Chapter I: Part 1

Transcriber's Note:

Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have
been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

BRIGHT IDEAS
FOR
ENTERTAINING

Two hundred forms of amusement or entertainment for
social gatherings of all kinds: large or small parties,
clubs, sociables, church entertainments, etc.; with
special suggestions for birthdays, wedding anniversaries,
Hallowe'en, All Fools' Day, Christmas
Day, New Year's Eve, and other holidays.

By
MRS. HERBERT B. LINSCOTT

PHILADELPHIA
GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO.
PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1905, by
MRS. HERBERT B. LINSCOTT
Published July, 1905

Thirty articles appearing in this book have been taken from
"The Ladies' Home Journal," to which the author gratefully
acknowledges permission to reprint them.

Bright Ideas for Entertaining

ACTING PROVERBS

In this game the company may be divided into actors and spectators. The actors are each given a proverb, which they are to act alone in pantomime.

The first player may come into the room where the spectators are waiting, with a sprinkler in one hand and a cup in the other. He begins sprinkling the flowers, then he pours water over them, acting the proverb, "It never rains but it pours."

The second actor also brings a cup of water. He repeatedly attempts to drink from the cup, which keeps slipping from his fingers as he brings it near his mouth. "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip."

The third brings in a purse containing brass buttons, which he takes out and counts over deliberately. Then he looks at them closely, and with seeming distrust, finally flinging them from him in a rage. "All is not gold that glitters."

The fourth actor appears with a stone, which he rolls all about the room. Then he examines it critically and shakes his head dubiously. "A rolling stone gathers no moss."

The next actor brings in a bundle of hay and tosses it about with his fork, which he carries for the purpose, looking up frequently at an imaginary sky. "Make hay while the sun shines."

This game is more interesting if spectators are furnished with slips of paper and pencils, that they may write down their guessing of each proverb when the actor passes from the room, to be followed by another.

ADVERTISEMENT ITEMS

Cut out pictures from advertisements; for instance, from "Quaker Oats," cut out the Quaker, but nothing that will tell what it represents. Have a number of them and paste on plain white paper. Number each ad, and keep a "key" to them yourself. Furnish paper and pencil to each guest and have them guess what each picture represents. The one who guesses the most receives a prize. Also request every one to write an advertisement on some article.

Still another form of the game is for each person to choose his theme for an advertisement, and write it without naming the article. He will read his advertisement, and the company must guess what article he is advertising. A variation of this game is to distribute papers, allowing a few minutes for examining them, and then let each player describe some article as nearly as possible in the language of its printed advertisement, with, of course, such changes as will serve to divert the company, and give the rest an opportunity to guess what advertisement he has been reading. Of course the article should not be named in the course of the description.

ALL ABOUT KATE

This game will furnish amusement at an evening entertainment, but may also be played after a ladies' luncheon. The questions, on sheets of paper with spaces allowed for the answers, are distributed, and fifteen minutes given for answering them. Each answer is composed of one word ending with the letters c-a-t-e; for instance: Kate is a good pleader (advo-cate). When fifteen minutes have elapsed each player signs her name and passes her paper to the person on her right. The answers are then read, and the player having the most correct answers wins a prize.

QUESTIONS--

1. Kate is a good pleader.

2. Kate judges judicially.

3. Kate is apt to use other people's money wrongfully.

4. Kate is very frail.

5. Kate sometimes gets out of joint.

6. Kate makes everything double.

7. Kate loves to teach.

8. Kate takes out ink spots.

9. Kate helps people out of difficulties.

10. Kate is good at constructing.

11. Kate gives a pledge of security.

12. Kate sometimes invokes evil.

13. Kate is perplexing; hard to understand.

14. Kate often prays earnestly.

15. Kate makes wheels run easily.

16. Kate uses her teeth.

17. Kate is not always truthful.

18. Kate can foretell events.

19. Kate makes an affirmative.

20. Kate gets smothered.

21. Kate points out clearly.

22. Kate makes business combinations.

23. Kate goes into the country.

24. Kate will now move out.

1. Advocate.

2. Adjudicate.

2. Adjudicate.

3. Defalcate.

4. Delicate.

5. Dislocate.

6. Duplicate.

7. Educate.

8. Eradicate.

9. Extricate.

10. Fabricate.

11. Hypothecate.

12. Imprecate.

13. Intricate.

14. Supplicate.

15. Lubricate.

16. Masticate.

17. Prevaricate.

18. Prognosticate.

19. Predicate.

20. Suffocate.

21. Indicate.

22. Syndicate.

23. Rusticate.

24. Vacate.

APPLE SOCIABLE

Cards are sent out with the following:

_Come to the Apple Social and see who gets the_

_B--A--P_

_L--A--P_

_N--A--P_

_Social given under the auspices of the East End Connett Y. W.
C. T. U., Monday evening, Sept. 10, 1905_

Have cards printed with a letter on each one, forming the names of various apples; for instance, B-A-L-D-W-I-N and G-R-E-E-N-I-N-G. Have as many letters of one color made as there are letters in the name of the apple, and have each group of letters a separate color. These are passed to the guests, after which each one proceeds to find the rest of the letters colored like the one he holds, and when the group is complete, the holders of the letters proceed to spell out the name of their apple. Each group then composes an original poem on its apple. The poems are read to the audience, then the prize of B--A--P (big apple pie) is given to the best poem, L--A--P (little apple pie) to the poorest, and N--A--P (no apple pie) to the group who composes no poem. All kinds of apples are served for refreshments.

APRIL FOOL DINNER

The dinner I shall serve will be plain and substantial, but it may be as elaborate as one chooses. Following is the menu:

Vegetable Soup Pickles Crackers

Roast Beef Mashed Potatoes Brown Gravy

Celery Stewed Peas Tomatoes

Bread Butter Tea Cheese Jelly

Cream Pie.

