene)
5. Pennsylvania city. (Greensburg)
6. Cold country. (Greenland)
7. Western bay. (Green Bay)
8. Emigrant. (Green horn)
9. Domestic fruit. (Green gage plum)
10. Large burial place. (Greenwood cemetery)
11. Legal tender. (Greenback)
12. A variety of apples. (Greening)
13. A place for growing plants. (Green house)
14. A part of a theatre. (Green room)
15. A harmless stimulant. (Green tea)
16. A famous town in Kentucky. (Bowling Green)
17. Children's game. (Green gravel)
18. Another name for jealousy. (Green eyed monster)
19. A country place near Pittsburg. (Green Tree)
20. A nourishing tree in the Bible. (Green bay)
21. Title of an Irish song. (Wearing of the Green)
22. Another name for verdure. (Greenery)
23. An article of dessert. (Grenoble walnuts)
24. A beautiful hamlet near Allegheny. (Evergreen)
TELEGRAM PARTY
To interest guests who have a sense of humor and thoroughly enjoy a
little quick thinking you can easily invent new games or adapt and add
novel accessories to some older idea, such as, for instance, "A Telegram
Party."
For this party write your invitations on telegram blanks, and let your
refreshments be served not by a maid (who never enjoys extra work), but
by one or more boys dressed as telegraph messengers. They will delight
in their responsibility and will help you in many ways.
Let the boys also pass to each person a pencil and a telegram blank, on
which are to be written ten letters, dictated at random by ten guests in
turn. These letters each player must manage to use as the initials of
ten words following in such order as to form an intelligible telegram.
None of these initials can be used for address or signature, but
otherwise no limit is placed upon the ingenuity of the writer.
Then let the messengers collect the blanks, and after the hostess has
read all the amusing results let a vote be taken for the cleverest
message and a prize be awarded to the sender.
Of course, the entertainment can be extended by writing any number of
telegrams or varied by requiring that each set of telegrams refer to
some assigned subject.
TENNIS SOCIABLE
Write invitations on small white cardboard racquets. Decorate the walls
with tennis racquets and nets. Have tennis racquets hung from each
chandelier, and stretch a large net across the room. Place in this net
red and white racquets of pasteboard, each tied to several yards of red
and white ribbon, and have them all tangled up. The object is to wind up
the string on the racquets, and secure as many as possible without
breaking the ribbon. The committee should wear red belts with seven red
streamers, each containing a letter, and spelling the word "welcome."
Place welcome mottoes about the room and pinned upon the racquets and
nets. Red and white flowers of all kinds can be used for decorations.
Take small pasteboard racquets, write quotations on, cut in half and
give one-half to the ladies and the other half to the gentlemen, and
have them match the quotations.
Refreshments can be passed in regular tennis racquets; in summer,
lemonade and wafers, or in winter, hot coffee and cake.
Red and white decorated racquets can be given the guests as they leave,
for souvenirs.
TEN VIRGINS (SACRED PLAY)
Select ten young ladies who are good singers--six sopranos and four
altos. Divide into two groups, three sopranos and two altos in each
group. Have all dress in long white robes and each carry a candle. Five
should have lighted candles and five not lighted. Have all behind a
curtain and before they appear have the whole ten sing the hymn, "Be
robed and ready when the bridegroom comes." This can be found in any
sacred song book. Have a small room curtained off on one end of
platform. While singing the last verse, "We'll all go forth to meet Him
when He comes," the five with candles lighted will march forth from
behind the curtain and pass across the platform into the small room.
They go in and the door is shut. The other five virgins come forth with
_no light_ and pass across the platform silently, and knock at the door,
but they cannot get in. The five foolish virgins then sing, "Oh, let us
in, the night is dark and chill," and the five wise virgins who have
passed in will answer, using the chorus of the same hymn, "Too late, too
late, ye cannot enter now." This is found in Methodist Hymnal, No. 375.
The five foolish virgins ask the questions contained in each verse and
the five wise ones answer with the "Too late."
