Bright Ideas for Entertaining. Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott
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" |
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