Chapter 6

Chapter 64,122 wordsPublic domain

The person named must jump up and catch the plate before it stops spinning or he must pay a forfeit. It is then his turn to spin the plate and call some one else into the center.

A NEW YEAR'S EVE ENTERTAINMENT

Look through your old newspapers and magazines and cut out all the pictures of the famous men and women of the century you find--everybody, from Decatur to Li Hung Chang, from Daniel Boone to Kruger, from Queen Hortense to Helen Gould, from Coxey to Kipling. Clip the names off, and make frames for them of pasteboard and gilt paper.

Write the invitations on the backs of your cards: "You are invited to attend the opening of the Nineteenth Century Portrait Gallery, on New Year's Eve,"--fixing the hours to suit yourself.

Then clear your drawing-room of all its furniture and pictures, covering the walls with the pictures you have framed. In the middle of the floor make a pedestal of two store boxes covered with a sheet, and on it stand a girl dressed as the goddess of Fame--draped in a sheet, her hair knotted in Grecian style, her bare arms hanging straight down, with a laurel wreath in one hand, and in the other a little package neatly tied. Light the room with four heavily shaded piano lamps, one in each corner.

Outside the drawn portieres seat another girl dressed as Time, with white hair and beard and hour-glass and scythe. And on the floor before her put a basket woven of evergreens, and filled with little tablets, each marked with all the numbers that are stuck in the corners of the pictures. Four little girls of different sizes as the Seasons--Spring with a wreath of artificial jonquils, Summer with roses, Autumn with chrysanthemums, Winter with holly--stand on the stairs to receive.

As the guests arrive they are led up to Time, who bids them enter his temple of Fame, and write down on the tablets he gives them, the names of those they recognize.

They enter and begin their inspection of the pictures, putting down such as they know--or think they know; and incidentally making many mistakes. And when they have finished the round of the room, they sign their tablets, drop them into Time's basket, and are led away by a Season to the supper room.

When all the guests have made the tour of inspection, and the prize has been adjudged, the winner is escorted back to the "gallery" by the whole company, to receive from the hands of the Goddess the laurel wreath and its little golden duplicate that the package contains.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW YEAR PARTIES

A novel way of selecting partners for a New Year's party is to paint upon water color paper such objects as may illustrate the different months of the year. A candle for January, to represent Twelfth Night, or "The Feast of Candles." February, a heart for St. Valentine. March, the shamrock, as complimentary to St. Patrick. For April, an umbrella, the sign of rain. May, the month for moving, is represented by a sign upon which are the words, "House to Let." June, of course, is the month of roses, while a fire-cracker is always symbolical of July. A fan for the hot month of August, and a pile of school books for the first days of September. Hallow-e'en, the gala day of October, has a Jack-o'lantern, while the year closes with a turkey for Thanksgiving and a stocking for Christmas.

Cut these out and fasten a loop of ribbon to each one, except the fire-cracker, where a bit of cord will answer both for the fuse and the loop by which to hang it. These are for the ladies, while the men will receive plain cards upon each one of which is written a month of the year. If there be more than twenty-four guests there are many other available days, as Arbor Day, represented by a tree; a hatchet for Washington's Birthday; a flag for Flag Day; a saw, trowel or spade for Labor Day, and a ballot box for Election Day. If it be necessary to use these extra days the plain cards must be numbered to designate the different days of the same month. For instance, the card that corresponds with St. Valentine's Day will be February No. 1, while the bearer of February No. 2 will be the partner for the holder of the Washington's birthday illustration.

The same idea may be carried out for dinner favors, painting the various objects on cards about four by six inches in size, and pasting on one corner a small calendar. When the guests arrive they will be given the plain slips upon which are written the months of the year, and must then find at the table the calendars that correspond with their cards.

=LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY=

At dinners, parties and entertainments given on February 12th, the anniversary of the birth of our immortal Lincoln, one aim of the host or hostess should be to imbue the affair with the spirit of patriotism; so use the good old red, white and blue for the color scheme in decorating. Busts and pictures of Lincoln, national emblems, such as the flag, shield, American Eagle, etc., and military accouterments would make appropriate decorations.

Dinner favors should be candy boxes representing either miniature log cabins or a log of wood with a tiny paper or metal ax imbedded in it; small busts of Lincoln would make ideal favors for such an occasion. Place cards may have on the reverse side a quotation from Lincoln which the guests may read in turn to furnish food for thought and conversation. The following sayings of Lincoln are suggested:--

"I do not think much of a man who is not wiser to-day than he was yesterday."

"Gold is good in its place, but living, brave, and patriotic men are better than gold."

"Let none falter who thinks he is right."

"My politics are short and sweet like an old woman's dance."

"I have never studied the art of paying compliments to women; but I must say that if all that has been said by orators and poets since the creation of the world in praise of women, were applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their conduct during the war."

