St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-04-20

mouse party OF dOzea cOngenial aPir-
its at the Hendersons' country home.
1t had been q gay week, and for this
particular evening a long sleighride
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
Dsition we all hailed with acclamations
of delight!
The coachman. dispatched to two or
three of the nearest houses, brought an
accession of half a 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
much like another.
But nine o'clock found us all ad-
journed to the wide old hall, with its
great fireplace aud huge back log. This
was always our favorite rallying
ground. Being nearly all old friends,
we were ripe for a regular romp.
Eve must have the brOomstick trick
first" cried Alice Henderson, ''and Har-
old isdying to distinguish himself in it. :"
Harold shrugged his shoulders good
nAturedly.
"Alice, You are bent o. manslaugh-
ter with that broomstick business" he
protested; but the others, who had
never seen it, were clamorous, and
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
snced pair Of gloves. This arranged,
0arcld, armed with q stout cane, very
carefully seated himself cross-legged
on the broomstick, facing the gloves
If you think this is an easy matter, try
it! You will find judicious manage
ment very necessary.
Once balanced on the narrow resting
place of the broomstick, the object is
to knock the gloves of the chair back
with the cane, while retaining ones
balance. It is exceedingly simple to
describe; but. ye gods and little fishes!
to accomplish itL"Hoc opus, hic 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-
untary 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.
% we'll 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 m
extra course. Alice disappeared to
make preparations. She returned with
q sheet over her arm, and behind her .
smiling maid with big bowl OF
cracker crumbs, two saucers and two
spoons. The sheet was spread on the
floor-a necessary precaution-and the
two martyrs to the cause were invited
to seat themselves, Turk fashion, upon
it. facing each other. This done, they
were carefully blindfolded, and each
was given saucer of crumbs and .
spoon. Then thsy began to feed each
other. The ridiculously earnest ex-
preston Of each face, coupled with the
widc-opcn mouths, Us each endeavOred
to insert spoonful of crumbs therein,
convulsed the lookers-on, and their
ribes and mocking directions compli-
Gated matters further. A heaping
SPOONFUL struck against Judith's chin,
aud most of the contents went down
the open neck of her dress. Her
vaguely directed spoon encountered
Mr. Holts nose, and his brown beard
was literally powdered
..This ID on the order Of . Barmecide
feast" laughed Mr.. Holt. at last.
fiourishing an empty saucer. Miss
Judith. arc you satisfied with what You
didn't get?s Suppose we appoint some
other victims now"
It was some time, however, before
the company considered itself suf-
e.;..ntlv amused by this exhibition,
aud mosk Of us were obliged to take q
..nd "a ever pick up potatoes with
teaspo@ il" asked Miss Emmet, after
I.u Nile We took breath. mo?
WI r. bull send for ten big pota-
80 Alice. we'n try 1t. We can use
thee sDoons. though after dinner COZ
tesssso more fun
..ff thie sort Of thing continues
;.arhsd Alice. leaving ne nsl.. ~, we
-ao.d hett4 transpaAnt the isroer mere
at once" .nh.,,.t. .,so
called Miaa Ennsa aa NJ. rp,,
When tasthiags avesesse' ~ -