The Project Gutenberg eBook of Recreations for Girls, by Lina Beard and Adelia Beard.

Fig. 389 is the pattern for Master Lamb's coat, which you are to cut from a sheet of white cotton wadding, opened through the centre to give the wooliness of the raw cotton. A sheep's wool does not grow long on its legs, so you need not wonder that the lamb is not provided with leggings.

Paste the coat on the lamb's back and the little cap (Fig. 390) on top of his head and he will have all the clothing to which he is entitled. The dotted line below the lamb's ear shows how far the wool is to reach on his face, and that on the top of his head gives the limit for the edge of the cap.

and transferred it to a sheet of cardboard, you must collect a number of small feathers as much as possible like the shapes given in the page of diagrams. Perhaps you can get those plucked from the chicken for to-day's dinner, or you may be allowed to take a few from mother's feather pillows or cushions. If you do not find feathers of just the right shapes take a pair of sharp scissors and trim them down to suit.

Select three feathers for the tail like the tail feather Fig. 391, and fit them in place on the goose to see just where they are to go; then take them off, cover the tail with glue and carefully put the feathers back in place, pressing them down until they stick fast (Fig. 392). Find body feathers like Fig. 393 and, beginning near the tail, cover part of the body with glue, then stick the feathers on, overlapping them as in Fig. 394. The under part of the body must be entirely covered with these feathers, but before going on to the breast and neck the wing must be attended to.

There are two kinds of wing feathers—some long and narrow (Fig. 395), and others much shorter (Fig. 396). Begin at the lower edge of the wing and glue a row of the long feathers in place, allowing the lower edge of one feather to overlap the upper edge of another, as in Fig. 397. Along the top edge of the wing glue a row of the small feathers (Fig. 397), and then, beginning again at the lower edge of the wing, cover the remainder with the small feathers.

The short, broad feather (Fig. 398), is the kind to use on breast and neck. Begin at the wing and fasten them on, going upward until the head is reached, then trim off the stems of the feathers to fit the space shown by the dotted line on the goose's head (Fig. 399). Do not put too much glue on the goose at one time, only enough for one row of feathers, and spread it very thinly, for it takes but little to catch and hold the light feathers in place.

PART II

CHAPTER XX

in this way: Select three large white eggs, make a minute hole in the small end of each, and another hole the size of a silver dime in the large end. Place the hole at the small end of each shell to your lips and blow steadily until all the egg has run out. Then set the shells in a warm place to dry while you make ready "something bitter and something sweet" with which to fill them. Soft, creamy candies of a small size are the best for this. Select several pieces for each egg, and pour on each of these one drop of a weak solution of wormwood or quinine. Mix the bitter candy with the sweet, and fill the egg-shells.

Cut from gilt or colored paper three scalloped disks four inches in diameter (Fig. 400). Through the centre of each disk pass a needle threaded with doubled black linen thread, cover the under side of the disk with paste, separate the two ends of the thread and hold them down on each side of the large end of a shell, as shown in Fig. 401; then draw the disk down and paste it upon the shell over the threads. If the ends of the thread extend below the disk, clip them off with sharp scissors. Wait until the paste is quite dry and the paper firmly attached to the shells, then hang the eggs by their threads in a door-way so that they will be just one foot higher than you can reach.

There must be at least two girls and two boys to play the game. Fold a shawl or wide scarf until it forms a narrow band. Wrap it around the waist of one of the girls, fasten it securely, and blindfold her with a handkerchief. Let a boy stand on either side of her, grasp the band firmly, and then march her up to the door-way where the eggs are suspended, chanting these words:

Reaching the door-way they must halt just before it, and when the girl says "Ready" she must jump, the boys at the same time lifting her by the band around her waist. As she jumps she must try to catch one of the eggs. She can have but one trial, and if she succeeds in bringing down an egg it is hers; failing, she must wait until her turn comes again for the chance of securing a prize.

One of the boys must have the next trial, while the two girls become the "lifters." The same ceremony must be gone through with for each player, a girl and a boy alternately, and the same verse repeated.

