The Portland daily press., 1892-12-22

will be surprised at being asked TO crop
the papers into a basket passed around
for that purpose. The papers are shaken
up, and one is drawn by each person, who
must earn a gift by doing as it says.
Christmas fortunes will make another
bit of fun for the evening. Fortunes
written on papers and put inside some
nutshells, or twisted in motto papers, are
put in a gayly trimmed lace or silken
stocking. Each pulls out a paper, which
he is compelled to read before the rest.
If Santa Claus is introduced to give
out presents In any gaUner1ng ne can %
assisted by four or six children dressed
as Christmas fairies in white, trimmed
with evergreens, and white wings. They
take the gifts from Santa Claus and
carry them to the recipients. Other
pretty costumes can be devised for
children, whether there are elaborate
exercises or not. Those who sing
in the "waits" can be dressed as
Emusic" with bars of music drawn or
painted on the edge of the dresses or
cloaks and all sorts of musical signs
scattered over them. If all the children
are dressed as Christmas bells, simply
by having tiny brass bells fastened to
their shoulders and wrists or anywhere
on the edge of their clothing, the bells
will fill the rooms with pleasant sounds
suited to the season.
Any recitations or songs about Christ
mas bells can be given. Acted poems OF
holiday times or winter scenes, with
selections read by some person hidden
from view, are enjoyable. One scene
could show the group in Whittier's
'Snow Bound" or scenes from Dickens
"Christmas Carol" could be arranged.
There are many Christmas stories and
poems which cannot be mentioned here,
but which appear at holiday times and
can be used according to individual
tastes; also many educational and juve-
nile periodicals have little exercises and
plays for Christmas time.
Tires scenes can be produced from
the following poem by Albert E. Lam
caster, the order of whose stanzas is
slightly changed. The first shows
room with table beautifully spread and
lighted by candelabra; if possible, CRATE
fire, beside which sit an elderly couple.
At the reading of the second verse a
boy and girl step in, and while passing
under a mistletoe bough kiss each other,
the old people smiling at them. When
the third is read curtains are drawn at
the back of the scene to show Christ
mas tree, and several children enter and
go up to it. With the last two verses
the old couple go through sorrowful
gestures, then smile at each other and
embrace; at the last rising and joining
the children by the tree:
Rake the fire till the embers blaze
Christmas was made for the young and old.
Light the lamps till within their haze
The darkness glitters like cloth of gold.
Shining with brightness beyond the days
Christmas was made for the young and old.
Furtively let the5mistletoe droop-
Christmas was made for the young and old.
For never was yet merrier group
Than that where a laughing lad makes bold
To kiss maiden beneath its loop
Christmas was made for the young and old.
Heavily lade the Christmas tree
Christmas was made for the young and old,
With all the delicate things that there be,
Though frail as flower by a fairy flung.
And fleet as the note of childhood's glee-
Christmas was made for the old and young.
Smiles for the living thoughts for the dead
Christmas was made for the old and young
Balm to the heart be the tears unshed,
Sweeter than language of eye and tongue
The deeper feeling unlocked, unsaid-
Christmas was made for the old and young.
Kisses be given, songs be sung
Christmas was made for the young and old.
Never since earth on its cycle swung
Was the beautiful truth entirely told,
That love is richer than pearls or gold
Christmas was made for the old and young.
ANNIE ISABEL WILLIS.