The Project Gutenberg EBook of Games For All Occasions, by Mary E. Blain

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Title: Games For All Occasions

Author: Mary E. Blain

Release Date: February 13, 2008 [EBook #24597]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

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GAMES FOR ALL OCCASIONS

BY

MARY E. BLAIN

CHICAGO

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

Copyright, 1909

By Brewer, Barse & Co.

[Pg 7]

PREFACE

"A Merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance."

The desire to play and frolic seems to be a heritage of mankind. In infancy and early childhood this joy and exuberance of spirit is given full sway. In youth, that effervescent stage of human existence, "joy is unconfined." But in middle age and later life we are prone to stifle this wholesome atmosphere of happiness, with care and worry and perhaps, when a vexed or worried feeling has been allowed to control us, even forbid the children to play at that time. Why not reverse things and drown care and strife in the well-spring of joy given and received by reviving the latent spark of childhood and youth; joining in their pleasures passively or actively and being one of them at heart. So presuming that "men are but children of a larger growth," the games, pastimes and entertainments described herewith were collected, remembered and originated respectively with the view of pleasing all of the children, from the tiny tot to, and including the "grown-up," each according to their age and temperament.

M. E. B.

[Pg 8]
[Pg 9]

[Pg 10]
[Pg 11]

GAMES FOR TINY TOTS

A RUNNING MAZE

Form a long line of children—one behind the other. The leader starts running, and is followed by all the rest. They must be sharp enough to do exactly as the leader does.

After running for a moment or two in the ordinary running step, the leader changes to a hopping step, then to a marching step, quick time, then to a marching step, slow time, claps and runs with hands on sides, hands on shoulders, hands behind, etc.

Finally the leader runs slowly round and round into the centre, and can either wind the children up tightly or can turn them on nearing the centre and run out again. For another change the long line can start running and so unwind the spiral.

BEAN BAG

All stand in a line except one who is the leader who stands a short distance opposite the line.

[Pg 12]

The leader throws the bean bag to the child at the head of the line who returns it to the leader. The leader throws it to the next child, who throws it back to the leader, and so it is thrown back and forth to each child in turn. Any one in the line who fails to catch the bag must go to the foot of the line.

If the leader fails to catch the bag he must go to the foot of the line and the one at the head of the line takes his place.

"BIRDS FLY."

This is a very simple game. Each player places a finger on the table, which he must raise whenever the conductor of the game says: "Birds fly," "Pigeons fly," or any other winged creatures "fly."

If he names any creature without wings, such as "Pigs fly," and any player thoughtlessly raises his finger, that player must pay a forfeit, as he must also do if he omits to raise his finger when a winged creature is named.

BUTTON, BUTTON

All the children except the one who passes the button sit in a circle with hands placed palm to palm in their laps.

The child passing the button holds it between her palms and goes to each one, in turn, slipping[Pg 13] her hands between the palms of the children. As she goes around the circle she drops the button into some child's hands, but continues going around as long after as she pleases, so the rest will not know who has it.

Then she stands in the middle of the circle and says: "Button, button, who has the button?" All the children guess who has it, the one calling out the correct name first is out and it is his turn to go around with the button.

BINGO

"The miller's dog lay at the mill,
And his name was little Bingo,
B with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O,
His name was little Bingo.

"The miller he bought a cask of ale,
And he called it right good Stingo,
S with a T, T with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O,
He called it right good Stingo."

One child represents the miller, the rest stand round him in a circle, and all dance round and sing the verse. When it comes to the spelling part of the rhyme, the miller points to a child who must call out the right letter.

Anyone who makes a mistake must pay a forfeit.[Pg 14]

BLINDMAN'S BUFF

Before beginning to play, the middle of the room should be cleared, the chairs placed against the wall, and all toys and footstools put out of the way. The child having been selected who is to be "Blind Man" or "Buff," is blindfolded. He is then asked the question, "How many horses has your father?" The answer is "Three," and to the question: "What color are they?" he replies: "Black, white, and gray." All the players then cry: "Turn around three times and catch whom you may." "Buff" accordingly spins round and then the fun commences. He tries to catch the players, whilst they in their turn do their utmost to escape "Buff," all the time making little sounds to attract him. This goes on until one of the players is caught, when Buff, without having the bandage removed from his eyes, has to guess the name of the person he has secured. If the guess is a correct one the player who has been caught takes the part of "Buff," and the former "Buff" joins the ranks of the players.

BLOWING THE FEATHER

All the children, except one, sit on the floor around a sheet or table cloth which they hold about eighteen or twenty inches above the floor. A feather is placed on the sheet and at a signal the child nearest it blows the feather toward another child. The[Pg 15] object is to keep the feather in the air, not allowing it to light.

The remaining child runs back and forth around the group trying to catch the feather. When he is successful, the person on whom the feather rested or was nearest to, changes place with him.

COCK FIGHTING

This is a most amusing game, and although only two boys can play at it at one time they will keep the rest of the company in roars of laughter. The two who are to represent the "cocks" having been chosen, they are both seated upon the floor.

Each boy has his wrists tied together with a handkerchief, and his legs secured just above the ankles with another handkerchief; his arms are then passed over his knees, and a broomstick is pushed over one arm, under both knees, and out again on the other side over the other arm. The "cocks" are now considered ready for fighting, and are carried into the center of the room, and placed opposite each other with their toes just touching. The fun now commences.

Each "cock" tries with the aid of his toes to turn his opponent over on his back or side.

The one who can succeed in doing this first wins the game.

It often happens that both "cocks" turn over at the same time, when the fight commences again.[Pg 16]

CATCHING THE MOUSE

The children sit in two rows opposite each other with a space between. One child takes the place of "cat," being blindfolded, the cat standing at one end of the row and the mouse at the opposite end. They start in opposite directions, guiding themselves by the chairs, the cat trying to catch the mouse. When the mouse is caught it is made the "cat," and one of the company takes the place of the mouse.

DROP THE HANDKERCHIEF

A ring is formed by the players joining hands, whilst one child, who is to "drop the handkerchief," is left outside. He walks round the ring, touching each one with the handkerchief, saying the following words:—

"A tisket, a tasket
A green and yellow basket,
I wrote a letter to my love,
But on my way, I dropped it;
A little child picked it up
And put it in his pocket."

He must drop the handkerchief behind one of the players, who picks it up and tries to catch him before he can run around the ring and jump into the vacant place. As soon as this happens, the first player joins the ring, whilst it is now the turn of the second to "drop the handkerchief."[Pg 17]

DONKEY'S TAIL

A good-sized donkey without a tail is first of all cut out of brown paper and fastened to the wall. The tail is then cut out separately, and a hat-pin is stuck through the end. The players arrange themselves in a line some little distance from the wall, and the fun begins. Each player must, in turn, advance with closed eyes towards the donkey, and, still keeping his eyes tightly shut, fasten the tail in what he believes to be the right position. When, amidst much laughter, he is told to open his eyes, he finds that he has very carefully fastened the tail to the tip of the donkey's ear, or on the side of his nose.

FROG IN THE MIDDLE

One child is seated on the ground with his legs under him and the other players form a ring round him. They then pull him about and give him little pushes, and he must try and catch one without rising from the floor.

The child who is caught takes the middle, and the frog joins the circle.

GREEN GRAVEL

Girls form a circle and dance around one of their number. The girl in the ring turns her head[Pg 18] gravely as a messenger advances, while the rest sing to a pleasing air—

Green gravel, green gravel,
The grass grows so green,
The fairest of ladies,
Is fit to be seen.
Dear ——, Dear ——
Your true love is dead;
The king sends you a letter
To turn back your head.

The process is repeated calling each child by name until all of the children have so turned. Turning the head is the sign of sorrow. The game is continued by the following verse in which the lost lovers appear:

Dear ——, Dear ——
Your true love's not slain,
The king sends you a letter
To turn around again.

And the dancers who have all turned about, are one by one made to face the ring.

HUNT THE RING

For this game a long piece of string is required. On this a ring is threaded, and the ends of the string[Pg 19] are knotted together. The players then take the string in their hands and form a circle, whilst one of the company, who is called the "hunter," stands in the center. The string must be passed rapidly round and round, and the players must try to prevent the "hunter" finding out who holds the ring. As soon as he has done this, he takes his place in the circle, whilst the person who held the ring becomes the "hunter."

HOT TAMALES

The "tamale" in this game is a knotted handkerchief. One player is chosen for the Hot Tamale man and stands in the center of the room while the others sit around in a circle.

The Hot Tamale man begins the game by saying, "hot tamales, hot tamales," at the same time throwing the hot tamale to some one in the circle who must throw it to another player in the circle and so on, tossing it from one to another without stopping.

The Hot Tamale man tries to catch it and if he succeeds, the one who last tossed it changes places with him and the game continues.

HUNT THE SLIPPER

The players seat themselves in a circle on the floor, having chosen one of their number to remain outside the circle. The children seated on the floor[Pg 20] are supposed to be cobblers, and the one outside is the customer who has brought his shoe to be mended. He hands it to one of them, saying:—

"Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe;
Get it done by half-past two."

The cobblers pass the shoe round to each other as quickly as they can, taking care that the customer does not see which of them has it. When the customer comes to get it he is told that it is not ready. He pretends to get angry and says he will take it as it is. He must then try to find it, and the cobbler who has it must try to pass it on to his neighbor without its being seen by the customer. The person upon whom the shoe is found must become the customer, whilst the customer takes his place in the circle on the floor.