THANKSGIVING DAY DECORATIONS
Great cornstalks, with the husk merely turned back to show the yellow
ear, are extremely effective. A huge bunch of these on either side of
the drawing-room door will take the place of palms. They may also be
placed at the entrance to the dining-room, their sentinel-like
appearance making them charming as a doorway decoration. Here and there
great pumpkins, hollowed out to admit of the flower-pot with its growing
green, make unique jardinières. A bunch of corn, where the ear is red,
tied by means of a bow of yellow ribbon to the chandelier, admits of the
same suggestion as the mistletoe of Christmas time, and makes a pretty
spot of color, besides being the cause of much quiet fun.
A pretty feature is to have a pumpkin table brought in during the
refreshments and hold a guessing contest, which gives an opportunity for
much merriment and for the giving of prizes to the lucky guessers.
This table should be arranged as follows: Upon a small, highly polished
table (mahogany is perhaps the richest in effect), place a dainty,
embroidered centrepiece, and set upon this a large pumpkin, either on a
silver dish or resting directly on the white linen. This pumpkin should
be hollowed out, as the others, leaving only its yellow shell, the
pumpkin holding an assortment of fruit, luscious and beautiful--highly
polished red-cheeked apples, oranges, bananas and grapes; trailing here
and there among them a few red leaves, or if they can be obtained, a
spray of wild clematis, of bitter-sweet, or of smilax.
The guests are told that underneath the fruit lies something suggestive
of nature's ways, and therefore of the occasion and that they are to
guess what it may be and how much of it there may be.
The guesses will be many and varied. The fruit-dish may be passed, the
fruit disposed of, and underneath will be found the pumpkin's seeds,
which have been gathered together. The prize for the guest that guesses
the nearest can be a little horn-of-plenty drinking glass. If one wishes
to give souvenirs of the occasion, charming little pencils can be
obtained that have the lead appearing from a miniature ear of corn. This
feature, however, is quite unnecessary.
THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL DINNER
The following is a description of a novel dinner recently given a party
of twelve football enthusiasts on Thanksgiving Day.
While the ladies were up-stairs removing their wraps, a maid came in
with a tray on which were six wishbones, each having tied to it a knot
of ribbon of one of the different college colors. Of these they were to
take their choice, according to the college or university they
preferred. Meanwhile the gentlemen down-stairs had been presented with
ribbon rosettes, and as these matched the ribbons on the wishbones they
easily found the ladies whom they were to take in to dinner.
When the company entered the dining-room they found that the decorations
were in perfect harmony with the character of the game which they had
just witnessed. Chrysanthemums, which are considered a necessary
accompaniment of a football game, were everywhere. A yellow jardinière
filled with ragged beauties in red and bronze stood in the centre of the
table, while a single long-stemmed flower was laid beside each plate.
There were also chrysanthemums in vases on the mantel and sideboard. The
favors, or "mascots," of the dinner were small turkey-gobblers of
papier-mâché containing the bonbons.
A feature of the dinner enjoyed almost as much as the feast itself was
the novel form of the menus. These were written on two opposite pages of
dainty booklets, the outside covers of which were decorated with
characteristic football sketches accompanied by appropriate quotations.
These were so unique and apropos to the occasion that each guest carried
his home as a souvenir when he left at the end of the evening's
entertainment. Instead of being separated into the usual courses, the
menu was divided, like a football game, into a first and second half,
with an intermission between, and was arranged to read somewhat like a
football program, giving in outline the particulars of a game, the
various terms and expressions in which described the names of the
viands. The following is an illustration, except that in the original
the names of the different articles were omitted, a word in parenthesis
giving a hint where the meaning seemed doubtful:
FIRST HALF
I. The spectators arrive and discuss the "points"
(blue) of the game.
Blue Points
II. A tally-ho "bowls" in with the football team, said
to be "superior." The players enter the field with great
"celerity," the small boys enthusiastically declaring them
to be "crackers."
Celery Soup Crackers
III. Play begins with "a fair catch taken on the fly."
Fish
IV. A "foul (fowl) tackle."
Turkey
"Pease" follows a "runner," but "Murphy" interferes
and "beats" him off.
