3-^ .^iii^r; .*' *. °.v/mw; ,v^. •<*» o « • S 4 > V '■ THE LEAGUE AT WORK SERIES FIFTY SOCIAL EVENINGS FOR EPWORTH LEAGUES AND THE HOME CIRCLE BY MRS. ANNIE E. SMILEY WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY REV W. I. HAVEN NEW YORK: HUNT & EATO^ CINCINNATI : CRANSTON & CURTS 5^ Copyright, 1894, by HUNT & EATON, New York. LC Control Number tmp96 026332 Composition, electrotypingy printing, and binding by HUNT & EATON, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. TO HELP THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK IN THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE THE LEAGUE SOCIALS BRIGHT, ENTERTAINING, AND INSTRUCTIVE THIS LITTLE BOOK IS WRITTEN, AND IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE TWELVE THOUSAND FOURTH VICE PRESIDENTS OF THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. CONTENTS. PAGE 1. Quartered Quotations 9 2. Literary Salad 9 3. Nutting Party 10 4. Uncompleted Quotations 11 5. Plagiarism 12 6. Rhyming Contest. 12 7. Illustrated Poems 13 8. Illustrated Nursery Rhymes 14 9. Living Rulers 14 10. Cozy Tea 15 11. Conundrum Social 16 12. Penny Social 17 13. Flower Social 19 14. Rose Lawn Party 20 15. Dolls' Reception 21 16. An Apple Party 23 17. Corn Festival 24 18. Veterans' Reception 25 19. Camp Fire 26 20. Rival Camps 28 21. Valentine Social 29 22. Lady Washington Reception ..... 30 23. Epworth Guards' Drill 31 24. Parliamentary Drill 32 25. District " Skule " 33 6 Contents. PAGE 26. Geography Game 34 27. Improved Spelling Match 37 28. Pronouncing Match 38 29. Fortune Telling by Numbers 39 30. " Hit or Miss " Social 40 3 1 . Conversation Social 42 32. Cradle Songs of All Nations 44 33. Birthday Evening 44 34. Scrapbook Social . ." 46 35. Cobweb Social 47 36. Cooking School 48 37. A Tourists' Social .49 38. Autograph Social 50 39. The Family Picture Gallery 52 40. Grandma's Garden 54 41. Observation Party 55 42. Information Party 56 43. Acting Charades and Proverbs . . . . 58 44. Historical Characters and Impersonations. 59 45. Parlor Concert 61 46. Crayon Social . ... 62 47. Illustrated Book Titles 63 48. Book Reviews 65 49. Feast of All Nations 66 50. Souvenir Social 67 A Dollar, Experience or Talent Social . . 68 INTRODUCTION, WHO has not read "The Arabian Nights " and delighted in the art that kept a restless mon- arch entertained so many months? More restless than a monarch is the American mind. ' ' What shall I do next ? " is its most frequent question. Most of us are soon at our wits' end in answering this question in our social life, and will welcome eagerly this little volume from a modern Scheherezade, the wife of one of our pastors. She describes here, with that care in detail that is so necessary and so helpful, a series of elevating entertainments that any group of young people can successfully carry out. She has tested most of these receipts and so knows that they will work. I must confess to real pleasure in reading every word of this volume. Aromas and visions of happy evenings come from the sentences much as savory odors haunt one when scanning a cookbook. I hope the volume will have a wide circulation and help to solve the problem of social evenings in our Church life. William Ingraham Haven. Brookline, Mass. FIFTY SOCIAL EVENINGS. 1. QUARTERED QUOTATIONS. A NUMBER of interesting evenings, where the chief entertainment is found in choice quota- tions, given in different forms, will be grouped to- gether, but each will be found sufficient in itself for an evening's amusement. For Quartered Quotations have each selection written plainly on large cards. These cards are then marked in zigzag lines, and each card is cut, with a sharp knife, into four pieces. As the young people enter the room a quarter section is given to each, and a lively search then be- gins to find the other three who have the missing parts of the quotation card. When all the pieces are matched one of each quartet reads the quotation and tells the author's name. If this is not given correctly any other four can call out the correct name of the author and secure the quartered quotation. The four having the largest number at the close of the contest are declared the winners. 2. LITERARY SALAD. This is not a new game, but may be made ever new by varying the quotations. 10 Fifty Social Evenings. A hundred leaves of pale green tissue paper are cut out and crimped to represent lettuce leaves, and these form the basis of the salad. A hundred choice selections from favorite authors are plainly written on slips of paper, and these are each pinned or sewed to a lettuce leaf. Each quotation is numbered, and a corresponding list of numbers and authors' names is kept for reference. These salad leaves are arranged in overlapping rows on a large plate or serving tray, and are passed to everyone in the room. As many as desire to take part in the game take one leaf, and then the contest begins. Each per- son rises, reads his quotation, and tells the author. If he cannot tell, he says, " I don't know," and the first person calling out the correct name secures the salad leaf, which is carried to him. At a recent contest in which I took part one young lady secured eighteen of the one hundred leaves, and won the simple prize of a package of candy. It is not necessary to give out all the salad leaves before beginning the game, as the dish may be passed again after the first help- ing is disposed of. Perhaps it is needless to say that the quotations selected should be very familiar ones, as these are much more enjoyable than obscure ones. 3. NUTTING PARTY. This, if rightly managed, will give an evening of rare fun, and will effectually break up any feeling of constraint or timidity among the young people. It is well to have a new barn or unfurnished house in which to hold the social, as it is a little boisterous for a private home or League room. , A peck or Fifty Social Evenings. 11 more of peanuts are to be hidden in different places about the room where they may be easily reached. When the members of the nutting party arrive each person is supplied with a small five cent market basket, and at a given signal they start around the room, filling their baskets as they find the nuts. Ten minutes are given to the search, and the party is then called to order, and each reports the number of nuts secured. The one finding the largest num- ber is given a small prize if desired. Among the hidden peanuts a good number of English walnuts should be placed, and in each of these should be found a humorous quotation. This can easily be accomplished by writing the humorous selection on thin pieces of paper, folding compactly and placing each inside a perfect walnut shell, which is then glued together. After the quotations are read and laughed over a reserve supply of peanuts is passed, and all the small baskets are filled, only to be emptied again by the tired but happy nutting party. 4. UNCOMPLETED QUOTATIONS. This is best adapted to a small circle in a home social. Some one begins a rather long prose ex- tract or poem and recites one or two lines ; some one else continues until he forgets or misquotes, when it is taken up by another, and so on, until it is finished. If familiar selections like " The Charge of the Light Brigade," Poe's "Raven," Gray's ''Elegy," and Longfellow's "Building of the Ship " are quoted, you will be surprised to find what 12 Fifty Social Evenings. enthusiasm it awakes in many who have hardly quoted poetry since their school days. 5. PLAGIARISM. This is a very interesting game for those who are fond of rhyming. Each one is invited to prepare at home and bring a short rhyme or prose composition in imitation of the style of some well-known writer. If in verse copy the meter carefully, and if a prose imitation is attempted choose some writer whose style is extremely original, like Thomas Carlyle, Charles Kingsley, or Daniel Webster. Each mem- ber of the party is to be furnished with a card and pencil, and as each imitation is read the author imitated is silently guessed and the name written on the card. These authors' names are numbered, and after all have been written the cards are collected and cor- rected by some one who has a true list, obtained from the plagiarists themselves. If these cards are decorated with pen and ink sketches on one side they will make amusing souvenirs of a very pleasant evening. 6. RHYMING CONTEST. This is something like the old-fashioned " spelling down," a feature of the spelling match. The play- ers are ranged in a line and the first one begins : 44 The League stood on the League room floor." The next in line perhaps adds, 44 A bold bad boy stood at the door." Fifty Social Evenings. 13 The next, if wise, changes the rhyme, 41 His face was stamped with want and sin." Number four finishes the verse triumphantly, *j " The League together cried, Come in." ft anyone is unable to find a rhyming line he is 11 spelled down " and retires from the contest. A very remarkable story is developed as the game goes on, as it is not necessary to be consistent, and a very generous poet's license is allowed. This is as keenly enjoyed by the listeners as by those who * take part. The rhymes as they are given should be written down and read entire at the close. 7. ILLUSTRATED POEMS. This is- something more elaborate than anything we have attempted, and requires more careful prepa- ration. A descriptive poem, like Lowell's "The * Courtin'," or Whittier's " Maud Muller," is read, and as the reading progresses it is illustrated by living pictures. " 0, but." says somebody, " that will re- quire curtains, and we don't want to put curtains in our church." There are often folding doors in a church vestry, these may be used, or this social may be held in a private home and the portieres between the double parlors can be used. I saw some very pretty pictures illustrating " The Courtin'." 'Zekiel was first seen "peekin' thru the winder," and next came " Huldy, all alone," with her pan of red- cheeked apples in her lap. The pictures of " mother sprinklin' clothes," and "she gin 'em both her blessing," led up to the last one : 'Zekiel and Huldy standing in rustic bridal finery as the poem ends. 14 Fifty Social Evenings. 8. ILLUSTRATED NURSERY RHYMES. This is particularly adapted for a Junior League entertainment, though older people enjoy it. " Little Bo Peep," "Little boy blue," "Tommy Tucker," and "Jackie Horner" appear and repeat or sing their nursery rhymes. A variation would be to have them appear on the platform in silence, and have the audience guess their identity. 9. LIVING RULERS. A number of slips of paper are prepared in each of which is written the name of some country, as Spain, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, United States, etc. These are passed and each who will takes one. They are then called upon in regular order and each responds by rising, reading the name of the country from the paper, and giving the name of the present ruler of that country or kingdom. If the name is not known, or is given incorrectly, the first one who gives the right name receives the piece of paper, and the number possessed at the end of the game by any one person declares the winner. It would not be fair to introduce this game without giving previous warning, as even the best read person would need to do some studying and looking up to feel qualified to take part in such a contest. This may be made very interesting by having a short sketch prepared descriptive of each of the more prominent rulers, ancThaving them read during the evening. National songs like " Die Wacht am Rhein," " Hail Columbia," " God Save the Queen," and others can be introduced with good effect. Invite Fifty Social Evenings. 