HOT BOILED BEANS AND BACON

This is a game for young children. Some small article is hidden in the room, while the little one who has to find it is sent outside. This finished, the players call out together: "Hot Boiled Beans and Bacon; it's hidden and can be taken!" The little one enters and begins to hunt about for the hidden article. When she comes near to its hiding-place, the company tell her that she is getting "hot"; or if she is not near it she is told that she is "cold." That[Pg 21] she is "very hot" or "very cold," will denote that she is very near or very far away from the object that is hidden, whilst if she is extremely near, she would be told that she was "burning." In this way the hidden object can be found, and all the children can be interested in the game by being allowed to call out whether the little one is "hot" or "cold."

HIDE AND SEEK

One child is chosen "It." This one stands by a post or in a corner which is called "base," and hides his eyes. The children decide among themselves how many he shall count while they are hiding. Suppose they choose 100, then he counts 5, 10, 15, 20, etc., until he reaches 100, and then he calls out:

"Ready or not,
You shall be caught."

The children having hidden while he was counting remain perfectly still while he is hunting them. If he passes by some child without finding him, that one may run to the "base" and say "One, two, three, I'm in free!" As many children as can, try to get in "free," but if the one who is "it" sees a child, runs to the base and touches it first, calling: "One, two, three," and the child's name he has to be "it." If the child reaches the "base" first he is "free" and the game proceeds until someone is "caught." If all the children get "free" the one who is "it" again hides his eyes.[Pg 22]

HISS AND CLAP

This is an excellent party game. One of the company goes outside the room, whilst the remainder of the players decide amongst themselves which of them he shall kneel to. When this is settled upon, the person who is outside is allowed to enter, and he kneels in front of whom he thinks is the right one. If he should make a correct guess, the company clap their hands, and the person to whom he knelt goes outside. If, however, the guess is an incorrect one, the company hiss loudly, and the guesser has to go outside, come back, and try again. Of course, it will make more amusement if when a boy is sent outside the room a girl be chosen as the person to whom he has to kneel; and the opposite if a girl be outside the room.

LONDON BRIDGE

No game has been more popular with children than this, and any summer evening, in the poorer quarters of the cities, it may still be seen how six years instructs three years in the proper way of conducting it. Two players, by their uplifted hands, form an arch, representing the bridge, under which passes the train of children, each clinging to the garments of the predecessor and hurrying to get safely by. As the last verse is sung the raised Arms of the two directors of the game descend and enclose[Pg 23] the child who happens to be passing at the time. The prisoner is then led, still confined by the arms of her captors, to the corner which represents the prison and asked, "Will you have a diamond necklace or a gold pin?" "A rose or a cabbage?" or some equivalent question. The keepers have already privately agreed which of the two each of these objects shall represent, and, according to the prisoner's choice, he is placed behind one or the other. When all are caught, the game ends with a "Tug of War," the two sides pulling against each other; and the child who lets go, and breaks the line, is pointed at and derided. The words of the rhyme sung while the row passes under the bridge are now reduced to two lines:

London bridge is falling down,
My fair lady!

London bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London bridge is falling down
My fair lady!
You've stole my watch and kept my keys,
My fair lady!
Off to prison you must go,
My fair lady!
Take the key and lock her up,
My fair lady!
[Pg 24]

MISS JENNIA JONES

The story of this is originally a love story. The young lady dies from a blighted affection and the prohibition of cruel parents.

A mother, seated, Miss Jones stands behind her chair, or reclines on her lap as if lying sick. A dancer advances from the ring.

"I've come to see Miss Jennia Jones,
Miss Jennia Jones, Miss Jennia Jones—
I've come to see Miss Jennia Jones,
And how is she to-day?"

"She's up stairs washing,
Washing, washing—
She's up stairs washing,
You cannot see her to-day."

The questions are repeated to the same air for every day of the week and Miss Jones is baking, ironing, or scrubbing. She is then sick or worse and finally is dead.

"What shall we dress her in,
Dress her in, dress her in;
What shall we dress her in—
Shall it be blue?"

"Blue is for sailors,
[Pg 25]So that will never do."

"What shall we dress her in,
Shall it be red?"
"Red is for firemen,
So that will never do."

"Pink is for babies
So that will never do."

"Green is forsaken,
So that will never do."

"Black is for mourners,
So that will never do."

"White is for dead people
So that will just do."

"Where shall we bury her?
Under the apple tree."

Miss Jennia Jones is "laid out" upon the floor and something white thrown over her.

After the burial is completed the children form a ring and sing:

"I dreamed I saw a ghost last night,
Ghost last night, ghost last night—
I dreamed I saw a ghost last night,
Under the apple tree!"

The ghost suddenly arises. The ring breaks up, the children fly with shrieks, and the one caught by the ghost is to take the part of Miss Jennia Jones in the next game.[Pg 26]

OATS AND BEANS AND BARLEY

All the children form a ring with the exception of one player, who stands in the center. The children then dance round this one, singing the first three lines of the verses given below. At the fourth line they stop dancing and act the words that are sung. They pretend to scatter seed; then stand at ease, stamp their feet, clap their hands, and at the words: "Turn him round," each child turns round.

They then again clap hands and dance round, and when the words: "Open the ring and send one in," are sung the center child chooses a partner, who steps into the ring, and the two stand together while the other children sing the remaining verse, after which the child who was first in the centre joins the ring and the game is continued as before.

"Oats and beans and barley O!
Do you or I or anyone know
How oats and beans and barley grow?

"First the farmer sows his seed,
Then he stands and takes his ease,
Stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns him round to view the land.

"Oats and beans and barley O!
Waiting for a partner, waiting for a partner,
Open the ring and send one in.
[Pg 27]Oats and beans and barley O!

"So now you're married you must obey,
You must be true to all you say,
You must be kind, you must be good,
And help your wife to chop the wood.
Oats and beans and barley O!"

PUSS IN THE CORNER

This game is really for five players only, but, by a little arrangement, six or seven children can take part in the fun.

Four players take their places in the different corners of the room, and the fifth who is Puss stands in the middle. If a greater number of children wish to play, other parts of the room must be named "corners," so that there is a corner for everyone.

The fun consists in the players trying to change places without allowing Puss to get a corner. When they leave their corners, the player in the centre tries to get into one of them.

When the centre player succeeds in getting into a corner, the one who has been displaced has to take his place in the middle of the room.

RULE OF CONTRARY

This is a simple game for little children. It is played either with a pocket-handkerchief, or, if more[Pg 28] than four want to play, with a table cloth or small sheet.

Each person takes hold of the cloth; the leader of the game holds it with the left hand, while with the right he makes pretence of writing on the cloth, while he says: "Here we go round by the rule of contrary. When I say, 'Hold fast,' let go; and when I say 'Let go,' hold fast."

The leader then calls out one or other of the commands, and the rest must do the opposite of what he says. Anyone who fails must pay a forfeit.

SOAP BUBBLE BATTLE

Two children act as captains, one of company A, the other of company B and each in turn choose a soldier until the children are evenly divided into two companies.

Stretch a rope or cord at a medium height across the middle of the room, with company A on one side and company B on the other side.

Each company is provided with a basin of soap suds (a little glycerine added to the water will make the bubbles last longer) and each soldier with a clay pipe.

Two soldiers, one from company A and one from company B stand at arms length from the rope and each blows a bubble from his pipe towards the "enemy" and over the rope if he can. If a soldier blows a bubble over the rope without it bursting[Pg 29] his company wins a point. If he fails to do so, his company loses a point.

These soldiers step back and two more (one from each company) advance and blow a bubble and so on until all have had a turn. Some one keeps the score and the company having the most points are the "victors" and to them belong the "spoils" which consists of a tiny paper drum filled with candy, a small silk flag or any appropriate prize.

SPIDER WEB.

Attach one end of a number of strings (one for each guest) to the chandelier. Fasten to the other end of each string a small prize wrapped up in tissue paper. Have strings of various lengths and twine them around the table legs, chairs, etc., some may be "spun" around furniture, etc., in adjoining rooms, trying to hide the prizes as much as possible.

At a signal each child takes or is given a string from the chandelier and proceeds to wind it around an empty spool or piece of pasteboard, until a prize is reached. The strings must not be broken. An extra prize may be awarded to the child who first winds up a string neatly.

SEVERED FLOWERS

Cut from colored cloth or paper a number of petals for forming wild roses, using pink material; mar[Pg 30]guerite daisies of white material and pansies of purple. Five petals for each rose, five for each pansy and ten for each daisy.

Have the children sit around a table. Provide each one with a sheet of plain paper, three pins having the heads covered with yellow tissue paper and mixed petals enough to make one of each kind of flower.

At a signal the children begin to make the flowers by sticking the pin through the point of the petals and pinning each flower to the sheet of paper.

A prize may be given to the child finishing the flowers first or the child making the best looking flowers.[Pg 31]

[Pg 32]
[Pg 33]

GAMES FOR CHILDREN

ACTING PROVERBS

The best way to play this game is for the players to divide themselves into two groups, namely, actors and audience. Each one of the actors should then fix upon a proverb, which he will act, in turn, before the audience. As, for instance, supposing one of the players to have chosen the proverb, "A bad workman quarrels with his tools," he should go into the room where the audience is seated, carrying with him a bag in which there is a saw, a hammer, or any other implement or tool used by a workman; he should then look round and find a chair, or some other article, which he should pretend requires repairing; he should then act the workman, by taking off his coat, rolling up his sleeves, and commencing work, often dropping his tools and grumbling about them the whole of the time.

If this game be acted well, it may be made very entertaining. Sometimes the audience are made to pay a forfeit each time they fail to guess the proverb.[Pg 34]

BLIND MAN'S WAND

This is another way of playing Blind Man's Buff, and is thought by many to be an improvement on that game.