It is not necessary to expend any strength in the "lifting," for the players should jump, and not depend upon the helpers to be lifted up within reach of the eggs. When the eggs have been pulled down, the fun consists in eating the candy, with always the certainty of finding some bitter drops among the sweet, and the uncertainty of how soon and how often the bitter will be found.

The egg dance is very old, so old that it is a novelty to young people of this generation. It is said that this dance formerly created much mirth, and no doubt it will afford our modern girls and boys an equal amount of merriment.

To prepare for it, take thirteen eggs, blow the contents from the shells, color eight red, gild four, and leave one white. The object in removing the egg from the shell is to save the carpet from being soiled should the eggs be trampled on. If the carpet is protected by a linen cover hard-boiled eggs may be used.

Place the eggs on the floor in two circles, one within the other. The outer circle, formed of the red eggs placed at equal distances apart, should measure about eight feet in diameter; the inner circle, formed of the gilded eggs, should be four feet in diameter, and the white egg must be placed directly in the centre of the inner circle.

The eggs being arranged the company is divided into couples, each in turn to try the dance. The first couple takes position within the outer circle—that is, between the red eggs and the gilded ones—and, to waltz music, they dance around the circle three times, keeping within the space between the two circles. Entering the inner circle they waltz three times around the central egg, and all this must be done without breaking or greatly disturbing any of the eggs. When an egg is broken or knocked more than twelve inches from its position, the dancers retire and give place to the next couple. The broken eggs are not replaced, but those out of position are set in order before the succeeding couple commence the dance. When each couple has had a turn and none have accomplished the feat, all change partners and the trial begins again.

The first couple to go through the mazes of the dance without breaking or disturbing any of the eggs win each a first prize; the next successful couple receive second prizes, and the third are rewarded with one colored hard-boiled egg which they may divide between them.

The appliances for this game are manufactured at home, and consist of three toy hoops, such as children use for rolling, eight bamboo walking-canes, and eight hooks made of wire like Fig. 402. A piece of twine three-quarters of a yard long is tied to the small end of each stick, and to the other end of the twine is fastened a hook.

Smooth, stiff, light-brown paper is pasted or tacked over each hoop like a drum-head, and in this paper covering of each hoop six round holes are cut, just large enough to admit the small end of an egg, or about the size of a silver quarter of a dollar. Four of the holes are made at equal distances apart, twelve inches from the edge of the paper, and the other two are near the centre (Fig. 403).

Eighteen eggs to be angled for are provided. They are not boiled, but the shells are emptied and prepared for decoration in the manner previously described.

They may be painted with water-colors, with designs of spring flowers and butterflies, gilded or silvered, or colored with dyes.

A circle of gilt paper is folded twice, which forms Fig. 404, and an eight-pointed star is cut by following the dotted lines in Fig. 404. In the centre of this is cut a round hole, and when opened, the star (Fig. 405) is the result.

A piece of narrow white satin ribbon, three inches long, is folded and pushed through the hole in the centre of the star, forming a loop; the ends are then pasted to the point on either side of the star.

When the egg-shell has received its decoration, this star and loop are glued to the large end of each shell, as shown in Fig. 406.

In twelve of the egg-shells are hidden trifling gifts of candy, a tiny penknife, silver thimble, or a trinket of any kind; in four are slips of paper on which are written "Prize Ring," and in the other two are also slips of paper; on one is written "First Prize," and on the other "Second Prize."

Every shell being supplied with its gift the holes at the small end of the egg are covered by pasting over each a small round of white paper, the edge of which is cut in points to make it fit more easily to the shell.

2d. The three hoops are placed on the floor, paper side up, at some distance apart. In each of the two ordinary rings are placed six eggs standing upright in the holes, small end down; four eggs contain presents and two the papers bearing the words "Prize Ring." In the third, or prize ring, are four eggs containing presents, and the two which hold the papers with the words "First Prize" and "Second Prize."

