All the girls looked quaint and interesting in Japanese costume. Some of these had been hired, and others made at home by the nimble fingers of the wearers. In order to learn how to do things, the girls carefully examined the portraits of Japanese women, and also received many ideas from a large Japanese emporium. At this place they made all their purchases, even to such small though important items as hair-pins, for, notwithstanding that none of the girls were over sixteen, each had her hair rolled, and altogether dressed in the Japanese fashion. This hair-dressing effected an enormous change, for instead of a cloud of windy curls, long waving hair, or braids, to which we were accustomed, the smoothly arranged and fantastically decorated locks seemed odd indeed, and gave the girlish faces an almost unnatural look, as though they were masquerading after the fashion of their baby sisters when they roguishly look through grandmother's spectacles. But notwithstanding the change wrought by upturned hair, there was no change in their winsome manner, and therefore every guest was instantly won. The gymnasium had been arranged to represent a salon. The boys and girls hall contributed some of the furnishing, such as bric-à-brac and hangings, the sort that could be most safely conveyed from home, others had been hired, and some of the less expensive articles, for example--large paper parasols, balloons, cotton crêpe materials, and fans--had been bought. The tone of the room was perfect, indicating the thought with which the different articles had been selected and placed. There was a raised platform, so that the tricks, which were the prime feature of the entertainment, could be seen. This platform was artistically decorated, and chairs, screens, tables, gauze hangings, and all the accessories required by the exhibitors were conveniently near. To the left of the platform there stood an upright piano, on which low music was played throughout the performance. [Illustration] The hour stated for the matinée was three in the afternoon, and as most of the guests were present, it opened promptly with a succession of college songs furnished by a mandolin quartet, after which the following tricks, were shown. It will be noticed that many of these tricks are already familiar, and very easily executed, when you know how. We will hope the accompanying explanation will stimulate some readers to try THE NUT TRICK.