"You may fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time; but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time."

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present."

"The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that anybody wishes to injure him."

"The severest justice may not always be the best policy."

"I always plucked a thorn and planted a rose when in my power."

"Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another."

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

MILITARY EUCHRE.

A most enjoyable afternoon or evening may be furnished ones friends by giving a military euchre party, as suggested for Washington's Birthday.

GUESSING CONTEST.

Supply pencils and papers to the guests having the following mixed words written upon them:--

1. Olinnlc 2. Averlys 3. Sidetenpr 4. Lair-sliptter 5. Stohen-Bea 6. Yawrel 7. Roft-Termus 8. Pecanlurib 9. Caniream 10. Yenktuck

Inform the guests that these words pertain to the history of Lincoln. An appropriate prize may be given to the one having the correct answers, or having the most correct answers in a limited time. The correct words are:--

1. Lincoln 2. Slavery 3. President 4. Rail-splitter 5. Honest Abe 6. Lawyer 7. Fort Sumter 8. Republican 9. American 10. Kentucky

SPLITTING RAILS.

Guests are to be supplied with pencils and papers containing the following letters:--

1. Loadailrrfliar 2. Aliredalrig 3. Ginlatirlairgruad 4. Wilrayalingir 5. Letairrlailerry

Which are the rails to be split or divided into ten words, each rail containing two words which contain the word "rail" with other letters. The person splitting the most rails in a given time (having the most correct words) should be awarded a suitable prize. The split rails are:--

1. Railroad, frail 2. Derail, grail 3. Trailing, railguard 4. Railway, railing 5. Trailer, raillery.

BREAKING THE CHAIN.

Several children are chosen as slaves and stand in the center of the room. The other children stand in a circle about them, forming a chain by linking each arm into the arm of a child on either side and clasping his own hands in front of him. The chain of children may circle around or stand in one place while the slaves try to break the chain and gain their freedom.

LOG CABIN.

The tiny tots would enjoy building a log cabin of tooth-picks by placing upon the table two wooden tooth-picks about two inches apart in a horizontal line, then laying two tooth-picks across them in a vertical position. Place two more directly above the first ones, then two above the second ones and so on as high as the children can build.

=ST. VALENTINE'S DAY=

Invitations for this party are written on red paper hearts. The decorations also are red paper hearts strung from the corners of the rooms to the chandeliers, between arches, draped across windows, etc., etc.

For refreshments, cakes and ices may be heart shape, also tiny heart shape sandwiches and candy hearts with mottoes on them.

For a center piece a wax cupid with bow and arrow in the midst of flowers and foliage, with various sized red paper hearts scattered around.

A large heart shaped bag with the words, "There is something in my heart for you," printed on it, contains a valentine or a favor for each guest. The young host or hostess holds the bag while the guests march along and each one in turn reaches into the bag for a prize.

The following games are appropriate:--

ST. VALENTINE'S POST OFFICE

The players sit in a circle around the room except one who is selected for postman, blind folded and placed in the center of the room. Some grown person, who acts as Postmaster General giving each child the name of a city or town and standing in a position to see the players, begins the game by saying, "I have sent a valentine from Chicago to New York (or the names of any of the cities or towns given the children.)" The children representing these cities change places quickly, the postman trying to catch them or to sit in one of the empty chairs. If he is successful in either attempt the child who is caught or whose chair he has taken becomes postman, while the retiring postman receives a small valentine as his reward. A child who remains seated when his name is called must take the place of the postman.

CUPID IS COMING

The players seat themselves round the room, and one having announced "Cupid is coming," another questions, "How is he coming?" Whereupon everyone must in turn say "Cupid is coming amblingly" or "amiably," or use some other adverb beginning with "A." When every member of the company has mentioned an adverb, the game goes on by using adverbs beginning with "B," then "C," and so on until all the letters are used up, or the company prefers to change the game. Anyone failing to supply an adverb must pay a forfeit.

HEART HUNT

Candy or paper hearts are hidden in nooks and corners, behind bric a brac, curtains, etc. Heart shaped paper baskets, boxes or envelopes are given to each hunter, to put the hearts in. The one finding the greatest number of hearts receives a heart shaped prize, such as a box of bon-bons, pin tray or cushion, photo frame, blotter, pen wiper, needle book, trinket box, etc. etc.

CUPID'S DART

A large white heart-shaped target having a small red heart for the bull's eye, a bow and cupid's dart are necessary for this game. Each person in turn stands a certain distance from the target and shoots at the red heart. A satin heart with the motto, "Cupid's dart has pierced my heart" may be awarded the person making the best shot.

A HEART GUESSING CONTEST

The following sentences are written on heart shaped cards and passed with pencils to the guests who are told to supply the missing word with a word whose first five letters spell heart.