15 the school teachers and other scholarly persons when- ever you have an interesting literary program, and they will help to make it a success. Perhaps some one will say that such games as this are an infringe- ment on the Literary Department of the Epworth League. To such I would say that our young people have reached that stage of intellectual development when an evening's amusement without the literary element is " flat, stale, and unprofitable." Such evenings as the one just described only serve to stimulate an interest in our Reading Course and other distinctly literary work. The literary and social departments may unite in preparing and carrying out the programs of many of these social evenings. And in many places where it is impossible to carry on purely literary work, these exercises will be enjoyed. lO. COZY TEA. Perhaps someone has been wondering if we are never to have anything to eat at our social evenings. At a First District Annual Convention I heard some- one say that the letters E. L. meant " Eat Light," but that isn't saying we should not eat at all. So the Cozy Tea will be found a very pleasant way of spending an evening. Have ten or more small tables, each capable of seating four or six people, and give each table in charge of a young lady who will decorate and arrange it herself. Here her friends gather as if it were at home, and are served with tea, cocoa, or coffee, and delicate sandwiches or cake. A small amount may 16 Fifty Social Evenings. be charged if desired, but experience has shown that free socials are much better than where a price is charged. The food for simple refreshments is usu- ally readily given, and the money needed for the few articles that must be bought will be cheerfully contributed by members of the League This is a pleasant way of entertaining a visiting young people's society, or any other guests of the League. The room should be made homelike and cozy with rugs, par- lor lamps, books, pictures, and easy chairs. A short literary and musical program may follow the tea and complete the evening's enjoyment. 11. CONUNDRUM SOCIAL. This may also take the form of a supper, and it affords a good deal of amusement if well planned and carried out. Menu cards should be previously pre- pared, with the bill of fare written or printed upon them in conundrum form. If these cards are deco- rated on one side by a pen and ink drawing, or water color spray of flowers, it will add much to their beauty. In nearly every party of young people two or three can be found who are willing to do this work A good deal of ingenuity and originality will find play in planning these conundrum menus. I will give a sample, rather as a suggestion than as a model. MENU. 1 . What our grandmothers used to card (rolls). 2. Something most needed . . . (bread) 3. A playful Nanny goat (bu tter)' 4. Condensed Curd (cheese). 5. Corned unruly member .... (tongue). Fifty Social Evenings. 17 6. Shellfish mixture .... (lobster salad). 7. Impertinence (sauce). 8. Most precious mineral mixture (gold cake). 9. Bathing appliance cake .... (sponge). 10. Girls' names (olives). 1 1 . Sidewalk Slippers (bananas). 12. What babies and brides receive . . (kisses). Of course these words in parenthesis are omitted, as the guessing is a part of the fun. Long tables are to be used, arranged in the form of a hollow square or rectangle, in order to bring people near together. After the guests are seated an attendant waits on each person and receives his order. This is given by writing one's own name on the card and putting a cross against five of the arti- cles on the menu. The waiter then takes the card and soon appears with the order, and not until then does the guest know what he is going to have for supper, unless he is a good guesser. Any additional articles desired can be brought after the first order, and those who ordered numbers 3, 4, 7, 10, and 12 would certainly need something else. After the supper is disposed of the guests, still sitting at the table, each give an original or selected conun- drum for the rest to guess, and, at the close of this evening's entertainment, no one will pronounce it dull. 12. PENNY SOCIAL. This is a pleasant amusement in a home gather- ing or small circle, or to break the ice in a larger party. Each person is supplied with a common copper cent, a pencil, and a piece of paper. The 2 18 Fifty Social Evenings. following conundrums are then propounded, the answers to be found on the two sides of the penny, and written down on the papers. Find on a penny the following articles and objects : A part of a needle (eye). What spans a river (bridge). Spring flowers (tulips). A famous hotel in the White Mountains (Profile). A connecting piece of land (neck). What drummers are accused of having (cheek). What burglars pick (locks). What slaves often received .... (lashes). A part of a hill (brow). A part of a river T (mouth). Part of a Chinaman's name (chin). Youth and age (18 and 94). What Patrick Henry wanted .... (liberty). Players on musical instruments . . . (band). A symbol of lightness (feathers). A product of maize (ear). Used in Indian embroidery .... (beads). What the mails contain (letters). What are used on letters (stamps). A part of a nail . (head). A numeral (figure). What is used in a rifle ([eye] ball). A heathen place of worship .... (temple). What a bald man-lacks . . . . . . (hair). A messenger (one sent). Name of a public man (Garland). A weapon of warfare (bow). A kind of plant (arrow head). Fifty Social Evenings. 19 Parts of a book (leaves). A portion of armor ........ (shield). Conditions (states). Undivided (united. The name of a mineral product . . (copper). A perfume (scent). The name of a great country '. . . (America). Other questions may be suggested by these, or other forms of these may be used. It will be a sur- prise to many to find the number of hidden things there are in even the most common objects about us. These pennies may be collected and kept until the talent social, which I shall soon describe. They may then be given out to return, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold. A paper describing the minting of coins, the value of rare ones, etc., will be interesting to follow this game. 13. FLOWER SOCIAL. This would naturally come in the summer when flowers are abundant. It is especially adapted for Junior Leagues. Each person is invited to bring a bouquet, composed entirely of one kind of flowers. For instance one brings roses, another pansies, a third daises, and so on with a great number of flow- ers in bloom at the same time. One child should be dressed as Flora, the Goddess of the flowers, with a white dress looped up with roses, and a wreath of flowers on her head. She sits by a table, decorated with ferns and green leaves, and as each one brings up her offering of flowers, a short recitation or quota- tion appropriate . to the flowers is given, and the 20 Fifty Social Evenings. flowers are then handed to Flora, who places them in vases and bowls of water on her table. Songs about flowers, as "Only a pansy blossom," " My love is like a flower," and " Sweet Violets," may be given, and if sung by children, will be acceptable even if they are not new. After the offering of the flowers ice cream and cake may be served, and it will make it especially dainty if a tiny bunch of flowers is laid on each folded paper napkin as the plates are passed. The flowers should be sent to the sick or aged people of the place, or to some flower mission, hospital, or prison. Quotations descriptive of flowers, may be found in all the poets from Burns' " Wee, crimson tipped daisy," to Mrs. Browning's " Song of the Rose." 14. ROSE LAWN PARTY. The month of June, when there are roses every- where, is the time to enjoy this dainty social. An arch of roses over the entrance to the lawn is very pretty. A canopy, bordered with roses, un- der which is a flower table presided over by girls in dresses of white, yellow, and rose color makes a bright bit of color for the center of the lawn. A small gypsy tent, decorated with roses, and with a dark haired Sibyl in the doorway, is picturesque. A flower girl with a basket of roses on her arm should stand at the entrance and decorate each one as they enter ; the gentlemen with rosebuds, and the ladies with full blown roses. Of course this lawn party should be open in the afternoon as well as in the evening, as the rose Fifty Social Evenings. 21 decorations are most beautiful by daylight. But, by using Chinese lanterns of the various rose colors, it will also look very beautiful at night. A tissue paper table with roses, bon bon boxes, picture frames, and other pretty souvenirs of the occasion will be an at- traction, and the articles will find a ready sale. A table of home-made candies is popular with the young people, and light refreshments, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream, and cake, are always in demand. I really attended such a rose lawn party, and the memory of its beauty and charm may account for my enthusiasm in describing it. 15. DOLLS' RECEPTION. This is a good Junior League entertainment, and may be held either with real dolls or living dolls. If dollies are used, it is well to have a large number prepared to send in a mission box or to give to poor children, and these gift dolls should be exhibited on a table by themselves. The plainer and cheaper dolls can be dressed with caps and aprons, with small brooms, dustpans, etc., in their hands, and be grouped as if engaged in their work. A number of dolls can be seated at a small table as if enjoying a tea party together, with a doll's tea set before them, and small quantities of real food to eat. Baby dolls should be in small cribs, cradles, and carriages, with nurse dolls in attendance. A group of historic dolls will prove a great attraction. Every- one who saw the two cases of beautiful dolls in the Woman's Building at the World's Fair at Chicago, will know what I mean. The case of American dolls represented the styles 22 Fifty Social Evenings. of dress from the time of the Puritan maiden, in her prim cape and peaked hat, to the present society belle, with her huge puffed sleeves and ample skirts. The demure Quaker maiden, with her dove-colored dress and soft mull neckerchief was there, and the gay ballroom beauty with her rich brocades and laces. Women hovered around the beautiful exhibit all day, and as many more surrounded the case of French dolls dressed in the styles of Louis XIV, and in the empire gowns dear to the lovely and unfortunate Josephine. These styles could be copied in cheaper materials, and with beads and tinsel for gold and gems. A hospital ward with sick dolls in their little beds, would be an interesting feature, and an inclined plane, upon which a number of queer little brownies are turning somersaults, is a constant amusement. For entertainment, a Punch and Judy always de- lights the children, and the whack of Mr. Punch's wooden head, as he finds that ''the way of the transgressor is hard," is music to many older ones as well. A table devoted to the sale of dolls, another to that of stuffed animals dear to every baby's heart, with refreshment, candy, and fruit tables, transform the simple dolls' reception into a doll's carnival. Some very successful receptions have been held where the dolls were the little children themselves. They must be dressed to look as doll-like as possi- ble, and cautioned not to smile, speak, or cry when people look at them, but as this is entirely contrary to child nature, an exhibit of this kind could last only a few minutes. Twenty little girls dressed to Fifty Social Evenings. 