When the dinner is all ready to serve the fun will begin. Imagine the surprise of the guests when they sit down to the table, to find the soup served in teacups, the pickles shining forth from the sugar-bowl and the crackers in a covered vegetable dish. The roast beef will be cut in slices and arranged on a silver cake dish, the mashed potatoes in a dainty glass berry dish, and the gravy in small individual sauce dishes. The stewed peas will be served from the water-pitcher in glass tumblers, the celery on the bread-plate, bread in the salad bowl, butter on the celery tray, and the tea in soup bowls. The jelly will be placed on the largest meat platter and served with the carving-knife, the cheese in the gravy dish, and finally the pie on large dinner plates.

The sugar will appear in the cracker jar together with the gravy-ladle, and the cream in the china teapot. The salt will be found in the mustard cup, the pepper alone remaining as it should be. Water must necessarily be served at the dinner, but even this will not be in the usual manner. I shall serve it in the after dinner coffee cups.

The soup must be eaten with teaspoons, as the larger ones will be reserved for the tea.

APRIL FOOL PARTY

Invitations may be copied after a dance card of a "Comus" ball at New Orleans, which represents a large-sized gilt folly bell with ribbons attached. On arriving, each guest is given a favor, which may serve also as a score marker. These are follies' heads, capped and ruffled and fastened to a stick, which has ribbons wrapped around it. The colors of these ribbons, not more than two being alike, determine partners. An attached tiny square of pasteboard, bearing a painted number, directs to the tables. Instead of playing one game only, a variety of games are introduced. At the head, or "Hearts," table is a large-sized tally-ho horn, tied with a profusion of motley colors. At the conclusion of the game, the defeated ones blow the horn and the winners at all the tables are given little brass bells to tie upon the folly sticks or baubles. The prizes, both head and booby, are fools' caps of white crepe paper with huge red rosettes.

The refreshments should be as deceiving as possible. One hostess at an April first dinner went so far as to serve the entire course backwards, beginning with ice cream and ending with soup. Or a very suitable menu may be served in strange and unusual guise: potato salad arranged as cream puffs; English walnut shells as receptacles for olives; sandwiches as slices of cake with nut filling; ice cream as croquettes, cone-shaped and plentifully sprinkled with toasted cake-crumbs; cake as sandwiches, with ice cream between and tied with ribbon; coffee served in bouillon cups; bonbons served in exact size artificial fruit. Among the bona-fide dainties may be "April fool" bonbons--"chocolate creams" stuffed with cotton, button-moulds covered with chocolate, and round, yellow pill-boxes filled with flour, iced to represent small cakes.

After the refreshments the hostess may say that she has a picture to show which she has just received and which has given her much pleasure. A curtain is hung before it, which, when withdrawn with grave ceremony, reveals a mirror reflecting the expectant faces of the guests, while on its surface, written with soap, are the words "April Fool!"

AUTHORS' CONTEST

Questions to be answered by giving in each case the name of a well-known author:

1. A name that means such fiery things, you can't describe
their pains and stings. (Burns.)

2. What a rough man said to his son, when he wished him to
eat properly. (Chaucer.)

3. Pilgrims and flatterers have knelt low to kiss him.
(Pope.)

4. Makes and mends for first-class customers. (Taylor.)

5. Represents the dwellings of civilized men. (Holmes.)

6. Is worn on the head. (Hood.)

7. A chain of hills covering a dark treasure. (Coleridge.)

8. A brighter and smarter than the other. (Whittier.)

9. A worker in precious metals. (Goldsmith.)

10. A vital part of the body. (Hart.)

11. A disagreeable fellow to have on one's foot. (Bunyan.)

12. Meat, what are you doing in the oven? (Browning.)

AUTHORS' GUESSING GAME

1. When we leave here we go to seek our what? (Author of
"Elsie Venner.")

2. What dies only with life? (Author of "Phroso.")

3. What does a maid's heart crave? (Author of "Handy Andy.")

4. What does an angry person often raise? (Author of "The
Christian.")

5. What should all literary people do? (Author of "Put
Yourself in His Place.")

6. If a young man would win, what must he do? (Author of
"Wandering Jew.")

7. How do we dislike to grow? (Authors of "Silence of Dean
Maitland" and "Dawn.")

8. What would we prefer to be? (Authors of "Book of Golden
Deeds," "Man Without a Country," and "Under the Greenwood
Tree.")

9. What is a suitable adjective for the national library
building? (Author of "The Heavenly Twins.")

10. What would we consider the person who answers correctly
all these questions? (Author of "From Post to Finish.")

The answers to the above questions are:

1. Oliver Wendell Holmes. (Homes.)

2. Anthony Hope. (Hope.)

3. Samuel Lover. (Lover.)

4. Hall Caine. (Cain.)

5. Charles Reade. (Read.)

6. Eugene Sue. (Sue.)

7. Maxwell Grey and Rider Haggard. (Gray and haggard.)

8. Charlotte Yonge, E. E. Hale, Thomas Hardy. (Young, hale
and hardy.)

9. Sarah Grande. (Grand.)

10. Hawley Smart. (Smart.)

Give the most successful contestant a nicely bound copy of the latest popular book, and the least successful one a gaily colored copy of a child's primer, or a gaudy poster picture.

