  The young hostess announced that a love story of the Civil War would be related in musical numbers, and to the one who should best interpret them a prize would be awarded. All were provided with cards and pencils and a young woman seated herself at the piano. The hostess then asked "What was the heroine called?" Whereupon the familiar notes of "Sweet Marie" were heard, and it began to be understood that the names of popular airs—given with much spirit by the pianist—would furnish the answers to the questions propounded, to be recorded upon the cards. The story progressed thus: What was the hero's name? "Robin Adair." Where was he born? "Dixie." Where was she born? "On the Suwanee River." Where did they meet? "Comin' thro' the rye." At what time of day was it? "Just as the sun went down." When did he propose? "After the ball was over." What did he say? "Only one girl in this world for me." What did she say? "I'll leave my happy home for you." What did he then bid her? "A soldier's farewell." What did the band play? "The girl I left behind me." Where did he go? "Georgia." Where did he spend that night? "Tenting on the old camp ground." What did the band play when he came home? "When Johnny comes marching home." Where were they married? "Old Kentucky home." Who were the bridesmaids? "Two little girls in blue." Who furnished the music? "Whistling Rufus." Who furnished the wedding feast? "Rosie O'Grady." Where did they make their home? "On the banks of the Wabash." What was their motto? "Home, sweet home." Where did they always remain? "America." The music was a new feature, and the fact that the airs were so well known made it the more enjoyable. The advantage of the winner being so slight, the pleasure of success was the more general. After supper the hostess said that if they were not tired of guessing she had another game to propose—a sort of fortune-telling game which would give each man present the name that his future wife should bear. It was for him to discover it. The first name was told to make the subject clear—which was that a chemist's wife should be named "Ann Eliza." Then they were told to guess the name of a civil engineer's wife (Bridget); a gambler's (Betty); a humorist's (Sally); a clergyman's (Marie); a shoemaker's (Peggy); a sexton's (Belle); a porter's (Carrie); a dancing-master's (Grace); a milliner's (Hattie); a gardener's (Flora); a judge's (Justine); a pugilist's (Mamie); a pianist's (Octavia); a life-saver's (Caroline); an upholsterer's (Sophy); an astronomer's (Stella); a doctor's (Patience); a fisherman's (Netty); a gasman's (Meta); a marksman's (Amy). Each man could judge, from his occupation, the name of his future wife. |
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