23 represent twenty different nations would be very pretty. The dark little girl, with her red skirt and Indian blanket, the black-eyed one in her Japanese kimono and big sash, and the blond German madchen would make a picture we should long remember, and all children love to be "dressed up." If a charitable object is to be benefited the children will enjoy it all the more. 16. AN APPLE PARTY. Our grandmothers passed many merry evenings in apple-paring bees years ago, but the possibilities of the apple as a means of amusement were by no means exhausted. This entertainment is best suited to a small circle or home party. All the visitors are supplied with small plates, each containing a large apple and a fruit knife. The contest is now to see which shall be able to cut the longest unbroken ap- ple paring. A small prize of a silken apple may be given. The next contest is to see which shall take up with a spoon, and place in a basket, the largest number of apples. This is by no means as easy as would appear, since only the spoon is used to lift them. If a good deal of merriment is no objection, or this party takes the place of a Halloween observance, a number of the boys may bob for apples in a tub of water, and re- move them from the water with their teeth. Or a number of apples may be suspended on strings, and the contest be to see which shall first eat his apple without touching it with his hands. Two lines of young people may be formed and a number of apples passed from hand to hand, the side 24 Fifty Social Evenings. passing the apples quickest without dropping one being the winners. Finally, light refreshments may- be served. Apple jelly, cake, tarts, apple snow, and baked apples and cream, with rolls and coffee or chocolate would be appropriate. 17. CORN FESTIVAL. No other entertainment of the year can be made more delightful and acceptable than this, if sufficient effort is put into planning and carrying it out. The decorative possibilities of Indian corn are in- exhaustible, and its edible qualities are almost as great. A large quantity of corn should be secured to be used in decorating the hall or room where the festival is to be held. A wigwam, made of stacked stalks of corn, with its tassels and unhusked ears, is beautiful and pic- turesque. Festoons of braided corn in different colors give a festive appearance to the room ; plumes of the tassels and clusters of silky white husks may be used in decoration. The supper tables will pre- sent a pleasing appearance if yellow tissue paper napkins fringed on the edges and stood in the glasses are used. The shades of the lamps may also be of crimped golden yellow paper, which gives a beauti- ful effect. Below may be found a good BILL OF FARE. Golden^Corn Muffins. Hot Corn Bread. Rye and Indian Bread. Corned Beef, Corned Tongue. Succotash. Fifty Social Evenings. 25 Hulled Corn and Milk. Hominy, plain and fried. Hominy Fritters and Maple Sirup. Baked Indian Pudding with Cream. Corn Sponge Cake. Popped Corn and Cornballs. After such a supper all will vote for the corn festival. 18. VETERANS' RECEPTION. I think no other observance is more general in our Epworth Leagues than some form of recognition of our old and elderly people. But, though so generally observed, I think we may find a few suggestions of new features in these socials to be of value. Instead of arranging the League room in its usual modern style with piano lamps, parlor rugs, easels, etc., it will be an agreeable surprise to the elderly people to find a room looking like the cheery, big kitchens in which they had their merrymakings many years ago. With a little effort a big spinning wheel and an old fashioned dasher churn may be borrowed of some of the old people themselves. Strings of dried apples may be hung about an improvised fireplace, or, better still, a real one. A high-backed settle may be placed near, and a number of those quaint, high-backed chairs. Of course, comfortable chairs and rocking chairs should also be furnished for those who prefer them. Braided rugs on the floor, wooden crickets, and small, round claw-foot tables, with plenty of lighted candles upon them, will make the room look homelike in 44 ye olden style." An entertainment 26 Fifty Social Evenings. consisting of readings, songs, and stories will be en- joyed, and a few old-time songs and hymns in which the guests of the evening can join will be appreciated. Everything should be cheerful without being frivo- lous, for the aged have experienced too many sor- rows to be as gay as the young. If the guests can be persuaded to take part in a symposium of old experiences it would be enjoyable to them, as well as to their young entertainers. A comparison of experiences on " my first watch," in the " Epworth Herald," shows what I mean. If they should begin telling about " my first watch," " my first suit of store clothes, " ' ' my first visit to the city, ' ' and other early experiences it would need a watch- night service to complete them all. A good supper, with some old-time dishes, should be served early in the evening, and before it becomes late the dear old people should be carefully returned to their homes in close carriages. That no one may be sensitive at being counted old, it is well to set the ages at seventy and over. 19. CAMP FIRE. This is something like the preceding, only young people, instead of old, gather around the fireplace and tell stories. Each is previously invited to bring some incident — amusing, thrilling, or ridiculous, to add to the general fund. It does not do to trust to the spur of the moment for inspiration at such times, for I have always found that spur to be a dull one. In almost every entertainment that is worth anything someone has to do a good deal of thinking and plan- ning beforehand to make it a success. I remember 1 Fifty Social Evenings. 27 hearing one of our popular young League ministers tell a good story of his experience with a disrespect- ful parrot. The minister in question had called on an old lady whose sole companion was a solemn- looking parrot, no more renowned for piety than parrots generally are. The bird usually had the monopoly of conver- sations with his mistress, and did not enjoy hearing her talking earnestly with her pastor and ignoring him. He kept his thoughts to himself, however, until the young pastor knelt to pray, and then, at intervals, a solemn response would come from the parrot : "0, shut up! O, shut up ! " It is surprising how many amusing experiences we have all had, if we only can bring ourselves to tell and laugh over what perhaps at the time was no laughing matter. This form of entertainment may be called a Faggot Party, by having each person bring a faggot of wood and place it on the fire in the fireplace as the story begins. The story is supposed to last until the faggot burns out. No other light is needed in the room during the story-telling, except the cheerful glow of the open fire. Corn may be popped, apples roasted, and nuts cracked, and college songs or war songs sung with no other accompaniment than the musical crackling of the fire. If one or more veterans of the civil war is invited to be present it is more than probable that he can tell delightful stories of army camp fires, when the coffee was ground with the butt of the musket, and the salt pork broiled on a pointed stick. 1 28 Fifty Social Evenings. 20. RIVAL CAMPS. This game requires a large room and a large number of players to make it interesting. Have the chairs arranged in two large circles at opposite sides of the room. Two persons are placed in charge of these two camps, and each chooses in turn the persons whom he wishes to belong to his camp. After all are chosen and seated, each camp chooses one of its number to retire together from the room and agree upon some person, place, or object for the rival camps to guess. The two chosen ones then return to the room, and each goes to the other's camp. Questions are now asked in turn of the one coming to the camp, for the purpose of discovering the object agreed upon. For instance, number one asks, " Is it in this room? " The answer perhaps is, "Yes." Number two then asks, " Is it in this half of the room ? " The answer is again, "Yes." Number three perhaps asks, "Is it in the animal kingdom ? " The answer is, " No," and so it certainly is not a person. So the questions go on around each circle, and the camp first finding out the object shouts out the victory, and the leader or captain is entitled to choose one away from the rival camp, besides keeping the one who came to them to be questioned. Two more now leave the room, choose another object, and return in the same way ; and this continues, if Jhe interest holds out, until one camp has overwhelmingly beaten the other, and the rival surrenders. This is a newer and more interest- ing way of playing what is sometimes called ' 'Twenty Questions." Fifty Social Evenings. 29 All these questions must be framed so that they can be answered by yes or no, and the aim of those choosing the objects should be to make them too easy, instead of too hard. The experienced player may be able to follow the train of questions until he finds the torch in the hand of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, or the top stone of the great pyramid in Egypt, but the novice will find it much easier to discover the hymn book, the gas globe, or the call bell. 21. VALENTINE SOCIAL. This should be held two or three evenings before St. Valentine's Day that the dainty, homemade valentines may be sold. We have all tired of the gay lace paper variety, decked with hearts and cupids, which delighted "ye maiden of ye olden time," and for the vulgar comic valentine there was never any excuse ; but we all have a bit of senti- ment left, and a loving thought or wish coming at that time is always welcome. The beautiful decorative work done with plain and crape tissue paper will suggest many ways of mak- ing dainty valentines : a circle, heart, diamond, or square covered with the crape paper, smoothly laid over and ornamented with a tiny bow of satin ribbon and a few tissue paper flowers ; violets, carnations, and primroses are pretty, and are not hard to make. For those who can paint in oil or water colors, celluloid, cut in pretty shapes, and the various ragged edge cards, painted and tied with ribbons, are very pretty. A little motto, original if possible, will show its significance. A little snow landscape with the 80 Fifty Social Evenings. motto, " It is not winter in my heart." A bunch of forget-me-nots with the words "I remember you," or of violets with the words "Sweet and true" underneath, illustrate my meaning. Ice cream, cake, candy, and flowers may be sold, and a mu- sical and literary program add to the evening's entertainment. 22, LADY WASHINGTON RECEPTION. Have the room decorated with flags, pictures of Washington and other Revolutionary heroes, old flintlock muskets, and any other relics that can be obtained. This entertainment would naturally come on the evening of Washington's birthday, and is prettily carried out by children, who look very quaint in the old-time costumes. Two children are dressed to represent George and Martha Washington, and the others in garments made in the fashion of those days. These costumes can be improvised and arranged at home, and shoe buckles and knee buckles will be made by the tinman for a small sum. General Washington and his little bride stand in state to receive the guests, and boy ushers in small clothes and knee buckles escort the visitors to the receiving group, introduce them, and then take them away, just as would be done at a regular reception. If an old-time supper is served it is well to remem- ber that the " Father of his Country " was a Southern gentleman, and fried chicken and biscuits, or corn pone and bacon, with oranges for dessert, would be in better keeping than the brown bread and baked Fifty Social Evenings. 31 beans of old New England days. For songs, " Amer- ica, " " Yankee Doodle, ' ' and ' ' The Sword of Bunker Hill" are appropriate, and for readings, " Paul Re- vere's Ride," "The Declaration of Independence," or some of the extracts from ' 'Abigail Adams's diary' ' will help us to realize " the tender grace of a day that is dead," a day of kind hearts, but cold and stately manners. I have lately read of a similar entertain- ment, except it was called a " Grandpa and Grandma Social." The receiving party were children, dressed to represent a golden wedding, with best man and bridesmaid and little old clergyman. ^ The wedding march and the inevitable original poem form a part of this entertainment, but I think the first form of the entertainment by far the better one, as our children learn about characters and events in our national history, and develop a spirit of patriotism in their play, and in all our entertain- ments for the young there should be something that will instruct as well as amuse. This is the secret of the great success of the kindergarten system of in- struction. 