AUTHORS' VERBAL GAME

This is an interesting and instructive game. The players seat themselves so as to form a ring. An umpire and a score-keeper are appointed, and each player in turn rises and announces the name of a well-known book. The one who first calls out the name of the author of the book scores a point; the one who has the largest score when the game ceases is the victor, and may be given a prize. This game may be varied by the naming of well-known authors, leaving the titles of books, by these authors, to be supplied. And it may be played in yet another way. Give each player a pencil and paper, and instead of calling aloud the title of a book, as each author is announced, ask the players to write on a slip of paper the name of the author, the title of a book by that author, and the name of a character in the book. Thus:

1. Oliver Goldsmith--"She Stoops to Conquer," Miss
Hardcastle.

2. Harriet Beecher Stowe--"Uncle Tom's Cabin," Miss Ophelia.

3. William Shakespeare--"Romeo and Juliet," Tybalt.

If the game be played in this way the scores will probably be close.

"B" SOCIABLE

Be sure to come to the home of
Brother Linscott next Monday eve,
Because we will insure you a good time
By the enjoyment of our "B" social.
BUSY BEES.

Busy Bees' bill o' fare:

Bread.

Baked beans.

Beef.

Baked potatoes.

Boiled pudding.

Boston's overthrow.

Butter.

Beets.

Batter cake.

Bologna.

Bananas.

Brown bread.

This can be changed to suit any other letter and the invitations may be worded as desired. Have tiny boxes, barrels, bags, and baskets filled with candy, fruit, or nuts, for souvenirs.

If it is desired to make money, a price may be placed upon each article of food, and the souvenirs may be offered for sale.

BARN PARTY

_Miss Gertrude S. Derr
requests the pleasure of your company
at a Barn Party,
Monday evening, August 12, 1905,
on Water Road,
Shortsville, New York_

ARRANGING FOR THE PARTY

To insure the success of such a party, a moonlight night should be selected. The barn chosen should be large, the floor space ample, and the decorations lavish. They may consist of green boughs, vines and goldenrod, and a number of American flags.

The two large opposite doors should be thrown wide open for free circulation of air. The floor should then be cleared, swept and washed. High up over one door a large flag may be draped, and wires stretched across from beam to beam, away from direct draughts, upon which Japanese lanterns may be hung, care being taken that none are allowed to come into contact with the bunting in case of one's taking fire. Chairs should also be provided, and a rope stretched across one side of the open space, on the farther side of which place a table. On this table place a large bowl of soapsuds, into which a spoonful of glycerine has been put, and by its side place half as many pipes as there are to be guests. Prepare half as many cards also as there are to be guests, and write across the full length of each card the name of an agricultural implement, as hay-rake, hay-cutter, pitchfork, hoe, spade, scythe, sickle, mower, plow, reaper, binder, seeder. On the reverse side each card should be numbered at the top, and a question written concerning the implement named on it; besides this the number and another query should be written upon the lower half. Questions like the following will answer:

No. 1. What is the true mission of a harrow?

No. 1. Can you tell a harrowing tale?

No. 2. What is a hoe used for?

No. 2. What is a good receipt for hoe cake?

The cards should then be cut in halves, and the matching of them will determine partners for the bubble blowing contest. The answering of the questions will also afford much amusement throughout the evening.

BASEBALL PARTY

A novel party was recently given by a mother to celebrate the sixteenth birthday of her only son. She had been rather envious of her friends in their happiness of planning many luncheons and other pretty affairs for their girls, consequently she entered heart and soul into this party for her boy, sparing neither expense nor trouble to make it a success. It was announced as "A Baseball Party," and by enlisting the services of a niece, who was very enthusiastic over the national game, she was able to carry out the idea.

Eight of her son's friends were invited, who, with the boy himself, made the required "nine." Luncheon was first served. Before going into the dining-room each boy was assigned a place on the "team," and found his place at the table accordingly. In place of name-cards were tiny "fans" bearing the words "catcher," "pitcher," etc., and, of course, each guest knew just where to sit.

The menu-cards were booklets with the words "Official Score" written on the covers. The menu consisted of nine courses, or "innings," as they were more appropriately termed. It was written in language unintelligible to the average feminine mind, but the boys guessed what many of the viands were amid much merriment. The reading of the menu, and the conjectures as to what the courses would be, broke up any stiffness that might have resulted from nine boys lunching together. It read as follows--only in the original the interpretations were, of course, left out:

FIRST INNING

First strike (Oyster cocktail)

SECOND INNING

Where the losing team lands (Soup)

THIRD INNING

Caught on the fly (Small trout with diamonds of crisp toast)

FOURTH INNING

A sacrifice (Lamb chops with potato balls)

FIFTH INNING

A "fowl ball" (Chicken croquettes with French peas)

SIXTH INNING

The umpire when we lose (Lobster salad with cheese straws)

SEVENTH INNING

A fine diamond (Ice cream in diamond-shaped slices. Cakes)

EIGHTH INNING

Necessary for good (Preserved ginger with wafers and coffee)
playing

NINTH INNING

Everybody scores (The passing of favors)

The favors consisted of a ticket for a ball game to be played on the local grounds that afternoon for each boy, and a tin horn with which to "root," as the boys expressed it.

As soon as the luncheon was finished the nine boys departed in great glee for the ball grounds, relieving the hostess of the responsibility of further entertaining them.

BEAN BAGS

Make twelve or fifteen bags, six inches square, of bed-ticking, and loosely fill them with beans which have been washed and dried to remove all dust.

Appoint two leaders, who choose sides, arranging the sides in lines facing each other, with a small table at each end of each line.

The bean bags being equally divided, each leader deposits his share upon the table nearest him. Then, at a given signal, seizing one bag at a time with one hand, with the other he starts it down the line, each player passing it to the next until all the bags reach the last, who drops them upon the table at his end of the line. When all the bags have reached this table, the last player, seizing each in turn, sends them back up the line to the leader, who drops them upon his table. Whichever side first succeeds in passing all the bags down the line and back, wins the round. It takes five rounds to make a game, so that three out of five must be successful for the winning side.

