The American Girl's Handy Book

by Lina Beard

  Fig. 228.—The Rooster.

  Fig. 229

  Fig. 230

  Fig. 231

  Fig. 232.

  Pattern of Rooster.

  Fig. 233.—The Weight.

  Fairy Dancers.

  Fairy Dancers.

  Among the gifts made by little hands, a box, containing a set of fairy dancers, will be a most novel and welcome addition. These little figures, when placed on the piano, will move as soon as the keys are touched, dancing fast or slow in perfect time to the music. They may all be made to resemble fairies as in Fig. 234, or a famous collection of figures in the costumes of different periods in history will be equally pretty and perhaps more interesting. Ladies in kirtles and tunics, gentlemen in slashed doublet and hose of the Tudor times, Queen Elizabeth’s starched ruffs and farthingales, etc. All these dresses can be more easily copied from pictures of the period than from any written description of them. The materials used for the costume must be of the lightest kind, for a heavy dress will weigh down the dancer and hamper its movements. To make the fairy (Fig. 234) trace Fig. 235 on cardboard and cut it out, sew a piece of bonnet-wire down the back, as shown in diagram. Mark the slippers on the feet with ink or black paint, select a Christmas or advertising card representing a child, with a head of a suitable size, cut the head out and paste it on the fairy.

  Fig. 234.—A Fairy Dancer.

  Fig. 235.—Pattern of Fairy Dancer.

  Fig. 236.—Pattern of Chinaman.

  Gather two short skirts of tarlatan, make a waist of the same, sew with a few stitches to the doll, and cover the stitches with a sash of bright colored tissue paper; add a strip of tarlatan for a floating scarf, gluing it to the uplifted hands. Bend back the piece of cardboard projecting from the foot, and glue to it a small piece of bristle brush. The wire on the doll should be long enough to pass tightly around the brush, thus making it more secure.

  Fig. 237.

  Fig. 238.

  Chinaman’s Queue.

  Fig. 239—The Chinaman.

  If you would like to have the Chinaman (Fig. 239) in your troupe of dancers, trace on cardboard Fig. 236, draw a face with slanting eyes, or paint it; then take several strands of black thread and tie them together in the centre with another piece of thread (Fig. 237), bring the ends down together (Fig. 238), braid them and sew the braid to the back of the Chinaman’s head (239). Cut a loose sacque from pattern Fig. 240, fold at the waved lines and sew together at the dotted lines; cut an opening for the head as seen in pattern. Make the hat of dark green paper cut in the form of Fig. 241, and crimp it from the centre (Fig. 242). Sew the hat to the back of the Chinaman’s head, bend the cardboard projection at the feet and glue it to a piece of brush.

  Fig. 240.—Chinaman’s Sacque.

  Fig. 241.—Pattern of Chinaman’s Hat.

  Fig. 242.—Chinaman’s Hat.

  Butterflies of brilliant hues, all hovering and circling, may take the place of the fairies, or they may mingle with them in the dance, presenting a scene indeed fairy-like. To make a butterfly, trace the pattern given in Fig. 243, on brilliantly colored paper. Form a body by rolling a small piece of beeswax between the fingers until it assumes the desired shape (Fig. 244); then attach the wings to the body by softening the wax and sticking them to it. Wax a piece of black thread to stiffen it, and make a knot in each end (Fig. 245), bend this in the middle and stick it on to the head to form the antennæ (Fig. 246). Fasten one end of a very fine wire securely in the middle of the wax body, and wrap the other end around a small piece of brush as seen in Fig. 247. A number of these butterflies placed on the pianoforte will move, bend and sway with the music as if endowed with life.

  Fig. 243

  Fig. 244

  Fig. 245

  Fig. 246

  Fig. 247

  Butterfly.

  Toys, also, which are small and light enough, can be made to “trip the light fantastic” in time to the music.

  Select those most suitable and glue them to pieces of brush in the way described for the other dancers.

  The children, generous little souls, always long to do their part towards making Christmas presents, and we hope that the suggestion we have offered will help them to manufacture, without other aid, many little gifts which their friends will prize the more highly for having been made by the loving little hands.

  CHAPTER XXX.

  AMUSEMENTS AND GAMES FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

  A WINTER passed in-doors would be irksome indeed for a healthy, hearty girl, and even the most delicate are the better for an outing now and then. The keen northwest wind, the biting frosts, the crisp atmosphere and the glistening ice and snow are not without their attractions, and we hope that no American girl will neglect the opportunities this time of the year affords for healthy, enjoyable out-door pastime. It is well to follow the example of our Canadian sisters, and, clad in garments warm and appropriate, indulge in coasting, tobogganing, skating, sleighing, and walking.