The player, who is blindfolded, stands in the centre of the room with a long paper wand, which can be made of a newspaper folded up lengthways, and tied at each end with string. The other players then join hands and stand round him in a circle. Someone then plays a merry tune on the piano and the players dance round and round the blind man, until suddenly the music stops; the blind man then takes the opportunity of lowering his wand upon one of the circle, and the player upon whom it has fallen has to take hold of it. The blind man then makes a noise, such as, for instance, the barking of a dog, a street cry, or anything he thinks will cause the player he has caught to betray himself, as the captive must imitate whatever noise the blind man likes to make. Should the blind man detect who holds the stick the one who is caught has to be blind man; if not, the game goes on until he succeeds.

THE BLIND POSTMAN

First a postmaster-general must be appointed, whose duty is to write down the names of the players, and the names of the cities they have chosen to represent. The postman is blindfolded and led[Pg 35] to the middle of the room, whilst the other players are seated round it. The postmaster-general then begins to announce that a letter has been sent from one town to another, say from Denver to Chicago. The two players who have taken those names must rise up silently and change seats.

The postman's duty is to try and seat himself in one of the vacant chairs; the player who loses his chair must become the blind postman.

BLOWING THE CANDLE

Place a lighted candle on a table at the end of a room. Invite someone to stand in front of it, then blindfold him, make him take three steps backwards, turn round three times and then advance three steps and blow out the candle. If he fails he must pay a forfeit. It will be found that very few are able to succeed, simple though the test appears to be.

CAT AND MOUSE

All players form a ring, joining hands, except one called the Mouse, whom they enclose within the circle, and one who is on the outside who represents the cat. They then dance around, raising their arms at intervals. The cat watches the chance to spring into the circle at one side, and the mouse dashes out at the other—public sympathy being[Pg 36] with the mouse, his or her movements are aided when possible. When the cat is in the circle, the players lower their arms so as to keep the enemy prisoner. The cat goes around meekly, crying "mew," while the rest dance around her. With a sudden "miaou!" she tries to break through any weak place in the chain of hands.

As soon as she escapes she tries to catch the mouse, who runs for safety into the ring again, hotly pursued. If the cat is so near as to follow the mouse into the ring, before her entrance can be prevented, or if she catches the mouse outside the circle, the mouse must pay a forfeit. Two more players are then named by the cat and mouse to succeed them.

THE CLAIRVOYANT

The clairvoyant goes out of the room, undertaking to name the person whom his confederate shall point out.

The door being shut upon the clairvoyant the confederate points to one whom we will call Mr. B.

"At whom am I pointing?" he queries.

"At Mr. B.," replies the clairvoyant.

The trick is for the clairvoyant and his confederate to arrange between them that the person who speaks last before the clairvoyant leaves the room is the person to be pointed at.[Pg 37]

THE CUSHION DANCE

The children first of all divide themselves into two parties. They then form a ring, and commence dancing round a hassock which is placed, end upwards, in the middle of the room. Suddenly one party endeavours to pull the other party forward, so as to force one of their number to kick the hassock and upset it.

The player who has been unfortunate enough to touch the hassock has then to leave the circle. The game proceeds until only two remain; if these two happen to be boys the struggle is generally prolonged, as they can so easily jump over the hassock, and avoid kicking it.

"CHANGE SEATS: THE KING'S COME."

In this game as many seats are placed round the room as will seat all the players but one. This one stands in the middle of the room, repeating the words: "Change seats, change seats;" but no one moves unless he says: "Change seats: the king's come."

Then all must change seats. In the bustle the one standing can generally manage to secure a seat, when the person left out must take his place.

The person in the centre may tell a story if he chooses, bringing in the words; "Change seats," oc[Pg 38]casionally, and sometimes he may say slyly: "The king's not come," when everyone should, of course, remain seated; but some are sure to mistake the words for "The king's come," and jump up, when the centre player can slip into a seat.

DUCK UNDER THE WATER

Each child chooses a partner and stands opposite to her, so that two long lines are formed. Each couple holds a handkerchief between them, as high as they can lift their arms, so as to form an arch. The couple standing at the top of the lines run through the arch without letting go their handkerchief, and station themselves at the bottom of the lines, raising their handkerchief again so as to continue the arch. This is done by each couple in succession until all have had a turn. Whoever breaks the arch or drops the handkerchief must pay a forfeit.

THE GARDENER

Any number of children can play. One is chosen as leader and is called the "gardener."

All the children sit in a circle and the "gardener" gives each one in turn the name of some flower. When all are named the "gardener" stands in the centre of the circle and tells how he has gone to the woods to gather certain flowers; how he has trans[Pg 39]planted them to form a lovely garden; the care he has to take of them, and so on, telling quite a long story and bringing in the names of all the flowers he has given to the children.

As a flower is mentioned, the child who has that name rises, turns around, and sits down again. Anyone who fails to rise when his flower is named must pay a forfeit. When the gardener says something about a bouquet, all the children rise and exchange seats. Then the "gardener" tries to get a seat, and if he succeeds, the person who has no seat becomes the "gardener" and the game goes on as before.

GOING TO JERUSALEM

A row of chairs, facing alternately different ways, is placed through the centre of the room—a chair for every player except one.

Some one at the piano plays a lively air, first fast, then slow, very loud, then low—while the children march around the chairs without touching them, keeping time with the music. When the music suddenly stops, all rush for a seat. A chair must be taken away each time the marching recommences—until but two chairs remain, when the excitement becomes intense. The one who at the moment that the music ceases has the good fortune to seat himself or herself in the one chair remaining wins the game and perhaps a prize.[Pg 40]

GAME OF CAT

The person who is to play the part of Cat should stand outside of the door of the room where the company is assembled. The boys and girls, in turn, come to the other side of the door and call out "miaou."

If the Cat outside recognizes a friend by the cry, and calls out her name correctly in return, he is allowed to enter the room and embrace her, and the latter then takes the place of Cat.

If, on the contrary, the Cat cannot recognize the voice, he is hissed, and remains outside until he is able to do so.

GRAND MUFTI

One of the company is chosen as Grand Mufti. The others then form a circle with the Grand Mufti in the centre, and every action which he performs, if preceded by the words, "Thus says the Grand Mufti," must be imitated by every member of the circle.

The Grand Mufti, in order to lead one of the company astray, will sometimes omit to say the words: "Thus says the Grand Mufti;" in this case if any member of the company imitate his action, he is compelled to pay a forfeit.[Pg 41]

HERE I BAKE, HERE I BREW

The players join hands in a circle, with one of their number in the middle, who is supposed to be a captive, longing for freedom and reduced to diplomatic means to secure it.

The prisoner touches one pair of joined hands in the circle saying, "Here I Bake." Then, passing to the other side, says, "Here I Brew," as she touches another pair of hands. Suddenly, then, in a place least suspected, perhaps whirling around and springing at two of the clasped hands behind her, or at the pair which she had touched before, if their owners appear to be off guard, she exclaims "Here I mean to break through!" and forces her way out of the circle if she can.

The players must be on the alert and strongly resist the captive's effort to escape.

Those who permitted her to regain her freedom—through inattention or weakness—must then make use of the "counts" familiar to all generations of children, to decide which of them shall take the place of the prisoner.

HAT GAME

One of the players has two hats, one he places on his own head and the other he hands to one of the company. The person who has received the hat must then make every action contrary to the[Pg 42] action of the person who handed him the hat. For instance, if No. 1 sits down, No. 2 must stand up. If No. 1 takes his hat off, No. 2 must put it on. If No. 2 fails he must pay a forfeit. The time of trial is limited to three minutes, or less if the players wish, after that No. 1 is bound to take the hat and be tried in his turn.

THE HUNTSMAN

One person represents the huntsman, the other players call themselves after some part of a huntsman's belongings; for instance, one is the cap, another the horn, others the powder-flask, gun, whip, etc.

A number of chairs are arranged in the middle of the room, and there must be one chair less than the number of players, not counting the huntsman.

The players then seat themselves round the room, whilst the huntsman stands in the center and calls for them one at a time, in this way: "Powder-flask!" At once "Powder-flask" rises and takes hold of the huntsman's coat.

"Cap," "Gun," "Shot," "Belt," the huntsman cries; each person who represents these articles must rise and take hold of the player summoned before him, until at length the huntsman has a long line behind him. He then begins to run round the chairs, until he suddenly cries: "Bang," when the players must[Pg 43] sit down. Of course, as there are not sufficient chairs, one player will be left standing and he must pay a forfeit. The huntsman is not changed throughout the game, unless he grows tired, when he may change places with one of the others.

"HE CAN DO LITTLE WHO CAN'T DO THIS."

One of the players takes a stick in his left hand and thumps the floor with it, saying, "He can do little who can't do this." Then he hands the stick to another player, who will most probably use his right hand when holding the stick and thumping the ground. If he does he is told he has failed in the simple task, and the stick is handed to another. The game goes on until someone discovers that the secret of the trick is to copy the leader exactly, and therefore the stick must be held in the left hand.

HISSING AND CLAPPING

As many chairs as there are players must be arranged down the middle of the room. The girls then all sit down so that each has a vacant chair next her, and the boys retire from the room. During their absence the girls all decide which particular boy is to occupy the vacant chair next her, and the boys are summoned in turn. On entering the room the boy must walk straight to[Pg 44] the chair next the girl whom he imagines to have chosen him, and sit down. If he has guessed correctly he is loudly clapped by all the girls present, and another boy is called in. But if he makes a mistake, and sits down on the wrong chair, he is hissed so vehemently that he is only too glad to escape from the room. Another player is called in, and the process is repeated, until finally all the boys have guessed correctly, and all the vacant chairs are occupied.

