ne "barn dance." The mow is filled with sweet smelling
hay and the cattle, stalled, are below. The big center floor is
cleared and swept and reswept and chalked to make it fit for dancing
feet. The decorations for the dance consume much time, and into them
the hostess throws many a loving thought. Pumpkins form the chief
theme. In flower-like or hideous forms as jack-o'-lanterns they hold
posts of honor on rafter and beam.

The lanterns used are the regular farm lanterns, though the walk
through the old-fashioned garden to the barn is outlined by the fancy
Japanese lanterns. Ears of corn tied by fluttering ribbons, the husks
turned back to show the golden ears, cornstalks, golden-rod, milkweed,
woodbine and clusters of purple grapes are all worked into the
decorations.

The young folks learn by previous experiences not to wear perishable
finery at the barn dance, and the girls all come in pretty
wash-dresses that will stand a good romp. Music is furnished by an old
darkey fiddler, not violinist, who plays "Money Musk," "Fisher's
Hornpipe," "Ole Dan Tucker" and any number of plantation melodies.

The supper, of course, is the best part of the dance to hungry
city-bred people. Hot coffee is served in bright new tin-cups, for
these young people mimic harvesters; there is fried chicken, cold ham,
potato salad, rolls with golden country butter that melts in one's
mouth, plenty of fresh milk, pumpkin and apple pie, with cottage
cheese, ginger cakes and doughnuts, and even cider for those who wish.

The dance is always given during the full harvest moon and the stone
wall which bounds the orchard, the old farm wagons, the grain bins and
even the low apple trees furnish flirtation nooks for lovers. One year
the barn dance was also a potato roast. Huge fires were built on the
lawn, and during the intermission the crowd gathered around the fires
and roasted potatoes. This time, too, the dance was made a house
party, and the girls were stowed away in the farmhouse while the boys
enjoyed tents and the big haymow. Is it any wonder that the pretty
hostess' friends call her barn dance the big event of the year?

Bachelor Women and their Entertainments.

The bachelor women in their cosy little city apartments, or even their
one apartment, refuse to be debarred from the pleasure and privilege
of giving the little entertainments so dear to the heart feminine.
They not only give the most charming little "teas" and "coffees," but