Part 12

The entire color scheme of this Fourth of July luncheon must be worked out in the national colors; as far as possible the doilies used should be designed in star-shaped patterns, with a border in wash silks of interwoven red carnations and blue corn-flowers. Suspended directly over the centre of the table, a huge liberty bell should be hung, composed of red and white carnations and blue corn-flowers. Depending therefrom should be ropes of red, white and blue ribbon, terminating at the four corners of the table. The luncheon to be served should be as far as possible in the prevailing colors, the ices might be in firecracker form, and the starry banner should appear wherever it can be introduced. Draperies and pictures indicative of the occasion should be placed in conspicuous places, and do not forget a goodly supply of pyrotechnics to conclude the day. Such a luncheon will certainly commend itself to all, and most particularly to the younger element.

Write the following verses on cards and pass around among the guests after they have left the table. Have each verse read aloud previous to the performance:

1. Though puzzles do our minds distress, We'd like two good ones now to guess.

2. We'd like to hear you tell to-day, Some funny things that children say.

3. Describe some woman in the town, Her nose and hair, her dress and gown; But do not give us her address, Nor tell her name, and we will guess.

4. We'd like a story full of fun; You're gifted, Lyman, tell us one

5. Misery likes company, they say; We'd like to hear you tell to-day (Don't hesitate, but now begin) Of the worst scrape you e'er were in.

6. Your talent gives as much delight; We wish that you would please recite.

7. Your part in this program to help us along Will give us much pleasure; please sing us a song.

8. If music hath charms, we wish that to-day You'd prove it, and something quite charming would play.

9. Tell some joke on yourself, your wife, or your friend. But we hope that you'll have it pleasantly end.

10. Describe some trip you've taken far, To Mexico, Europe, or Zanzibar.

11. Give a tale of old time when settlers were few, Of what they had then and what they did do.

12. Describe some famous picture, Whether dark or fair. Please tell us all about it, And the artist rare.

13. Without a bit of gossip sweet, This program would not be complete. Be sure that while the seasons roll, This crowd will _never tell_ a soul.

"RILEY" ENTERTAINMENT

A "Riley" party was recently held by one of our church charity organizations. It proved a decidedly unique affair and quite a profitable one also. The decorations of the church parlors consisted mainly of paper, which was most artistically entwined about pillar, post and picture. A large picture of James Whitcomb Riley was placed upon the wall facing the entrance, and over it in pasteboard letters,

"When the frost is on the pumpkin, And the fodder's in the shock."

Almost all the young people who had gotten up the entertainment were dressed to represent Riley's characters, and several of the most important presided over the booths. At one, which was literally covered with paper flowers, "'Lizabeth Ann, she can cook best things to eat," sold cakes and pies. At another Riley's poems and photographs were sold, and at still another "The raggedy man! He works for pa," knocked down apples from an improvised apple-tree as fast as he could sell them. And among the purchasers were "Little Orphant Annie," "Max and Jim," "Pa and ma and me, all three," and many others.

While all were busy buying and tasting the good things, "the old band" marched in.

"Somehow--anyway I want to hear the old band play Sich tunes as 'John Brown's body,' and 'Sweet Alice,' don't you know? And 'The camels is a-comin'' and 'John Anderson, my Jo.'"

And the impromptu band played them. Later in the evening some of the Riley poems were recited.

SELF-PORTRAITS

"Actions speak louder than words." So runs the old saw; nevertheless, a single phrase has often served to make a man famous, and many well-known personages are readily remembered through especially striking or appropriate utterances.

How many readers will be able to credit the following to the proper sources?

1. "I am the greatest historian that ever lived."

2. "All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother."

3. "I would rather men should ask why my statue is not set up than why it is."

4. "My infant son rules his mother; his mother rules me; I rule the Athenians; the Athenians rule the Greeks; the Greeks rule Europe, and Europe rules the world."

5. "Though I have the arm of a woman, I have the heart of a King, and am ready to pour out my blood."

6. "Here lies one whose name is writ in water."

7. "Where liberty is _not_, there is my country."

8. "Circumstances! I make circumstances!"

9. "As yet a child, not yet a fool to fame, I lisp'd in numbers, for the numbers came."

10. "The world is my parish."

11. "With my sword by my side and Homer in my pocket, I hope to carve my way through the world."

12. "My country is the world: my countrymen are mankind."

13. "I am called the richest monarch in the Christian world; the sun in my dominion never sets."

14. "I am the State."

15. "Life is a jest, and all things show it; I thought so once, but now I know it."

16. "If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms--never! never! never!"

17. "I came, I saw, I conquered."

18. "I could lie down like a tired child and weep away the life of care which I have borne, and yet must bear."

19. "I awoke one morning and found myself famous."

20. "Tell your master that if there were as many devils at Worms as tiles on its roofs, I would enter."

