Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-03-25
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
Correspondence on topics Of interest tothe lsdi 3,
is solicited. Address: Editor HoNEnAKERs'
CoLUns, Oxford Democrat. Paris. Maine.

A HUMPTY-DUMPTY EASTER PARTY
San evening with Humpty Dumpty."
There is fascination about the name
which plain easter party" or "egg
party" would not possess.
Invitations are written upon cards
cut to the shape Of an egg. One side Of
each card is colored in stripes to sug-
gest the eggs dyed for children this time
of the year. On the uncolored side the
invitations are written.
The merrymaking is progressive
affair. Not all the games are played at
tables, but there is progress for the
wide-awake guest, from one competition
to another, with points to be won in
each. These points lead steadily on
ward to prize, which gives zest to the
contests.
First on the program comes table
game. The guests are seated around q
large table, and pencils and paper fur
nished. They are confronted with six
slips of paper, on each of which is
written question relating to an egg.
The following six questions would be
just the thing for the purpose, being
pOlutS Will WuiCh CNciy Ouo 10 iohhi1A .
/. What fact did Columbus illustrate
with an egg? 2. What foolish capital
list had a perpetual fortune which he de-
stroyed by killing a fowl? 8. What
egg, according to Arabian myth, was the
largest ever laid? 4. What catastrophe,
according to Mother Goose, was not re-
mediable, even by the united powers Of
a kingdom? 5. What pretty scene in
which eggs are used occurs annually at
Washington, D. c.? 9. Why was the egg
recognized by the early Christian church
as appropriate to Easter? Ten minutes
are allowed for answering these ques-
tions. Any one who succeeds in answer
ing all correctly receives one point to
count toward the prize when the pro-
gressiOn is over.
From this intellectual competition the
company is whisked away to frivolous
one. A half dozen or more egg shells
as many of them as there are men in the
party-are produced. With them pens
and ink are set forth; several sheets of
colored paper, too, with scissors and
mucilage. One man ard one girl become
partners for the work, which consists of
ludAluS q huuau ldSC vi thC ohCii ohu
fitting out the head thus formed with a
hat or bonnet. The man draws the face;
the girl is depended upon for the head
dress. A point toward the prize is
promised to each of the partners whose
work the judges pronounce best. After
the decision of the judges each woman
should be given the doll as souvenir of
the occasion.
In blowing the eggs for decoration two
or three extta. shopld be blown for use
in the next number on the program, an
egg race. For this race throw aside the
rugs, and mark out with chalk on the
boards course to be followed by the
racers. This track should be about five
inches wide and should skirt the entire
room, running about half yard out
from the wall.
The players draw lots to determine
who will begin the race. The beginner
is given an empty egg shell and a palm
leaf fan. He is told to get his egg as
rapidly as possible over the course, pro-
polling it with gusts from the fan. Five
minutes are allowed for each round. If,
in making the round, player fans so Wig
orously that his shell leaps the bourd-
aries and runs out of the course it must
be brought back to the starting point
and begun over again. However, there is
no second supply of time, so that each
case of failure makes an increase of
speed necessary, excitement growing
with every sweep of the fan.
The progression, after this race, re-
turns to literary ways. The guests re-
gain their positions around the table,
and each receives a slip on which is
written this:
HIDDEN PRoyERB.
Rules-Choose from each of the fol-
lowing sentences one word. Group the
nine words together in such way that
proverb is formed regarding eggs.
1.-The evil that men do lives after
them" "Try what repentance can,
what can it not?" 1--WE that have good
wits have much to answer for" "All
the worlds stage" 80 Liberty,
Liberty, how many crimes are commit
led in thy name" HE who walks on
eggs must tread lightly" "In times of
peace prepare for war;" "One drop Of
INK can make mlIllOn Cnluk. uo
buys little needs no basket"
Fifteen minutes is appointed as the
time limit for the mental gymnastics re-
quired by this feature. At the end of
that period if any player has discovered
the word of wisdom he receives one of
the coveted points. 1.-two players make
the discovery, two points are awarded,
1 ought to add, for the benefit of the
busy hostess. that the sentence hidden
is that well-known adage, "Do not have
all your eggs in one basket" particu-
larly appropriate one.
The "golden-egg," which follows at
once, is of nature to work the most
phlegmatic guest into state of excite
ment. 1t also affords an excellent OPP
portunity for the physiognomy student
to pursue his studies, for on ones sue
cess in reading facial expression lies
ones principal chance of success in the
egg exchange. The day before the party
buy couple Of dozen candy eggs about
an inch in length. Gid one little egg
with gold paint, and leave the Others as
they are. Now take as many white en-
velopes as you have persons in the party,
and put two eggs in each. One envelope
by this arrangement will contain the
golden egg. Now seal all the envelopes
with wax.
When the game is to begin put the
envelopes on the table, and let each per-
son take one. The envelopes are then
broken, and one egg held in either hand.
The person who holds the golden egg
does not give out that he has it. The
aim of each member of the assembly is
to secure and retain the golden egg.
However, no person who is asked by
another to exchange with him is allowed
to refuse one exchange. The person de-
string the exchange is asked to say
what hand he will take the contents of.
The egg held in the hand chosen is i'm
mediately handed over, even If it be the
golden egg itself. After a moments
pause, in which the contents of hands
are adjusted, the challenged can chal-
lenge his challenger, and if he has lost
the golden egg, endeavor by guessing
correctly to get it back again. No player
is obliged to exchange twice in success
sion with the same opponent.
Much of the fun in this war of wits
lies in watching the faces. In nine cases
out of ten the presence of the golden
egg will reveal itself in worried ex-
preston and an evident desire to avoid
exchange. The person holding the
golden egg when the bell rings at the
end of half an hour wins one of the few
last points which lie between the PLAYER