4th. Four players stand around each of the ordinary rings. Having once chosen their places they must keep them until all the eggs have been taken from the ring.

5th. Every player is provided with a fishing-rod which is held by one end, not in the middle.

6th. The endeavor of each player is to insert his hook through the ribbon loop on one of the eggs and lift it out of the ring, doing this as quickly as possible and catching as many as he can.

As each egg is taken from the ring its contents are examined and the player who first gets a prize-ring egg ceases angling until the other prize-ring egg has been caught.

7th. When the eggs have all been taken out of both ordinary rings, the two players in each ring who have the prize-ring eggs move to the prize ring and angle for the eggs which it contains.

8th. Two prizes, the first and second, fall to the lot of the two players who are fortunate enough to secure the prize eggs in the prize ring.

The prizes given for the prize eggs at the prize ring should be of a little more importance than those contained in the eggs. Instead of trinkets these eggs may contain only candy, which will give more prominence to the two real prizes given at the end of the game.

Everyone knows about the egg-rolling where the eggs are started at the top of a hill and rolled to the bottom, for it has become almost a national game, being played annually on the White House grounds in Washington on Easter Monday; but there is a new game of egg-rolling to be played in the house, in which any person in any place may take part. This is played, not with cooked eggs, as in the Washington game, but with empty egg-shells, which have been blown and left as nearly perfect as possible; and the field for the game is a table with a chalked line across either end about eight inches from the edge and another line directly across the centre.

which take their places at opposite ends of the table. Each player is provided with a fan and the egg-shell is placed directly in the centre of the table on the dividing line. At the word "Ready" all begin to fan, the object of each side being to send the egg to its goal across the line at the opposite end of the table, and to prevent its being rolled into the goal at its own end.

On no account must the egg be touched except in placing and replacing it on the centre line, which is done whenever a score is made, and when the egg rolls off the table; in all other cases it may be moved only by fanning. Each time the egg enters a goal it counts one for the side at the opposite end of the table, and when the score is marked the egg must be replaced in the centre; then, at the given signal, the fanning is renewed.

The winning score may be ten, fifteen, or twenty-five, but it is best not to make it too large, for several short games are more enjoyable than one long one.

CHAPTER XXI

MINGLING with the festivities of May day in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were certain games intended to represent the adventures of Robin Hood, that bold forest chieftain who with his band of merry men, all clad in Lincoln green, held many a contest with bow and arrows; and though most of them were masters of the sport, none could quite equal the leader, Robin Hood.

From certain customs of these bygone days we can evolve a delightful entertainment and call it the Twentieth Century May day. The most important personage on this occasion is the May Queen, who must win her crown by skill in archery. The next in importance is the King who wins his title in the same way. Of course,

and arrows will be needed for the sport, and these we will make at home. They will be quite small and easy to manufacture, but the bows, though tiny, will work to a charm and send the home-made arrows flying with swiftness and precision to their goal. Look up a piece of flat rattan, from which to form the bow, such as is often used to stiffen stays and dress waists; cut it eleven and one-half inches in length and burn a hole in each end by boring through the rattan with a hair-pin heated red hot at one end (Fig. 407). Holes made in this way will not split or break the rattan. Pass a strong linen thread through the hole in one end of the bow and tie it firmly (Fig. 408); then bring the thread across to the other end, pass it through the hole, leaving a stretch of eight and one-quarter inches from end to end of the bow, and tie the end securely (Fig. 410).

of slender sticks ten inches in length and sharpened to a point at the heavier end (Fig. 409). Whittle the arrows as round as possible. If you happen to have old, slender, long-handled paint brushes, they will make fine arrows with the brush taken off and the large end pointed.

