Morris tribune., 1895-02-27

house party of a dozen congenial splr-
ats at the Hendersons' country home.
1t had been gay week, and for this
particular evening long sleighrlde
had been planned; driving rain, all day,
prevented this, however, and imposed
the necessity of some indoor amuse-
ment.
''Why not have an old-fashioned
evening of candy pulling and games"'
suggested some brilliant spirit-a prop
osition we oil hailed with acclanations
OF delight!
The coachman. dispatched to two or
three of the nearest houses, brought an
accession of half dozen to our num-
bers, so lively party soon crowded the
laundry kitchen, where we had free
scope for our candy. This part of our
entertainment needs no description, for
we all know that one candy pull is
Snuch lilSe another.
But nine o'clock found us all adj
Sourned to the wide old hall, with its
great fireplace and huge back log. This
was always our favorite rallying
ground. Being nearly all old friends,
we were ripe for regular romp.
! 1--WE must have the broomstick trick
drst," cried Alice Henderson, land Har-
old isdying to distinguish himself in it. ;"
Harold shrugged his shoulders good
naturedly.
"Alice, you are bent or manslaugh-
Ger with that broomsticlz business" he
protested; but the others, who had
al
Harold consented.
A broom was brought, one having an
unusually strong handle. 1t was laid
across two chairs which faced each
other. On the back of one was bal
anced pair of gloves. This arranged,
Harold, armed with stout cane, very
carefully seated himself cross-legged
on the broomstick, facing the gloves.
IL you think this is an easy matter, try
ct! You will find judicious manage
xnent very necessary.
Once balanced on the narrow resting
place of the broomstick, the object is
TO knock the gloves off the chair back
with the cane, while retaining ones
balance. It is exceedingly simple to
describe; but, We gods and little fishes!
to accomplish it!-''Hoc opus, he labor
est"
Harold soon succeeded, for he had
grown expert by oft-repeated trials,
and the others, therefore, were easily
persuaded to attempt it. But the invol-
tntary gyrations that the victim makes
to retain his equilibrium, and the wild
tumbles sidewise that result from the
first efforts, are convulsively funny. We
always expect to laugh ourselves sore
over this, and we always do.
Harold made the next suggestion
Come, Judith, you and Holt haven't
eaten as much candy as the rest of us,
so Wen put You to feeding each other
with crackers"
Judith knew what this meant; but
Holt had never seen the performance,
and he professed his eagerness for an
extra course. Alice disappeared to
make preparations. She returned with
a sheet over her arm, and behind her
smiling maid with a big bowl of
cracker crumbs, two saucers and two
spoons. The sheet was spread on the
Hoor-a necessary precaution-afd the
two martyrs to the cause were invited
TO seat themselves, Turk fashion, upon
1T, facing each other. This done, they
were carefully blindfolded, and each
was given a saucer of crumbs and
spoon. Then th,y began to feed each
other. The ridiculously earnest ex-
preston of each face, coupled with the
syide-open mouths, as each endeavored
~ inc f.r1o If rs
convulsed the lookers-on, and their
gibes and hooking directions compli-
Gated matters further. A heaping
spoonful struck against Judith's chin,
and most OF the contents went down
the open neck of her dress. Her
vaguely directed spoon encountered
Mr.. Hollis nose, and his brown beard
was literally powdered.
! This is on the order of a Barmecide
Feast" laughed Mr.. Holt, at last,
Hourishing an empty saucer. s'Miss
Judith, are you satisfied with what you
didn't get? Suppose we appoint some
4other victims now"
i It was some time, however, before
the company considered itself suf-
Efficiently amused by this exhibition,
and most of us were obliged to take a
turn.
did you ever pick up potatoes with
a teaspoon" asked Miss Emmett, after
a lull, while we took breath. mo?
Well, If you'll send for ten big pota-
toes, Alice, we'll try it, We can use
these spoons, though after dinner cot
fees are more fun"
IF this sort of thing continues"
Haughed Alice, lie aving the hall, 1--WE
would better transplant the larder here
fat once"
1.Oh! bring two small baskets, also"
called Miss Emmett.
When the things appeared, Miss EN-
'Enet arranged the potatoes, which were
,of goodly size, in two lines of five each.
Now, Ned" she said, shall we run
Va race with these? We each take
basket and coffee spoon, and see
which can pick up the potatoes first in
our respective lines. The one w.:o does
ucan impose a forfeit on the other"
''That sounds observed Ned, . as
easy as rolling off a log have your
forfeit ia mind, Miss Grace
Don't be too sure" laughed Grace