23. EPWORTH GUARDS' DRILL. We have had for years a great variety of drills. Milkmaids', .sailors',; broom, fan, and dolls' drills have amused us, and fair Greek maidens, in cheese- cloth draperies and sandaled feet, have shown -us possibilities of grace and beauty. We have now a sturdy company of boys, m simple uniform, the flower and pride of our Junior Epworth League movement. A large hall or vestry should be left clear in the 32 Fifty Social Evenings. center, in the form of a hollow square, with seats on the four sides for the spectators. In this hollow square the Epworth Guards go through their different military movements, under the direction of their regular drillmaster. Music in march time usually accompanies the drill. If an intermission is planned, it will rest the drillers and will give an opportunity to serve ice cream and cake to the visitors. The Ep- worth Guards should not be forgotten in serving refreshments, for I have actually noticed, more than once, neglectful committees allowing entertainers to buy refreshments for themselves or go without. The nursery rhyme tells us " Little Tommy Tucker sang for his supper." How would Tommy have felt if, after singing his best, no supper was offered him ? As this drill requires weeks of careful preparation it is well worth an admission fee, and is enough in itself, with the aid of good music and light refresh- ments, to make a delightful evening's entertainment. 24. PARLIAMENTARY DRILL. This is primarily to instruct a society of young people in proper parliamentary rules and usages. Cushing's Manual, or some other good authority, should be carefully studied beforehand, and someone skilled in political or ecclesiastical debate should be invited to preside. Some question of local interest may be considered, or some far-reaching national reform may be disposed of by these youthful debaters. A model town meeting may be held with its " Mr. Moderator," or a mock trial with its judge and jury. I attended a very amusing mock trial not long ago, Fifty Social Evenings. 33 when the charge was the larceny of a loaf of bread, and the identical loaf, nearly a yard long, was in court. 25. DISTRICT "SKULE." I certainly cannot claim that this form of enter- tainment is either new or original, but, in carrying it out, there is a great field for originality, and by making it intensely local, it may be irfade also very amusing. The only one I ever attended was held in Music Hall, Boston, two or three years ago. The " skule " .girls, in long calico aprons, short dresses, and braids of hair hanging down their backs, had fine gray hair under the pigtail braids, and brilliant brains under the fine gray hair. Mrs. E. Trask Hill, Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney, Mrs. Abby Morton Diaz, and other famous Boston women had charge of the exercises of the evening, and, I strongly suspect, were among the number of the school girls, but in that disguise, even their own sisters would hardly have known them. The " boys " were boys some fifty years ago, and one youth, in a bottle-green suit, with a shock of bright red hair, was a specimen any teacher might be proud of. A member of the geography class was asked — '• Who discovered America ? " " St. Patrick," re- plied the ready school girl. One of the spelling class was asked to spell "patriotism." It was the red-headed youth, and he began, " P-a-t-, Pat, r-i- o-t, riot, i-s- is, h-i-m, him, Pat-riot-is-him." Of course it passed to the next and was spelled correctly amid a chorus of laughter. The civil government class was asked, " What is 3 i 34 Fifty Social Evenings. an alderman?" The answer was. "One of the city fathers who draws his salary, and spends his time going on junketing trips." 1 may not have quoted the exercises of this bright school exactly as they occurred, as I depend wholly on my memory, but it will give the idea that I wish to convey, that the " skule " may be made delight- fully local and funny. For instance, the geography class might be asked, "What prominent doctor of this town is related to a great river?" The answer would be, "Dr. Waters, for the Mississippi River is called "the father of waters." In a town where there were a great number of single women, as there are in many towns of New England, the question might be asked, "Why are there more miles in our town than in many others of the same size?" The answer is, 4 ' Because we have so many misses, and a miss is as good as a mile." These localisms are not very deeply intellectual, but they furnish the " little non- sense now and then," that the old rhyme tells us, " is relished by the best of men." The Fourth Vice President in our Epworth Leagues needs as quick wit and as careful study to make interesting enter- tainments as the most literary leader of a Ruskin Circle or a Browning Club. " Easy writing makes hard reading," someone says, and easy planning makes dull performing. 26. GEdGRAPHY GAME. This will prove a delightful and instructive game, and, besides, it is something new. Have four sections of the room each arranged to \ Fifty Social Evenings. 35 seat from ten to twenty or more persons, according to the number who wish to engage in the game. Have a little bannerette placed in each section, each of a different color, and on each have printed * the name of one of the four divisions of the United States, New England, Middle, Southern, and Western. Have the desired number of questions written on small cards, the same color as the bannerettes. If one hundred persons are to take part, have one hun- dred questions given out. The questions on New m England are written on cards the same color as the New England bannerette, and the same with the others. So each person, on looking at his card, knows at once to which section of the country he is to belong. Questions like the following are given out : What city would we need if there was to be another flood ? Newark is the answer. • What enterprising city reminds you of a shipload of ladies ? Chicago. What city reminds you of a factory and an English pedestrian ? Milwaukee. What river reminds you of a union, and what I do if I sever that union ? Connecticut. What river is indispensable in "a good Thanks- # giving dinner ? Onion River. What city in the South reminds you of what an umpire keeps and what he has ? Tallahassee (Tally-has-he). What city suggests something missing, and what a young man thinks his sweetheart is ? Los Angeles (Loss-angel-is). 36 Fifty Social Evenings. I might easily go on and write out one hundred or more questions, but, if one takes a map of the United States and looks it over carefully, questions will suggest themselves without any difficulty. Now the questions are all given out, and each person f> ; looks at the card given him and goes at once to the section which the color of his card suggests. For instance, if it is salmon pink he looks at the banner- ettes and sees that he belongs in the New England section. If his color is red he belongs to the Middle section, if blue in the Southern, and if green in the Western. These colors are not chosen from any , suggestiveness, and others may as well be used, but I explain carefully, as many a good game has been spoiled by a meager and unsatisfactory description. When all have gathered in their respective sections, each reads his question to the others, who guess it. If no one can guess it the words " We give it up " are written upon it. No words are written on those correctly guessed. When all are guessed or given • up each section changes places with one of the others, also exchanging questions. The new set of questions is guessed or given up, and this is done until all have visited all the four sections and have guessed all the questions. If, at the end of the game, any questions are left which have been " given up " by all the players, the right answer is announced by # the one getting up the game. If any have been given up by two or three sections and guessed by the fourth, this should also be announced. For instance, it might be said, "The question, What is the jolliest river in New England ? was given up by New England, and by the Southern and V Fifty Social Evenings. 37 Middle sections, but was correctly answered by the Western section ; the right answer is Merrimac." I hope I have made this game plain to all and that many will try it and enjoy it. If refreshments are desired apples in New England, cornballs in the Middle, peanuts in the Southern, and oranges in the Western sections will be appropriate. 27. IMPROVED SPELLING MATCH. The spelling class may be "chosen up" as in choosing sides, but there should be only one line of ^ contestants. The words to spell are not given out, but are evolved as they pass along from one to another. We will suppose there are thirty people making up the class. Number one begins a v/ord which per- haps he means to be " Constantinople." He gives the first letter, " C." The next, not knowing what the word is to be, but thinking in his mind of the word " Charleston," adds " h." The next thinks of " chestnut " and adds " e." Number four thinks of ' ' cheap, ' ' and adds ' ' a, " number five adds '* p, " number six adds " e,' number seven " n," number eight adds "i f " number nine "n," and number ten "g," making the word 4 ' cheapening " instead of " Constantinople." Number ten must now retire from the line, for to have a word end on you is fatal, and for that reason great ingenuity is often shown in changing and lengthening the word so it will con- tinue on to some one else. The next in line now begins another word in the same way, and this goes on until all are spelled down. The last one who remains standing may be spelled down with hard 38 Fifty Social Evenings. words, or may be declared the victor without this formality. Anyone putting in a letter which blocks the word, or which would not spell any English word, is also obliged to retire from the line. This new form of spelling helps to sharpen wit, and is in practice very amusing. 28. PRONOUNCING MATCH. Have the players stand in a line as in the previous game, and have the words to be pronounced written on a blackboard, one at a time. The first word written is perhaps " rise." The one writing should explain, " This word is a noun, meaning an elevation of ground." If it is not properly pronounced it passes to the next, and so on until it is given cor- rectly, all those failing retiring to their seats. Other frequently mispronounced words may follow, and the attempt should be, not to find words very difficult and seldom used but rather those in everyday use which are often mispronounced, such as discourse, romance, housewife, vase, subtle, exchequer, rabid, narrate, finance, machination, abdomen, etc. Some dictionary should be agreed upon as a standard of pronunciation, and in disputed cases the verdict of the authority should be accepted. Another way is to write or select from some book a passage containing a number of words most com- monly mispronounced, and have it read in turn, each person stopping when a mistake is made. I read a very good exercise of this kind in the " Youth's Companion" not long ago, but, if one cannot be found it may be improvised. The follow- ing shows what I mean : V Fifty Social Evenings. 39 A family of Italians, living in the' utmost squalor, had concealed in their demesne a quantity of per- simmons, pecans, guavas, and bananas, which they . sold to keepers of abattoirs, as well as to unsuspect- 4 ing housewives. 