Each player had a credit card tied in his buttonhole upon which numbers something like the meal tickets issued at restaurants were closely written. When added these numbers should make 500. The hostess had a punch with which she cut out the numbers to correspond with those won by the player. When any player had no more numbers on his card he was declared winner and the game was ended.
Where a party of girls wish to have an evening all to themselves the "Spinster Tea" will furnish them with much merriment.
As this sort of tea should be quite informal the invitations may be written on plain white note-paper, as follows:
"_Being a spinster in good standing in this community you are cordially invited to a 'Spinster Tea' on Tuesday evening, November twentieth, at seven o'clock, at 415 Madison Street. You are requested to dress in character, and to bring with you an old-fashioned picture of a man supposed to have been refused by you. Be prepared to tell the story of his wooing and to state what he lacked to make him pleasing to you. The narrator of the most improbable story will be given a heart._"
When the evening of the tea comes, and the guests have all been introduced one to another, they may be ushered into the dining-room and the supper be served. The dining-table should be arranged in as old-fashioned a style as possible. At the four corners place candlesticks with wax candles, and for a centrepiece have a large bouquet of artificial bachelors' buttons. Use old-fashioned china and silver if you happen to have any. At each place put a few bachelors' buttons, to which attach a menu card by a narrow white taffeta ribbon.
The refreshments should be numbered upon the menu cards, and each guest be allowed to choose one number each time the waitress passes around. The key to the menu given should be held by the hostess and the waitress.
The following menu was recently used at a "Spinster Tea" and created much merriment:
3. Front curls. 3. Curled molasses chips.
4. Objects of envy. 4. Preserved pears (pairs).
5. Warranted to pop. 5. Bottle of ginger ale.
After all have partaken of refreshments the guests should adjourn to the parlor where a circle may be formed, and, beginning at the left, each spinster in turn may exhibit the picture of her wooer, and relate her story. Two judges may be chosen by lot to decide which is the prize story, and a large frosted gingerbread heart may constitute the prize.