HOLD FAST! LET GO!

For this game the company must divide themselves into parties with four in each group, and one odd player who must issue commands and lead the game. Each party of four must hold a handkerchief cornerwise, one player at each corner. The leader of the game then takes up his position in the middle of the room from which he issues his commands in sharp, quick, decisive tones, when he shouts "Let go!" the players must all hold tightly on to the handkerchief. And when, almost with the same breath, he calls "Hold fast!" they must drop it as if it burnt the tips of their fingers. The fun of the game lies in the leader issuing his commands so rapidly one on top of the other that the players become bewildered. The players who make a mistake retire from the game, until finally only one of the four is left and he becomes leader.[Pg 45]

HUNT THE WHISTLE

The chief participator in this game must be ignorant of the trick about to be played. He is told to kneel down whilst a lady knights him, naming him "Knight of the Whistle." During the process someone fastens a small whistle to his coat tails by means of a piece of ribbon. He is then bidden to rise up and search for the whistle. The hunt begins; all the players combine to deceive the searcher; they must blow the whistle whenever they can do so without being detected. When the searcher discovers the trick the game is, of course, at an end.

"I SELL MY BAT, I SELL MY BALL"

A ring is formed with one child in the middle, who is called the "drummer-man." Whatever this child does the others mimic, moving round as they do so, and singing the following words:—

"I sell my bat, I sell my ball,
I sell my spinning-wheel and all;
And I'll do all that e'er I can
To follow the eyes of the drummer-man."

Anyone who does not at once imitate the "drummer-man" must pay a forfeit and take his place as "drummer-man."[Pg 46]

JUDGE AND JURY

The company should be seated in two lines facing each other, and one of the party should then be elected to act as judge. Each person has to remember who is sitting exactly opposite, because when the judge asks a question of anyone, it is not the person directly asked who has to reply, but the person opposite to the judge. For instance, if the judge, addressing one of the company asks: "Do you like apples?" the person spoken to must remain silent, whilst the person who is opposite to him must reply, before the judge can count ten; the penalty on failing to do this or answering out of one's turn is a forfeit. A rule with regard to the answers is that the reply must not be less than two words in length, and must not contain the words: "Yes," "no," "black," "white," or "grey." For the breaking of this rule a forfeit may also be claimed.

"MY MASTER BIDS YOU DO AS I DO"

For all those children who are fond of a little exercise no better game than this can be chosen. When the chairs are placed in order round the room the first player commences by saying: "My master bids you do as I do," at the same time working away with the right hand as if hammering at his knees. The second player then asks: "What does he bid me do?" in answer to which the first player says:[Pg 47] "To work with one as I do." The second player, working in the same manner, must turn to his left-hand neighbor and carry on the same conversation, and so on until everyone is working away with the right hand.

The second time of going round the order is to work with two; then both hands must work; then with three; then both hands and one leg must work; then with four, when both hands and both legs must work; lastly with five, when both legs, both arms, and the head must be kept going. Should any of the players fail in keeping in constant motion a forfeit may be claimed.

MAGIC MUSIC

One of the players is sent out of the room, and the rest then agree upon some simple task for her to perform, such as moving a chair, touching an ornament, or finding some hidden object. She is then called in and some one begins to play the piano. If the performer plays very loudly the "seeker" knows that she is nowhere near the object she is to search for. When the music is soft, then she knows she is very near, and when the music ceases altogether, she knows that she has found the object she was intended to look for or has found the task she is to perform.[Pg 48]

MALAGA RAISINS

The players sit in a circle and one who is acquainted with the trick takes a small stick in his right hand, makes some funny movements with it, and then, having taken it in his left hand, passes it to his neighbor, saying: "Malaga raisins are very good raisins, but I like Valencias better." He then tells his neighbor to do the same. Should any of the players pass on the stick with the right hand, they must pay a forfeit, but of course they must not be told what mistake they have made until the stick has been passed right round the circle.

"OUR OLD GRANNIE DOESN'T LIKE TEA"

All the players sit in a row, except one, who sits in front of them and says to each one in turn; "Our old Grannie doesn't like T; what can you give her instead?"

Perhaps the first player will answer, "Cocoa," and that will be correct; but if the second player should say, "Chocolate," he will have to pay a forfeit, because there is a "T" in chocolate. This is really a catch, as at first everyone thinks that "tea" is meant instead of the letter "T." Even after the trick has been found out it is very easy to make a slip, as the players must answer before "five" is counted; if they cannot, or if they mention an article of food with the letter "T" in it, they must pay a forfeit.[Pg 49]

ORANGES AND LEMONS

Two of the players join hands, facing each other, having agreed privately which is to be "Oranges" and which "Lemons." The rest of the party form a long line, standing one behind the other, and holding each other's dresses or coats. The first two raise their hands so as to form an arch, and the rest run through it, singing as they run:—

"Oranges and Lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement's;
You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's;
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
I do not know,
Says the big bell of Bow.
Here comes a candle to light you to bed
Here comes a chopper to chop off your head!"

At the word "head" the hand archway descends, and clasps the player passing through at that moment; he is then asked in a whisper, "Oranges or Lemons?" and if he chooses "oranges," he is told to go behind the player who has agreed to be "oranges" and clasp him round the waist.

The players must be careful to speak in a whisper, so that the others may not know what has been said.

The game then goes on again, in the same way, until all the children have been caught and have[Pg 50] chosen which they will be, "oranges" or "lemons." When this happens, the two sides prepare for a tug-of-war. Each child clasps the one in front of him tightly and the two leaders pull with all their might, until one side has drawn the other across a line which has been drawn between them.

OLD SOLDIER

Old Soldier is a game for young children, and though it seems very simple, yet there is a good deal of fun in it. One of the children pretends to be an old soldier, and goes round begging of each of the other players in turn, saying that he is "poor, and old, and hungry," and asking what they will do for him or give him. In answering the Old Soldier no one must say the words: "Yes," "No," "Black," or "White," and he must be answered at once without hesitation. Anyone who does not reply at once, or who uses any of the forbidden words, must pay a forfeit.

POST-OFFICE

One player begins the game by going out of the room, and then giving a double (or postman's) knock at the door; it is the duty of one of the other players to stand at the door inside the room to answer the knocks that are made, and to ask the postman for whom he has a letter.[Pg 51]

The postman names some member of the company, generally of the opposite sex; he is then asked, "How many stamps are to be paid?" Perhaps he will say "six"; the person for whom the letter is supposed to be must then pay for it with kisses, instead of stamps; after which he or she must take a turn as postman.

PETER PIPER

This is an amusing game for children. A blackboard is needed upon which the verse, "Peter Piper," etc., is illustrated or written so that the words are mixed up and it will be difficult to point out. Some older person will be needed to superintend the game.

One child is given a pointer and as the others sing, to any familiar tune:

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Now if Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where is that peck of pickled peppers,
Peter Piper picked?"

she must point out each word or drawing as quickly as it is sung.

If a mistake is made in pointing, the child takes her place with the rest and another child is out. Each one is given a turn.

It is an achievement, if done successfully, and some suitable gift should be given as a prize.[Pg 52]

THE SEA AND HER CHILDREN

The players seat themselves in a circle, one of the number remaining in the center to represent the "Sea." Each player takes the name of some fish and the Sea walking around the circle calls each person by the name they have adopted. As they are called they must rise and follow the "Sea." When all have left their seats the "Sea" begins to run about crying: "The Sea is troubled." Suddenly she seats herself, when all her companions must try to do the same; but there will be one seat short, so there will be one player left over and this player becomes the "Sea." No player must seat himself until the "Sea" has taken a chair, and she can create some fun by running about and pretending she is about to seat herself. Any player seating himself before the "Sea" must pay a forfeit.

THE STAGE COACH

The leader tells every member of the company to choose as a name some article connected with a stage coach; the wheels, the horses, the whip, the bridle, etc., may be chosen. These the leader jots down on a piece of paper and then begins to tell a thrilling story. "The stage coach left the old Stag Inn, amidst the thundering of the horses' hoofs and the cracking of the driver's whip." Some member will probably have chosen to be the horses, another the[Pg 53] whip, and as their names are mentioned they must rise, twirl round and sit down again. Then the narrator continues: "For some miles all went well, then a bridle gave way (the bridle must rise and twirl round) and the driver put down the reins, jumped from his seat and ran to the horses' heads. It was found necessary to take the horses out of the shafts before the stage coach could proceed on its way." As each member's name is mentioned he must rise and twirl round; but when the Stage Coach is mentioned every one must rise and change seats, when the narrator, who has been standing, tries to secure one. If he succeeds the person left out becomes narrator. The great point is for the narrator to tell such a thrilling story that the members forget to acknowledge the mention of their names, when they must pay a forfeit.

SHADOW BUFF

A splendid game, and one specially suitable for a large party. A sheet or white tablecloth is first of all stretched right across the room, and on a table behind it is placed a bright lamp. All the other lights in the room are then extinguished, and one of the players takes a seat upon a low stool midway between the lamp and the sheet. The other players endeavor to disguise themselves as much as possible, by distorting their features, rumpling their hair, wearing wigs, false noses, &c., and pass one by one[Pg 54] behind the player seated on the stool. Their shadows are thus thrown upon the sheet. The aim of the seated player is to guess the identity of the shadows as they pass before him; and the aim of the others is to endeavor by every means in their power to keep him from recognizing them. As may be imagined, the task of the single player is not an easy one, the distorted shadows being vastly different from the originals as seen before the lights were extinguished.

