The times., 1899-07-23

said to have prompted the first puss-in-the
corner party; and that it was success is
proved by the way in which the contagion
is spreading. gcod-sized lawn, band OF
music and light refreshments are the nee
essary requisites to give this entertainment
successfully.
The invitations should be sent out at
least week in advance and. as to a cotil-
lion. about the same number of women and
men are invited The lawn, naturally
must be moved and trimmed down TO al
most the texture of velvet; and several
sets Of stakes, forming squares, are set ouc
at right angles TO each other. The larger
these squares can be made the more diff
cult and therefore the more interesting the
game becomes. AT the top of the stakes
are fastened long streamers of gayly deco
rated ribbons which serve to keep the
squares separate. One will be of red, an
other of orange, and there VIII be as many
as will accommodate the players that are
expected. In fact noses are counted in just
! the same way as for card party.
The scene. as soon as the guests begin
to arrive. Is as pretty and gay as a swarm
Of huttering butterflies. Almost without
exception the women wear light, FUZZY
gowns. while the men appear in the in
! evitable white fiannels with short blue or
black serge coats. At hint from the
hostess the mem choose partners and a
rush is made for the tables where ribbons
to match those on the respective stakes
are drawn and tied around the right arms
Of the men and the left arms OF the girls.
| The couples are therefore securely fas-
tened together. When the band ST.. kes UP
lively deux-temps all take their places
in the squares that match their colors.
| couple in each corner and one in the CELL
I ire fills up a square. The old game that
is known to every child then begins with
the customary signals OF "pussi' puss,"
] When attempts to cross to the diagonal
corner are made, those in the centre at
| tack boldly and try to capture one OF the
couples and so condemn them TO ho.d their
position, while they take from them their
corner Many entanglemenst and oompli
cations are brought about from the fact
/ that the players are tied together; and
sometimes they are very comical. A man,
4 who perhaps has had a severe training in
| football, watches his opportunity and
4 urges his partner to cross with him. In
/ deed he cannot go without her. The mo-
I uient is propiticas, and the goal almost
| reached. when a tugging at his arm fndi-
| Gates that his fair partner has mysteri-
ously come to grief. She has, like Cinde-
| rella, dropped her high-heel slipper. In
such an emergency, it is to be sincerely
hoped that a just providence will have
doomed the equally fair damsel in the cen
tire to catch her heel in one OF the many
ruchings of her long. entwining skirt.
4 could rgn twice as fast in my golf
I bocts' one CT these unfortunate maidens
was heard 10 bewail, but it would be
such shock to propriety to wear them
with a lawn party gown"
We men viii get you across. some
| how" her sturdy partner replied, -only
don't in any case. stop wearing these
cloud-like. pretty gowns; they are a posi-
tive joy to behold after seeing women on
a golf field"
The game is played for about an hour
when the finish is announced and those
that have been in the centre the fewest
number of times are awarded with prizes.
black star on the score card is used to
indicate the center. 1t is regarded as the
best taste to have the prizes simple in
character and humorous
Refreshments are finally served at small
tables on the lawn, or veranda; if the lat
ter is spacious enough it is really pleas
anter for the purpose. A salad and dainty
sandwiches; an ice fruit and some trifie
are. with a light champagne or claret
punch about the regulation things for such
party. This, however. is a matter of
taste and there is no doubt but that what
ever the hostess might provide would be
acceptable; for the appetite becomes won
derfully quickened by the exercise In
fact. for an afternoon OF real fun and iolli-
ty hardly any better form OF amusement
could be devised