[Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= and
italic text by _underscores_.]
THINGS WORTH DOING AND HOW TO DO THEM
THE BEARD BOOKS FOR GIRLS
By LINA and ADELIA B. BEARD
=Things Worth Doing= and How to Do Them. Illustrated by the
authors. $2.00.
=Recreations for Girls.= Illustrated by the authors. $2.00
(postage extra).
=What a Girl Can Make and Do.= New Ideas for Work and Play.
Illustrated by the authors. $2.00.
=The American Girl’s Handy Book;= or, How to Amuse Yourself
and Others. Illustrated by the authors. $2.00.
THE BEARD BOOKS FOR BOYS
By DANIEL C. BEARD
=The Field and Forest Handy Book.= New Ideas for Out of
Doors. Illustrated by the author. $2.00.
=The Jack of All Trades;= or, New Ideas for American Boys.
Illustrated by the author. $2.00.
=The Outdoor Handy Book.= New and Cheaper Edition of The
American Boy’s Book of Sport. Illustrated by the author.
$2.00.
=The American Boy’s Handy Book;= or, What to Do and How to
Do It. Illustrated by the author. $2.00.
[Illustration:
THINGS
WORTH
DOING
AND
HOW
TO DO THEM
BY
Lina Beard
and
Adelia B. Beard
_New York_
Charles
Scribner’s
Sons
1906
]
COPYRIGHT, 1906 BY
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
SPECIAL NOTICE
The publishers hereby give warning that the unauthorized
printing of any portion of the text of this book, and the
reproduction of any of the illustrations or diagrams, are
expressly forbidden.
TO
OUR
LITTLE NIECE
BARBARA BEARD
PREFACE
WE know our girls. We know and sympathize with their restless longing
for activity. The normal girl simply must be doing something, and
this ceaseless energy, at times rather appalling to her elders, is
but natural and right. It is in the young blood coursing so swiftly
and joyously through her veins, and it must find vent in one way or
another. But there is no need of doing that which brings neither true
pleasure nor the joy of accomplishing something worth while, for the
world is full of delightful things really worth the doing. We have only
to open our eyes and ears to find them crowding forward to claim our
attention, and the choice is between better and best.
There are merry frolics and active games that stimulate the health and
renew the vitality of the body and there are scores of charming things
for willing hands to make which are not only worth the making but which
bring skill to the fingers and breadth and energy to the mind.
In this, our fourth book for girls, we are giving some of the things
we have found well worth the doing, and it is our hope that our girl
friends will also see their worth and find in them inspiration for
further experiments in pastime and frolics.
THE AUTHORS
July 3, 1906.
CONTENTS
PART I
PARTIES, SHOWS AND ENTERTAINMENTS
CHAPTER I
PAGE
A FOURTH OF JULY LAWN FROLIC 3
Ground Decoration, 3; Firecracker Invitation, 4; Pantomime
Charades, 6; To Make the Sun-bonnet, 7; Shuffle Race,
10; Hurling the Lance, 10; Daylight Fireworks, 11;
Balloon Ascension, 11; The Myth, 12; Pandora Box, 12;
The Balloons, 13.
CHAPTER II
A WONDERFUL CIRCUS AT HOME WITH MOVING ANIMALS 15
Mademoiselle Rosebud, 16; To Give the Horse Power to Move,
18; Bob, the Wonderful Elephant, 20.
CHAPTER III
A NOVEL EASTER PARTY WITH NEW EASTER GAMES 33
Egg Tennis, 33; Number of Eggs, 33; To Prepare the Eggs,
34; Shower of Paper, 36; The Rackets, 38; The Game, 39;
Butterfly Game, 42; Magic Dye Kettle, 43.
CHAPTER IV
A DOORWAY PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW 45
The Stage, 45; To Make Punch’s Head, 46; Punch’s Dress,
50; Judy’s Head, 51; The Baby, 52; Drama of Punch and
Judy, 53.
