The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-09

M the time OF children's parties,
w for even the strictest OF par
ents usually concede at least
one party q year to the youngsters,
and surely the most scientifically
brought up child is none the worse
Tor an occasional festival Of this sorts
Among older children there are
rather distressing tales Of dancing
parties very much along grown-up
lines. in which only those diversions
are INDUCED in which might be con-
Ei6ered suitable for the most correct
function patronized by mature beau
and belle. Also there are rumors that
hearts parties have almost as much
vogue among little girls and boys SIS
has bridge among their elders. And
indeed the expensive bits OF jewelry
awarded as prizes TO these childish
card players are often of suficient
intrinsic worth fn the more wealthy
classes OF society 70 make the contest
quite as exciting TO the children az
grown-ups.
But these party ideals prevail among
the elder children. among those ad-
vanced youngsters who are lowering
on the danger line between innocent
childhood and blase youth. For the
real children, the little ones who are
10 be found even in a sophisticated
society. mystery. Imagination. fairy
land must enter into party-giving IL
It is TO be e complete success.
And this mystery this delightful
fairyland suggestion the fashionable
toy shops have undertaken to supply
in their creations specially designed
for children's parties.
They all have something unexpected
about them. There are queer treas
ures TO be found by pulling bright-col-
ored ribbons. digging in sand heaps.
picking ordinary artificial birds on
their nests. delving into chimneys. etc.
And the best Of II all lie that there Is
q treasure for every one-to he taken
home and kept as the incest thing that
ever was until the next party.
Jack Homer Responsible
All of these ideas for amusing gath
erings OF children arose from that
famous institution. the Jack Homer"
pie. This appeared number OF years
ago, and, although jack himself IL
thought TO have been g decidedly
Anglo-ss1on person. the pie. like most
thoroughly satisfactory features OF the
toy realm, was or German origin. II
was meant for the center Of a party
table. 1t was covered with paper. de-
Iightfuily fringed and Enthusiastically ar
ranged, and from il a number OF rib
hons extended 10 the plates OF the
guests. When the right moment ar
rived the guests did rot put in their
thumbs, but they pulled altogether on
their ribbons, and from the pie they
drew charming and unexpected gifts.
From this comparatively simple de-
vice has arisen great variety OF con-
trivances OF a somewhat similar ma
ture, and for months now-indeed. since
the middle OF the SUMMERTIME toy
stores have been busy in celebrating
or originating these devices and IN
slowing away the gifts which are TO
delight the children.
Magnificent and. Overwhelmingly ex-
pensive are some OF these creations.
There is a party automobile. for In
stance. designed for a childrens
Christmas party that fairly makes one
gasp with its luxurious equipment. The
automobile. being Of the mechs meal
variety, may wheel on the scene of fits
own accord. bringing with it Santa
Claus and a pretty large slice OF toy
land treasure. The car is packed with
presents and 20 every present ribbon
IS attached. and to the other end OF the
ribbon a small Santa Claus is securely
fastened. All these miniature Santaa
hang rather uncomfortably over tho
side or the car until the time Gomez
for choosing. Then everybody chooses
q Santa Cisus-nof by his expression.
probably, because in face. form. fea-
ture and costume they are all just
alike. Having chosen, everybody lifts
Santa out by pulling on the ribbon at
tached TO him and thereby hauling out
ones own particular gift.
But the fun Is not vet finished. After
eli the Santa Claus gifts have been dis
Inferred, opened and admired. the au-
tomobile, instead OF retiring modestly
from the scene. as IL would naturally
be expected 10 do. stands stock still.
II isn't because the gasoline has run
out, either. nor because something re-
fuses to spark. II is simply because
the automobile knows it is capable of
further usefulness.
Then some ono discovers that all
around the bottom Of the car arc rows
OF cornucopias which are also meant
to be pulled and out OF which come
Bweetmeats OF strange and quaint de-
sign or further gifts OF small size.
Magic Snowballs
After all this one naturally expects
the automobile to be about done But
no-its treasures are still inexhaust-
fble- Quantities of snowballs also form
part of its decoration, and after the
cornucopias have been disposed OF the