BEAN SOCIABLE

_Have you ever "bean" to a "bean" sociable? If not come to the one the Connett Y. W. C. T. U. are having Monday evening, September 1st. If you have never "bean" to one you will enjoy the_

_"Bean porridge hot,
Bean porridge cold,
Bean porridge in the pot,
Nine days old."_

Supper should consist of baked beans, cold and hot, bean porridge or soup, brown bread and butter, and pickles, tea and gingerbread.

Bean bags to go with this sociable.

BERRY GUESSING CONTEST

1. What berry is red when it's green? Blackberry.

2. " " " used for making ladies' dresses? Mulberry.

3. " " " found on the grass? Dewberry.

4. " " " a dunce? Gooseberry.

5. " " " irritating? Raspberry.

6. " " " used for bedding cattle? Strawberry.

7. " " " " " celebrating a great festival? Holly berry.

8. " " should be respected for its age? Elderberry.

9. " " is melancholy? Blueberry.

10. " " " named for a month? Juneberry.

11. " " " used in sewing? Thimbleberry.

12. " " " named for a bird? Pigeonberry.

BIBLE CONTEST

The game of Bible Contest cards can be played very profitably and is very instructive. It can be found in any book store in large cities or can be had of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, Boston, Mass. The cost is very little. Or the cards may be written out as follows:

1. Give the first and last words of the Bible.

2. Whose three daughters were the fairest in all the land?

3. How old was Methuselah when he died?

4. Who was called "a ready scribe in the law of Moses"?

5. Give the names of the three persons who were put in the
fiery furnace.

6. Who was the author of the expression, "What hath God
wrought?"

7. With how many men did Gideon conquer the Midianites?

8. Who was Moses' brother?

9. Who went down into a pit on a snowy day and slew a lion?

10. Who said "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and
we are not saved"?

11. Who was the mother of Samuel?

12. Who commanded the gates of Jerusalem to be closed on the
Sabbath?

13. Whose flock was Moses tending when he saw the burning
bush?

14. What city was saved from famine by lepers?

15. Who waxed fat and kicked?

Name. No. No.

Have the cards distributed; then on a given signal have the answers written out; as fast as finished have them handed in to be examined by the committee who afterward returns them. The first blank for number is for the order in which the cards are handed in, and the second for the order of correctness of the answers.

BIBLE EVENING

Here is a well-known alphabet of Scripture proper names, which may be utilized at a social by ranking the members on two sides, and reading these lines one at a time, in the same way that a spelling-bee is carried on:

A was a monarch who reigned in the East (Esth. 1: 1).

B was a Chaldee who made a great feast (Dan. 5: 1-4).

C was veracious, when others told lies (Num. 13: 30-33).

D was a woman, heroic and wise (Judg. 4: 4-14).

E was a refuge, where David spared Saul (1 Sam. 24: 1-7).

F was a Roman, accuser of Paul (Acts 26: 24).

G was a garden, a favorite resort (John 18: 1, 2; Matt. 26:
36).

H was a city where David held court (2 Sam. 2: 11).

I was a mocker, a very bad boy (Gen. 16: 16).

J was a city, preferred as a joy (Ps. 137: 6).

K was a father, whose son was quite tall (1 Sam. 9: 1, 2).

L was a proud one, who had a great fall (Isa. 14: 12).

M was a nephew, whose uncle was good (Col. 4: 10; Acts 11:
24).

N was a city, long hid where it stood (Zeph. 2: 13).

O was a servant, acknowledged a brother (Philem. 16).

P was a Christian greeting another (2 Tim. 1: 1, 2).

R was a damsel who knew a man's voice (Acts 12: 13, 14).

S was a sovereign who made a bad choice (1 Kings 11: 4-11).

T was a seaport, where preaching was long (Acts 20: 6, 7).

U was a teamster, struck dead for his wrong (2 Sam. 6: 7).

V was a cast-off, and never restored (Esth. 1: 19).

Z was a ruin with sorrow deplored (Ps. 137: 1).

BIBLE NAMES

Choose sides as in a spelling match, and let the leader of the first side give the first syllable of the name of some Bible character. The leader of the opposite side will then complete the name, if he can. Failing this, his side loses a member, selected by the leader of the opposite side. And so the contest goes on down the line, first one side and then the other proposing the first syllable of some name.

BIBLE READINGS

A good way to promote study of the Bible is a "Bible oratorical contest," in which four or five contestants recite, or give as readings, selections from the Bible. If well done, it will prove most entertaining, and many people will go home surprised that the Bible is such an interesting book.

BIRD CARNIVAL

The invitations to the carnival had various kinds of birds painted upon them, and each guest was requested to come representing the kind of bird designated on his or her invitation. There were two invitations of each kind, one sent to a lady and one to a gentleman, that there might be a "pair" of each variety of bird. As the guests arrived, each was labeled with the name of the bird he or she represented, and in this way it was easy for them to find their "mates" for refreshments. The house was profusely trimmed with flowers, vines, and leaves (many of them artificial, borrowed from a near-by store); every available space was covered, the banisters, the mantel posts, the door- and window-frames, the archways, etc., and even the walls of the dining-room were hung with the trailing vines, so that the place looked like a veritable woodland dell. All the stuffed birds that could be secured were perched here and there among the vines and branches, some on nests with their mates beside them; a large owl was placed high in one corner, and in a cozy nook in another corner was the nest of a meadow lark, with father and mother birds teaching their young ones to fly. Besides this canaries in cages were distributed throughout the house, lending their music to the general effect. Bird eggs of every description were also used to help decorate. In the centre of the dining table a nest was arranged, containing a mother bird and her little ones, while suspended from the gas jet by gayly colored ribbons and reaching almost to the nest, were many prettily decorated egg shells, the contents having been "blown" from them by means of small holes made in each end. Twenty-five rhymes about birds were pinned about the rooms, the guests being required to answer them. Following are given the rhymes and their answers. The hostess kept the "key" and read the correct list at the close of the contest, when a canary bird in a cage was given as first prize and a stuffed bird as second to the most successful contestants. At the close of the contest, the roll was called and each "bird" present responded by an appropriate quotation, these having been previously distributed by the hostess.

