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Ebook has 576 lines and 38258 words, and 12 pages

Advertising-Carnival 118 Barrel Brigade 91 Bells of Bonnydingle, The 155 Bird Social 101 Boys' Book Party, A 113 Card-Pasting 115 Cinderella Reception 139 Climbing the Bean-stalk 116 Evening with "Ads," An 42 Fairy Strawberry Festival, A 104 Flower-Show, A 41 For the First of April 75 Good Giant, The 23 Good-Luck Social, A 54 Handkerchief Gymnastics 97 Holly and Mistletoe Drill 146 House Book 67 Indian Festival, An 111 Jack Frost Reception 150 Jack-Knife and Scissors Party 62 "Jap" Social, A 44 Letter Social 78 Making Valentines 57 Mistress Mary's Contrary Reception 152 Mysterious Basket-Ball 121 New Kind of Dinner Party, A 60 Orange Social 39 Pansy-Hunt, A 106 Parlor Athletic Meet, A 69 Parlor Golf Party 119 Parlor Mountain-Climb 93 Pastery Party, A 49 Pillow-Fight, A 52 "Polly Pitcher" Social 66 Puritan Thanksgiving Dinner, A 126 Rainbow Social 96 Rainy Fourth, A 108 Reception at Curlycue Castle 63 Red-Line Jubilee 16 Rope Social, A 20 Santa Claus Drill 11 Sky-Parlor Reception, No. 1 47 Sky-Parlor Reception, No. 2 48 Star Social 141 Teddy and the Goblin 130 Tropical Fair, A 71 Tuffet and the Web, The 81 Washington's Birthday 72

Good Times With the Juniors.

Santa Claus Drill.

BY IMOGEN A. STOREY.

What would "good times" amount to in any well-regulated Junior society if they did not begin and end with the Christmas holidays? We begin, then, with a particularly jolly little drill for Christmas; and, as the girls so often have these matters all their own way, we will try for a change letting the boys be foremost this time. They will enjoy the fun of playing Santa. The Sunday-school primary class, too, must be drawn upon.--L. M. H.

An equal number of tiny boys and girls are to be used for the first part of the drill. They should be dressed in their nightclothes, and each little one should carry a pillow under his or her arm, and a stocking hung across the shoulder.

The stage must be decorated with holly, mistletoe, and other Christmas greens. A large fireplace should occupy the centre rear, shown in Diagram B. A decorated motto, "A Merry Christmas" may be placed above the mantel. The fireplace can easily be constructed of brick-colored fireproof paper, which can be purchased at any hardware store for a trifle, and with a piece of chalk from the blackboard the bricks can be imitated.

On each side, as shown in Diagram A, should stand a small Christmas tree trimmed up in the conventional way, with the exception of candles, which it is better to omit unless great precaution is used to prevent an accident. On each tree the lower limbs should be supplied with hooks corresponding with a buttonhole in each stocking, which will enable the little ones to hang their stockings quickly and securely on the trees.

The floor should be laid off for the first part as shown in Diagram A. A different color used in laying off the diagrams for the two parts will be found a great help, especially to the smaller children.

The children enter from the rear, girls from the right and boys from the left, or vice versa, carrying pillows under their outside arms and stockings across the same shoulder, and follow lines R and L in A. When they reach the dots shown on these lines, all extend their inside arms diagonally up at the side, and grasp the partner's hand.

When they reach the diagonal lines, they let go hands, and turn on these lines, as shown by arrows, turning again on the front line. When the leaders reach lines R and L, a signal from the piano is given to halt. In halting, each should keep a distance of fifteen inches from the one in front, the same as in marching. This distance should be kept throughout the drill. Another signal is now given to face front, all turning in the direction of the inside arm. They now recite with gestures:

"We are going to hang up our stockings"

"On the Christmas tree" ,

"And we know old Santa will fill them,

"For we've been good"

"And we've been good"

"As good as we could be" .

"Then we are going up to bed" ,

"And go fa-a-a-st asle-e-e-p" .

"So, when old Santa comes" ,

"We won't be awake to peep" . The music is now resumed, the leaders turn to the rear, and follow lines R and L, turning on the rear line, and again on the side lines shown in A. From the side lines they turn on the dotted lines, which circle the trees. After circling the trees a few times, with the common skip step familiar to all children, a signal is given to halt. The stockings are now hung up, after which the signal is given to get back into line.

After circling the trees a few times more, they continue skipping, following the dotted lines to the side lines, then to the front line. When the leaders reach the front line, they turn on the diagonal lines, resuming the march very softly and slowly, marching on their toes. When the leaders reach lines R and L, all turn and throw a kiss to the audience, then make their exit on the same lines as on entering, still on their toes.

The same number of larger children, all boys dressed like old Santa Claus, now enter the fireplace from each side, as shown in B, running in double time on their toes. Each boy except the last in each line should wear a rein with sleigh-bells on its full length. All should be supplied with whips. On their backs old Santa's knapsack should be strapped, filled with all sorts of things for the stockings. To increase the merriment, some of the articles should be grotesque and funny.

They enter, each driving the one in front, following lines R and L, turning right and left on reaching the front line, as shown by the arrows in B, then turning again at the next corner as indicated by the arrows. On reaching the rear they come down the diagonal lines curving around the trees, shown by arrows, and then to the front line again. They then run to the rear on lines R and L, and come down the diagonal lines, circling the trees on the dotted and curved lines, making a complete circle. After circling the trees a signal is given to halt and drop reins.

They now proceed to fill the stockings, first unstrapping their knapsacks and laying them on the floor. Signal. While the stockings are being filled, the soft, slow music should not cease, but continue the same as when the little ones are hanging them up. Each Santa should stick his whip in the top of a stocking.

A signal is now given, and the Santas all fall into line, and the running is resumed. They circle the trees, and follow the diagonal lines to the front line, then turn on lines R and L, and make their exit the same as on entering.

For a Sunday-school entertainment the small Santas can be used to distribute the presents to the children in the audience after the drill is over.

Red-Line Jubilee.

It is worth a great deal to have the right kind of memory. Although there are more bright spots than shadows in our lives, we are apt to forget this, and let the wrong kind of memory fasten itself upon us quite unawares. Many would be surprised, if they kept a record, to see how far the days with at least some gleams of gladness outnumbered the "days that are dark and cold and dreary." Try it. For a "red-line jubilee" you need to begin a year beforehand. At New Year's, or just before, each Junior is to be presented with a calendar, and the plan is as follows:

All that you need is your calendar, a clean pen, and a bottle of red ink. Every evening you take out your calendar, and, if the day has been a happy one, draw a red line all around the date; if it brought you only some gleams of gladness, make a red dot for every gleam; and, if it was a day of sorrow and trouble, unrelieved by any brightness, leave the date blank, with only its own black line surrounding it. Then, at the very end of the year, hold a "red-line jubilee," and, see whose calendar makes the best showing. As every one learns by kindness to others to make his own happiness instead of being satisfied with any stale, second-hand variety, the red lines will grow more and more numerous. To the "red-line jubilee" bring all the calendars for inspection; let there be a little talk from the pastor and a short programme of songs and recitations by the Juniors, every one of the cheery kind. Here are four that will serve as samples if the recitations are to be short enough so that each Junior can have one:

Smile once in a while; 'Twill make your heart seem lighter. Smile once in a while; 'Twill make your pathway brighter. Life's a mirror; if we smile, Smiles come back to greet us; If we're frowning all the while, Frowns forever meet us.

There's help in seeming cheerful When a body's feeling blue, In looking calm and pleasant If there's nothing else to do. If other folks are wearing, And things are all awry, Don't vex yourself with caring; 'Twill be better by and by.

There's never a rose in all the world But makes some green spray sweeter; There's never a wind in all the sky But makes some bird-wing fleeter; There's never a star but brings to heaven Some silver radiance tender, And never a rosy cloud but helps To crown the sunset splendor; No robin but may thrill some heart, His dawn-like gladness voicing; God gives us all some small, sweet way To set the world rejoicing.

The little sharp vexations, And the briers that catch and fret-- Why not take all to the Helper Who has never failed us yet? Tell him about the heartache, And tell him the longings, too; Tell him the baffled purpose When we scarce know what to do; Then, leaving all our weakness With the One divinely strong, Forget that we bore the burden, And carry away the song.

If longer selections are wanted, "Cheer Up" and "The Bright Side" from "Junior Recitations" are both especially suitable. Such a meeting could be held the last Sunday in the year; or it could be made a sociable instead of a meeting, and held some evening during the week. In either case, don't forget to invite outsiders and share with them the sunshine that is being made. If on a week-night, the programme should be very short; and games, with the refreshments, should fill the rest of the time. Decorate the rooms with red, including red shades over the lights if possible, and let a large frosted cake suitably marked with red lettering help to make the occasion memorable.

Among the games the variation of tag called "red line" could be included if the room is large. Stretch a red ribbon across the floor in a straight line, fastening the ends with weights or pins. This serves as a goal. One of the Juniors who has been chosen "it" cries, "Red line!" and starts to chase the other players. As soon as he touches one, both return to the line; then these two, clasping hands, start out again and touch some one else; then the three do the same; and so on. When there are four, or any even number, at the line, they may go two by two; but, whenever the number is odd, they must all run together in one long line. When all are caught, the game begins again, the first one caught in the previous game playing "it" as the new game is begun.

A "red-line hunt" would be fun, and could be arranged by hiding various small gifts or souvenirs, each tied to one end of a red cord, this wound and interlaced for some length around furniture, doors, etc., each child to be given a free end with the task of following the "red line" to its happy conclusion. Have each parcel wrapped in white tissue-paper and tied with a red ribbon or a bit of red embroidery silk, to carry out still further the plan of the evening. The gifts themselves should be very simple, and should be something equally suitable for boys and girls.

A Rope Social.

This is best fun when held in a barn, or a large attic, if stairways, etc., are safe; and it will prove a good opportunity to "rope in" new members, or at least to make those who are not members wish that they were. There is no programme, though Christian Endeavor songs at the beginning and close are in order at every Junior social. Girls may bring their skipping-ropes; and, if the place admits of swings, by all means put up several stout ones. Introduce the game of "rope ring-toss," or "grommet-pitching," as it is called by sailors. The rings are made of rope, with the strands first separated so as the better to weave them into smooth, firm rings about six to ten inches across. They are made all of the same size, or of graduated sizes, as preferred. If desired, they may be wound with ribbon. The game consists in throwing these "grommets" over an upright stake, or over pegs driven in the wall or in a board, each peg being numbered. The players have each a certain number of throws, and the score is kept to see who is most skilful.

When tired of this, they may play the game of "pink violets," composed of a little delightful nonsense and a good deal of running. The song which accompanies it may be sung to the tune of "Sing a song of sixpence," or to any other that it will fit, or to not much of any tune at all. The words are as follows:

"Pink, pink violets, and roses bright and blue! A Junior in a prison--whatever shall we do? We'll open the window east, and we'll open the window west, And never, never tell if the prisoner does the rest!"

After the enjoyment of the games and swings an old-fashioned molasses candy-pull may complete the festivities, and, as the Juniors vie with one another in pulling and deftly handling these most fascinating "ropes" of all as they gradually assume a light golden color, the social is sure to be voted a success.

The Good Giant

A Fantasy in Two Acts and Two Scenes

BY VINCENT VAN MARTER BEEDE

People of the Play

Time: This Very Minute.

Costumes

KIT, JOSCELIN, MAYSIE, GILLIAN: Summer clothing, of the present fashion.

LITTLE GIANTS: Boys of twelve, the fattest that can be found. No matter how fat they are, they should be stuffed out, just the same. Fluffy, light wigs, short gingham frocks, legs bare except for gay-colored socks,--say of emerald, scarlet, and vivid blue. Low shoes with a strap across them, after the fashion of French dolls.

GIANT'S BABY: A boy or girl of ten, well stuffed out. White long clothes, tight white cap, ruddy face. The Baby should carry a policeman's rattle.

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