Send the Juniors an invitation reading somewhat like this:
“You are invited to enter one or all of the athletic events of the Parlor Athletic Club, on Wednesday evening, November third, at 65 Sycamore Street. Everybody will break training at the end of the meet.
“Bertrand C. Frost, Field Marshal.
“October twenty-fifth, 1903.”
As each guest enters the front door, the scorer should put down the guest’s name, number it, and pin on his back a plainly numbered card. As he enters the parlor or dining-room, a paper and pencil should be given to him. The events should be plainly listed on a blackboard. The announcer should say: “Will each competitor please write his number at the head of his sheet, and under this the numbers, but not the names, of the events which he means to enter? The more entries, the better. Hand your sheets to me.”
Four judges (grown people are the best) can quickly make lists of the people entering each event. Then the announcer should clear the field, and the events should begin as promptly as possible. The following list may be too long:
1. Taking the largest bite from an apple hung by a string. The hands of the competitor must be held behind his back.
2. Holding the breath the longest without laughing.
3. Balancing a cane on one finger the longest.