  The country, wrapped in its winter mantle, is very attractive. Many of our small animals and birds that city people are apt to associate only with a summer landscape, are to be found abroad in mid-winter, and upon a bright sunny day the birds are not only to be seen, but heard twittering and even singing in the hedges; they do not feel the cold and are enjoying themselves heartily. The reason the birds and wild creatures are so comfortably content, is because they are prepared for the weather, their clothing is not only soft and warm, but fits them perfectly, without interfering with their movements. Take a lesson from them, girls, dress as becomingly as you choose, the birds always do that, but do not wear thin-soled shoes or anything that is uncomfortable; wrap up warm and you can enjoy yourself out of doors in the coldest weather just as well as the birds. The cold winds will only bring the roses to your cheeks, and the keen, invigorating air, health and suppleness to your body.

  We do not think any person ever learned to skate, coast, or walk on snow-shoes from reading the directions that can be given in a book. It is for that reason we have no chapter devoted to these sports and not because we do not believe in, and enjoy them, too. Therefore we will direct our attention to indoor sports, for they can be learned in this way and are quite as important as the others in filling out the list of winter amusements.

  There are a great many days in winter when it is so stormy and disagreeable out-doors, one is glad enough to have the shelter of a roof and the warmth of a fire; these are the days and evenings when in-doors games are in demand, and during the holiday season, when work has been put aside, and you have nothing to do but enjoy yourself, any new diversion is always welcome. It is here then that we will insert the

  New Game of Bubble Bowling.

  When the game of Bubble Bowling was played for the first time, it furnished an evening’s entertainment, not only for the children, but for grown people also; even a well known general and his staff, who graced the occasion with their presence, joined in the sport, and seemed to enjoy it equally with their youthful competitors. Loud was the chorus of “Bravo!” and merry the laugh of exultation when the pretty crystal ball passed safely through its goal; and sympathy was freely expressed in many an “Oh!” and “Too bad!” as the wayward bubble rolled gayly off toward the floor, or, reaching the goal, dashed itself against one of the stakes and instantly vanished into thin air.

  The game should be played upon a long, narrow table, made simply of a board about five feet long and eighteen inches wide, resting upon high wooden “horses.” On top of the table, and at a distance of twelve inches from one end, should be fastened in an upright position, two stakes, twelve inches high; the space between the stakes should be eight inches, which will make each stand four inches from the nearest edge of the table. When finished, the table must be covered with some sort of woollen cloth; an old shawl or a breadth of colored flannel will answer the purpose excellently. Small holes must be cut at the right distance for the stakes to pass through. The cloth should be allowed to fall over the
edge of the table, and must not be fastened down, as it will sometimes be necessary to remove it in order to let it dry. It will be found more convenient, therefore, to use two covers, if they can be provided, as then there can always be a dry cloth ready to replace the one that has become too damp. The bubbles are apt to stick when they come upon wet spots, and the bowling can be carried on in a much more lively manner if the course is kept dry. Each of the stakes forming the goal should be wound with bright ribbons of contrasting colors, entwined from the bottom up, and ending in a bow at the top. This bow can be secured in place by driving a small brass-headed tack through the ribbon into the top of the stake. If the rough pine legs of the table seem too unsightly, they can easily be painted, or a curtain may be made of bright-colored cretonne—any other material will do as well, provided the colors are pleasing—and tacked around the edge of the table, so as to fall in folds to the floor. The illustration shows the top of the table, when ready for the game.

  Bubble Bowling.

  For an impromptu affair, a table can be made by placing a leaf of a dining-table across the backs of two chairs, and covering it with a shawl; lead pencils may be used for the stakes, and they can be held in an upright position by sticking them in the tubes of large spools. This sort of table the children can arrange themselves, and it answers the purpose very nicely. The other things to be provided for the game are a large bowl of strong soapsuds, made with hot water and common brown soap, and as many pipes as there are players.

  The prizes for the winners of the game may consist of any trinkets or small articles that fancy or taste may suggest.

  Bubble Bowling can be played in two ways. The first method requires an even number of players, and these must be divided into two equal parties. This is easily accomplished by selecting two children for captains, and allowing each captain to choose, alternately, a recruit for her party until the ranks are filled, or, in other words, until all the children have been chosen; then, ranked by age, or in any other manner preferred, they form in line on either side of the table. A pipe is given to each child, and they stand prepared for the contest. One of the captains first takes her place at the foot of the table, where she must remain while she is bowling, as a bubble passing between the stakes is not counted unless blown through the goal from the end of the table.