1. Edward Gibbon.

2. Abraham Lincoln.

3. Cato.

4. Themistocles.

5. Queen Elizabeth.

6. John Keats.

7. Thomas Paine.

8. Napoleon Bonaparte.

9. Alexander Pope.

10. Wesley.

11. Napoleon Bonaparte.

12. Wm. Lloyd Garrison.

13. Charles V.

14. Louis XIV.

15. John Gay.

16. Wm. Pitt, Earl of Chatham.

17. Julius Cæsar.

18. Percy B. Shelley.

19. Lord Byron.

20. Martin Luther.

SEVEN DAYS IN ONE

This fair can be planned by any society that wishes to raise money and is willing to work to earn it.

MONDAY

Have a booth with everything pertaining to wash-day--wash aprons, clothes-pin aprons, clothes-pin bags, wash-tubs, boilers, wash-boards, clothes-lines, clothes-pins, soaps, washing-powder, bluing, clothes-baskets, etc.

TUESDAY

Have everything a housewife wants for ironing day--ironing-boards, irons, stands, holders, home-made holders, fine starch, bees' wax, ironing-board slips, polishing irons, etc.

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday's booth should have everything for mending day, such as needle-books, stocking-bags, buttons, button-bags, pincushions, papers of pins, needles, thread, darning needles, darning-cotton, darning-balls, etc.

THURSDAY

Make Thursday the reception day, arranging this booth as a reception hall, with a good, live committee in attendance. Have a book for the guests to register their names and addresses (for future use). Serve ice cream, cake, lemonade and candy. Introduce strangers and appoint a special committee to look after the backward ones.

FRIDAY

Let this booth be suggestive of sweeping day. Have plenty of dust caps, dust bags, dusting cloths, brushes, brooms, dust-pans, dusters, large colored aprons (which sell readily), etc.

SATURDAY

Let this booth be a regular bakery. Have your friends bake various things for you to sell, and have on sale all such articles as will sell readily, such as pies, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, bread, baked beans, etc.

SUNDAY

Have Sunday the crowning day of all. Arrange to have a piano or organ at this booth, and secure a full choir or quartet to sing the sacred songs; have solos, duets, instrumental music and an orchestra if possible. Have sacred readings and make the time spent here an hour of sacred enjoyment.

If something extra is wanted let the singers dress in old time costumes and sing the old sacred songs with an organ accompaniment.

SHAMROCK LUNCHEON

AN IDEA FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY

The invitations were written upon pale green note-paper, with a shamrock leaf painted in water-color in one corner. The exquisitely blended shades of this leaf make it an easy and effective decoration. In truth, we encountered some difficulty in finding a leaf to copy; but a volume of Moore's poems, incased by a considerate binder in a shamrock-sprinkled cover, solved the problem!

The event was called a "Shamrock Luncheon," the hours were from two until six, and the word "whist" explained our intentions.

The score-cards were cut from green cardboard, in the shape of a large shamrock; and across the back of each was written a line of a humorous St. Patrick's Day poem, which we had discovered in a newspaper. The verses will be found complete at the end of this article. It is adapted to twenty-four guests, but it is easy to insert more lines if more guests are invited.

Each lady selected her partner for the game by finding the holder of the line which rhymed with her own. The score-cards were tied with streamers of narrow white or green ribbon, which served both to attach the cards to the gown and to indicate partners in "changing tables"--the green always playing with a white ribbon. (Care must be taken to tie rhyming cards, one with green and one with white.)

When partners had been found, the entire poem, sufficiently humorous to break up all formality, was read. As each line was read, the owner of the card bearing that line took her seat as indicated, until all the guests were easily and laughingly seated.

The six small luncheon tables were set with green and white china, and had for centrepieces pots of blossoming shamrock. Any florist will sell or rent these.

The menu was as follows:

Fruit Salad Boiled Salmon Caper Sauce Potato au Gratin Chicken Salad in Lettuce Nests Olives Wafers Pistachio Cream Fancy Cakes Iced in Pale Green Coffee Bonbons

This repast, served by three pretty waitresses in white gowns and green ribbons, was eminently satisfactory. Green and white bonbons are easy to obtain. Care must be taken, however, not to carry the color scheme too far into the menu, as green is not an appetizing color in all kinds of food.

ST. PATRICK'S BIRTHDAY

"'Twas the eighth day of March, so some people say, St. Patrick at midnight, he first saw the day! While others contend 'twas the ninth he was born, An' 'twas all a mistake between midnight and morn. But mistakes will occur in a hurry and shock, And some blamed the baby, and some blamed the clock. So that with all the talk there was, no one could know If the child was too fast, or the clock was too slow!

"Now the first faction fight in owld Ireland, they say, Was all on account of St. Patrick's birthday. Some fought for the eighth, for the ninth more would die; And who wouldn't see right, why, they blackened his eye.

