Part 8

The refreshments may be served from a buffet--the guests seated Japanese fashion on floor cushions--and may include rice cakes; tea punch; tea as a beverage; "Japanese" salad, made of all kinds of vegetables, served in inverted Japanese umbrellas; cherry sherbet; Japanese nuts, etc.

JAPANESE SOCIABLE

The invitations to a Japanese sociable should be written as the natives write, up and down, instead of across, and have a cherry blossom or a Japanese lady in water-colors in one corner of each.

The guests should be informed beforehand that each one is to tell something or read something about Japan, any little item of interest that may have been heard or read, a pretty poem or a little story. The hostess and whoever assists her in receiving should wear kimonos and have tiny fans in their hair.

Seats in a Japanese corner may easily be arranged of boxes with portières thrown over them. Numerous cushions may be piled on these improvised couches and on the floor. A Japanese parasol may be hung in the corner, tilting forward to form a canopy, and the walls be hung with bead curtains. The odor from burning joss sticks will contribute to the realness of the affair. Japanese lanterns should hang about the room.

After the stories have been told tiny bits of paper and pencils may be passed and each one present should write down the name of the one who did best according to her opinion. A Japanese cup and saucer are presented to the one who receives the most votes.

A pretty decorative idea for a Japanese sociable is to cover entirely the walls of the room with branches of trees, with cherry blossoms made of pink paper--their color in Japan--scattered profusely over them, the scene representing the beautiful gardens of Tokio. If musicians are to be present they may be screened by a lattice covered with gold paper, and vines intertwined, while tiny incandescent lights shine through. Souvenirs may be distributed from a jinrikisha covered with the cherry blossoms.

The dining-room may be readily transformed into Oriental style with very little trouble. In place of the usual tea-table have several tabourettes, each holding a teapot, cups and saucers, lemon and sugar wafers, and Japanese napkins. A cushion made of matting should be placed on the floor before each tabourette. Those who serve should be in Japanese costume. Paper cherry blossoms, fastened to tree branches, and lanterns would make effective decorations.

If it is desired to have a more elaborate menu, it may be served on Japanese plates, and should consist of sandwiches folded in Japanese napkins, vegetable salad, and rice in some form. For dessert serve sherbet, calling it "cherry blossom ice," and with it have wafers. Tea and Japanese nuts may be served last to complete the Japanese idea.

LITERARY CONTEST

Have small tables numbered and arranged to seat four or six persons. Select for each table a judge, who will distribute the cards and blanks. These judges hold the keys to the contests, so that they may be able to mark the players correctly.

Give each player a card attached to a piece of baby ribbon that may be fastened in the buttonhole. Upon these cards the number of points gained may be written, punched with a ticket punch, or marked with fancy wafers of different colors. The cards must be numbered to correspond with the tables, and as many number one cards provided as there are players at table number one, and so on.

When the players are seated at the tables which correspond in number with the number upon their cards, let the judges distribute blank paper and pencils, also copies of the questions comprised in the several contests, among the players at their respective tables.

A different contest must be prepared for each one of the tables.

When everything is ready the hostess of the evening should tap a bell for "silence," and announce that ten minutes will be given for each contest; that at the first tap of the bell all must begin to write their answers out, numbering them according to the numbers on the questions; at the second tap the judges are to collect the answers at their respective tables and mark on each player's card the number of points made. The system of marking is as follows: Each player is given as many marks as he has answered questions correctly, and the totals are summed up at the end of the game.

During the progress of the game there must be no talking nor any questions asked. At the third tap of the bell the players at table number one go to table number two, and so on, those at the last table moving up to table number one. This progression continues until all the players have had their opportunity to answer all the questions in the contests. At each change blank paper is distributed, and a bell rung as in the first instance. When the round has been completed the points are counted and the prizes awarded. A popular book makes an excellent first prize; a box of candy in the shape of a book, a second; and a "Primer," a third.