BIRD PIE

After refreshments were served, an enormous "bird pie" was placed upon the table and each guest was given a slice. This pie was made of pie crust, and was filled with tiny trifles wrapped in tissue paper, most of them representing birds, eggs, nests, etc. On the top of the pie twenty-four little birds cut out of black paper were perched by means of pins stuck through their feet. Also pinned to the pie was this verse:

When this pie is opened
The birds begin to sing?
That is where you all are fooled;
We won't do such a thing!

BIRD GUESSING CONTEST

1. A flash of sky on wing.--(_Bluebird._)

2. Oh, shall I call thee bird,
Or but a wandering voice?
Thy note from household clocks is heard,
And children's ears rejoice.--(_Cuckoo._)

3. King of the water, as the air,
He dives and finds his prey.--(_Kingfisher._)

4. Thy plaintive cry announces punishment,
And warns the luckless boy for whom 'tis sent.
--(_Whippoorwill._)

5. You introduce yourself throughout your song,
And tell the world your brief, old-fashioned name.--(_Phoebe._)

6. "Bob White!" you call
Along the marshy coast.
Speak not so loud
Or you will be on toast.--(_Quail._)

7. Cooing 'neath barn rafters,
Pouting, sometimes, too,
Rippling like child laughter
All the winter through.--(_Pigeon._)

8. An English emigrant, bird of the street,
So common that some like thee not at all.
Yet in the Holy Bible we are told
The Father careth if but one should fall.--(_Sparrow._)

9. Red-breasted harbinger of spring
We wait in hope to hear thee sing.--(_Robin._)

10. Yellow captive of the cage,
Silver notes thou giv'st as wage.--(_Canary._)

11. A flash of white upon the sea,
And yet 'tis not a sail.
A "little brother of the air"
Hath dared to ride the gale.--(_Sea-gull._)

12. "Jenny" named in children's books,
Bright in spirit, dull in looks;
With Cock Robin as thy mate,
Nothing else I'll have to state.--(_Wren._)

13. In Blue Grass regions is thy splendor seen,
Thou flash of flame.
August thy name,
Red-coated pontiff of the green.--(_Kentucky Cardinal._)

14. Black robber of the corn-fields, oh, beware!
The farmer can do other things than scare.--(_Crow._)

15. We know how long ago
You frightened Mr. Poe--
Black-coated prophet of adversity.--(_Raven._)

16. Named for the animal the dairies need,
Yet, in thy nature, quite a different breed.--(_Cowbird._)

17. Black-winged in crimson roses thou art dressed,
Fine feathers make fine birds, it is confessed;
And none more fine than thou,
Oh, brilliant beauty of the bough!--(_Scarlet Tanager._)

18. The melody is trickling from thy beak,
And silver whistlings help thy voice to speak.
Oh, singer, famed by thousands, clear the strain
Which ripples from thy pulsing throat like rain.--(_Nightingale._)

19. Bird of the night,
Thy round eyes are aglow
With all the learning
Which the sages know.--(_Owl._)

20. The mother hen must watch her little brood
Lest thou come down and bear them off for food,
And use them for a dinner,
Oh, prowling sinner.--(_Hawk._)

21. You imitate the foe which does you wrong,
And call "Meouw," instead of chanting song.--(_Catbird._)

22. Your coat is like the leaden sky
Which drops the feathery snow,
And when that leaves us, by and by,
Still further north you go.--(_Snowbird._)

23. A symbol of the perfect Love
Shed from above.--(_Dove._)

24. I supplicate
At Heaven's gate
And rest on wing
Where angels sing.--(_Lark._)

25. I'm always offered cracker,
And though I like it well
I think some other viands
Would answer just as well.--(_Parrot._)

BIRTHDAY PARTY

_We herewith extend a most kind invitation
To you and your friends or any relation
To come to a party. This little silk sack
Is intended to furnish a good place to pack
As many pennies as you are years old.
We promise the secret shall never be told.
If Methuselah's age would be the right sum
Of the years to which you already have come,
If objections to exposing your age should arise,
One hundred would be a splendid disguise.
A musical program of very rare merit
Will be given to those who will just come and hear it.
We'll give you good cheer for the weak inner man
And a gallery of pictures unique to well scan;
We'll meet young and old with greetings most hearty
As you come, one and all, to your own Birthday Party._

These invitations can be given and sent out beforehand, each accompanied by a tiny silk bag to hold the money. Prepare a nice musical treat and something good to eat. Have each member of the society giving the entertainment bring a picture of himself when a baby or small child, and have a picture gallery. Do not forget to be very social and make every one feel that he is welcome, not only for the money he brings, but for himself also.

BISHOP'S RIDDLE

A most eccentric yet interesting man was Bishop Brooks of Brookville; although not a large or strong man, wherever he went, night or day, he was always either accompanied by or carrying:

Two playful animals--calves.

A number of small animals of a less tame breed--hares (hairs).

A member of the deer family--hart (heart).

A number of whips without handles--lashes (eyelashes).

Some weapons of warfare--arms.

The steps of a hotel--inn steps (insteps).

The House of Representatives when a vote is taken--ayes and noes (eyes and nose).

Some Spanish grandees to wait upon him--ten dons (tendons).

Two places of worship--temples.

Two scholars--pupils.

What Napoleon wished to leave his son--crown.