STEPS

The blindfolded player is placed in the middle of the room, and the other players all place themselves at various distances round him. The blind-man is then told how many steps he must take in order to be able to touch a certain player. This game does, I know, sound rather simple in writing; but try it, and you will find that it is not so easy as you imagine. It will also have the effect of making the dullest party lively, because the blind-man makes such absurd mistakes as to the direction and length of steps that he has to take.

THE SPELLING GAME

Each player in this game has what are called three "lives," or chances. When the company is seated in a circle, the first player mentions a letter as the[Pg 55] beginning of a word. The game is for each of the company, in turn, to add a letter to it, keeping the word unfinished as long as possible.

When a letter is added to the former letters and it makes a complete word, the person who completed it loses a "life." The next player then begins again.

Every letter added must be part of a word, and not an odd letter thought of on the spur of the moment. When there is any doubt as to the letter used by the last player being correct, he may be challenged, and he will then have to give the word he was thinking of when adding the letter. If he cannot name the word, he loses a "life"; but if he can, it is the challenger who loses.

This is an example of how the game should be played. Supposing the first player commences with the letter "p"; the next, thinking of "play," would add an "l"; the next an "o," thinking of "plough"; the person, not having either of these words in his mind, would add "v"; the next player perhaps, not knowing the word of which the previous player was thinking, might challenge him, and would lose a "life" on being told the word was "plover." The player next in turn would then start a new word, and perhaps put down "b," thinking of "bat," the next, thinking, say, that the word was "bone," would add an "o," the next player would add "n"; the player whose turn it would now be, not wanting to lose a "life" by finishing the word, would add another "n"; the next player for the same reason would add[Pg 56] "e," and then there would be nothing else for the next in turn to do but to complete the word by adding "t" and thus losing a "life."

It will be seen that there are three ways of losing a "life." First, the player may lay down a letter, and on being challenged be unable to give the word. Secondly, he may himself challenge another player who is not at fault. Thirdly, he may be obliged to add the final letter to a word, and so complete it.

SIMON SAYS

Seat yourselves in a circle and choose one of the company to be the leader, or Simon. His duty is to order all sorts of different things to be done, the funnier the better, which must be obeyed only when the order begins with "Simon says." As, for instance, "Simon says: 'Thumbs up!'" which, of course, all obey; then perhaps comes: "Thumbs down!" which should not be obeyed, because the order did not commence with "Simon says."

Each time this rule is forgotten a forfeit must be paid. "Hands over eyes," "Stamp the right foot," "Pull the left ear," &c., are the kind of orders to be given.[Pg 57]

THE SERGEANT

One player represents the Sergeant, and the others the soldiers, whom he is supposed to be drilling. When the Sergeant says "Do this," all the players must imitate him. But when he says "Do that," they must take no notice.

If a soldier makes a mistake he has to pay a forfeit, and takes the Sergeant's place.

THE SEA KING

This game can be played by any number of children. They proceed by first choosing one of the party to act as the Sea King, whose duty it is to stand in the centre of a ring, formed by the players seating themselves round him. The circle should be as large as possible. Each of the players having chosen the name of a fish, the King runs round the ring, calling them by the names which they have selected.

Each one, on hearing his name called, rises at once, and follows the King, who, when all his subjects have left their seats, calls out, "The sea is troubled," and seats himself suddenly. His example is immediately followed by his subjects. The one who fails to obtain a seat has then to take the place of King, and the game is continued.[Pg 58]

TONGUE TWISTERS

The leader begins by saying the first sentence, which is repeated by each player in turn. The leader in every case adds the new line, which is repeated by the other players in succession. Anyone making a mistake or omission drops out of the contest. As the ranks grow thinner, the players are required to repeat the sentences more rapidly, and no time for hesitation allowed. The one who makes no mistake is entitled to a prize.

The sentences are as follows:

TRADES

Each player must choose a trade and pretend to be working at it. For instance, if he is a tailor he must pretend to sew or iron; if a blacksmith, to hammer, and so on. One is the king, and he too, chooses a[Pg 59] trade. Everyone works away as hard as he can until the king suddenly gives up his trade, and takes up that of some one else. Then all must stop, except the one whose business the king has taken, and he must start with the king's work. The two go on until the king chooses to go back to his own trade, when all begin working again. Any one who fails either to cease working or to begin again at the right time, must pay a forfeit.

A somewhat more elaborate and livelier game of Trades is played by each boy in the party choosing a trade which he is supposed to be carrying on.

The leader must invent a story, and standing in the middle, must tell it to the company. He must manage to bring in a number of names of trades or businesses; and whenever a trade is mentioned, the person who represents it must instantly name some article sold in the shop.

THINK OF A NUMBER

In this game the leader tells one of the players to think of any number he likes, but not to say it aloud. He next tells him to double it; this done, the player is told to add eight to the result, and then halve it. After doing this he must halve the whole, and from what is left take away the number first thought of. If correctly worked out the answer will be four, which is just half the number which the leader told the player to add after the original number was[Pg 60] doubled. For instance, we will suppose the number thought of to have been twenty. When doubled, the result will be forty. The player then adds eight, which gives him a total of forty-eight. He halves this, and has twenty-four left. When he has taken away the number first thought of (twenty) he has a total of four—which is half the number the leader told him to add in the beginning of the game.

THIS AND THAT

A confederate is necessary for this trick. The one performing the trick goes out of the room and the confederate agrees with the audience to touch a certain article. The person outside is recalled and his confederate begins to question him. "Did I touch this music book?" "No." "Did I touch this table?" "No." "Did I touch this knife?" "No." "Did I touch that fork?" "Yes." The secret consists in saying the word "that" before the article touched, instead of "this."

WHAT AM I DOING?

The players seat themselves in a row and the leader of the game takes his place behind them, beginning at the top of the row. He makes some absurd gesture and then asks the person behind whom[Pg 61] he is standing "What am I doing?" If the player replies incorrectly, and he generally does, he is doomed to stand up and imitate in silence the gesture he could not guess, until he has leave to sit down.

WONDERMENT

It is necessary that only two of the party should have a knowledge of this game, and then "wonderment" is sure to be the result.

The two players agree that a certain word shall be regarded as a signal word. As an illustration, imagine this word to be "and."

One of the players asserts his belief that he is gifted with second sight, and states that he is able, through a closed door, to name any article touched by any person in sympathy with him, notwithstanding the said person may attempt to mystify him by mentioning a lot of other articles. He then chooses his confederate, as being one with whom he may be in sympathy, and goes outside.

The player in the room then proceeds to call out, perhaps as follows:—Table, Hearthrug, Piano, Footstool and Chair, Lamp, Inkstand. He then places his hand on the back of a chair and asks: "What am I touching now?" the answer will, of course, be "Chair," because the signal word "and" came immediately before that article.

If the players are skilful there is no need for the trick to be discovered.[Pg 62]

WINK

All the girls sit in a circle, and the boys stand outside, one boy behind each girl's chair. One chair is left vacant, but a boy stands behind it, and by winking at the girls one at a time, tries to get one for his empty chair.

As soon as a girl is winked at, she tries to leave her seat, and take the vacant one, but if the boy behind her touches her before she leaves the seat, she cannot go. Each boy has to keep his eye on the one who is winking and on the girl in his chair, for if he is not watching, she may escape before he has time to touch her, and then it is his turn to do the winking and get a girl for his chair.

If the winking is done quickly it adds to the interest of the game. No boy can keep hold of a girl all the time; he must only touch her when she starts to leave her place, and then if she is beyond arm's length he cannot call her back.

RIDDLES

Few children think they will ever tire of playing games; but all the same, towards the end of a long evening, spent merrily in dancing and playing, the little ones begin to get too weary to play any longer, and it is very difficult to keep them amused.

Then comes the time for riddles! The children may sit quietly around the room, resting after their[Pg 63] romps and laughter, and yet be kept thoroughly interested, trying to guess riddles.

It is, however, very difficult to remember a number of good and laughable ones, so we will give a list of some, which will be quite sufficient to puzzle a roomful of little folk for several hours.

[Pg 74]
[Pg 75]

GAMES FOR ADULTS

ADVICE

Each player is given a slip of paper and asked to write a piece of advice—the ladies write to the gentlemen and vice versa. The slips are collected and again distributed and each player is asked to read the advice which has been given him. Before looking at the paper he must tell what sort of advice it is—good, bad, unnecessary, etc., and whether or not he intends to profit by it.

ADJECTIVES

A slip of paper and a pencil is given to each player, who must then write a number of adjectives upon it. The slips are collected and given to the principal player, who has undertaken to read out a short story, substituting the adjectives on the slips for those already in the story. The adjectives must be taken as they come and not picked out to suit the story. The result is sometimes very laughable; as for in[Pg 76]stance—"The pretty rhinoceros is a very amiable animal. It is very attractive in its habits, and lives near lakes or rivers. Its delicate skin is so soft that special bullets are needed to pierce it, etc."

"ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, OR MINERAL?"