The following are the various contests:

CONTEST NO. 1

The charming heroine, my friends, Was known as ---- ("Alice of Old Vincennes"). She lived when Indians were a power, And not ---- ("When Knighthood was in Flower"). And in those past times, quaint and olden, She fell in love with ---- ("Eben Holden"). Then, while her friends began to marvel A rival came, named ---- ("Richard Carvel"). Each rival his keen sword did draw, And heeded not ---- ("The Reign of Law"). They slew each other, alas! and then She married a man named ---- ("Crittenden"). The merry bells rang loud in the steeple And loudly cheered ---- ("The Voice of the People"). The two rode away on a double bike And lived in ---- ("Stringtown on the Pike"). They did not gossip with each neighbor, But each one did ---- ("The Portion of Labor").

CONTEST NO. 2

_Write out the following quotations correctly:_

1. Beauty is always a thing of joy.

2. Let us therefore get up and go to work.

3. The man who steals my pocketbook gets very little.

4. Every one who knows you, loves you.

5. Do pretty and you'll be pretty.

6. God keeps the shorn lamb from the wind.

KEY

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

2. Let us then be up and doing.

3. Who steals my purse steals trash.

4. None knew thee but to love thee.

5. Handsome is that handsome does.

6. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

CONTEST NO. 3

_Heroes and heroines--in what books do they figure?_

KEY

1. John Ridd. "Lorna Doone."

2. Agnes Wakefield. "David Copperfield."

3. Pomona. "Rudder Grange."

4. Dorothea Brooke. "Middlemarch."

5. Dorothy Manners. "Richard Carvel."

6. Glory Quayle. "The Christian."

CONTEST NO. 4

_Fill blank spaces with titles of popular novels_

In the little village of S---- o-- t-- P----, F---- f-- t---- M---- C----, lived the H----. P---- S----. With him resided his lovely ward, J---- M----. She was A---- O----F---- G----, and knew little of T---- W----, W---- W----. She had, however, A P---- o---- B---- E---- and G---- E----. Among her admirers were R---- C----, J---- H----, and T---- L---- M----.

KEY

In the little village of "Stringtown on the Pike," "Far from the Madding Crowd," lived the "Hon. Peter Sterling." With him resided his lovely ward, "Janice Meredith." She was "An Old-Fashioned Girl," and knew little of "The Wide, Wide World." She had, however, "A Pair of Blue Eyes" and "Great Expectations." Among her admirers were "Richard Carvel," "John Halifax," and "The Little Minister."

CONTEST NO. 5

_Synonyms for names of literary men_

KEY

1. Severe. Sterne.

2. Strong. Hardy.

3. Sombre. Black.

4. Jeweler. Goldsmith.

5. Crossing-place. Ford.

6. Rapid. Swift.

CONTEST NO. 6

_The answers to these questions are the names of authors_

KEY

1. When we leave here we go to our what? Holmes.

2. What dies only with life? Hope.

3. What does a maiden's heart crave? Lover.

4. What does an angry person often raise? Caine.

5. What should all literary people do? Reade.

6. If a young man would win what should he do? Sue.

CONTEST NO. 7

_Give the name of--_

KEY

The most cheerful author. Samuel Smiles.

The noisiest author. Howells.

The tallest author. Longfellow.

The most flowery author. Hawthorne.

The holiest author. Pope.

The happiest author. Gay.

The most amusing author. Thomas Tickell.

The most fiery author. Burns.

The most talkative author. Chatterton.

The most distressed author. Akenside.

Again, the hostess may prepare a certain number of blank cards, with the heading on each one "Who and What?" On a second lot of cards she can have pasted the pictures of some noted writers--Thackeray, Dickens, Scott, Dumas, Balzac, Tolstoi, Browning, George Eliot, Carlyle, Longfellow, Cooper, Emerson, Bryant, Holmes. The pictures of more recent writers will answer her purpose just as well. These pictures can be obtained from illustrated catalogues of books. Of these cards there should be as many as there are guests if the company be a small one, or as many cards as the hostess may desire; a dozen is a very good number.