Two coverings of kettles--lids (eyelids).

Two musical instruments--drums.

Two established measures--feet and hands.

Two coverings for the head--caps (kneecaps).

Several articles that a carpenter cannot do without--nails.

A couple of fish--soles.

A number of shell-fish--mussels (muscles).

Two lofty trees--palms.

Two kinds of flowers--tulips and iris.

BOX PARTY

A box party can be made very enjoyable if every one enters into the contest.

Each lady should pack a box with lunch for two and at the party the boxes can be auctioneered off to the highest bidder.

Or, if there is any objection to that, the ladies' names can be placed on slips of paper and the papers put into a hat and passed to the gentlemen; the slip each draws contains the name of the one with whom he is to eat refreshments.

If this party is to make money for some society the wisest way will be to sell the boxes.

The same plan may also be followed for a Sunday-school or other picnic.

CAKE SALE

Probably the description of a cake sale that was held for the benefit of a library fund may not come amiss to show just how attractive and successful such an affair can be made. The principal feature of this sale was the cake contest--a game, with cake prizes. This game was devised to take the place of raffling, which was voted out of date. It was played by groups of ten, who on paying a fee were given printed lists of questions to be answered. Each list had to be signed with the player's name and put in the "post-office" by a certain time in the evening, and later the names of the prize-winners in each group were announced. To promote sociability and fun, a lady's and a gentleman's first prize, and a lady's and a gentleman's booby were given in each group. The prizes were cakes, iced and fancifully decorated with colored candies, and each cake was put on a wooden plate, covered with a frill of crepe paper. The boobies were ginger and sugar horsecakes. Below is the list of questions and answers used in the contest, which may be lengthened or shortened at will:

Which cake did the society woman buy? Reception. The schoolgirl? Composition. The grocer? Sugar. The artist? Exhibition. The farmer? Harvest. The mean man? Sponge. The tramp? Loaf. The minister? Scripture. The milliner? Feather. The maiden aunt? Tea. The dairyman? Cream. The champion? Cup. The pretty girls? Ribbon. The jockey? Horse. The shoemaker? The last. The sculptor? Marble. The small boys? Snowballs. The gossip? Spice. The Bryan man? Silver. The young man for his sweetheart? Angel. The fond mamma for her daughter? Wedding. The candidate for office? Election. The politician? Plum.

Then there were cakes for sale, whole or cut. Small tables were placed at one end of the hall; and here cake was served with tea, coffee or chocolate. The cake booths were attractively decorated with crepe paper and flags. Posters announced the specialties and prices at each. Watermelon cakes were the novelty at one booth; apple lemon cakes at another; a plentiful supply of cookies, dominoes, horsecakes, gingerbread dolls, and little patty pan cakes, containing a prize to attract the patronage of the children, at another. Little china dolls, marbles, china dogs, cats, vases, etc., were put in the dough when the little pans were filled. These china toys were not injured by the baking and delighted the children beyond measure.

* * * * *

At a cake sale recently held for the benefit of a church, a novel feature was introduced in the sale of "Scripture cake."

The cakes were baked in several different sizes, and sold for from twenty-five cents to one dollar. With each cake sold was given a copy of the recipe by which it was made, which was as follows:

SCRIPTURE CAKE

1 cup of butter Judges 5:25
3½ cups flour I Kings 4:22
3 cups sugar Jeremiah 6:20
2 cups raisins I Samuel 30:12
2 cups figs I Samuel 30:12
1 cup water Genesis 24:17
1 cup almonds Genesis 43:11
6 eggs Isaiah 10:14
1 tablespoonful honey Exodus 16:21
A pinch of salt Leviticus 16:13
Spices to taste I Kings 10:10
2 tablespoonfuls baking-powder I Cor. 5:6

Follow Solomon's advice for making good boys, and you will have a good cake. Proverbs 23:14.

CAKE WALK (Novel kind)

I hope this will not shock any of my readers, and I don't think it will after it is read. It can be held in a church or Sunday school room without any qualms of conscience on any one's part. Have each one come to represent a cake. For instance, sponge cake can be represented by having sponges all over the body; batter cake, by young man wearing baseball suit of clothes and carrying bat; cup cake, by wearing cups around the neck and waist; fruit cake, by carrying baskets of different kinds of small fruits; angel cake, by wearing pictures of angels on the dress and hair; one, two, three, four cake, by wearing the figures 1, 2, 3, 4 pinned on dress or coat; cooky, by wearing chef's cap and apron and a large letter E making that person cook-e; plain cake, by dressing very plainly; orange cake, by carrying orange in each hand; nut cake, by carrying nuts. Any other cake can be represented by carrying out the same idea. All should keep moving around so that the people can see what each one represents. A prize of a cake can be given to the one guessing the greatest number of cakes correctly. Refreshments should consist of every variety of cake served with cocoa or coffee.

CALICO CARNIVAL

The society who gave it had the oddly written announcement given below published in the local papers a week in advance. They also used it as a handbill:

CALICO CARNIVAL

"Consider yourself cordially invited to be present at the
correctly constructed and considerately combined calico
carnival to be held at ---- Hall, Friday night, February --,
1905, admission fifteen cents.

"Conspicuous courses served in confused compactness: One
conglomerated compound circle; one cup communicative cordial
(containing no chickory), or one cup of Chinese cheer, or
one cup of choice churned cream; one cider cured cucumber;
and one cup of cold comfort.

"Rules and regulations: All ladies to wear calico gowns,
also requested to bring half a pound of carefully cut carpet
rags each. All gentlemen to wear calico ties and requested
to bring thimbles.