29. FORTUNE TELLING BY NUMBERS. I have seen a small party of twenty or thirty young people who found sufficient entertainment in this game to continue playing it a whole evening. It is, however, a good game to play at any gathering when - the interest in something else flags and the question arises, "What shall we do next?" I have often carried two envelopes containing the duplicate num- bers in my pocket for several evenings before needing to use them ; for an entertainer, like a hostess, should never come to the end of her resources. Blank cards should be cut into inch squares, and on these small cards should be plainly written the numbers from one to one hundred. These should be carefully placed in an envelope or small box, and another hundred numbers should be prepared in just the same way and placed in another envelope. These should be marked "Numbers" and "Duplicate Numbers." This is very necessary, as the two sets of numbers must be kept carefully separated from each other. The ones marked " Numbers " should be given out to those who wish to take part in the game. If fifty are to play give each person two of the numbers ; if twenty-five take part give each person four numbers. It does not matter how many each have if all have the same number and all the numbers are given out. This latter is absolutely 40 Fifty Social Evenings.* essential, as, if some of the numbers are missing, it spoils the game. So, if some have four numbers while others have only three, be sure and give them all out. The one conducting the game now seats herself — for a fortune teller is usually a woman — and opens the packet marked " Duplicate Numbers." She asks a question, for instance, " Who is the kindest- hearted person in the room?" She then takes up one of the numbers on the table and reads it. It may be number seventeen. Each person playing looks at his numbers, and the one having seventeen says, " It is I." An assistant, who has a list of all the names of those playing, writes against his name the words, "kindest hearted." Number seventeen now asks a question, " Which one in this circle is to be- come enormously rich? " The fortune teller again takes up a number and reads it. It may be twenty- five. The one having the number responds, has it recorded against his name, and then asks the next question. Where all the players are good friends amusing questions like "Who wears the biggest boots ? " 4 4 Which one is fond of onions ? " 4 ' Who is in love?" etc., will create a great deal of merriment. This is continued until all the numbers are called. If any of the players fail to think of a question when their turns come the fortune teller should have a number of amusing ones prepared. At the close of the game each one's record is read, creating much amusement. 30. " HIT OR MISS" SOCIAL. This is somewhat like the "Crazy Tea" which was so fashionable in certain quarters while the Fifty Social Evenings. 41 crazy quilt fever lasted. The more ridiculous features of that crazy time are omitted and the amusing ones retained. I actually attended a crazy tea where the soup was served in new tin washbasins, and the cake was placed on shining brown dustpans, while the napkin rings or holders were clothespins. At a " hit or miss " social things are not expected to match. The invitations may be written on backs of letters, visiting cards, or brown paper. The room may be furnished with the fine oak rocker from the parlor, the plain wood chair from the kitchen, grand- ma's chintz-covered wooden rocker, and the baby's high chair. The guests may wear either silk or calico, or a mixture of the two, as it happens, and, if one forgets to take off his rubber boots and another her apron it doesn't matter at a " hit or miss " social. At the supper, if one is served, anything eatable is in order, from hot flapjacks to fried onions, and, if part of the guests have their coffee or tea served in tiny painted cups, while others have various sizes from a teacup to a yellow mug or quart bowl, nobody complains. A hostess who makes this arrangement of dishes will not need to be troubled, as Mrs. Carlyle was, to make eleven cups do service for twelve people. For entertainment hit or miss questions and answers will be enjoyed. A number of questions and an equal number of answers are written on slips of paper and numbered. It is well to have the questions and answers written by two different persons, as the misfits will be all the more amusing. The person whose question is num- bered "one" finds the person having the answer 42 Fifty Social Evenings. numbered " one." and these may read as follows: •' If you were not yourself, whom would you like to be?" The answer is likely to be. " A black-and- white setter dog." The answer to the question " Are you fond of poetry?" might be, " I'd rather go a fishing." When all the questions and answers have been read and laughed over the " hit or miss "social will be declared a success. 31. CONVERSATION SOCIAL. We frequently hear it said that conversation is a lost art, and when we see a party of young people shy, embarrassed, and silent we are apt to believe it is true. But give these same young people some- thing in which they are interested to talk about, and they will have plenty to say. I remember reading of a genial and talkative commercial traveler who tried in vain to draw a silent old gentleman into con- versation. The drummer talked of the crops and the country through which they were passing on the train. The old gentleman assented without any show of interest. He then referred to the tariff and the doings of Congress. Still he had the conver- sation to himself. It was in vain that he suggested the subject of speculation in wheat, the hard times, and the recent prize fight. Nothing interested the old man, and the drummer betook himself to the smoking car in disgust. After he was gone a man in the seat in front turned round and said, dryly, 11 That fellow didn't seem to interest you very much with his talk, did he ? " " No," said the old gentle- man. " he didn't, but if he had said ' hither* (leather) he'd a had me." So in these conversation socials Fifty Social Evenings. 43 we want to select topics that everybody will be inter- ested in. Have a list of ten or more subjects written on a blackboard, each numbered, and have enough cards prepared with numbers corresponding to sup- ! ply everyone with a card. Each person now goes about among the others securing names on his card, opposite the numbers. By looking on the blackboard I see that question number one is, "What would you do with one million dollars ? " I at once decide to invite Widow Atkinson to talk with me about that, and, on asking her to reserve that time for me, she 5 *says with a smile, ' ' I don 't see how you think I would " know what to do with so much money, but then it won't do any harm to talk about it." Number two I find is, " Why am I a Methodist ? " and I hasten to secure the name of our pastor for that topic. As soon as all the cards are filled with names the signal is given and each person seeks the one whose name he has secured for that topic and the conversation be- gins. In just three minutes the call bell sounds, and everyone finds a new companion and begins talking on the second topic, and this is continued until all the topics have been conversed upon. If three or more wish to converse together on some one of the subjects they can do so, but I hope they will not make the mistake that four young people made at one conversation social which I attended. They placed their chairs close together in a corner, wrote their names on each other's cards, and sat and talked together on every topic until the talking time was over. Instead of thus selfishly enjoying one's inti- mate friend's society it is better to seek out the ones the others have forgotten. 44 Fifty Social Evenings. 32. cradle songs of all nations. There is a song book published with the above title, which can be secured through any of the large music dealers, and which will afford material for a charming evening's entertainment. The room * should be fitted up as a nursery, with the dainty crib and cradle of our American babies, the swinging hammock of the Mexican baby, the coffin-like case of the Indian papoose, and the fur hood of the Esqui- mo infant. Large dolls may be used instead of babies, or rag dolls may be improvised, but a few real babies will^ be greatly enjoyed, even if they are not as still as the doll babies. Have the mothers dressed in the cos- tumes of the country they represent, and secure as many curios and objects illustrating the mode of life of the various peoples as possible. An Indian wig- wam, a Japanese tea house, or an Esquimo house, covered with furs and skins, would give a picturesque look to the room. The songs should be learned by heart, so that the singer will not be obliged to use a book, but will sit by the cradle and rock or sway it gently as she sings. This is a pretty entertainment to be given by Junior Leagues, as the little mothers are more nat- ural and less constrained than the older young ladies, whose dolls are things of the past. i An admission fee may be charged, as a great deal of labor and some expense are incurred in its prepa- ration. 33. BIRTHDAY EVENING. This is something new and may be made very en- joyable if carried out with spirit. A general invita- Fifty Social Evenings. 45 tion is given to old and young, and all are invited to bring an offering of as many cents as they are years old. Or, if desired, they can, instead, bring as many as the date of the month on which the birthday comes. For instance, if the birthday is the fifteenth of some month, fifteen cents is offered. In this way no one gives more than thirty-one cents. On the blackboard is written the names of the twelve months of the year, and opposite each month the names of the famous people who were born in that month. These may be found in many of the birthday books ^.nd albums or almanacs. Some one having charge should invite all those whose birthday comes in January to rise. These should then be provided with seats together, and the next month called upon, and this may be continued until all are gathered in groups, representing the twelve months of the year. Selections in prose and poetry and songs appro- priate to the different months are then given. If it is desired to make it very picturesque each speaker or singer may be dressed to represent some character- istic of the month represented. January may be dressed to represent the New Year, with bells and snowy-draped costume. February could be St. Valen- tine's Day. March, a pale green dress trimmed with snowdrops and crocuses. April, Fool's Day, a boy with cap and bells. May, Tennyson's " Queen of the May." June, Lowell's "Day in June," wear- ing roses. July, Goddess of Liberty, sings " Star- Spangled Banner." August, Dog Day, with Panama hat and large fan. September, schoolboy carrying strap of books. October, Harvest Day, with autumn leaves. November, Thanksgiving Day, with cran- 4(5 Fifty Social Evenings. berries and celery. December, Christmas Day, may be Santa Claus. These representations will be greatly enjoyed and may be varied to suit the occa- sion, as many of our standard authors have written sentiments appropriate to the various months of the year ; so such selections may be readily found. At the conclusion of the program two large birth- day cakes should be cut, one by the oldest person present and the other by the youngest. Pieces of these cakes may be passed to all present, with other kinds of cake and ice cream or coffee. 34. SCRAPBOOK SOCIAL. This is particularly appropriate for a Junior League entertainment, and may be held in the afternoon if desired. Two or three weeks before this social the children should be invited to begin saving and col- lecting as many pretty pictures, suitable to use in making a scrapbook, as possible. On the afternoon or evening appointed long tables should be prepared, with chairs enough for all the children. At each place have a blank scrapbook, made of cambric or linen, a small dish of paste, a stick swab for applying the paste, and a cloth for wiping the hands. When all the children are seated the work of the evening begins. This is to carefully fill all the scrap- books with the pictures brought by the children. There should be several adults present to advise and assist the little onesTfT the work, and to see that the pictures are appropriate and neatly arranged. When all the books are completed, a committee may examine them and give a small prize to the one Fifty Social Evenings. 