Peas Squash Potatoes Beets
V. The game at the end of the first half is distinguished
by the fine playing of the "backs" (canvas).
Canvasback Ducks
INTERMISSION
During the intermission the "heads" of several players,
young and green, bruised in the mix-up, receive a "dressing"
down.
Lettuce Salad
SECOND HALF
I. The wedge, or V-shaped, play is tried.
Pie--Mince and Pumpkin
II. Followed by disastrous results, necessitating a call
for "sponge" and "ice."
Sponge Cake Ice Cream
III. The "fruits" of faithful training are manifest,
A "bunch of purples" go down before a single "orange."
"Bartlett" and "Nellis," a fine pair (pear), become
"candidates" for great honor, "raisin'" cheers of delight
from the spectators by circling the ends, who are "nut"
what they are "cracked" up to be.
Fruit--Grapes Oranges Pears Candied Dates
Raisins Nuts
IV. The cup is presented.
Coffee
V. Everybody leaves the grounds.
Although the above may seem a little far-fetched to an authority on
football, the guests were not over-critical, and the novel menu proved a
great source of entertainment, keeping them wondering and speculating
between the courses as to what was coming next. Some of the guests
supposed the "bruised heads" to be those of the cabbage, it having
apparently escaped their minds that there was such a thing as
head-lettuce. Others failed to see the connection between squash and
"runner" until reminded of the fact that squash grows on a vine running
along the ground, while a smile went around the table as one by one,
after concluding that coffee was referred to in "The cup is presented,"
discovered, also, the double meaning in the final words of the menu,
"Everybody leaves the grounds."
A number of things served on the table, such as cranberries, jellies,
olives, etc., were not named in the menu, owing to the difficulty of
expressing them in football language.
After dinner there was much fun and merriment over pulling the
wishbones, the ladies having offered to break theirs with the gentlemen
attending them at dinner. Later the guests gathered around the open
fireplace, cracking nuts, telling stories, and having a good time
generally. When the time came for them to depart they voted the
Thanksgiving dinner of which they had just partaken the most unique to
which they had ever sat down.
THANKSGIVING SOCIABLE
How surprised every one was at the changed appearance of the
Sunday-school room! All the chairs had been removed and at various
places stood great shocks of corn. Upon the wall were hung red berries
and bright-hued autumn leaves, garlands of which may be easily made if
the leaves are gathered as they fall, waxed, pressed, and strung on
strong threads. In the centre of the room was arranged a large
semicircular divan made of pew-cushions covered with dark,
richly-colored draperies. There were a number of sofa-pillows heaped
upon the divan. The room was dark save for the light which glimmered
from hideous-faced pumpkin lanterns.
The committee in charge welcomed the guests and invited them to be
seated in the charmed circle. The first thing that met their gaze was an
immense pile of corn on the cob. Over this, standing on three legs, was
a goblin pumpkin with three pairs of glaring eyes, three noses and three
large mouths. A hush fell upon the company, while here and there could
be heard a suppressed giggle. Suddenly a chorus of girls' voices broke
out in a bright autumn song to enliven the drooping spirits of the
guests.
No sooner had their fears been somewhat allayed than a spectral figure
approached from behind a curtain and sat down by the heap of corn. All
held their breath as it slowly reached out its hand and pulled an ear of
corn from the pile, gazed at a tag which was fastened to it by a ribbon,
read the name of some one who was present, and threw that person the ear
of corn, demanding in a deep, thrilling voice, "A ghost story." It is
needless to describe the quaking and shivering while the story was being
told. The dashing piano solo which followed was fully appreciated.
A second ghost story was demanded in like manner as the first, after
which came singing, more stories, and music. Then one of the girls, who
could recite well, stood facing the company, with a background of
curtains, and gave Whittier's poem, "The Pumpkin" When she reached the
last stanza the curtains back of her were drawn, as if by spirits,
disclosing a long table covered with a snowy cloth, upon which were
piles of doughnuts, pumpkin pies, cheese and cups of steaming coffee.
Every one gave an exclamation of surprise at the sight, and refreshments
were served amidst much fun and laughter.