"At last each faction so positive grew That each kept a birthday, and Patrick had two! Until good Father Mulcahy, who showed them their sins, Said no one could have two birthdays, but twins! Said he: 'Bhoys, don't be fightin' fur eight or fur nine; Don't be always dividin', but sometimes combine. Unite eight and nine--seventeen is the mark. Let that be his birthday.' 'Amen,' said the clark.

"'If he wasn't a twin, sure his histhory will show That he's worth at least any two saints that we know.' Then they all 'tuk a dhrop,' which completed their bliss; And they keep up the practice from that day to this."

SNOWDRIFT PARTY

An ingenious hostess provided no little amusement for her guests by what she called her "snowdrift party." This is how it is arranged:

First of all select from a good book of quotations or proverbs twenty sentences applicable to snow. Write these twenty verses on twenty cards, one verse to each card, and number them with the numbers from one to twenty. Now get together a half dozen pasteboard or wooden boxes, and fill these with flakes of cotton, wool or white paper torn into small pieces. Hide the quotation cards away in the snow thus formed. Each guest receives a wooden teaspoon, tied with ribbon, a note-book and pencil. The boxes are distinguished by letters or numbers painted upon them, and lots are drawn to determine in which "snowdrift" each guest shall dig. The digging is, of course, done with the spoons. Each player digs in the snow, turning it up spoonful by spoonful, until he discovers a card. When a card is found the quotation upon it must be read and the name of the author, if recognized, written down. Each author's name should be placed in the note-book opposite the proper number of the card, in order to facilitate the work of the person who reads the lists to decide the prize. The cards, whether the author is known or not, are always returned to the box and hidden away in the snow. At the end of fifteen minutes, work ceases and the diggers begin on new drifts. This changing is done every fifteen minutes, a player digging always in a new snow bank until the number of boxes is exhausted. When the game reaches this stage all note-books or tablets are collected by the mistress of the ceremonies. She compares the answers in the note-books with her own list, previously prepared. Incorrect guesses are pruned away with a blue pencil and the correct ones counted. It is, of course, the player who has most of these last who carries off the trophy. The prize should be in some way suggestive of the occasion.

SOCK SOCIABLE

This little sock we give to you Is not for you to wear; Please multiply your size by two And place therein with care, In pennies or in cents, Just twice the number that you wear, (We hope it is immense). So if you wear a number 10 You owe us 20, see? Which, dropped into our little sock, Will fill our hearts with glee. 'Tis all we ask; it isn't much, And hardly any trouble, But if you only have one foot, We'll surely charge you double. Now, if you have a friend quite dear, You'd like to bring with you, Or if you know some one who'd come, We'll gladly give you two. So don't forget the place and date-- We'll answer when you knock, And welcome you with open arms, But DON'T FORGET YOUR SOCK.

This little verse should be sent with every invitation to the sociable, accompanied by a tiny sock made of silk or lawn. On the night of the entertainment, these socks with the money that has been placed in them are brought by the guests and deposited in a large bowl at the door. The sociable then proceeds in the usual manner. This is an excellent way of raising money for some charitable object.

SPINNING PARTY

"Will you walk into my parlor?"

On the upper left-hand corner there was a picture of a spider spinning his web, and a fly struggling to escape from its meshes.

When the guests arrived they saw an old-fashioned spinning wheel in the centre of the room, with flax near by, all ready for spinning. They were told that all must try for the prizes that were to be awarded to the lady and gentleman who spun the best thread, after five minutes' trial. The mother of the hostess, who had done such work when a girl, stood near to give instruction, and to time the contestants. Those who have no knowledge of spinning can have no idea how much fun there is in trying to make an even thread, more especially when surrounded by interested young people of no greater experience. As the different threads were finished they were fastened to a tag bearing the name of the worker and then pinned to a square of black cloth that had been pinned to the wall for that purpose. When all had tried, a committee was appointed to help the hostess decide to whom prizes should be awarded.

While the spinning was going on the guests whose turn at the wheel had not arrived and those who had already tried were set to following the threads of what looked like an immense spider web wound around the rooms. It was composed of black and white threads, the black threads being intended for gentlemen and the white ones for ladies. They were instructed that when they found an end of one of these threads they were to begin winding it into a ball; but that they must do so very gently, or the whole web would be knotted so badly that it could not be undone. When they came to a knot it must be untied. These threads were so ingeniously twisted together and wound around pictures, bric-à brac, table legs, etc., that it took some time to reach the farther end, and every one had plenty of opportunity to talk with every one else. A card was fastened to the farther end of each thread, and all the cards had been so well concealed from view that some time elapsed before the guests knew what they were to find.

On each card were written the words, "You will take supper with the one 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)