Supply each guest with one of the blank cards and a pencil and then start into circulation the cards on which are pasted the pictures of the authors. Let the guests pass the cards from one to another, and write down, according to the number on the picture-card, and opposite the corresponding number on their own, the name of each author and some book he has written. This will be found a more difficult task than one imagines, and numerous guesses will doubtless go wide of the mark. The one whose card is filled out correctly, or the nearest to it, may be presented with a copy of some late popular book, and a toy book might be used as a booby prize.

LITERARY EVENING

In the note of invitation each one should be requested to wear something suggestive of a book title.

Upon arrival, each guest should be furnished with a card bearing the names of the entire company. When one fancies he has discovered a title, he should say nothing about it, but write the title opposite the name of the impersonator. When as much time has been given to this part of the program as has been thought desirable, the hostess calls the company to order and reads aloud a correct list of names and titles, and each corrects his card accordingly; or, still better, let the cards be exchanged, so that each must correct that of his neighbor, which will relieve the victor of the necessity of announcing his own success.

The guests may represent their titles in as inexpensive or as elaborate a way as they choose. She who represents "Rose in Bloom" need only wear a full-blown rose. "Sentimental Tommy" wears a Scotch cap bearing the words "From Thrums" on the front, and, when talking, finds many opportunities of informing his questioners, "I'll find a w'y!" "The Hidden Hand" may be represented by a gentleman who carries his hand in a sling concealed from view. "A Penniless Girl" is easily represented by a girl carrying an empty purse open and suspended at her belt. "The Woman in White," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "The Scarlet Letter" are all easily represented. Three small white wings tied together with a ribbon represents very well "White Wings" by William Black.

It is not desirable that the costume speak too plainly of the title selected, for the guests are expected to question one another regarding their peculiarities, and so they must be well informed as to the books they represent.

An appropriate menu for a literary evening follows:

MENU

"And like a lobster boiled."--_Butler._ (Lobster a la Newburg.)

"What first I want is daily bread."--_John Quincy Adams._ (Bread and Butter.)

"You are lovely leaves."--_Herrick._ (Lettuce Salad.)

"I will use the olive."--_Shakespeare._ (Olives.)

"My choice would be Vanilla Ice."--_Holmes._ (Ice Cream.)

"Water with berries in it."--_Anon._ (Coffee.)

"Oh, that I were an almond salted!"--_Merrill._ (Salted Almonds.)

LITERARY PEOPLE

Write the questions on red cards and the answers on white. Have each question and answer numbered in succession. Let the gentlemen select the red and the ladies the white cards, and when the gentlemen read the questions, let the ladies read the answers. This is also a good way to match partners for refreshments.

1. What flower did Alice Cary? Pansy.

2. What did Eugene Fitch Ware? John Godfrey Saxe.

3. What does Anthony Hope? To Marietta Holley.

4. What happens when John Kendrick Bangs? Samuel Smiles.

5. Why did Helen Hunt Jackson? Because she wanted him to Dr. O. W. Holmes.

6. What did Charles Dudley Warner? Not to go into a boat and let E. P. Roe.

7. Why was Rider Haggard? Because he let Rose Terry Cooke.

8. Why is Sarah Grand? To make Ik Marvel.

9. Why is George Canning? To teach Julia Ward Howe.

10. What ailed Harriet Beecher Stowe? Bunyan.

11. What is it William Macy? How Thomas Knox.

12. When did Mary Mapes Dodge? When George W. Cutter.

13. What will turn John Locke? Francis S. Key.

14. When is Marian Evans Cross? When William Dean Howells.

15. When did Thomas Buchanan Read? Just after Winthrop Mackworth Praed.

16. What did Julia McNair Wright? Judge Joseph Story.

17. What did Eugene J. Hall? Charles Carleton Coffin.

18. What is James Warden Owen? What ten pounds of Hezekiah Butterworth.

19. Where did Henry Cabot Lodge? In Mungo Park, on Thomas Hill.

20. How long will Samuel Lover? Until Justin Windsor.

21. What gives John Howard Payne? When Robert Burns Augustus Hare.

MEASURING PARTY

The giving of such a party is a pleasing way of raising money for some charitable object.