may also be home-made; for this use a small hoop—a barrel hoop will do—and cover it with paper. Take any kind of paper strong enough to hold, but not too stiff, and cut it three or four inches larger in circumference than the hoop. Lay the hoop down flat on the paper and draw a line around its edge; then slash the paper around the edge, cutting deep enough to almost reach the circle marked by the hoop (Fig. 411). Cut silhouettes of spring flowers from various bright-colored tissue-paper. Lay a piece of tissue-paper over each flower pattern here given, and trace the outline directly on the tissue-paper. Make a cowslip (Fig. 412) of yellow paper for the centre of the target, and above it place (Fig. 413) a violet of violet tissue-paper, and under the centre fasten a Jack-in-the-pulpit of green tissue-paper (Fig. 414); at the right attach a pink azalia (Fig. 415) and at the left a scarlet tulip (Fig. 416). Over the remaining blank portion scatter bright silhouettes of other flowers. Each wild blossom has its own value: the yellow centre cowslip counts 10; violet, 9; Jack-in-the-pulpit, 8; pink azalia, 7; scarlet tulip, 6, etc. When the paper flowers are ready, lay the large target paper on a perfectly flat, hard surface; then, using paste only around the edges of the flowers, fasten each one in position on the target paper, beginning with the central cowslip. When finished turn the paper over on the wrong side and lay the hoop on it over the circular line previously drawn. The hoop must first have a strong staple driven in its top (Fig. 417). Turn up the slashed edge of the paper and paste it down over the hoop. Fig. 418 shows a portion of the flaps glued over it. Be sure when covering the hoop to keep the paper perfectly smooth and free from all wrinkles or fulness, as shown in the target (Fig. 419).

Select a good position on a tree or fence. Drive in a nail at the proper height and hang the target by the staple in its rim; then with a stick or stone mark a line on the ground about three yards from and directly in front of the target. Let each player in turn stand with toes touching the mark and shoot one arrow at the target. Someone must keep tally, and as each arrow strikes or misses make a record of the shot. When all have had one trial the second round may be played; then the third, which finishes the game of archery and decides the relative places of all the company.

the next highest maids-of-honor and gentlemen-of-the-Court; the others fall in line according to their records on the target, and the entire party strikes out for the nearest stretch of land where wild flowers are to be found. Out from the shade they go into the sunshine, where the new springing grass is tender and green, and a little beyond under the trees where a mysterious perfume, the breath of awakening Nature, pervades the air, where grow the modest blue-eyed violets, the fragrant trailing arbutus, spicy and sweet, the funny Jack-in-the-pulpit, without which no collection of wild flowers would be complete, and where also may be found the rare and beautiful bloodroot, whose stay is so short one can scarce catch a glimpse of its pure, white blossoms ere they vanish.

and the King shares her honors. All the subjects must yield implicit obedience; but, on the other hand, the Queen should issue only unselfish and kind commands, such as are sure to render her people happy, for the thought of their comfort and pleasure should ever be uppermost.

The delicate little blossoms of early spring need very careful handling, and it would be well for the King and his gentlemen to be provided with old kitchen knives or trowels, that they may be able to dig around and under the little plants in order to take the flowers up root and all, with the earth clinging to them (Fig. 420); each one can then be carefully placed upright in a flat-bottomed basket or box and carried home in safety. Better still would be a number of tiny water-proof paper flower-pots, which may be purchased per dozen for a trifling sum. In each pot place one plant with plenty of damp earth surrounding it, and upon reaching home tie a gay narrow ribbon through holes pierced on each side; the little receptacle will then make a charming May-basket, and the wild flowers will keep fresh and blooming for a long time (Fig. 421).

While the King and his men are at work digging up the plants the Queen and her ladies can gather the buds and blossoms, picking them with as long stems as possible and remembering to have a few green leaves of each plant with its blossoms. To keep the flowers from wilting, as they would if held in the hand, let each girl be provided with a clean, perfectly dry baking-powder can which has a lid that fits tightly; the blossoms must be without moisture and very carefully placed within the can as soon as they are plucked. When the tin box is filled the cover can be fitted on securely to exclude all the air. The green leaves may be carried in the hand, and when they droop they can be revived by being placed in fresh water. The bit of wildwood brought home in the form of dainty cut flowers could be put in water until dark, when the little

are ready for their reception. These baskets should always be small and must never be crowded with flowers; it is better to have only one variety of blossom with its foliage for each basket.