CHAPTER V
HALLOWE’EN MERRYMAKING 55
Novel Ways of Telling Fortunes, 55; Invitation Rings of
Grass, 55; Black Cats, 56; Pair of Old Slippers, 58;
Cups and Bowls, 59; The Wedding Race, 61; The Vesper
Rite, 65; Bean Bag Test, 66; The Witch Screen, 66; Fairy
Airships, 70; Blarney Stone Game, 71.
CHAPTER VI
DANCE OF TITANIA, QUEEN OF THE FAIRIES 75
The Stage, 75; Titania, 79; Costume, 82; Wings, 83.
CHAPTER VII
THANKSGIVING PARTY 85
Apple, Orange and Pumpkin Games, 85; Game Court, 90; The
Game, 92; Rapid-Transit Thanksgiving Story, 92; Pumpkin
Lantern, 93; Forfeit, 95.
CHAPTER VIII
IMPROMPTU MOVING PICTURES FOR THANKSGIVING 97
Puritan Woman’s Dress, 98; Puritan Man’s Costume, 98; The
Properties, 101; A Pantomime, 102.
CHAPTER IX
A VALENTINE ENTERTAINMENT WITH ORIGINAL VALENTINES 103
The Post-Office, 104; Valentine Stamps, 107; When the Bell
Rings, 107; Heart Valentine, 109; World Valentine, 109;
Daisy Valentine, 110; Love’s Palette, 111.
CHAPTER X
THE WILD WEST SHOW ON A TABLE 113
A Panorama, 113; Pasting Pictures, 120; The Performers,
120; A Tent, 123.
CHAPTER XI
ROOF PICNIC WITH BROOK TO CROSS AND FLOWERS TO PICK 127
Sunflowers, 127; Hollyhocks, 129; Roses, 130; Peaches,
Plums and Apples, 130; On the Roof, 131; Country Picnic,
132; Crossing the Brook, 133; Japanese Tag, 134.
CHAPTER XII
THE MAGIC PEEP SHOW 137
The Slides, 138; The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, 139; Life
in Fairy Waters, 141; Easter Chicks, 143; Three Blind
Mice, 144; Dance of the Dolls, 145; The Bouquet, 147;
The Little Sun-bonnet Girl, 149.
CHAPTER XIII
PLANT YOUR GARDEN IF YOU CAN 153
A New Flower Game, 153; Marking Out Flower Beds, 157;
Flags, 157; The Rackets, 158; The Game, 159; A Tally
Card, 159; To Determine Choice of Sides, 160.
CHAPTER XIV
JOLLY LITTLE SANTA CLAUS WITH HIS REINDEER AND SLEIGH 163
The Sleigh, 164; Reindeer, 165; Santa Claus, 168;
Christmas Gifts, 170; Christmas Cards, 172.
CHAPTER XV
A LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE 173
How to Prepare, 173; The Peaked Hat, 174; To Decorate, 177.
CHAPTER XVI
HOW TO GET UP A GIRLS’ FAIR 179
A Managing Committee, 179; Blackbirds, 181; Packages for
the Blackbirds, 184; Express Office, 186; Letters, 187;
Post-Office, 187; Decorations, 187; Postmaster, 192.
CHAPTER XVII
CAMPING OUT IN YOUR BACK YARD 194
Camping Outfit, 194; Tent, 197; Table, 198; Safe, 199;
Spring, 200; A Fine Pail, 201; Camp-fire, 201; A Boat,
202; Out Fishing, 204.
CHAPTER XVIII
OUTDOOR FUN WITH HOME-MADE TETHER BALL 207
The Pole, 207; The Cover for the Ball, 207; A Court on the
Grounds, 211; A Pattern for the Rackets, 214; The Object
of the Game, 215.
PART II
MINIATURE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
CHAPTER XIX
THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT 219
Cheops’s Home, 219; The Pyramid, 220; Carving the
Wonderful Sphinx, 225; Making the Date Palm, 227; Making
the Camels, 228.
CHAPTER XX
THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES 233
Island of Rhodes, 233; To Make the Colossus, 234; Mark the
Features, 238; The Pedestal, 240.