  The bowl of soapsuds is placed upon a small stand by the side of the bowling-table, and the next in rank to the captain, belonging to same party, dips her pipe into the suds and blows a bubble, not too large, which she then tosses upon the table in front of the captain, who, as first bowler, stands ready to blow the bubble on its course down through the goal. Three successive trials are allowed each player; the bubbles which break before the bowler has started them, are not counted.

  The names of all the players, divided as they are into two parties, are written down on a slate or paper, and whenever a bubble is sent through the goal, a mark is set down opposite the name of the successful bowler.

  When the captain has had her three trials, the captain on the other side becomes bowler, and the next in rank of her own party blows the bubbles for her. When this captain retires, the member of the opposite party, ranking next to the captain, takes the bowler’s place and is assisted by the one whose name is next on the list of her own side; after her the player next to the captain on the other side; and so on until the last on the list has her turn, when the captain then becomes assistant and blows the bubbles.

  The number of marks required for either side to win the game, must be decided by the number of players; if there are twenty—ten players on each side—thirty marks would be a good limit for the winning score.

  When the game has been decided, a prize is given to that member of the winning party who has the greatest number of marks attached to her name showing that she has sent the bubble through the goal a greater number of times than any player on the same side. Or, if preferred, prizes may be given to every child belonging to the winning party. The other way in which Bubble Bowling may be played is simpler, and does not require an even number of players as no sides are formed.

  Each bowler plays for herself, and is allowed five successive trials; if three bubbles out of the five be blown through the goal the player is entitled to a prize. The child acting as assistant becomes the next bowler, and so on until the last in turn becomes bowler, when the one who began the game takes the place of assistant.

  When the evening lamps are lighted and the young folks, gathered cosily around the cheerful fire, begin to be at a loss how to amuse themselves, let them try the game of

  Biographical Nonsense.

  A paper must be written by one of the players which will read like the following:

  The name of a noted man.

  A date between the flood and the present year.

  The name of a noted man.

  A country.

  The name of some body of water or river.

  Some kind of a vessel.

  A country.

  A country.

  The name of a school.

  A city.

  A city, town, or country.

  A city, town, or country.

  A number.

  The names of two books.

  The name of one book.

  A wonderful performance.

  The name of a well-known person.

  A profession or trade.

  A term expressing the feeling entertained for another person.

  A term descriptive of someone’s appearance.

  A word denoting size.

  A term describing form.

  A color.

  A word denoting size.

  The name of an article of some decided color.

  The name of any article.

  The name of any article.

  A number of years.

  This paper is to be passed to each member of the party who in turn will fill up the blanks left, with the words, terms, and names indicated.

  When the blanks have been filled, one player must read the following, and another supply the words, when she pauses, from the paper just prepared, being sure to read them in their true order.

  A BIOGRAPHY.

  ———was born in ———the same year when ———discovered ———, by sailing through the in a ———. His father was a native of ———; his mother of ———. He was educated at ———, in the city of ———. His first voyage, which was a long one, was from ———to ———. He wrote three books before he was ———years of age. They are ———, and ———. He performed the miraculous feat of ———with ———. He was a great ———, and one we shall ever ———. In appearance he was ———being rather ———of stature. His nose was ———, his eyes ———, his mouth ———, and hair the color of ———adorned his head. He invariably carried in his hand a ———and a ———, by which he was always known, and with which he is represented to this day. He died at the advanced age of ———.

  The ridiculous combinations found in this game make it very funny.

  Comic Historical Tableaux

  are very amusing, and being impromptu require no preparation beforehand.

  As in charades, the company must divide into two parties. But instead of acting as in charades, one party decides what event in history they will represent, and then they form a tableau to illustrate the event, making it as ridiculous as possible. The other party must try and guess what the tableau is; if they are successful, it is their turn to produce a tableau, if not, the first party must try another subject, and continue to do so until the subject of their tableau is correctly guessed.

  We will give a few suggestions for the tableaux.

  BALBOA DISCOVERING THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

  Place a pan of water on the floor in plain sight of the audience; then let someone dress up in a long cloak and high-crowned hat to personate Balboa, and stand on a table in the middle of the floor, while the rest of the performers, enveloped in shawls, crouch around. When the curt
ain is drawn aside, Balboa must be seen looking intently through one end of a tin horn, or one made of paper, at the pan of water.

  NERO AT THE BURNING OF ROME.

  Nero, in brilliant robes made of shawls, sits on a table, surrounded by his courtiers, who are also in fantastic costumes. Nero is in the act of fiddling, his fiddle being a small fire shovel, and the bow a poker. On the floor in front of the group is placed a large shallow pan or tray, in which is set a small house, which has been hastily cut from paper. A lighted match is put to the paper house just as the curtains are parted.