This is a capital game for a large party, for it is both instructive and amusing. One player is selected who has to guess what word or sentence the remainder of the company has chosen. He goes out of the room, and when the subject has been decided upon, returns and asks a question of each of the company in turn. The answer must be either "Yes" or "No," and in no case should more words be used, under penalty of paying a forfeit. The first important point to be found out is whether the subject is "Animal," "Vegetable," or "Mineral." Supposing, for instance, the subject chosen is a cat which is sleeping in the room by the fire, the questions and answers might be like the following:—"Is the subject chosen an animal?" "Yes." "Wild animal." "No." "Domestic animal?" "Yes." "Common?" "Yes." "Are there many to be seen in this town?" "Yes." "Have you seen many this day?" "Yes." "In this house?" "No." "Have you seen many in the road?" "Yes." "Do they draw carts?" "No." "Are they used for working purposes?" "No." "Is the subject a pet?" "Yes." "Have they one in the house?" "Yes." "In this room?" "Yes." "Is it[Pg 77] lying in front of the fire at the present time?" "Yes." "Is the subject you all thought of the cat lying in front of the fire in this room?" "Yes." The subject having been guessed, another one is chosen and the game proceeds.

ACTING RHYMES

For this game, half the players go outside the door, whilst those who stay in the room choose a word of one syllable, which should not be too difficult. For instance, suppose the word chosen be "Flat," those who are out of the room are informed that a word has been thought of that rhymes with "Cat," and they then have to act, without speaking, all the words they can think of that rhyme with "Cat." Supposing their first idea be "Bat," they come into the room and play an imaginary game of cricket. This not being correct, they would be hissed for their pains, and they must then hurry outside again. They might next try "Rat," most of them going into the room on their hands and feet, whilst the others might pretend to be frightened. Again they would be hissed. At last the boys go in and fall flat on their faces, while the girls pretend to use flat-irons upon their backs. The loud clapping that follows tells them that they are right at last. They then change places with the audience, who, in turn, become the actors.[Pg 78]

THE BIRD-CATCHER

To play this game you must first decide which one of you is to be the Bird-catcher; the other players then each choose the name of a bird, but no one must choose the owl, as it is forbidden. All the players then sit in a circle with their hands on their knees, except the Bird-catcher, who stands in the center, and tells a tale about birds, taking care to specially mention the ones he knows to have been chosen by the company. As each bird's name is called, the owner must imitate its note as well as he can, but when the owl is named, all hands must be put behind the chairs, and remain there until the next bird's name is mentioned. When the Bird-catcher cries "all the birds" the players must together give their various imitations of birds. Should any player fail to give the cry when his bird is named, or forget to put his hands behind his chair, he has to change places with Bird-catcher.

BUZZ

This is a very old game, but is always a very great favorite. The more the players, the greater the fun. The way to play it is as follows. The players sit in a circle and begin to count in turn, but when the number 7 or any number in which the figure 7 or any multiple of 7 is reached, they say "Buzz," instead of whatever the number may be. As, for in[Pg 79]stance, supposing the players have counted up to 12, the next player will say "13," the next "Buzz," because 14 is a multiple of 7 (twice 7)—the next player would then say "15," the next "16" and the next would of course say "Buzz" because the figure 7 occurs in the number 17. If one of the players forgets to say "Buzz" at the proper time, he is out. The game then starts over again with the remaining players, and so it continues until there is but one person remaining. If great care is taken the numbers can be counted up to 70, which, according to the rules before mentioned, would of course be called Buzz. The numbers would then be carried on as Buzz 1, Buzz 2, &c., up to 79, but it is very seldom that this stage is reached.

BIRDS, FRUITS AND FLOWERS

In this game every one in the company has to describe in a riddle, first a bird, then a fruit, and finally a flower. The others must guess. Whoever guesses the most is the winner of the game.

Here are examples of the riddles:

[Pg 80]

CITIES

Materials required.—As many sheets of paper and pencils as there are players.

The players seat themselves round a table, and each one is provided with a sheet of paper and a pencil. The hostess then asks them to write at the head of the paper the name of the town in which they were born. A time limit of fifteen minutes is then given them in which to make up a sentence, each word of which must begin with the letters composing the name of the town. The sentence must be either suggestive, or descriptive of the town which each has written on his or her paper. For example:—

Town—Chicago.

Sentence—Came home in carriage after going out.

THE COOK WHO DOESN'T LIKE PEAS

One of the players commences the game by saying to his neighbor, "I have a cook who doesn't like peas (p's); what will you give her for dinner?" The person addressed must avoid the letter P in his answer. For instance, he may answer, "Artichokes," "Onions," "Cabbage," and "Carrots," but he must not say "Spinach," "Asparagus," "Potatoes." The question is then asked of the second player, and so on until all have replied. If a player mentions a word containing the letter P he has to pay a forfeit.[Pg 81]

CONSEQUENCES

One of the most popular games at a party is certainly "Consequences"; it is a very old favorite, but has lost none of its charms with age. The players sit in a circle; each person is provided with a half sheet of notepaper and a pencil, and is asked to write on the top—(1) one or more adjectives, then to fold the paper over, so that what has been written cannot be seen. Every player has to pass his or her paper on to the right-hand neighbor, and all have then to write on the top of the paper which has been passed by the left-hand neighbor (2) "the name of the gentleman"; after having done this the paper must again be folded and passed on as before; this time must be written (3) one or more adjectives; then (4) a lady's name; next (5), where they met; next (6), what he gave her; next (7), what he said to her; next (8), what she said to him; next (9), the consequence; and lastly (10), what the world said about it.

Be careful that every time anything has been written the paper is folded down and passed on to the player on your right.

When every one has written what the world says, the papers are collected and one of the company proceeds to read out the various papers, and the result may be somewhat like this:—

(1) The horrifying and delightful (2) Mr. Brown (3) met the charming (4) Miss Philips (5) in Westminster Abbey; (6) he gave her a flower (7) and[Pg 82] said to her: "How's your mother?" (8) She said to him: "Not for Joseph;" (9) the consequence was they danced the hornpipe, and the world said: (10) "Just what we expected."

CROSS QUESTIONS AND CROOKED ANSWERS

To play this game it is best to sit in a circle, and until the end of the game no one must speak above a whisper.

The first player whispers a question to his neighbor, such as: "Do you like roses?"

This question now belongs to the second player, and he must remember it.

The second player answers: "Yes, they smell so sweetly," and this answer belongs to the first player. The second player now asks his neighbor a question, taking care to remember the answer, as it will belong to him. Perhaps he has asked his neighbor, "Are you fond of potatoes?" And the answer may have been, "Yes, when they are fried!"

So that the second player has now a question and an answer belonging to him, which he must remember.

The game goes on until everyone has been asked a question and given an answer, and each player must be sure and bear in mind that it is the question he is asked, and the answer his neighbor gives, which belongs to him.[Pg 83]

At the end of the game each gives his question and answer aloud, in the following manner.

"I was asked: 'Do you like roses?' and the answer was 'Yes, when they are fried!'"

The next player says: "I was asked: 'Are you fond of potatoes?' and the answer was: 'Yes, they are very pretty, but they don't wear well.'"

THE CURATE

A player is chosen to represent "The Curate." The other players are assigned such names as printer, plumber, jeweler, butcher, druggist, shoemaker, etc. "The Curate" starts the game by saying,

"Mr. Butcher (or any other name) I called to see you this morning but you were not at home."

The Butcher: "I had just gone over to the jeweler's."

Curate: "And what business had you at the jeweler's?"

(The jeweler is the next to speak but he must not do so until the question is answered.)

"I went to get a bracelet for Mrs. Butcher."

The Jeweler: "I was not at home for I had gone to the printer's."

The Curate: "And what was your business at the printer's?"

(The printer is the next to speak but he must not do so until the question is answered.)[Pg 84]

The game may be made very interesting by bringing into it little personal references and bits of innocent scandal, as

"I was at the jeweler's to help Mr. —— select a ring for Miss ——."

DEFINITIONS

A subject is given to the company by the "teacher" and those joining in the game are each to define the subject in as terse a manner as possible, in epigram or verse, written on a slip of paper. The cards are then signed, turned in and the "teacher" reads the definitions. Then the company are to decide which one of the definitions has the greatest merit. For instance, the word "Friendship" is given and the answers might run like these:

• "A feather from love's wing."
• "The greatest of boons."
• "Something akin to glue," etc.
• Or the word "Gold" might evoke:
• "That which I have not."
• "The root of all evil."
• "What goes to the plumber," etc.

EARTH, AIR, FIRE AND WATER

To play this game seat yourselves in a circle, take a clean duster or handkerchief, and tie it in a big knot, so that it may easily be thrown from one player[Pg 85] to another. One of the players throws it to another, at the same time calling out either of these names: Earth, Air, Fire, or Water. If "Earth" is called, the player to whom the ball is thrown has to mention something that lives on the earth, as lion, cat; if "Air" is called, something that lives in the air; if "Water," something that lives in the water; but if "Fire" is called, the player must keep silence. Always remember not to put birds in the water or animals or fishes in the air; be silent when "Fire" is called, and answer before ten can be counted. For breaking any of these rules a forfeit must be paid.

THE FARMYARD

This game, if carried out properly, will cause great amusement. One of the party announces that he will whisper to each person the name of some animal, which, at a given signal, must be imitated as loudly as possible. Instead, however, of giving the name of an animal to each, he whispers to all the company, with the exception of one, to keep perfectly silent. To this one he whispers that the animal he is to imitate is the donkey.

After a short time, so that all may be in readiness, the signal is given. Instead of all the party making the sounds of various animals, nothing is heard but a loud bray from the one unfortunate member of the company.[Pg 86]

THE FORBIDDEN LETTER

The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can be spoken without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon. Supposing, for instance, the letter "f" is not to be introduced, the first player might ask: "Is this a new game to you?" The second player could answer: "Oh, no! I played it years ago when quite a youngster."

He would perhaps turn to the third player, and ask: "You remember it, do you not?" The third player might answer: "Yes, but we used to play it differently." This player, having used a word with an "f" in it, must pay a forfeit and remain out.