"Fines will be imposed for the following: Any lady who fails
to wear a calico gown, ten cents; any lady who fails to
bring half a pound of carefully cut carpet rags, ten cents;
any gentleman who fails to wear a calico tie, twenty-five
cents; any gentleman who fails to bring a thimble, five
cents.

"P. S.--There will be for sale, cheap, cunning calico
conveniences that will be a constant comfort.

"N. B.--Any person who sits in a corner and refuses to
converse will be fined five cents.

"The sale of calico conveniences will begin at ----."

Of course, everybody came. The fines and admissions alone would have paid the ladies for the trouble of getting up the carnival.

The "conspicuous courses" consisted of cake; coffee, tea, or buttermilk; pickles; and ice water.

Among the "calico conveniences" which sold readily were the following articles: Dusting caps, button bags and bags of every description, chair cushions, aprons with bibs and aprons without, and, in fact, everything that could possibly be manufactured from calico.

The carpet rags were given to the gentlemen to sew. An inexpensive prize was given to the one who first finished his task.

CAN FACTORY

The words to be guessed all begin with CAN--the definitions of the whole words being here given. Booklets with tiny pencils attached, and containing the verses, may be distributed among the guests and, after the contest is decided, returned as souvenirs of the occasion.

1. Though this can _is_ a can, you all will agree,
The can is termed thus because it holds tea.

2. This long, narrow can holds so precious a stock,
That oft you will find it has more than one lock.

3. The most wick-éd can, tho' safe from police,
Should you search for its heart you will find it in grease.

4. This can is a can that delights you and me,
It always is "open" and likewise is "free."

5. Where breezes blow and surges roll,
With swelling form and manner proud,
This can in triumph rides the waves,
The sailor's living and his shroud.

6. Here's a can, which, bear in mind,
Lives on others of its kind.

7. They say empty cans will produce the most noise,
But, if properly filled, this will startle the boys.

8. Most cans are hardly fit to eat,
Yet you'll like this kind, nice and sweet.

9. The waltz or the glee or the bold martial strain,
Each one, as his favorite, endorses;
But for those who prefer oratorio style,
This can sweetest music discourses.

10. Now who would elect in a can to reside,
Yet this as a shelter is known far and wide.

11. A can of most sagacious mind,
'Tis "frugal, prudent, shrewd," you'll find.

12. That a horse should use cans seems indeed strange to say,
Yet if pressed to have one he'd not utter a nay.

13. To put cans in poems no one is inclined,
Yet cans of this sort in some poems you'll find.

14. In tubs and in bowls men have ventured from land,
And in cans of this kind, so I understand.

15. Now, here is a can that is yellow and round,
'Twould seem little prized, for it grows on the ground.

KEY

1. Canister.

2. Canal.

3. Candle.

4. Candid.

5. Canvas.

6. Cannibal.

7. Cannon.

8. Candy.

9. Cantata.

10. Canopy.

11. Canny.

12. Canter.

13. Canto.

14. Canoe.

15. Cantaloup.

CAT GUESSING CONTEST

1. I wonder what Tabby the ---- to now? (Catsup)

2. We will buy some ---- for puss. (Catnip)

3. We all should learn our ----. (Catechism)

4. Both are in the same ----. (Category)

5. See the ---- grazing on the hillside. (Cattle)

6. The artist's name is not in the ----. (Catalogue)

7. It is very distressing to have the ----. (Catarrh)

8. Be sure to visit the ---- in Rome. (Catacombs)

9. See the ---- crawling on the ground. (Caterpillar)

10. What does the ---- to? (Catamount)

CHESTNUT SOCIABLE

First procure a good quantity of chestnuts. Plain and roasted chestnuts may be sold at one table. They should be measured into pint and half-pint paper bags, ready for customers.

A second table will be needed for bonbons. An excellent taffy is made by stirring chopped chestnuts into plain molasses candy when ready to take from the fire. Caramels are improved by adding chopped chestnuts. Chopped chestnuts and figs added to crisp sugar candy make a good sweet-meat. Shelled chestnuts are glazed by dipping in hot sugar candy. A variety of candies can be made from this receipt: One pound of confectioners' sugar, well beaten white of one egg, one tablespoonful of cold water, one teaspoonful of vanilla. Mix well together and mould on a board. Mix it with chopped chestnuts and cut into cubes. Small balls of the cream can be rolled between the hands, and a whole chestnut (shelled) pressed on one side. The cream can be colored with fruit coloring and different shapes can be made from this. Shelled chestnuts dipped in melted sweet chocolate are delicious.

Old "chestnuts" are prepared by putting old jokes in chestnut shells and glueing them together. These will cause much fun and merriment for the young. Have a large bowl of water with three chestnuts in it and let each guest be given two toothpicks to try to get the chestnuts out of the water with the toothpicks, without getting the fingers wet.

PROGRAM FOR CHESTNUT SOCIABLE

Have some one recite "Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night" and "Over the Hills to the Poor House." Let some one sing "The Old Oaken Bucket" and "Annie Laurie." Have some one read "The Sword of Bunker Hill" and "Bingen on the Rhine." Any variety of entertainment can be gotten up with a little forethought.

CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY FLOWERS

Each month has a flower or plant appropriated to it, and to each a meaning is attached. The list is as follows:

January--Snowdrop.

February--Primrose.

March--Violet.

April--Daisy.

May--Hawthorn.

June--Wild rose.

July--Lily.

August--Poppy.

September--Morning-glory.

October--Hop.

November--Chrysanthemum.

December--Holly.

The snowdrop means consolation; the primrose, the freshness of early youth; the violet, modesty; the daisy, innocence; the hawthorn, hope; the wild rose, simplicity; the lily, purity; the poppy, the consolation of sleep; the morning-glory, contentment; hops, joy; the chrysanthemum, cheerfulness; the holly, foresight and protection.