47 making the prettiest and neatest scrapbook, if de- sired. These books can be sent to any children's hospital, " Little Wanderer's Home," or they may be placed in some snug corner of the next missionary box, to be given to wide-awake boys and girls on the other side of the world. Missionaries tell us that their dark-skinned pupils are very fond of pictures, and a Christmas card we would throw away they carefully cherish. 35. COBWEB SOCIAL. Cut balls of macrame cord or strong twine into as many equal lengths as there are to be players. Have all the lengths of twine begin at nearly the same place, and have the ends marked with names or numbers, that each one may know where to begin in unraveling the cobwebs. If numbers are used, each one may draw a number and then go at once to the end of twine marked with that number. At a given signal all begin to unwind and untangle the cord which is twined around door knobs, table legs, stair railings, curtain rods, and in every other available place that can be reached by active young people. There must be an endeavor to tangle all the cords equally, as well as to have them the same length, that there may be no unfair- ness. Each player is fully occupied in following the wandering course of his line of cord, and there is no time for talking, except where two or three find their lines crossed in a veritable cobweb. The one who first reaches the end of the line in his hand is de- 48 Fifty Social Evenings. clared the victor, and the time in which he unraveled the cobweb is announced. The others, however, by no means give up the quest, but eadi follows up the line until all are untangled. The last patient one receives a small consolation prize, and ice cream or * cold lemonade is sure to be enjoyed after playing this game. 36. COOKING SCHOOL. The large crowds before the windows of those restaurants where cooking is done in plain sight attest the truth of the statement that everybody en- joys seeing cooking done. If the young people want rr to offer to their friends a supper which shall have the flavor of fresh cooking, as well as the flavor of novelty, it can be done. Secure six or more oil stoves, double burners, and each cook, with as- sistants, has the use of one stove. One can make a specialty of hot griddle cakes with maple sirup. Another can cook and serve oyster stew. Another can make a delicious clam chowder. Tomato soup * may be served by another, and omelet, cream toast, dry toast, and fishballs make up a bill of fare sufficiently appetizing for all tastes, and which need not severely tax the resources of the young cook. These cooks need not all be ladies, for gentlemen have a deft movement of the hand in turning a griddle cake, and a knack of flavor in an oyster % stew that many a woman might envy. The meals can be served on the European plan, each guest ordering arid paying for what is wanted ; or, if it is a free supper, it may be ordered in the same way, or small samples of the various eatables may be tested. JK *£ Fifty Social Evenings. 49 A hall or schoolhouse or a private home is better for this form of entertainment than a church or League room. It is a good way to entertain a visit- ing young people's society. 37. A TOURISTS' SOCIAL. Sometimes this takes the form of an imaginary journey, and everyone is invited beforehand to come prepared with time-tables, most direct routes, and interesting facts about the proposed tour. This may be made very interesting with the aid of maps nd pictures, and if there are no live tourists in your town imaginary journeys will do very well. But in these days of running "to and fro" you are pretty sure to think of some one who has been to Washington, another who has visited Niagara Falls, a half dozen people who attended the World's Fair at Chicago, and probably there will be one or more who has traveled in Alaska, Europe, or East. All these people may be invited to give a short account of where they went, what they saw, and the difficulties and dangers they conquered. A small table may be set apart for souvenirs and curiosities which have been gathered in travel. I have not for- gotten the interest a party of young people felt a num- ber of years ago, when a learned professor, who had spent several years in travel in the Holy Land, al- lowed us to taste the contents of two bottles, one of which contained water from the Jordan River and the other from the Dead Sea. He also permitted us to taste of the "husks which the swine did eat." of which we read in the parable of the prodigal son, in the Bible. If refreshments are served it is well to 4 50 Fifty Social Evenings. have them put up in small baskets or boxes, as if to be taken on a journey. I attended such a social not long ago, where dainty homemade sandwiches and cake were packed in small paper boxes, and each of the tourists was furnished with one. Hot coffee in > mugs was served with the lunch, and the guests ate and drank informally with all the zest of a picnic, without its drawbacks and inconveniences. It is surprising the amount of unused talent there is in every community, only waiting for some one ^dis- cover it and call it into action. Mr. Moody says that the one who sets ten men to work does morer than the one who does ten men's work ; and every entertainer will find this true. 38. AUTOGRAPH SOCIAL. If one young people's society visits another, where the members are not acquainted with each other, there is apt to be a feeling of constraint and em- barrassment. This will be speedily overcome if the \ first ten or fifteen minutes are spent in securing auto- graphs in the following way : As many little blank books are provided as there are to be people present, and each person is provided with one, together with a pencil, if desired. At a given signal call all are invited to begin securing as many autographs as possible in the time allowed, generally ten minutes. Now begins a lively contest. The bashful girl, who expected to sit-quietly in a corner all the even^ ing, finds herself surrounded by eager young people, each begging for her name in their little blank books. Each name must be written legibly, and with first H Fifty Social Evenings. 51 name complete, middle initial, and last name, as follows, "Sylvia H. Smith." Each must write his or her own name, and no one can write for another. When the time is up a signal is given, and ail must cease writing, even if a name is only half written. Each person now writes his own name on the out- side of the little book, and all are handed in to be examined by the committee, and a prize is awarded to the one securing the largest number of names. The books are afterward given to the owners, and are kept as pleasant souvenirs of what is almost sure to prove a delightful evening. Some one may say this is not enough for a whole evening's entertain- ment, and this is true of this as well as of several of the social evenings I have described. But in every company of young people are those who excel in vocal or instrumental music, as well as those who can read or recite. These may be called upon to supplement the short general exercise which has served its purpose in breaking the ice and establish- ing a bond of sympathy and good fellowship. Besides, there should always be some time given up to general conversation and social intercourse, and few games or amusements should occupy a longer time than half an hour. I am sure my young readers will pardon me if I preach a little, as we have played so long together. Often open your socials with prayer and close them with the song, " God be with you till we meet again." Perhaps it will not be out of place to suggest here that an EpVorth League autograph quilt would be a pretty thing to exhibit at such a social. The quilt is made of thirty-six squares of white 52 Fifty Social Evenings. bleached cotton cloth, each of which is twelve inches square. An equal number of Turkey red Epworth League badges, each eight inches square, are care- fully cut and sewed on the white squares. A pattern by which these are to be cut can be easily made from the badge by some one who can draw nicely. In the circle, which forms the center of each badge, ten names can be written with indelible ink, and these, at five or ten cents each, will bring in a good sum. A sashing of red, six inches wide, surrounds the quilt, which is lined and tied or quilted. 39. THE FAMILY PICTURE GALLERY. A large picture frame may be placed on a table in a folding doorway, and the upper part of the opening, above the frame, be screened by draperies. A number of persons are dressed in antique style, and are placed in turn behind the frame, and are described as pictures. The drapery in the doorway can fall over frame and all while the picture is being prepared. At last the portieres are drawn apart, and an old lady in cap and spectacles appears. The exhibitor explains that this is his maternal grand- mother, and tells some amusing story of how she captured grandpa, or of some encounter with a bear, or any other probable or improbable story. The "picture" must not smile during the recital, no matter how ridiculous it is. The curtains are then drawn, and another picture is prepared. I heard a Samantha Allen teid of an old lady describe a picture, which she assured us was her "poor, dear, brother Joshua." It was of a youngish man, with a particularly villainous look, wearing a cap a Fifty Social Evenings. 53 rakishly inclining to one side. She told us, pathetically, that " Joshua always was a good boy, that everybody who knew him loved him when he was small, and that he was an uncommonly handsome boy." The first statement was as hard to believe as the second, and a wicked, foxy look seemed to come into the " picture's " eyes when she would say, " You can see by his picture that he was a good boy." She confided to us at last the fact that her dear brother's goodness was not appreciated in New York, where he had gone to live, and that, -" They have put him in prison for twenty years just for making a mistake in the way he signed his name to a check." Precocious children, simpering schoolgirls, senti- mental old maid aunts, and grave preachers and professors may be shown and described, and, if the exhibitor has made some previous preparation, and is skillful in telling a story, it will prove very amus- ing. Music, like the songs, "Cousin Jedediah," "The Old Homestead," "We've Got to Mortgage the Farm," " A Mother's Appeal to her Boy," " Love at Home," " Suwanee River," and "A Light in the Window," will be enjoyed during waits while the pictures are being prepared. Instead of a family picture gallery this may be called an historical picture exhibit. In the latter case famous pictures should be carefully studied and reproduced. Stuart's pictures of Washington and Martha Wash- ington may be given, " Marie Antoinette on her Way to Execution" maybe copied, and "Mary, Queen of Scots," Lafayette. Emperor Wilhelm I, Bismarck, Gladstone, and Grant maybe represented. 