The answers must be given at once, without hesitation, and the player who avoids for the greatest length of time using a word containing the forbidden letter wins the game.

THE FORBIDDEN VOWELS

The players seat themselves and are questioned by the leader of the game and must answer without bringing in a word containing a forbidden vowel. Say the vowel "a" is forbidden, the leader asks—"Are you fond of playing the piano?" The answer "Yes, very much," would be correct as the words do not contain the letter "a." But if the answer were—"Yes, and I am fond of singing too," the speaker would have to pay a forfeit. Any vowel[Pg 87] may be forbidden, or if the players choose to make the game very difficult, two vowels may be forbidden. Say "a" and "e" are forbidden, and the question is, "Will your father be late home?" "I do not know" would be a correct answer.

FORTUNE TELLING

The Fortune Teller must provide the person who is to have his or her fortune told with a piece of paper and a pencil and then proceed to say:

[Pg 88]

When these have all been written down, the Fortune Teller proceeds to read out the list of questions he has, with the answers corresponding in number. Below is appended the list of questions, which, of course, must not be shown to the person whose fortune is being told until he or she has written the answers.

[Pg 89]

THE GAME OF CONVERSATION

To play this game successfully two of the company privately agree upon a word that has several meanings. The two then enter into a conversation, which is obliged to be about the word they have chosen, whilst the remainder of the company listen.

When a member of the party imagines that he has guessed the word, he may join in the conversation, but if he finds he is mistaken, must immediately retire.

To give an illustration: Supposing the two players who start the conversation decide upon the word box. They might talk about the people they had seen at the theatre and the particular part of the house in which they were sitting. Then they might say how nice it looked in a garden, and one might mention that it grew into big trees. Perhaps one of the company might imagine that he had guessed the word correctly and join in, when the conversation would be immediately changed, and the two would begin to converse about a huge case in which a very[Pg 90] great number of things were packed away. By this time possibly the person who joined in the conversation will leave off, completely mystified.

If, however, the word should be correctly guessed, the person guessing it chooses a partner, and they together select a word, and the game begins again.

GUILTY OR INNOCENT?

One of the company gets himself up to represent the old man of the woods, the rest take the names of various animals, such as lion, tiger, leopard and so on.

The players seat themselves round the room, and the old man standing in the centre tells them that some of their number have committed a crime and he is about to question them, in order that he may discover the guilty ones. He then begins—"Now, Mr. Lion, where have you been hunting, and what have you eaten to-day?" "I hunted in the forest and caught an antelope." "Then you are twice guilty and must pay two forfeits," says the old man; and the lion must pay his forfeit without being told the crime he has committed. The old man passes on to a Polar Bear. "Where did you hunt and what have you eaten?" he asks.—"I hunted in the water and had a fine fish to eat." The Polar Bear is pronounced innocent. The real game is that no animal may bring in the letter "o" either in their hunting ground or the food they eat. "Forest" and "Ante[Pg 91]lope" both have an "o" in them, so the lion has to pay two forfeits whereas "Water" and "Fish" having no "o" the bear was declared innocent. The great fun is for the old man to keep the secret of "guilty" or "innocent" to himself; but even if the other players know the secret, it is very difficult not to make a slip, as the answers must be given promptly.

When the game is over the players must pay for their forfeits in any way the old man decides.

GUESSING GROCERIES

Into bits of muslin should be tied samples of groceries—tea, coffee, starch, rice, beans, spices, etc. The players are allowed one guess for each sample, depending entirely upon the sense of feeling, and the one guessing the largest number correctly is given a prize. The hostess should have the samples numbered in order to keep count of the guesses. One young lady has a lot of pretty little silk bags filled with these samples and uses them again and again, and they always bring the same amount of fun.

GOSSIP

The leader writes out a short story. It may be a bit of gossip, a newspaper incident or anything he wishes, it should however be rather excitable[Pg 92] in character. He reads the story over, that he may whisper it to one of his neighbors without the aid of the paper. The neighbor listens attentively and in turn whispers it to another neighbor, and it is whispered from one to the other until everyone has heard it. The last person to whom the story was told is asked to relate it and then the person who originated the story is asked to read his written copy. It will be almost unbelievable how the facts of the story have changed in the telling. Scarcely ever will the story be accurate in any particular.

HOW? WHEN? WHERE?

One of the players goes out of the room and the players decide upon an object. Let us suppose that the word chosen is chest. The word being agreed upon, the other player is called in. The game is for this player to guess the word by asking the three questions "How do you like it? When do you like it? Where do you like it?" of each person until the word is guessed. For instance, one player is asked:

• "How do you like it?"
• "Full of gold coins."
• "When do you like it?"
• "When I am traveling."
• "Where do you like it?"
• "In a safe place where robbers cannot find it."

[Pg 93]

And so the game goes on until the guesser knows the word. If he fails to guess it after asking every one of the players the three questions, "How do you like it? When do you like it? Where do you like it?" he must pay a forfeit. The guesser next time is the person who, in making his answer gave away the word decided upon.

"I LOVE MY LOVE WITH AN A"

To play this game it is best for the players to arrange themselves in a half-circle round the room. Then one begins: "I love my love with an 'A,' because she is affectionate; I hate her with an 'A,' because she is artful. Her name is Alice, she comes from Aberdeen, and I gave her an apricot." The next player says: "I love my love with a 'B,' because she is bonnie; I hate her with a 'B,' because she is boastful. Her name is Bertha, she comes from Bath, and I gave her a book." The next player takes "C," and the next "D," and so on through all the letters of the alphabet.

IT

One of the players is asked to go outside whilst the company think of some person in the room, and on his return he has to guess of whom the company has thought.[Pg 94]

The players then arrange themselves in a circle, and agree each to think of his or her right-hand neighbor; it is best to have a girl and boy alternately, as this adds much to the amusement.

The one outside is then called in, and commences to ask questions. Before replying, the player asked must be careful to notice his or her right-hand neighbor, and then give a correct reply. For instance, supposing the first question to be: "Is the person thought of a boy or a girl?" the answer would possibly be "A boy"; the next person would then be asked the color of the complexion, the next one the color of the hair, if long or short, etc., to which questions the answers would, of course, be given according to the right-hand neighbor.

Nearly all the answers will contradict the previous ones, and something like this may be the result: "A boy," "very dark complexion," "long yellow hair," "wearing a black Eton jacket," "with a dark green dress," "five feet high," "about six years old," etc. When the player guessing gives the game up, the joke is explained to him.

"JACK'S ALIVE"

A match or small piece of wood is lighted and when well afire blown out. It is then passed from one player to another with the words, "Jack's alive," and may be handed about so long as a live spark remains. The trick is to dispose of Jack while he[Pg 95] is still alive but no player needs to take him unless the words, "Jack's alive" are quoted. Jack may not be handed along after he is dead but the player in whose hands he dies must pay a forfeit or have a mustache drawn on his face with the end of the burned stick.

THE MENAGERIE

To each member of the company is given the name of a bird or animal by the "Keeper" who is to relate a story of adventure in which the names of the birds and animals are frequently mentioned. At the mention of the word the member of the company bearing that name is to imitate the noise made by the creature named. Failing to do so promptly or imitating the noise of a creature assigned to some one else he or she is required to pay a forfeit. The "keeper" may demand the delinquent player's seat instead of a forfeit and assume his menagerie name while the unseated one becomes the "keeper" and must continue the story.

THE MINISTER'S CAT

This game is very similar to that of "I love my love." Each of the players must describe the minister's cat, going right through the alphabet to do so. "The minister's cat is an angry cat," says one;[Pg 96] "an anxious cat," says another; and so on until everyone has used an adjective beginning with "A." Then they take the "B's." "The minister's cat is a big cat," and so on.

The leader of the game must see that no one hesitates for a word. If any one should take longer than half a minute he must pay a forfeit.

MAGIC WRITING

In this game a confederate is necessary. The player states to the company, after a few remarks on ancient sign-language, that he is able to read signs made with a stick on the floor, and agrees to leave the room whilst the company decide upon some word or sentence.

The game is played as follows:—It is agreed by the player and his confederate that one tap on the floor shall represent A, two taps E, three taps I, four taps O, and five taps U, and that the first letter of each remark the confederate makes shall be one of the consonants of the word or sentence decided upon by the company. The consonants must be taken in order. On the player's return, supposing the word chosen to be "March," his confederate would commence:—"Many people think this game a deception" (initial letter M). One tap on the floor (A). "Really it is very simple" (initial letter R). "Coming to the end soon" (initial letter C). "Hope it has been quite clear" (initial letter H).[Pg 97]

A few more signs are made so as not to finish too abruptly, and the player then states the word to be "March." If carefully conducted, this game will interest the audience for a considerable time.

THE "MIMIC" CLUB

This is a game which causes much amusement to a company of children, and even grown-ups may join in.

All the players, with the exception of two, leave the room. One of the outside party is then called in, and told that a new club has been formed and his name enrolled, but that he cannot be formally admitted unless he can guess the name of the club from the movements of the two members who have remained in the room.

The candidate for admission is then offered a chair, and everything said and every movement made is mimicked by the other two.

Sometimes the new member guesses at once, but when unable to do this it is very funny to watch the effect that the copying of his every movement has upon him, especially when six or seven have been admitted.

