  A "Riley" party was recently held by one of our church charity organizations. It proved a decidedly unique affair and quite a profitable one also. The decorations of the church parlors consisted mainly of paper, which was most artistically entwined about pillar, post and picture. A large picture of James Whitcomb Riley was placed upon the wall facing the entrance, and over it in pasteboard letters, "When the frost is on the pumpkin, And the fodder's in the shock." Almost all the young people who had gotten up the entertainment were dressed to represent Riley's characters, and several of the most important presided over the booths. At one, which was literally covered with paper flowers, "'Lizabeth Ann, she can cook best things to eat," sold cakes and pies. At another Riley's poems and photographs were sold, and at still another "The raggedy man! He works for pa," knocked down apples from an improvised apple-tree as fast as he could sell them. And among the purchasers were "Little Orphant Annie," "Max and Jim," "Pa and ma and me, all three," and many others. While all were busy buying and tasting the good things, "the old band" marched in. "Somehow—anyway I want to hear the old band play Sich tunes as 'John Brown's body,' and 'Sweet Alice,' don't you know? And 'The camels is a-comin'' and 'John Anderson, my Jo.'" And the impromptu band played them. Later in the evening some of the Riley poems were recited. |
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