Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1895 — FOB LITTLE FOLKS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOB LITTLE FOLKS.

SHADOW TABLEAUX AND HOW TO GIVE THEM. •Can Only Be Shown at Night in * Darkened Room —How to Produce with Living Models Those Illustrated in Thia Article. Fun for an Evening. Shadow tableaux or pictures have been before presented to you under the name of silhouettes, that have been shown for the most part singly, while the present ones are represented In

groups, some of which are really very laughable. The pictures can only be shown at night in a darkened room, and an excellent way to produce those Illustrated with living models is as follows: First erect a small platform or stage, and from the celling In front of It suspend a large white sheet of not too close or firm weave, permitting it to reach to the floor of the platform. Behind the sheet stand the performers,

between it and a light, a lantern having a funnel-shaped reflector being the best for amateur entertainments of this character. By the aid of such a light the figures are silhouetted or outlined against the sheet In the same manner as a shadow is cast on a blank wall by placing a light behind the substance. The audience will of course sit In darkness a few feet from the platform. The performers will take the various poses illustrated and remain as quiet as possible during the exhibition of each tableaux, which may be shown for

about two ‘minutes. The person who arranges the various poses will see that nothing is wanting to perfect the picture before the curtain is allowed to be raised. Of course the curtain is indispensable. It should be hung from a pole and may be drawn back by a cord which has been slipped through the rings and fastened to the front upper corner of the curtain. The hand which draws back the curtain should not be visible to the audience. The master of ceremonies announces each subject as the curtain is lifted. The tableaux portrayed at figure No. 1 shows a boy patting his little sister kindly on the back. Sister is sulky and will not be consoled or persuaded to give up her toy cart “A Little Sulky" might do as a name for this.

•The Sleeepers,” pictured at figure No. 2, are rudely disturbed from their noonday nap on a park bench by a

policeman. They should wear very ragged clothes and look like tramps. At figure No. 3 are pictured a foreignlooking student and his sister, or some nearer relative, taking refreshments at a table, which is arranged beneath some foliage, from which dangles a spider, whose presence startles the thirsty pair. “A Summer Table” would be a very good title for this. An appropriate title for the picture shown at figure No. 4 will be “A Carryall at Home.” Papa kindly lends his back to the three little ones and assumes a crawling position, and mamma, fearful lest baby should fall from the

human carryall, throws out her hands as If to catch him. Doggie’s surprise at the curious conveyance is expressed in his position. If the living pet cannot be trained for his part a toy animal may take his place. Tandem driving is very fashionable, and you might dignify the picture shown at figure No. 5 by the name “Driving Tandem.” Brother, crowned with papa’s high beaver hat, holds two chairs in rein as proudly as if they were horses, and flourishes his whip threat-

eningly. Sister, with dolly in arms, rides behind. Doesn’t it look real? “After the Circus,” shown at figure No. 6, is no less comical than any of the other tableaux. All the figures seem to be in action. The girl is dancing on an ottoman, the boy, with a young child on his back, occupies two chairs and a third serves as a horse, whose reins he holds In both hands. The dog stands on his hind legs In a curious manner and looks attentively at his master, who is absorbed in driving. Isn’t the tableaux given at figure No. 7 extremely funny? You might name it “Four-In-Hand." The schoolmaster has four seemingly repentant transgressors to punish. His cane looks formidable and his face wears a very angry expression. The broom, umbrella, “stovepipe” hat, and other odds and ends may be supplied or omitted, as

desired. I think their introduction would add to the effect of the picture, however. The various titles, you will observe,

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