CHAPTER XXI
THE PHAROS OF ALEXANDRIA AND THE MAUSOLEUM OF
HALICARNASSUS 245
The First Lighthouse, 245; The Building Lot, 246; The
Foundation, 248; The Marble Steps, 252; An Artificial
Island, 254; The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, 255.
CHAPTER XXII
THE STATUE OF ZEUS AT OLYMPIA 259
Throne of White Cardboard, 263; Upper Dais, 264;
Footstool, 265; Inlaying the Throne with Ebony, 267; The
Drapery, 267; Winged Victory, 268.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE TEMPLE OF DIANA AT EPHESUS 269
Ionic Column, 269; The Ground Plan, 270; The Outer Row
of Columns, 271; A Cella, 271; The Goddess Diana, 272;
Marble Steps, 274; The Side Steps, 276.
CHAPTER XXIV
HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON 279
The King’s Wife, Amytis, 279; The Foundation, 280; To
Make the Twelve Openings, 281; The Babylonian Arches,
283; Last Platform, 285; To Find the Centre, 285;
Planting Shrubs and Trees, 287; Building the Steps, 289;
Stone Broad-fronted Bulls, 293; Two Statues, 294; The
Shrubbery, 297.
PART III
THINGS TO MAKE FOR HOME, GIFT DAYS AND FAIRS
CHAPTER XXV
NEW CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS 303
Paper, 303; Holly, 304; Holly Berries, 307; Wreaths, 310;
For Mistletoe, 310; Stems, 311; Ropes of Evergreen, 312.
CHAPTER XXVI
DOLL HOUSE OF PASTEBOARD 315
Windows and Doors, 316, 317; Doorknobs, 317; Window Glass,
318; Window Sash, 319; The Frieze, 322; A Rug for the
Living Room, 323; Book Shelves, 324; Tissue Paper
Curtains, 324.
CHAPTER XXVII
THE MAKING OF A BAYBERRY CANDLE 326
Bayberry Bushes, 326; The Leaves, 329; The Berries, 330;
Ready for the Candles, 330; Bayberry Wax, 331; Candle
Moulds, 331; Candlewicks, 334.
CHAPTER XXVIII
WATER TOYS—LITTLE WAX PEOPLE THAT SWIM AND RIDE ON RAFTS 338
Patterns for the Little People, 338; A Toy Life Rope, 340;
The Bathing Place, 341; For the Raft, 341; A Little
Lumberman, 344; Launching the Raft, 345; Making the
Mermaid, 345.
CHAPTER XXIX
HOW TO WEAVE WITHOUT A LOOM 349
Method Invented by the Author, 349; A Weaving Board, 349;
Directions for a Blue and White Cotton Rag, 350; To
Weave, 352; To Lengthen the Warp, 353; To Make a Heavier
Rug, 357.
CHAPTER XXX
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN EASTER CARDS AND GIFTS 358
[8.6] Cards Representing Easter Flowers, 358; The Cross,
360; The Tulip Bud, 361; The Dainty Bloodroot, 363;
Easter Egg Card, 363; Easter Bells, 364; To Make the
Turtle, 366; The Pig, 367; The Spoon, 368; An Umbrella,
369; The Doll’s Chair, 370; Strawberry, 371; Doll’s
Cradle, 372; Bird’s Nest, 373; Sail Boat, 373; Napoleon,
375; Josephine, 379.
CHAPTER XXXI
HOME-MADE CANDLESTICKS 385
The Clay, 385; Modelling Tools, 387; Strong Table, 387;
China Saucer, 388; A Close Coil, 389; The Handle, 393;
Blending of Decoration, 394; How to Preserve Unfinished
Work, 395; Glazing, 395; Other Methods of Coloring
Pottery, 396.
CHAPTER XXXII
WHAT TO MAKE OF BANANAS, ORANGES AND APPLES 399
An Orange-skin Coracle, 400; A Canoe Made from a Banana
Skin, 401; Apple Lantern or Fairy Lamp, 403.