54 Fifty Social Evenings. An historical sketch of each is given as the picture is shown, and appropriate songs are sung. A good deal of careful thought is necessary in selecting persons to represent these historical pic- tures, for. though powdered wig and correct cos- * tume will do much to transform one, it will not add the inch to a man's nose or square a round chin. 40. GRANDMA'S GARDEN. This is a conundrum game and is played like the others, with blank cards and pencils. This is in order that each may have a little time to guess andf^ write down the answers, and is a fairer way of play- ing guessing games than calling out the answer can be, as, in the latter case, the quickest thinker and speaker wins. An explanation is made that the flowers to be guessed are all old-fashioned ones, such as could be found in the fields, woods, and gardens in our grand- mother's time. The following conundrums are then * read, and copied by each on the card, after which the correct answers are written opposite, as follows : What was the patriarch's pride? . . (phlox), A Roman emperor .....'.. (valerian). A delicate purple color (lavender). What are missing from single men's clothing? (bachelor's buttons). 2 A bargain counter (ladies' delight). A part of every face (tulips). What schoolboys play in winter, . . (snowball). What Hero said (o-Leander). Remember me (forget-me-not). A singing bird and a goad .... (lark-spur). *. Fifty Social Evenings. 55 A wise man and a stamp . . (Solomon's seal). A precise flower (primrose). A falsehood and a need (li-lac). A part of the eye (iris). When school closes at night . . (four o'clock). A quality of pine (balsam). A girl's name and a metal . . . .(mari-gold). A Christmas green and Rhenish wine (hoily-hock). Early in the day and what heroes win (morning-glory). A sly animal and a covering for the hand (fox-glove). What is essential in rich cake . (butter-and-eggs). What Hamlet said is '* out of joint " . . (thyme). Spinster's favorite color . . . (old maid's pink). 41. OBSERVATION PARTY. A tray of articles is placed on a table in a small side room, and a procession of all the persons present passes slowly by or around the table. The contest is to see which one will observe and afterward write down the largest number of articles. A list of the articles should be kept by the one in charge, and all the lists should be collected and compared with the correct list. The one having the largest num- ber right wins the prize. It is well to have a prize simple and inexpensive, and sometimes amusing. One of the prettiest I have seen was a large, white peppermint, the size of a saucer, with a bright little landscape painted on it in oils. A small box of choice candy makes a satisfactory prize, as the re- cipient, if generous, often shares it with the others. 56 Fifty Social Evenings. Sometimes, in an observation party, smelling and tasting tests are also given. A number of perfumes — musk, attar of roses, jockey club, lemon extract, peppermint, etc. — are mingled by pouring a small quantity of each on a handkerchief, and each person is allowed to smell of the handkerchief and write down the odors recognized. For tasting, a mixture is made of vinegar, salad oil, spices, salt, sugar, and any other harmless ingredient, and each is allowed a taste— a very small taste is usually sufficient. These are recorded in the same way. As so many of the games in this little book require paper and pencils for each person, it may not be out of place for me to suggest a cheap and easy way of obtaining what can be used in such games. If it is understood that pencils are to be used, many will come supplied ; however, it is well for a young people's society to have a supply of one or two dozen to lend to those who have none. A number of the large advertising shoe makers, like the Doug- las and Emerson Shoe Companies, and some of the music dealers, like the Estey Organ Company, give away small blank books, in large or small num- bers. These little books are very useful in many games where written lists are required. 42. INFORMATION PARTY. This game, as described by the " Boston Travel- er," is begun by passing to each gentleman a card and to the ladies small«pieces of paper, which should be numbered. Those who discover the same num- ber on their card and paper are partners for the game. Fifty Social Evenings. 57 Each couple must think of a question, sensible or ridiculous, historical or in regard to the weather, to be written on the cards, after which the cards are to be gathered together, and the leader reads each in turn, pausing after each question to give time to each set of partners to decide on an answer and write it down. This is where the fun of the game begins, as many of the answers are exceedingly queer. After all the questions are asked and the answers, by num- ber, written by all, the lists of answers are collected and compared by some one or two, who form a com- .mittee of examination. This committee should be formed of persons well informed on all subjects, that they may be able to decide on the correctness of the answers. Those questions answered correctly are marked ten, a wrong answer is marked zero, and if the answer is anywhere near right it is marked five. When all are added prizes may be given for the best and poorest records. The instructive part of the game is the discussion which follows after the revised lists of answers are returned to their owners. The height of Bunker Hill Monument, of the Washington Monument, the Eiffel Tower, and other structures form good questions ; the authorship of famous books, like " Robinson Crusoe," " Pilgrim's Progress," " Gulliver's Travels," etc., are also in- structive ; the discoverers of the earth's motion, of electricity, steam, and other powers and forces should be learned by the young, and form good questions. Some may be trusted to ask the nonsensical ques- 58 Fifty Social Evenings. tions that add the needed spice to this form of enter- tainment. A young Episcopal rector gave one to a party of clerical people, which was as follows : 4 'Why would one never need starve in the desert of Sahara?" Answer, "Because of the * sandw(h)iches there." Question, "Where are the sandwiches obtained ? " Answer, " The children of Ham were bred and mustered there." AQ. ACTING CHARADES AND PROVERBS. These were perhaps played by our grandmothers, but they have again come into such favor that the f*. Queen of England and her daughters 'and grand- daughters have been amusing their friends at Os- borne with elaborate representations of them. However, for social use, the more simply they are represented the better. The word to be guessed is perhaps "interesting." Two or three persons who are to represent it come into the room and act out the first two syllables of the word by proceeding to ' " inter " something. The object I saw used was a small stuffed alligator. Small trowels were used and he was laid on a fur rug while the supposed earth was tenderly thrown over him. The next two syllables were represented by the same persons " resting " in easy chairs, with feet on hassocks and heads on pillows. " Manhattan Island " was repre- sented by a man with his hat on. and a young lady carrying a basin of water in which was placed a flowerpot of earthrto represent the island. Two French cities were indicated by two boys wearing overcoats, one of which was too long and the other too loose (Toulon and Toulouse). "Catacomb" Fifty Social Evenings. 59 was represented by mewing and purring like a cat, and producing from the pocket a comb. " Long- fellow" was two boys pieced together under a shawl on the floor in such a way that the feet and head only showed. In acting proverbs as many persons are chosen as there are words. For instance, in the proverb, "Time and tide wait for no man," seven persons are needed. The first beats "time" continuously, the second holds up his " hand," the third is " tied," the fourth holds a paper " weight," the fifth counts " four " on his fingers, the sixth shakes his head for " no," and the last one is a large " man." This is easily guessed, though all the words are not exactly right. " A rolling stone gathers no moss," is a good prov- erb to act. The first person holds a letter "A," the second is " rolling " pie crust, the third throws a "stone." the next is sewing "gathers," the next indicates " no " in pantomime, and the last holds a piece of " moss " in his hand. 44. HISTORIC CHARACTERS AND IMPER- SONATIONS. Each person, on entering the room, is labeled with a name pinned on the back, and without knowing who he is, goes about talking with the people and attempting to discover his own identity. Some one may. perhaps, be marked as " Czar of Russia," and he is much puzzled when people ask him anxiously if his life is not in peri), and if the weather isn't pretty cold where he lives, and it is sometime before he really finds himself out. -f 60 Fifty Social Evenings. Queen Victoria is puzzled when she is asked if her eldest son hasn't been something of a trial to her, and whether it is true that she doesn't have a new bonnet very often. The questions must not be too definite. Historical or literary impersonations are given by different ones, each of whom represents a character in history or literature. Facts and inci- dents in those lives and characters are given, until some one guesses and calls out the correct name of the character represented. For instance, a young lady rises and says, " I was a delicate girl of a dreamy and poetic temperament, and my early life was passed in England. Because of ill health and family bereavements and adversi- ties, I had become morbidly sensitive and retiring in my disposition. My only comfort and inspiration were in study and in writing poems, in which I un- consciously pictured my own sad life. " Suddenly a new and delightful experience came to me. A young English poet, whose obscure and rugged style of verse was like a revelation or a revolution in English poetry, had read my humble verses, and in them read my heart. He came to my darkened chamber and lifted my sad, gloomy life out into the light and sunshine of his love. We were married and soon after sailed to Italy, where I found a home in Florence. There my only son was born, and there, after many happy years with my poet husband. I died and was buried." Some one will surely guess that it is the life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Each person who gives an impersonation should give the subject some previous study, that the facts may be correct. In ^J Fifty Social Evenings. 61 this way it will prove an' educational as well as an interesting form of entertainment. * 45. PARLOR CONCERT. This is a good form of entertainment when the young people wish to make a sum of money for some cause. As it is in a private house no one can complain, and it will serve to draw out those with musical talents, and will give them something to do. If there are to be tickets of admission, have them as dainty and artistic as possible. A tiny painted landscape or flower, and a little bow of ribbon to harmonize in color, will make a ticket which will sell itself. Have the tickets all sold in advance, and do not provide for any more people than can be comfortably accommo- dated. A house with large double parlors and halls, and with a good piano in. perfect tune, is an ideal place &j for a parlor concert. Try to have as great variety in the program as possible. Piano, guitar, violin, banjo, mandolin, autoharp, and harmonica solos and duets may be arranged for the instrumental part, and a great variety of songs and choruses, together with read- ings, recitations, Greek posing, and whistling solos, may be interspersed. It may seem amusing for me to imagine it possible that any one society of young people should possess so much hidden musical talent as this liberal list supposes. I do not think it likely that the program could be made up wholly of home talent, but most musical people have friends in other places, who would come 62 Fifty Social Evenings. for their expenses, and thus assist in providing a musical treat. 