1. Cupid's symbol--. 1. Hearts 2. Cupid greets you--. 2. Heartily 3. Sitting on the--. 3. Hearth 4. He is never--. 4. Heartless 5. Sometimes he is--. 5. Heart-sick 6. If he has caused a--. 6. Heartache 7. If he were ill with--. 7. Heart-burn 8. It would be--. 8. Heart-rending 9. His favorite flower is--. 9. Heart's-ease 10. Thoughts of love to touch the--. 10. Heart-strings

The first person who guesses correctly receives an appropriate heart shaped prize.

BROKEN HEARTS

Place two red paper hearts which have been cut into several irregular pieces into an envelope and distribute to each gentleman guest, who selects a lady for a partner and at a signal they begin putting the pieces together to form the heart. The couple first getting the pieces together in perfect order, forming two hearts, wins the contest and each receives a prize.

TWO HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE

Fasten a large white handkerchief on the wall or door. Paste or sew a small red paper heart in the center of it.

Let each person in turn be blindfolded and try to pin a heart of corresponding size over the heart on the handkerchief. The one accomplishing the feat or coming the nearest to it receives a valentine or appropriate prize.

=WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY=

To give a patriotic air to the surroundings should be the aim of the hostess in giving a party or entertaining on Washington's Birthday.

Use the American flag, various sizes, for draping and decorating pictures, mantels, door-ways, windows etc., and red white and blue bunting hung from the chandeliers to the corners of the room, over archways, twined around the banister of stairways, etc., etc.

Red, white and blue paper garlands, paper hatchets and clusters or branches of artificial cherries are attractive; and pictures and busts of Washington draped with flags or bunting would be very effective.

A military Euchre Party would be very appropriate for this occasion. Invitations written on a card with the American flag painted or printed on may be worded as follows:

Greet the guests with a military salute, which they should, of course, return.

Over each table suspend a small wooden ball with tiny holes in, just large enough to insert the smallest size flag having a wooden staff. (These flag holders may be purchased. They are usually red and have a long round stick or handle which may be tied or wired to the chandelier, or festoons.)

Red, white and blue festoons must be strung upon wire or very heavy cord to be strong enough to hold the wooden ball for the flags.

A card about three by ten inches bearing the name of a fort should also be hung over the table. Fort Sumter, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Moultrie, Fort Duquesne, Fort Riley, Fort Hamilton, Fort Necessity, Fort Dodge, Fort McAllister, and Fort Donelson are names which may be used.

Tally cards may represent flags or shields with red strings or ribbons for the ladies and blue for the men, and on the reverse side write the name of the fort and company, as "Fort Sumter, Company A" and "Fort Sumter, Company B" instead of table 1, couple 1, etc., etc.

Six players are at each table--three are Company A and three are Company B. When all are seated the bugle is sounded and company A of each fort advances to the next fort in rotation to meet the enemy, company A of the foot table coming to the first table or fort.

The bugle sounds again as a signal for the players to begin. Company A are partners sitting alternately with company B, who are partners and, of course, company A play against company B.

Thirty-three cards are used to play this game, the Joker, Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Ten, Nine, Eight, and Seven spots. Five cards are dealt to each player, the three remaining cards, called the widow, are turned face down. No trump is turned. After the deal the players bid for the trump in turn, commencing with the eldest hand. When a player bids he must name the suit he bids on. The highest bid wins and the bidder is entitled to the widow, selecting any cards he wishes and discarding others in their place. The side whose bid is successful must win the number of tricks bid or it is euchred and the opposite side scores the amount bid. A bid to play alone is higher than a bid of five and if the bidder takes all the tricks his side scores ten.

At the end of five minutes the bugle is sounded and all must stop immediately. The company which has scored the most points at that time is victorious and takes the small flag, which has been placed on the table while they were playing, and places it in their own fort. (The flag holder suspended above the table.)

All players return to their original forts and at the first sound of the bugle company B advances to meet the enemy while company A remains to protect the fort. At the second bugle call the soldiers begin the warfare which lasts another five minutes when the bugle announces time is up. A flag is given to the winning company at each table and furled above their fort, the players again taking their original seats at their own fort.

At the bugle's blast company A advances to the second fort while company B remains to hold the fort, etc. etc.

These maneuvers are kept up until the "soldiers" of each fort have "fought for the flag" with the "soldiers" of each of the other forts, or as long as the "General" may see fit.

The home fort must not be deserted by all of its soldiers at the same time. Either company A or company B remain during each skirmish--nor do company A and company B of the same fort play against each other.

At the desired time the sound of the bugle is heard and the skirmish is ended. The fort having captured the most flags gains the victory and each soldier should be awarded a suitable prize. The fort having the least number of flags may be given a booby prize in the shape of small toy drums for the ladies and toy fife or horn for the gentlemen. The "General" may then order the soldiers of this fort to serenade the victorious soldiers.