Manufacture the May-baskets of paper boxes, colored straws, wire, and cardboard. Those of wire can be made to resemble coral and are pretty when shaped like that shown at Fig. 425. Make a ring of wire about the size of the top of a very large teacup by twisting the two ends of the wire together, then pull it into an oblong shape curved downward at the two ends. Form another smaller ring, connect the two by a length of wire fastened on one end (Fig. 422); twist the wire on the bottom loop and bring it across the bottom and up on the other side end (Fig. 423). Proceed the same way with the broad sides, extending the wire up and across the top to form the handle (Fig. 424); if more braces are needed, add them, and tie bits of string in knots of various sizes at intervals all over the basket frame to form projections for the branches of coral.

Transform the wire into coral by melting some white wax and mixing with it powdered vermilion. While the wax is in a liquid state hang the basket on the end of a poker or stick and, holding it over the hot wax, carefully cover the frame with the red mixture by pouring the wax over the basket with a long-handled spoon. The wax cools rapidly and forms a coating closely resembling coral; the little lumps and projections that form give the basket the appearance of real coral, which is branching and uneven.

As soon as the wax has hardened (Fig. 425) insert in the basket a pasteboard bottom cut to fit; and when filling this basket with flowers place the foliage around the sides first. The fresh green contrasting with the red coral gives a pretty effect, and the leaves filling the spaces between the wires prevent the flowers from falling through.

is very appropriate for woodland blossoms. Make the bucket of a strip of cardboard ten by four inches; sew the two ends together and cut a circular piece for the bottom; fit it in and fasten with long stitches. Cut the handle of cardboard one-quarter of an inch wide and sew it in place. Cover the bucket with strips of olive-green tissue-paper an inch and a half wide which have previously been crimped by being folded backward and forward. Cut the strips in very fine fringe, unfold and gum them on the bucket in closely overlapping rows, as the cardboard must be entirely concealed to have the appearance of being covered with natural moss (Fig. 426).

which can be made in a moment is simply a bright-colored paper six inches long and three inches wide, with one of its long sides brought together at the two corners from the middle and fastened securely. A narrow ribbon forms the handle (Fig. 427).

Just at dusk the flowers may be arranged in the baskets with as little handling as possible. Then, when twilight comes, the May day party can steal cautiously to the door of the house fortunate enough to be favored by a May-token, hang one of the little baskets of flowers on the door-knob, ring the bell and scamper away before they are seen, for no one of the party must be present when the door opens.

If you live in the country erect your May pole on the lawn or in an open field; if in the city put it up in the back-yard, or if it rains or is cold hold your May day games in the house. In any case the pole should be planted in a tub as in Fig. 428, and decorated as shown in the illustration. The pole must be round and smooth and stout enough to support the weight of the hoops at the top. For an out-of-doors pole from ten to twelve feet is a good height, but an indoor pole must be adapted to the height of the ceiling of the room it will occupy.

Before placing the pole in the tub nail securely to its base a piece of board eighteen inches square, as shown in Fig. 428. Erect the pole in the middle of the tub, put in cross-pieces (Fig. 428), nailing them at the ends and fill in all around with stones or bricks, as in Fig. 429.

Fig. 391.—Tail feather.	Fig. 392.—How to paste on the tail feathers.
Fig. 393.—Body feather.	Fig. 394.—How to paste on the body feathers.
Fig. 395.—Wing feather.	Fig. 394.—How to paste on the body feathers.
Fig. 396.—Wing feather.	Fig. 397.—How to paste on the wing feathers.
Fig. 398.—Neck and breast feather.	Fig. 397.—How to paste on the wing feathers.

Fig. 413.—Violet for target.	Fig. 414.—Jack-in-the-pulpit for target.
Fig. 415.—Azalia for target.	Fig. 416.—Tulip for target.