Holidays at the Grange

Holidays at the Grange or A
Week's Delight,
by Emily
Mayer Higgins

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Delight,
by Emily Mayer Higgins
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Title: Holidays at the Grange or A Week's Delight Games and Stories
for Parlor and Fireside
Author: Emily Mayer Higgins

Release Date: July 25, 2006 [eBook #18907]
Language: English
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HOLIDAYS AT THE GRANGE, OR A WEEK'S DELIGHT.
Games and Stories for Parlor and Fireside.
by
EMILY MAYER HIGGINS.

[Illustration: Publisher's logo]
Philadelphia: Porter & Coates. Copyright, 1886, by Porter & Coates.
[Illustration: WYNDHAM GRANGE.]

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE The Gathering.--Christmas Eve.--"Consequences."--"How do
you like it?" 9

CHAPTER II.
Christmas Day.--"Rhymes."--"Cento."--"Genteel Lady."--The Fairy
Wood. 21
CHAPTER III.
"The Rhyming Game."--Orikama, or the White Water-Lily; an Indian
Tale. 62
CHAPTER IV.
"Proverbs."--"Twenty Questions."--The Spectre of Alcantra, or the
Conde's Daughters; a Tale of Spain. 98
CHAPTER V.
A Skating Adventure.--"What is my Thought like?"--"Questions."--The
Orphan's Tale, or the Vicissitudes of Fortune. 140
CHAPTER VI.
Sunday.--Bible Stories.--"Capping Bible Verses."--Bible-Class. 181
CHAPTER VII.
Sequel to the Orphan's Tale.--"Who can he be?"--"Elements."--The
Astrologers. 206
CHAPTER VIII.
"Confidante."--"Lead-Merchant."--"Trades."--The Rose of Hesperus; a
Fairy Tale. 246
CHAPTER IX.
New-Year's Day.--"Characters, or Who am I?"--"Quotations."--"Acting

Charades."--"Riddles." 281
CHAPTER X.
Whispering Gallery.--Potentates.--Three Young Men. 295

GAMES AND STORIES.
CHAPTER I.
THE GATHERING.--CHRISTMAS
EVE.--CONSEQUENCES.--HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?
Not many miles from Philadelphia, in a beautifully wooded and hilly
country, may be seen a large rambling mansion, whose substantial
walls show that it was built at a time when more attention was paid to
the durability of dwellings than at present. It is, indeed, quite an ancient
house for this part of the world, having been erected by a certain John
Wyndham, a hundred years ago; and it has remained in the family ever
since, the owner of it generally inheriting the name of John, a taste for
rural life, and the old homestead together. It was constructed in good
taste, and with great regard for comfort; the broad hall, the favorite
resort in summer, was ornamented with family portraits of many ages
back, and a complete suit of armor, visor and all, struck awe into the
hearts of young visitors, who almost expected its former occupant to
resume possession, with his gauntleted hand to draw the sword from its
scabbard, and, seizing the flag over his head, to drive the modern
usurpers from the house. Large antlers, bows and arrows, and rusty
fowling-pieces against the wall, intimated that the descendants of the
grim warrior had exercised their valor in the chase; while a guitar with
blue ribbon, in the corner, told that gentler days had come, and spoke of
peace, domestic joys, and woman's influence.
Many were the bright sunshiny chambers in that cheerful home; but I
will describe one apartment only, the sitting-room, with which we are
chiefly concerned. The furniture is quaint and massive; but it is the rich

mellow light streaming through the room that principally attracts the
eye. Is it the western sun, tinted by the colored glass of the bay-window,
or is it the ruddy hickory fire? What a remarkable chimney-place! few
such can be seen now-a-days; they had gone out of date a hundred
years ago; but it was ancient John Wyndham's fancy, as far as possible,
to possess a fac-simile of the family mansion in England, in which his
childish days had been spent. What elaborate carving upon the huge
mantel-piece!--hunters with their guns and dogs; shepherds and
shepherdesses, with crooks and sheep; scriptural scenes and rural
incidents, afford endless amusement to the groups gathered before the
fire. Before, did I say? around, is the right expression; for so large is the
chimney, that while crackling up-piled logs blaze upon the hearth, a
number might be accommodated on the benches at the side, as well as
in front. It is the most sociable gathering-place in the world, and the
stiffest and most formal person would soon relax there; while fingers
are thawed, hearts are melted by that fire--warm and kind affections are
drawn out--sparkles of wit fly about