The invitations should read somewhat like the following:

_You are cordially invited to attend a Measuring Party to be given by the East End Connett Y. W. C. T. U. at the home of the President, Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott, Monday evening, October 29th, 1905._

Below, this verse should be printed:

A measuring party we give for you, 'Tis something pleasant as well as new. The invitation carries a sack, For use in bringing or sending back Five cents for every foot you're tall, Measure yourself against the wall. An extra cent for each inch you'll give, And thereby show how high you live. Then with music and song, recitation and pleasure, We will meet one and all at our party of measure.

With each invitation should be sent a tiny bag made of a bit of silk or ribbon. On the night of the entertainment, these bags with the money that has been placed in them are brought by the guests and deposited in a large bowl at the door. The party then proceeds in the usual manner. Care should be taken to carry out the program suggested in the last two lines of the above verse. Much amusement may be created by having some one appointed to take various measurements of the guests attending, such as the length of the nose, size of the head, size of the hand, etc.

MEDICAL SOCIABLE

Procure the small glass vials used by homoeopathic physicians. On the outside of each one paste a narrow slip, on which is written the name of some trouble for which the Bible offers a remedy. On another slip write the Bible verse which gives the cure. Roll it up, and run a thread through it which is fastened to the cork. Here are some suggestions: Discouragement, Ps. 42: 5; Sadness, Ps. 16: 11; Pain, Rev. 21: 4; Doubt, Despair, Anger, Impatience, Laziness, Unruly tongue, Loneliness, Sleeplessness, Weakness, Pride, Bitterness, Covetousness. The corresponding Bible references will easily be found by using a concordance. Have one corner of the room arranged for a drug-store. Each person will receive from the "store" one bottle and the cork belonging to a different bottle. He must hunt till he has discovered the "medicine" (cork and paper) belonging to his own bottle, and has delivered the cork he holds to the proper bottle. Have papers read on the care of the body and the care of the soul, and also Bible-readings on miracles of healing. Later have some one, who has looked up the subject beforehand, read a list of some of the most interesting Scripture references to various parts of the body. These can readily be hunted out with the help of a concordance. Some of the Old Testament references will be found to be very quaint indeed. Decorate the room with mottoes, such as: "Is there no balm in Israel, is there no physician there?"

MEDICAL TRUNK

"In my wonderful trunk I have two very tall tropical trees (palms); something used by an artist (palette [palate]); weapons of war (arms); many wild animals, and two domestic ones (hares [hairs], calves); something worn by a king (crown); a bright garden flower (tulips [two lips]); a musical instrument (drum); two fish and many shell fish (soles, muscles); branches of trees (limbs); a student (pupil); something used in ship-building (ribs); whips without handles (lashes). a product of a spruce-tree (gum); something used by carpenters (nails); a part of a clock (hands); a large wooden box (chest); part of a wagon (tongue); something grown on a cornstalk (ears); a part of a shoe (heel); ten Spanish gentlemen (ten dons [tendons]); part of a nail (head); weather cocks (vanes [veins]); two kitchen utensils (pans [knee]); part of a knife (blade [shoulder]); edge of a saw (teeth); terms used in voting (ayes and noes [eyes and nose]); covering of an apple (skin); a certain measure (feet); something seen in accidents (blood); a part of a house (roof [of the mouth]); covers to pails (lids); something used in upholstering (tow [toe]); part of a stove-pipe (elbow); a part of a table (legs); something served with ice cream (lady fingers); a kind of deer (hart [heart]); part of a river (mouth); something used by negro minstrels (bones); best part of a goose (back); part of a ship (side); a narrow strip of land (neck); hotel steps (inn steps [insteps])."

MILITARY SOCIABLE

This is a form of entertainment suitable for Independence Day. "Military Checkers," played at small tables, may furnish appropriate amusement.

Each table is named for some fort: "Fort Ticonderoga," "Fort Duquesne," etc. Though the players "progress" from one table to another, all their honors are counted as belonging to the fort of their first allegiance, to which table they return each time they win.