The morning-glory is such a perishable flower that it is almost useless for the purpose of decoration, consequently it will be wise to substitute goldenrod, symbolizing stateliness, in its stead.

CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

A birthday is an important event in a child's life, and should not pass unnoticed.

A small party for little children is usually more enjoyable and more easily managed than a large one. With many mothers it is the custom to invite as many little guests as correspond to the number of years of the child whose birthday is celebrated.

Make the table look as attractive as possible with flowers. A pretty arrangement for a fifth birthday is to have a round table, with vines, or a rope of wild flowers or leaves, arranged over it to represent a five-pointed star. The sandwiches, confectionery, etc., may be placed within the star, the birthday cake in the centre, and the five guests seated between the points of decoration.

For a sixth birthday, a pretty arrangement would be a six-pointed star, the points to be made with the long fronds of the sword fern. So many people have pots of these ferns growing in their houses, and the foliage is so abundant, that some of the older fronds of the plant may well be spared. The money myrtle is also effective for this decoration, and, in summer, the little partridge vine with its red berries, to be found in every woods, makes very pretty trimming. The cake should be in the centre, and the other viands placed within the star, the children's plates between the points. Either a round or square table may be used as preferred.

For an eighth birthday, a square table may be used with walls of Troy decoration arranged for two children at a side. If the birthday comes in December, a rope of evergreen is appropriate and very effective for this decoration, with branches of holly or other red berries at the corners, the "goodies" to be placed in the centre.

For a tenth birthday, quite a long table is needed, and a pretty arrangement of vines in scallops, with a small bunch of flowers at each point may be carried out, the viands being placed in the centre, and a child's plate in each one of the scallops.

In all these arrangements due prominence must be given to the birthday cake, the principal feature of the feast. It is placed usually in the centre, is round, decorated with frosting, and as many tiny candles as the child is years old. These are placed in toy candlesticks, made so that they can easily be thrust into the frosting, and the candles are lighted just before the children go to the table. The candlesticks may be purchased at a toy store. It is an excellent idea to place some little souvenir in the cake for each child, tiny china dogs, cats and goats being desirable for this purpose.

A candy house will also make a novel and attractive centrepiece for a children's party table. Build a log house of red and white sticks of candy, and form the roof of cocoanut strips. For a rail fence use sticks of chocolate candy or straws and make the grass of spun candy.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

There in the library stood the most perfect snow-man. He wore a fur cap and long white whiskers, and on the floor behind him lay his pack, which had just slipped off his back. He held a doll on one arm, and over the other was hung a line of tiny sleigh-bells. This snow Santa Claus was made of cotton batting, but he looked exactly like the snow-man in the yard, and the children greeted him with cries of delight. Two sticks, wrapped in many thicknesses of cotton to form the legs, had been nailed to a block of wood to make a foundation for this snow-man; the other parts of the body were made like snowballs and sewed in their proper places.

Each child was allowed to throw a soft rubber ball twice in attempting to hit the string of bells which Santa held. Those who were successful were told to take some article out of the pack as a reward. Fancy cornucopias and small boxes filled with nuts and candy were found by the lucky contestants.

The children were then asked to guess the number of berries on a large piece of mistletoe which hung from one of the chandeliers. The one guessing nearest the correct number received a stick-pin bearing a tiny enameled spray of mistletoe.

Then came old-fashioned romping games, after which a Christmas carol was sung and the children marched in to supper. A star-shaped table had been arranged for the occasion. In its centre was a small but handsomely decorated tree. The refreshments consisted of turkey sandwiches, cocoa, lemon jelly with whipped cream, sponge cake, bonbons and nuts. The sponge cake was baked in small star-shaped pans, and ornamented with red and white icing.

In the parlor an immense snowball was hung from the chandelier. This had been made by fastening four barrel-hoops together so as to form a round frame, over which was sewed white cambric. Then the ball was covered with batting and sprinkled with diamond dust. A slit was made in one side, and each child put in his hand and drew out some article wrapped in tissue paper. These proved to be dolls, balls, and toys of all sorts. Some drew out tiny boxes inside of which were slips of paper with directions like these: "Look under the divan and you will find a steam-engine," "Look beside the radiator and you will find a doll's kitchen," etc.

In the dressing-room they were softly pelted with a mysterious shower of snowballs, which they endeavored to catch. The balls were packages of marshmallows wound loosely with white crepe paper.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS TABLEAUX

Build a cave-shaped box on a raised platform, drape inside and out with white muslin, fasten evergreen boughs about the entrance and at the back, draping all of these with loose tufts of cotton like new-fallen snow, and sprinkling them with mica. Sprays of red berries can be introduced with splendid effect. White covered steps must lead up to the cave, about the mouth of which may be spread white fur rugs. Let the candles be fastened plentifully around the cave, but have the rest of the room very dimly lighted. In the cave arrange the gifts, wrapped and properly marked, being careful to have one for each person present. Dress a pretty, golden-haired little girl as a fairy, with wings and spangles to enter the cave and bring out the gifts, and a couple of little boys as imps or brownies to deliver them. Low music should be played in some concealed corner, with now and again a song or chorus by a band of children dressed as fairies. The presentation of the tableaux may either precede or follow the distribution of the gifts.

BOY BLUE.--A little boy in a blue suit stands on a pile of hay, side to the audience, with a tin trumpet to his lips. Piano music, "Little Boy Blue." If the song is sung softly, it is an addition.

BO PEEP.--A little girl in a white gown, with a shepherd's crook, in pursuit of a woolly lamb on rollers, being drawn across the stage by an invisible string. She stands as if she were running, with one foot out behind her, while the lamb disappears and some one reads the rhyme:

"Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep
And can't tell where to find them;
Let them alone and they'll come home
And bring their tails behind them."