46. CRAYON SOCIAL. The one having charge of this game prepares a * long list of animals to be drawn on a blackboard. Each person is called up in turn, and privately told what animal he is to draw. All the rest of the company are in ignorance, and only as the outlines of the animal appear on the blackboard are they able to guess what it is. No one knows before going to the blackboard what^| animal he is to draw, and it is often extremely diffi- cult to classify the strange beasts that appear, one af- ter another, on the board. The pictures are num- bered, and against each number on a card all silently write down the name of the supposed animal. These cards are collected, and the person guessing most animals correctly receives a prize. All cards should have the owner's name written upon them, that they ' may be returned after they are examined. This game always causes a great deal of merriment, as no one attempts to make a careful or elaborate draw- ing. Instead of a variety of animals one is some- times chosen for each to draw. This is usually a pig, as it is the easiest of all, and can be drawn with your eyes shut. , Each person is blindfolded and led up to the black- board where piggy is drawn, sometimes with his feet growing out of his back, and his ears where his curly tail ought to be. A committee inspects each pig as he is drawn, and decides which one deserves the prize. In a small circle composite animals are sometimes Fifty Social Evenings. 63 drawn. One person draws on a sheet of paper a head of some animal. The paper is then folded down and passed to another, who, without knowing what the head is, draws the body. The paper is again folded and passed to the third person, who supplies the nondescript animal with legs. The fourth fits on a tail, and the composite creature is done. These are then unfolded and passed around to be laughed over. If it is known that such a contest is to take place, the study of natural history will be quite gen- eral for a few days, and animals in outline sufficient to fill a Noah's ark will adorn each waste bit of paper. 47. ILLUSTRATED BOOK TITLES. Much amusement is found in representing the titles of well-known books and allowing the audience to guess them. Each book title is represented by one or more persons, who come upon the platform, re- main for a short time, and then pass off, to be fol- lowed by others. Any large catalogue of books will furnish plenty of suggestive titles that can be easily illustrated. I will give a few which I have used or seen, and which are quite«easy to guess. "An Old-fashioned Girl." (Girl dressed in old style.) " Ring and the Book." (Young lady holding ring and book.) "Lamplighters." (Two boys holding church lamplighters.) "Little Women." (Two small girls dressed as women.) 1 64 Fifty Social Evenings. "Oliver Twist." (Boy untangling a twisted rope.) " Middlemarch." (A young lady holds a date, "March 15"). "Westward, Ho!" (Boy points west with a 4 < hoe.) "Pink and White Tyranny." (Girl in pink and white with scepter.) "Woman in White." (Young lady dressed all in white.) " Six Little Peppers." (Six children, each holding a small red pepper.) ^ " Red as a Rose is She." (Rosy-cheeked girl in ""'-~- red, with rose.) "Three Feathers." (Lady with three feathers in her hair.) " Wing and Wing." (Young lady holding a wing in each hand.) " Pickwick Papers." (One boy picking lampwick, another with papers.) ■ , " Sketch Book." (Artist holding sketch book.) " Vanity Fair." (Blonde girl looking in a mirror.) " Faerie Queene." (Pretty child dressed as fairy queen.) "Tale of Two Cities." (Chinaman with "Lon- don " and " Paris " tied to pigtail.) " Lucile." (Girl holding letter with loose seal.) "Watch and Wait." (Boy • holds watch and weight.) "Our Mutual Friend." (Two young men intro- ducing a third.) — ^ "Hard Cash." (Young man shows handful of cash.) Fifty Social Evenings. 65 "Leather Stocking." (Young man wears one leather legging.) " Madcap Violet." (Girl wearing cap and carry- ing a violet.) "Dodo." (A young lady carries music paper with two notes, "do-do.") 11 Prince of India." (Young man dressed like Indian prince.) These titles may be called out by the one recog- nizing them first, and a record should be kept, that it may be known who has guessed the most correctly. ^ If a title is given up by all, it should be announced. This game is also played by means of cards on which are fastened the objects suggesting the book. For instance, " The Heavenly Twins " is represented by two tiny china dolls sewed on the card ; •' The Little Minister" is a picture of a conventional clergyman ; " Dred " is a little " D " on a red card ; "A Bow of Orange Ribbon " is a small orange rib- bon bow on the card ; and this may be continued indefinitely. These cards are numbered and passed to each one, who writes the names of the books down, or else the company gather in little groups of three or four, and guess the book titles together. 48. BOOK REVIEWS. This is a quiet game, and is best adapted to a small company in a home gathering. Each person is supplied with a long half sheet of paper and a pencil. One person writes the name of a well-known book, and, folding what is written down, passes it to the next. The second writes at random the name of 5 • 66 Fifty Social Evenings. some well-known author, and, folding it again, passes it to the third. The third person, and as many others who choose, write short, pithy reviews of the unknown book, each folding down what he has written so the next cannot read it. After all have written the whole is read, and it can scarcely fail to be highly amusing, and is sometimes wonderfully pat, though more frequently it is merely ridiculous. For instance, it may read as follows : " David Copperfield." By James Russell Lowell. '•* This pathetic story of a shipwrecked orphan being brought up by cannibals in the South Sea Islands, f-~ and at last being discovered by his uncle, the mis- sionary, would move a heart of stone to tears." — M New York Observer." "This book is one of that large class that deal with the threadbare subject of a married woman and a brainless lover, and it will soon sink into the obscurity which it merits." — " Boston Journal." " First-rate book, not exactly suited to a Sunday school library but bright and brainy." — "Detroit Free Press." Another book is now started and reviewed in the same manner. So many different writers make sameness impossible. 49. FEAST OF ALL NATIONS. This is an entertainment with something to eat, and with a good variety to suit all tastes. Four or five young ladies should be placed in charge of as many^tables. and instructed to serve a supper in the style of the country assigned to each. American, English, French, German, and Chinese, ■ Fifty Social Evenings. 67 or Japanese, will be found to be acceptable and suf- ficient in number. The American bill of fare should be written in English, and may include the following articles of food : Baked beans, brown bread, pumpkin pie, Indian pudding, apples, and nuts. The English table beasts of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, plum pud- ding, bread and cheese, or Welsh rarebit. The French table has rolls, salads, croquettes, omelets, and various kinds of sweets, and the bill of fare should be written in French, with translation in parenthesis. The German table should be provided with pretzels, sauerkraut. Frankfort sausages, coffee cakes, and perhaps nudel soup, the bill of fare to be in German. The Chinese supper should boast of exquisite tea, fish soup, bird's nest pudding, stewed chicken with rice, and. for dessert, chocolate mice, candied ginger root, and lichee nuts. If an obliging laundryman lives near, he may write out the bill of fare for you in Chinese. Each table should be decorated and furnished to carry out the idea, and the waiters of each table be in appropriate costume. The food may be ordered on the European plan, at each table. 50. SOUVENIR SOCIAL. This is a very instructive form of entertainment, but requires considerable effort to make it a success. Secure as many souvenirs as possible. An old Revolutionary musket, a garment worn by some his- torical person, an autograph letter from some one known to fame, a piece of wood from the wreck of the Kearsarge, or any other relic or souvenir that 68 Fifty Social Evenings. may be obtained, should all be placed together on a table. After all have examined these articles, a short description of each one should be given, either by their owners or some one who knows about them. Retired ship captains, persons who have traveled a great deal, and old people generally have many of these interesting souvenirs which they are willing to lend. To vary this entertainment a little, sketches of the works of famous artists or sculptors may be given, and portfolios of illustrated photographs be passed around. I recently listened to a bright paper giving an account of all the paintings of the Madonna ^***j and Child by Raphael, and fine photographs of each were passed around for inspection. Many who can never hope to see the beautiful originals of Raphael's Madonnas in the Vatican, the Pitti Palace, and the Louvre, were able by means of these correct copies to get some idea of their beauty and spirit. Queens and other court beauties may be described in the same way, and pictures borrowed with which to illustrate and add a living interest to the descriptions. For good measure we include one more program than our title page promised. A DOLLAR, EXPERIENCE OR TALENT SOCIAL. This is a specially helpful form of entertainment when it is desired to raise quite a sum of money. One hundred or more small envelopes are given out to the members^and their friends. On each envelope is printed the words, " I promise to earn or save the sum of one dollar during the next month," Fifty Social Evenings. 69 The envelopes are to be returned at the close of the month with the dollar inclosed, together with a brief account of the way in which the money was saved or earned. It makes a very entertaining evening's amusement listening to the reading of these varied experiences. One lady 1 know boarded a pet dog while his mistress was away, another upholstered a chair for a neighbor, a young man shaved himself and saved the money, and one young lady saved her horse-car fare and walked two miles to her work every morning. This is her heroic Y account of it : 11 Epworth League, Epworth League, Epworth League onward ! Bring I my pennies now. Here's my one hundred. Through the dark city's street, Braving its cold and sleet, Walked I with weary feet, Here's my one hundred." And so she earned her dollar. One lady, of domestic tastes, made up a quantity of small plum pies and sold them to her neighbors ; she also agreed to sew on any missing buttons for the modest sum of five cents each. Business was good, and her dollar was quickly earned. Her P account of her experience was also in rhyme. It ended thus : " If you want men to give to a good enterprise, Just sew on their buttons and feed them with pies." I have often been asked to suggest ways of earning and saving money for such an offering, and besides * 70 Fifty Social Evenings. those I have mentioned I will name a few others which have been or may be used profitably : Homemade candy ; nice doughnuts, cookies, tarts, or other small cakes, to be sold for a penny each ; collect and sell waste paper and rags, knit and sell 1 mittens or wristers, crochet edging, embroider doil- ies or tidies, or, if you are able, paint and sell calen- dars or plaques. The selling is the hardest part, but some child will be salesman for you if a small re- ward is given. Sometimes a small amount of money is given to each person, and he is supposed to do business f^ T\ with this, increasing it thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold. The materials are bought with the penny, nickel, or dime, as the case may be, and a number of business transactions are required before the desired amount is obtained. I do not need to suggest ways by which the money may be saved, for that is done by self-denial, and money given as a result of self-denial is the worthiest gift of all. My wish, in closing the account of our fifty social evenings, is that you may enjoy carrying them out as much as I have enjoyed writing about them. THE END. H32 ft- ••- "*o „ „ „ ° . o -,$> > V' s s V'. > >/ . <£ ^ -* ' • * 5 A v '