The prizes may be in any form suggestive of Independence Day. An enameled pencil in the shape of a firecracker, or flag-shaped cuff-links, would do for the man's prize, and a cracker-jar for the lady's prize.

The piazza should be strung with colored lanterns, which can be lighted when the guests are in the dining-room at supper. The dining-room may be simply decorated with red roses and vines, and the dining-room table in the same way, a big blue-and-white bowl in the centre of the table holding the roses. These roses should be bright red in color. Small flags serve as doilies, and the china used should be blue-and-white. The candlesticks upon the table hold white candles; the shades should be red, and streamers of blue ribbons are tied about the base of the candles, falling with graceful effect over the brightly polished candlesticks. The bonbons are placed upon the table in two small raffia baskets. Each bonbon is tied about with a band of baby-ribbon.

When the supper is nearly over the baskets of bonbons are passed, one to the men and the other to the ladies. Each guest takes one candy, and it is found that no two in one basket have the same colored ribbon. Each confection in the men's basket, however, has a mate in the ladies' basket, and in this way partners are found for the old-time Virginia reel, which is danced on the piazza. As a jolly ending to the fun the men of the party set off some fireworks.

MORNING GLORY FAIR

At a recent church fair the flower-booth attracted special notice. It was decorated with morning glories made of crepe paper, in different colors. The flowers were profusely twined among the spruce boughs that formed the top of the booth, and were extremely effective and very natural. The flower-girls wore large hats with morning glory trimming, and were in light summer dresses. All the other tables were similarly decorated, and those in charge wore morning glories in profusion, twined in the hair and falling in graceful festoons from skirt and bodice. Morning glory tea was served from a small table, over which stood a large Japanese umbrella covered with the flowers; the cups carried out the color scheme of the flowers. Each person purchasing a cup of tea was presented with a flower as a souvenir of the occasion.

MOTHER GOOSE GAME

During the evening a slip of paper is handed to each guest with the name of one of the Mother Goose characters upon it. The hostess retains a list of these, and calls each in turn to repeat within the space of one minute the familiar verse relative to this character. Failing to do this a forfeit must be paid. The one who is most prompt in responding correctly may receive as a prize a goose-quill pen; and the one who fails, a copy of "Mother Goose." Just before refreshments are served the "Goose Drill" may be participated in to the time of a march, and the couples proceed to the refreshment room, where they are served with the following:

1. Shared by the walrus and carpenter. (Oysters)

2. A King's dish. (Bird pie)

3. A Queen's lunch. (Bread and honey)

4. Taffy's spoils. (Beef sandwiches)

5. The golden eggs. (Egg sandwiches)

6. Old woman's broom. (Cheese-straws)

7. What the baker made. (Rolls)

8. Sample of the pieman's ware. (Washington cake-pie)

9. Jack-a-dandy's delight. (Plum cake)

10. What the ships brought. (Apples and comfits)

The numbered list of refreshments should be printed upon small cards, which may be retained as souvenirs of the occasion. The guests order what they choose. The key is retained by the hostess.

MUSICAL CARD PARTY

A good color scheme for this affair is brown and yellow. Invitations may be in the form of a scroll, engraved with a selection from some favorite opera, or may represent the "G" clef in brown and yellow water colors. For decorations use yellow flowers, yellow shaded lights and yellow and brown hangings. Tally cards may be painted to represent different musical instruments, such as violins, guitars, mandolins, etc.; or miniature tambourines and banjos may be used for scoring, hung by long loops of ribbon over the shoulders, and becoming before the close of the evening gayly decked with ribbons--yellow for the winners and brown for the losers. Musical quotations in halves may designate partners. For prizes, musical pictures in brown coloring, burnt wood plaques of famous musicians, a Flemish musical stein in brown and yellow, a brown leather music roll tied for the occasion with yellow streamers, musical novels, an upright piano candy box with the key board movable to show the candy inside, etc., may be used. Toy music boxes and grotesque musical instruments make amusing booby prizes. A triangle, like those for orchestral playing, may indicate progressions, instead of a bell.

For a brown and yellow menu: