Each one brought with her some old-time treasure to promote reminiscent conversation. At 5:30 o'clock tea was announced and the dining-room table fairly "groaned" with good things - jellied chicken, cold ham, baking-powder biscuit, hot and fluffy muffins, hashed brown potatoes, jelly and preserves, spiced peaches, cucumber pickles, and candied fruits. Tea was poured at the table from an old-fashioned china teapot, with a sugar bowl and cream pitcher to match. Butter was also passed and put on little butter plates, another oldtime custom. For dessert there was cup custard, canned cherries, unfrosted sponge cake, and several varieties of layer cake. A revolving caster, belonging to the hostess's grandmother, stood in the centre of the table, with a fruit and flower piece at either end. A bunch of pansies "for thoughts" with the quotation, "For the pansies send me back a thought," was at each place, tied with lavender ribbon, the stems wrapped in tinfoil, - another old-time custom. The candlesticks were brass, and gold-band white china, the pride of our grandmothers' hearts, was used, with goblets instead of tumblers. The teaspoons were in an old-time revolving spoon holder, an heirloom in the family. A Calico Party A CALICO party is not a bad idea in these days of the resurrection of old styles and customs, and nothing better contributes to the genuine fun of an evening. Ask your guests to wear wash costumes; this means shirt-waist suits for the women, and duck trousers, with negligee shirts, for the men. Provide aprons of calico or cheese cloth, and cotton materials for neckties. Let partners be chosen by matching an apron and necktie material. Then in the allotted time, the men are to hem the aprons, sewing on the strings, while the girls must evolve neckties for their partners, either four-in-hand, Ascot, or string, as they may deem best. When time is called, prizes are to be awarded, after a careful examination of the submitted "creations." The men will don the ties, and the girls the aprons; and a grand march to a lively tune will be in order. If possible, have the dining-room decorated to represent an outdoor garden to add novelty to the affair. A Pie Party INVITATIONS for a Pie Party were sent out on triangular pieces of cardboard to six couples, all intimate friends. When the guests arrived the men were auctioned off by the host, who was exceedingly clever. The doctor was introduced on the block in this manner: "A man often wanted, though much addicted to the bottle." The bidding was fast and furious until 25,000 beans bought the man to his purchaser. The coal dealer was described as "the man we think about when the snow flies." When all had secured partners the ladies were given pieces of pie made from two pieces of paper pie plates (such as bakers use), fastened together with ribbon. The filling was a piece of paper bearing the word "Cherry,' or "Mince," or "Apple," or "Custard." Whatever pie was designated the man had to give a recipe for it, while the lady made it in pantomime. This was most amusing. For refreshments all kinds of pie were served, with coffee and sandwiches. A Cake Party "WILL you come to my party on Thursday night in a costume representing a cake, a cookie, or a doughnut ?" so the invitations read that were received by the girls. Those addressed to the men were the same, excepting that they were asked to come attired as bakers. On the night designated a most motley throng assembled, and peals of laughter greeted each cake as she arrived, accompanied by her baker. Some of the costumes were exceedingly clever. One girl in a pale corn-colored gown, trimmed with a fringe of tiny sponges and a sponge in her hair, was recognized at once as sponge cake. Chocolate cake wore a gown of alternate ruffles of brown and white, with a necklace of small chocolate squares. A girl in pure white was adorned with little red devils, and she wore a diabolical little imp in her hair; of course she was "devil's food." Bride's cake was represented by a girl in white, with veil and orange blossoms. Marble cake wore a gown made of patches of white, pink, and brown. And so the list went on until it seemed as if every recipe in the cookbook were present. After all had arrived the cakes were lined up, with the bakers in a line facing them. The hostess spoke to the first baker, and asked how he would make, say, sponge cake. After giving some sort of a formula he was permitted to take that cake out of the line and talk with her for ten minutes. In this manner all were provided with partners. Dancing was enjoyed for an hour; then refreshments took up the balance of the evening, as chafing-dishes were used, the "bakers" assisting. Ice cream was served in hollowed-out sponge cakes, and was delicious so. An Old-Fashioned Party INVITE the guests to come arrayed in the most ancient gowns they possess or can borrow. Even the men ought to be able to bring forth a dress coat of old-time cut. Then arrange a programme of songs in favor, say, fifty years ago. Serve tea, coffee, hot baking-powder biscuit, cold pressed chicken, boiled ham sliced, pickles and cup custard, with sponge cake and hot gingerbread, stick candy and apples. A Zoological Party THIS is an affair that will please the children. Arrange chairs, one for each guest, in a semicircle around a large blackboard. If twenty children are present, give each a card with a number on it, numbering the cards from one to twenty, with a tiny pencil attached to each with ribbon. The name of the child is written on the back of the card. Pass around slips of paper folded, and have each one promise not to tell what is written on his slip. The person in charge will then call the number, and each child must look to see what number is on the slip received. For instance, if two is called, the one holding the slip with that figure will get up and draw on the board a picture of the animal the paper designates, the others putting down on their cards opposite the number called, the animal they think it is. After twenty animals have been drawn and guessed, the correct list is read, the children marking their cards with the ones they have correct. The boy or girl who rightly guesses the greatest number will receive a prize. The one guessing the smallest number must also have a prize for consolation. A Noah's ark and a toy donkey would be appropriate. Serve animal crackers, with cocoa, chicken sandwiches, and arrowroot blancmange in individual moulds. A Paper Doll Party HERE is an idea for a paper doll party worth passing on to the mothers who have little girls to entertain. The invitations said two o'clock, with the request to bring scissors. At the appointed hour a gay throng of ten-year-olds had arrived and were seated at sewing tables. Each child was permitted to select from a colored fashion plate the dress she liked the best. Heads had been cut out of advertisements; cutting out the dresses took some time. Then tissue paper, lace paper, and all sorts of odds and ends of paper were put on the table, and dresses made for the paper dolls that stand in little blocks and may be purchased for a trifle. Library paste was provided, and a busy hour was spent. A pair of round-pointed scissors in a leather case delighted the little girl whose dress was voted the prettiest. The refreshment table was decorated with gayly dressed |