  Library parties for grown people are common enough, but the boys should have a costume book party of their own. The more boys present, the better. The following suggestions for costumes may be helpful: 1. “Black Beauty.” A good-looking boy in burnt cork. 2. “Little Men.” Two or more brothers or friends wearing high hats, long-tailed coats, etc. 3. “Pilgrim’s Progress.” A boy wearing a gown and carrying a staff. The word “Mecca” should be printed on a label fastened to his breast. 4. “Tom Saw-yer.” A boy whose real name is Tom should raise a telescope to his eyes every few minutes. 5. “Rob Roy.” A red-haired boy in Highland costume. The plaid should be correct. 6. “Kenilworth.” (Kennel worth.) A boy leading his pet dog. 7. “Under the Lilacs.” A boy wearing a garland of real or artificial lilacs. 8. “Under Drake’s Flag.” A boy wearing the British flag as a turban. 9. “Merry adventures of Rob-in Hood.” A boy named Robert wearing his sister’s hood. 10. “St. Nicholas.” A boy dressed as Santa Claus. 11. “The Pirate.” A boy dressed as a typical pirate. 12. “Story of a Bad Boy.” A boy wearing a placard on which is printed “The History of My Life.” 13. “Boys of ’76.” Two boys, each wearing a placard marked, “100-24.” 14. “Recollections of a Drummer-Boy.” A boy with a drum. On a placard is written, “Forty Years Ago.” 15. “Sketch-Book.” A boy carrying a drawing-book under his arm. Thirty is a good number to be present at a book party. All the guests should send their book-titles to the host of the evening two or three days before the party. At the door each boy should be handed a pencil, a blank sheet of paper, and a numbered card which he should pin to his back or sleeve. Half an hour should be allowed for guessing the names. One reward might be a book like Kipling’s “Barrack-Room Ballads,” or “Seven Seas;” another, a paper-cutter; and, for the shortest list, a blank book. Ice-cream and |
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