CHAPTER XXXIII
LITTLE PAPER COLUMBUS AND HIS PAPER SHIP 405
Columbus’s Ship, 406; To Make the Mizzenmast, 408; The
Bowsprit, 408; The Forward Deck, 409; Deck-Fence, 410;
A Spar, 410; The Mainmast, 411; The Sails, 411; A Paper
Flag, 412; Main-Topsail, 412; Crow’s Nest, 412; The
Jigger Sail, 413; Wigwams, 416; Ferdinand and Isabella,
417.
CHAPTER XXXIV
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE STARS 418
Ursa Major, 418; Ursa Minor, 420; A Fairy Tale about the
Starry Bears, 421; Cassiopeia, 421; Leo, the Lion, 422;
Northern Crown, 423; Castor and Pollux, 423; Orion, 424;
Taurus, 425.
CHAPTER XXXV
STENCIL PAINTING AND HOW TO MAKE THE STENCILS 426
Dyes, 426; A Portière, 427; To Make a Design for
Stencilling, 428; Stencilling Cheese-cloth Curtains,
433; The Tassels, 435; Laundering, 438.
PART I
PARTIES, SHOWS, AND ENTERTAINMENTS
CHAPTER I
A FOURTH OF JULY LAWN FROLIC
THIS is not to be a formal lawn party, but a genuine, fun-provoking
Fourth of July frolic with every one in comfortable dress appropriate
for active games. There is to be no dancing, no tennis, nothing in the
way of ordinary entertainment except, perhaps, the refreshments, and
they too should be as nearly in keeping with the day as possible.
Prepare your guests for something novel by issuing your invitations in
the form of giant firecrackers.
=Decorate Your Grounds=
and make them as festive as possible with fluttering flags, floating
streamers, red, white, and blue bunting, and Japanese lanterns. Also
provide a number of small flags, one for each guest, to be worn in the
hat, hair, belt, and buttonhole. This little touch of uniform will
not only make the scene gayer and more exhilarating, but, like badges
of an order, will have the effect of dispelling the stiffness of new
acquaintances, and bringing the party closer together as members of one
band of merrymakers.
=For the Giant Firecracker Invitations=
you will need several sheets of bright red tissue paper, more of white
tissue paper, and some white unlined writing paper. A ball of soft
white cotton string will also be required.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.—Lay the paper cylinder on the red tissue paper.]
Cut an oblong of red tissue paper, a circular piece of white tissue
paper, and a square of writing paper for each invitation. Make the red
oblong six inches long and three inches wide, the circle six inches in
diameter, and the writing paper four inches square. Of the paper square
make a cylindrical roll that will measure about three-quarters of an
inch across the end. The easiest way to do this is to roll the paper
on a candle, keeping the end edges even, and paste the side edge down
while still wrapped around the candle. Pull the candle out of the paper
and you have a perfect cylinder. Place the paper cylinder on the red
tissue paper oblong so that there will be an even inch of red paper at
each end (Fig. 1). Paste one long edge of the red paper to the cylinder
and roll it on the table, bringing the opposite edge up smoothly, then
paste that edge also in place (Fig. 2).
[Illustration: Fig. 2.—Cylinder in red paper cover.]
Now prepare and write the note of invitation to be put in the
firecracker envelope.
=With Short Brush Strokes,=
from inside to edge, paint an irregular band of blue, half an inch
wide, around the edge of the tissue paper circle, using water colors
for the purpose. Write the invitation with red ink around the circle
just inside the blue border, or straight across above and below the
centre.
Although the party is to be informal, a note written in the first
person does not harmonize with the impersonal nature of a firecracker,
therefore it is better to word the invitation something like this:
Miss Mary Brown requests the pleasure of the Misses Green’s
company at an informal lawn frolic on Wednesday, the Fourth
of July, from four to six o’clock. Active games.
[Illustration: Fig. 3.—The note of invitation looks like this.]