Fruit Punch with a generous supply of Maraschino cherries may be served during the evening.

Refreshments may consist of sandwiches tied with red, white and blue ribbon; red, white and blue layer cake (vegetable coloring can be obtained from the confectioner) or small fancy cakes; red, white and blue cream patties, salted nuts, coffee, cherry ice or vanilla ice-cream. Use an ice cream disher which forms the ice cream into a conical shape. Small flags having a very long pin for a staff are placed in these forts.

The menu may be enlarged by serving a salad or meat patties of various kinds.

Cream cheese served with preserved cherries and salted crackers would be a palatable and appropriate dish. Ice cream and ices may be obtained from the caterer in various appropriate molds, such as cannon balls, shields, flags, Geo. Washington hatchets, etc., etc.

A WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON IN WHITE AND RED

A White cloth covered the table at this luncheon--a white embroidered linen center piece with lace edge under which showed red crepe tissue paper--vase of red and white carnations. Place Cards ornamented with hand painted cherries and hatchets. Favors, miniature artificial cherry trees (with a tiny paper hatchet at the base) growing in (imitation) birch-wood candy boxes, which should be filled with candied cherries.

Cream of oyster soup served in bouillon cups--salted crackers.--Celery; pimentos cut in small pieces; salted peanuts in red paper cups. Serve on individual plates, chicken chartreuse with cannon ball potatoes.

Chicken Chartreuse,--Butter tin moulds (1/2 pt. tin cups are good ones) and line with cooked rice. Fill with creamed chicken previously prepared. Set moulds in pan of hot water and keep hot until wanted. Run knife around inside of tin to loosen the contents and invert mould upon serving plate. The result will be apparently a mould of rice. Place a Maraschino cherry on the top.

Cannon Ball Potatoes,--With a potato scoop cut round balls out of raw potatoes. Boil them in beet juice or use enough liquid off of pickled beets to color the water a deep red. Watch carefully that they do not cook soft enough to break. Serve a couple on each plate with the chicken chartreuse.

Thin bread and butter sandwiches.

Lady Washington Salad,--Cut the top off and scoop out the inside of bright red Jonathan apples. Place them on white lace paper doilies on salad plates and fill with the following mixture:--

Equal portions of apple and celery cut in small cubes, one-eighth the amount of pimentos cut fine and one-eighth the amount of Maraschino cherries cut in half. Use a mayonnaise dressing or one of the manufactured salad dressings mixed with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Coffee covered with whipped cream. Vanilla ice cream or any fancy cream that is white, served in champagne glasses topped with a maraschino cherry. Marshmallow cake dotted with candied cherries. Red and white cream patties.

GAMES AND PASTIMES FOR WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

HUNTING THE HATCHET

Small paper hatchets (containing candy if desired) are previously hidden in every conceivable place in rooms to which guests have access, behind doors and pictures, in vases, under chairs and tables, on the gas fixtures, etc., etc. A certain length of time should be allowed for the hunt and the one finding the most hatchets should be rewarded with a prize.

CHERRY RIPE

A tooth pick is suspended by a string in the door way or from the ceiling just out of reach of the children. Stick a ripe cherry or a candied cherry on the tooth pick. The children in turn jump up and try to catch the cherry in their mouth. The cherry is the prize and when won by one of the children another cherry must be put on the toothpick until each child has had a turn.

WASHINGTON PI

Distribute to each guest a pencil and a slip of paper with the following letters written upon it:--

1 Higtaswonn 1 Washington 2 Itesrpden 2 President 3 Nutom Nervon 3 Mount Vernon 4 Leyalv Gorfe 4 Valley Forge 5 Serrouvy 5 Surveyor 6 Wealadre 6 Delaware 7 Rechyr Erte 7 Cherry Tree 8 Rebrafuy 8 February 9 Tariopt 9 Patriot 10 Sametastn 10 Statesman

Announce to them that by transposing the letters they will spell a word which is in some way connected with the history of George Washington. The person having the correct answers first or the one having the most correct answers in a given time wins a prize. A candy box in the form of a pie full of candied cherries would be appropriate or something in a patriotic line such as a portrait or bust of Washington--a small cannon on a solid base intended for a paper weight--a drum pincushion--a miniature sword paper knife, etc., etc.

CROSSING THE DELAWARE

A space about four or five feet wide is marked off on the floor by stretching two strings from one side of the room to the other or with chalk which represents the "Delaware River." Or an imaginary line will answer. Half of the players stand on one side of the space and half on the opposite side.

Each company has a captain who gives each of his soldiers a name that denotes action and can be demonstrated--beginning with the letter "A" such as appealingly, angrily, etc. The second soldier's name begins with "B"--blindly, bashfully, boisterously. The third soldier's name begins with "C"--cautiously, carelessly, curiously, and so on through the alphabet until all are named.