When the ink is quite dry pinch the paper together at the centre,
making it look something like a paper flower, twist it a little, and
tie on the point a piece of the white cotton string. The string should
be about ten inches long and must be tied at the middle (Fig. 3). Drop
one end of the string through the cylinder and, taking hold of the
end, draw the invitation into its envelope. Crush in the extra red
paper at each end until it fills the opening and leaves the string
extending from the centre (Fig. 4). Write the address and the words,
“Pull the long string,” on the outside of the now almost perfect giant
firecracker, and deliver by hand, for such an invitation would be
broken and spoiled in going through the mail.
[Illustration: Fig. 4.—Giant firecracker with invitation inside.]
The following
=Order of Entertainment=
is well adapted to the Fourth of July lawn frolic:
Out-of-door Pantomime Charades.
Shuffle Race.
Hurling the Lance.
Daylight Fireworks.
The programme opens with the not too vigorous game of
=Pantomime Charades.=
This will give all the opportunity of taking part and alternately
acting and resting. Stake out the four corners of your stage with
groups of flags, driving their sticks into the ground to hold them
upright. Provide seats for the audience in front of the stage and at
the back or side arrange a screen as dressing and green room for the
actors.
[Illustration: Making Hay While the Sun Shines.]
Divide the party into two sides of equal numbers and let the first
side choose a proverb to be acted out in pantomime and guessed by the
opposite side, which is taking the part of audience. When the proverb
is guessed the actors must retire and the other side take the stage.
If the subject of the first charade is not guessed the same side must
present another proverb, putting new actors in the place of those who
have just taken part. Not a word must be spoken in the charade, but the
actors must make their meaning as clear as possible by good acting.
Our first illustration shows the out-of-door pantomime charade in
progress. The proverb is: “Make hay while the sun shines.” This
requires but one act as the first part, “Make hay,” and the last part,
“while the sun shines,” are both represented. Making hay is acted out
and that the sun is shining is implied by the quaint sunbonnets and
wide-brimmed hats worn by the actors.
=The Costumes Are Impromptu,=
and may be prepared in a few minutes. The odd and most charmingly
becoming bonnets, somewhat resembling Dutch caps, are made of
newspapers, pinned in shape. The men’s wide-brimmed hats are simply
ordinary hats with wide brims made of wrapping paper. Black derby hats
were worn on this occasion, but straw hats are better. The girls’
dresses are turned up in front and pinned at the back. If checked
gingham aprons are worn looped up at one side they will add to the
color effect of the costume.
=To Make the Sun-bonnet,=
take one folded sheet of a newspaper and turn the folded edge back four
inches (Fig. 5). Fold down the corners like Fig. 6, put it on the head,
bring the straight edge together at the back and pin it with a large
pin. Bend out the laps at the sides and you have made Fig. 7; Fig.
8 gives the pattern of the boy’s hat. Cut a large circle from rather
stiff, new wrapping paper; press it down upon the top of the crown of a
man’s straw hat; crease it along the edge of the crown, then cut a hole
in the centre two inches within the creased line. Slash from the inner
edge to the creased line as shown in Fig. 8, fit the paper brim over
the crown of the straw hat and pin in place to the hat band.
[Illustration: Fig. 5.—Fold the newspaper for the bonnet like this.]
[Illustration: Fig. 6.—Fold down the two corners.]
High peaked hats, wide collars, and even short capes may be quickly
manufactured from paper and the effect of the impromptu costume is
marvelously good.
[Illustration: Fig. 7.—A most becoming newspaper bonnet.]
[Illustration: Fig. 8.—Cut the boys’ hat brims like this.]
=The Shuffle Race,=
next in order, is new and it is funny. Its requisites are, for the
girls, short skirts, held well above the ankles, and low shoes or
slippers many times too large, worn over ordinary shoes. Unless the
foot can be lifted out of the shoe without touching it with the hands
the shoe is too small. For the boys you must provide the largest sized
slippers obtainable, having uppers only at the toes.
The course should be about one hundred feet over a smoothly shaven
lawn. The contestants must stand in line at the starting point and
at the word “go,” start off on the race, shuffling along as fast as
possible. The boys have no advantage over the girls in this game,
for it is no easier for one to cover the distance quickly, shuffling
along in the large shoes, than for the other, and both look equally
ridiculous in their absurdly frantic efforts to win the race.
After resting from the shuffle race allow your guests to try their
skill at
=Hurling the Lance.=
From the limb of a tree have suspended five or six feet from the ground
a small wooden hoop, about eighteen inches in diameter, covered like a
drumhead with white tissue paper.
Provide each player with a round, green, tapering stake, white tipped
and five feet long—the kind used for propping up plants. On the blunt
end of each stake, or lance, should be tied streamers of red, white,
and blue, which will make streaks of color as they are sent hurtling
through the air.
[Illustration: Hurrying Along in the Shuffle Race.]
Clear the space on the far side of the hoop that no one may be hurt
by the falling lances, then have each player in turn throw his
or her lance with the object of piercing the paper and sending the
lance entirely through the ring. Each player may have three trials in
succession, and unless her lance passes through the hoop at least once
she is counted out. There are three rounds and the player wins who, at
the end, has succeeded most frequently in sending her lance through the
hoop.
Let the farewell be a
=Burst of Daylight Fireworks.=
Strings of firecrackers stretched from tree to tree, bunches hidden
under barrels, harmless torpedoes for your guests to explode, and any
other fireworks that do not need darkness for a background may be used.
It is a good idea to make
=The Balloon Ascension=
an especial feature of the display. In the early days of our country
“Independence Day” was not to be thought of without a balloon
ascension, and the time-honored custom may be observed, but in a new
way. This part of the programme should come as a complete surprise, and
all the preparation for it be kept secret, that none of your guests may
suspect what you have in store for them. The old observances always
included a patriotic speech, and that, too, should form a part of the
ceremony, being used as an introduction to the balloon ascension. You
may make the speech yourself or get some one to do it for you, but in
either case let it be quite short. Balloons should not be mentioned,
but in some way the old Grecian myth of Pandora and her wonderful box
must be brought in.
=The Myth=
can be used quite appropriately and effectively for, as you will
remember, it was to punish Prometheus, and mankind in general, for
stealing fire that Zeus commanded Hephæstus to form from earth this
most beautiful Pandora, in order that by the charms with which the
other gods endowed her, she might bring trouble and vexation upon them.
It does not appear to have been altogether her charms, however, that
worked the mischief, for we are told it was curiosity that induced her
to open the box, or cask, which was filled with winged blessings for
men, thus allowing all of the blessings except hope to escape. As the
remarks are being brought to a close have your
=Pandora Box=
carried out and placed in front of the speaker.
In this case the box is to be a good-sized sugar-barrel, wrapped in
flags, or red, white, and blue bunting, and having a lid that is easily
lifted. With the final words let the speaker step forward and suddenly
raise the lid of the barrel. This will set free not the things that
were in the original Pandora box, but a number of gas-filled, rubber,
toy balloons, that will burst out like a volley of fireworks, for a
moment filling the air with color and movement, then sailing upward and
away to finally disappear from view in the blue sky overhead.
In preparing your Pandora box choose a barrel that is perfectly smooth
inside, without long splinters or nails to pierce the fragile balloons.
Then see that the cover has a handle or knob by which it can be lifted.
A spool fastened on with a screw will serve very well and is easily
grasped by the hand.
=The Balloons=
are the kind one sees for sale on the streets tied in great bunches by
their long strings. Red is the most common color, but sometimes they
vary. Frequently there are white ones with red or yellow lettering and
bands, and again, just before the Fourth, red, white, and blue ones may
be found. Have all the colors possible, and crowd in as many as the
barrel will hold, cutting the strings off close to the balloons that
they may not become entangled, and taking great care that they do not
escape, like the blessings, before their time.
[Illustration: CIRCUS
THE MODERN TRIUMPH
CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCES—NOVEL FEATURES
MADEMOISELLE ROSEBUD
_IN HER_
THRILLING AND DARING HORSEBACK FEATS
UNPARALLELED TRICKS
_OF_
BOB, THE TRAINED ELEPHANT
_COME AND SEE_ ==== _FUN FOR ALL_
DON’T MISS THE SHOW]