When the name of the club has been guessed another candidate is invited in and the same performance takes place.[Pg 98]

MY LADY'S TOILET

The leader gives to each of the party the name of some article used by a lady—a glove, fan, handkerchief, slippers, veil, belt, ribbon, brooch, back comb, collar, hairpins, cloak, etc. The players to whom the names of the articles have been given arrange themselves in a circle; one stands in the center and spins a plate. An ordinary tin pie plate may be used. As he spins the plate he says, "My lady is going to the theatre and needs her ——," naming one of the articles assigned to the players. At the mention of this article, the person to whom it has been given comes forward and catches the plate while it is still spinning. If he fails to catch the plate before it falls to the floor he must pay a forfeit. He now takes his turn with the plate, spinning it and using the name of another of the articles.

PARTNERS

The players divide themselves into ladies and gentlemen, if the ladies predominate they must personate gentlemen, and vice versa. The gentlemen then proceed to choose lady partners. One of the players next undertakes to question the couples. The fun consists of the questions being put to the lady and the gentleman answering for her. "Do you like[Pg 99] your partner?" the lady is asked, and the gentleman may reply, "Yes, I adore him." Whatever the reply the lady is forbidden to deny it; if she does, or if she answers for herself, she must pay a forfeit. But retaliation comes, for when all the ladies have been questioned the gentleman's turn arrives, and the ladies answer for their partners. "What is your favorite occupation?" the question may be, and the lady may answer "Dressing dolls," or "Making mud pies," or anything ridiculous that occurs to her.

PROVERBS

"Proverbs" is a game that will always remain popular. One of the players is sent out of the room, and during his absence the others decide upon a well-known proverb which he must, by asking questions, guess on his return. The answers to the questions must each contain one word of the proverb. For instance, suppose the players fix on the proverb "It's never too late to mend," the question asked, and answers given, will perhaps be similar to the following;—

If the interrogator cannot discover the proverb after the first round of questions and answers, he must go round again, and again. The player whose answer reveals to him the proverb, must go outside in his place.

The following proverbs are all excellent for this game:—

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Each player is furnished with a pencil and two slips of paper. On the first slip a question must be written. The papers are then collected and put into a bag or basket.

Then the players write an answer on their second[Pg 102] slip. These are put into a different bag, and the two bags are then well shaken and handed round to the company.

Everyone draws a question and an answer, and must then read the two out to the company.

The result is sometimes very comical; for instance:—

RUTH AND JACOB

One player is blindfolded, the rest dance in a circle around him till he points at one of them. This person then enters the ring, and when the blind man calls out, "Ruth," answers, "Jacob," and moves about within the circle so as to avoid being caught by the blind man and continues to answer, "Jacob," as often as the blind man calls out, "Ruth." This continues until "Ruth" is caught. "Jacob" must then guess who it is he has caught; if he guesses correctly, "Ruth" takes his place, and the game goes on; if he guesses wrongly, he continues to be "Jacob."[Pg 103]

RHYMES

A number of slips of paper are passed among the players and each one is asked to write upon one of the papers, two words which will rhyme. These papers are collected and in turn read aloud, the players then writing short stanzas employing the rhyming words. It is amusing to note in what very different ways the same set of words is treated by the various players. The usual forfeits may be claimed if the players fail to write the rhyme in a given time.

SKETCHES

Each player is asked to draw a haphazard line on a piece of paper. The line may be anything he wishes and does not need to suggest or resemble any object. The papers are collected and again distributed. Any player getting his own drawing may exchange with any one he wishes. Each player must draw the picture of some object, using in its composition, the original haphazard line.

TRAVELER'S ALPHABET

The players sit in a row and the first begins by saying, "I am going on a journey to Athens," or any place beginning with A. The one sitting next asks, "What will you do there?" The verbs, adjectives,[Pg 104] and nouns used in the reply must all begin with A; as "Amuse Ailing Authors with Anecdotes." If the player answers correctly, it is the next player's turn; he says perhaps: "I am going to Bradford." "What to do there?" "To Bring Back Bread and Butter." A third says: "I am going to Constantinople." "What to do there?" "To Carry Contented Cats." Any one who makes a mistake must pay a forfeit.

THOUGHT READING

This is a very good game, which always causes considerable amusement, and if skilfully carried out will very successfully mystify the whole company.

It is necessary that the player who is to take the part of thought-reading should have a confederate, and the game is then played as follows.

The thought-reader, having arranged that the confederate should write a certain word, commences by asking four members of the company to write each a word upon a piece of paper, fold it up in such a manner that it cannot be seen, and then to pass it on to him. The confederate, of course, volunteers to make one of the four and writes the word previously agreed upon, which is, we will suppose, "Hastings."

The thought-reader places the slips of paper between his fingers, taking care to put the paper of his confederate between the third and little finger; he then takes the folded paper from between his thumb and first finger and rubs it, folded as it is, over his[Pg 105] forehead, at each rub mentioning a letter, as H. rub, A. rub, S.T.I.N.G.S., after which he calls out that some lady or gentleman has written "Hastings." "I did," replies the confederate.

The thought-reader then opens the paper, looks at it, and slips it into his pocket; he has, however, looked at one of the other papers.

Consequently he is now in a position to spell another word, which he proceeds to do in the same manner, and thus the game goes on until all the papers have been read.

THE LITTLE DUTCH BAND

The players sit or stand around the room in a circle. The leader assigns to each some imaginary musical instrument—horn, fife, drum, trombone, violin, harp, flute, banjo, etc. Some well known, but lively air is given out and the band begins to play, each player imitating as nearly as possible the instrument he has been assigned. All goes well until the leader suddenly drops his instrument and begins playing on that of another of the band. At this the player to whom that particular instrument has been given must change his attitude and imitate the instrument the leader has dropped. Again the playing goes on until the leader drops this instrument and takes up that of another player, and this player takes up the leader's instrument. Close watch must be kept of the leader that the players[Pg 106] may detect the instant he takes up a new instrument. The player failing to change immediately must pay a forfeit. Much fun may be had from this game. It may be carried on with a little practice without any perceptible break in the music and with a few talented players it is even harmonious.

"WHAT'S MY THOUGHT LIKE?"

The players sit in a circle and one of them asks the others: "What's my thought like?" One player may say: "A monkey"; the second: "A candle"; the third: "A pin"; and so on. When all the company have compared the thought to some object, the first player tells them the thought—perhaps it is "the Cat"—and then asks each, in turn, why it is like the object he compared it to.

"Why is my cat like a monkey?" is asked. The other player might answer: "Because it is full of tricks." "Why is my cat like a candle?" "Because its eyes glow like a candle in the dark." "Why is my cat like a pin?" "Because its claws scratch like a pin."

Any one who is unable to explain why the thought resembles the object he mentioned must pay a forfeit.[Pg 107]

Forfeits

In going through this book of games the reader will find that the players for various reasons are penalized or required to pay a forfeit. When a player is so fined he must immediately surrender some pocketpiece or personal belonging as a pawn or security which may later be redeemed when "Blind Justice" passes the real sentence.

The players usually select some ready witted person to assume the part of Justice, another acts as Crier or Collector. Justice is blindfolded and the Crier holds the article over his head saying: "Heavy, heavy hangs over thy head." Justice asks: "Fine or Superfine?" If it be an article belonging to a gentleman the Crier answers "Fine;" if it belongs to a lady he answers, "Superfine," and asks, "What shall the owner do to redeem his (or her) property?" and Blind Justice renders the sentence.

If the proper person has been chosen for Justice a great deal of fun may be caused by the impromptu imposition of ridiculous penalties.

Or the persons making up the party may in turn take the part of Justice, each imposing a penalty. Some of the most familiar penalties are:

Put one hand where the other cannot touch it—Grasp the elbow.

Take the Journey to Rome.—The culprit is required to go to each person and say that he or she is going on a journey to Rome and ask whether they have anything to send to the Pope. The players load him up with various articles, the more cumber[Pg 108]some the better, which he must carry until every person has been visited. Then he must walk out of the room and back, distributing the articles to their proper places.

Spell Constantinople.—When the offender begins to spell and reaches C-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-i-, the players cry "no" (the next letters in the word being n-o). Each time the culprit gets to C-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-i-, the players cry "no," and unless he knows the trick he will begin the spelling again and again.

Kiss Your own Shadow.—If the culprit is not familiar with this forfeit he will kiss his own shadow on the wall, but realizes how foolish he was when he sees some other victim place himself between the light and a lady and kiss his shadow which then falls on the lady.

Sit Upon the Fire.—This forfeit will puzzle the culprit, but may be easily accomplished by writing the word "fire" on a slip of paper and sitting upon it.

Ask a Question Which cannot be Answered in the Negative.—"What do the letters y-e-s spell?"

Kiss a Book Inside and Outside Without Opening the Book.—This apparently impossible feat may be accomplished by kissing the book inside the room and then carrying it outside of the room and kissing it there.

Take a Person up Stairs and Bring him Down on a Feather.—This is another apparently impossible feat but of course there is "down on a feather."[Pg 109]

Act Living Statue.—The victim must stand upon a chair and is posed by the players in succession according to their various ideas of Grecian statuary, giving the victim various articles to hold in his hand such as pokers, shovels, etc.

Leave the Room with two Legs and Come Back with Six.—This sentence can be fulfilled by going out of the room and carrying a chair into the room when you come back.

Perform the Egotist.—The culprit is required to drink his own health and make some flowery speech concerning himself. If his speech is not egotistic enough the players may again and again demand a more flattering one.

Place three Chairs in a Row, Take off Your Shoes and Jump Over them.—It is very funny to hear the culprit plead that he could not possibly jump over the three chairs when the sentence means to jump over his shoes—"take off your shoes and jump over them."

The Three Salutes.—The victim is required to "Kneel to the prettiest; bow to the wittiest and kiss the one he loves the best." The easiest way to pay this forfeit is to kneel to the plainest, bow to the dullest and kiss the one for whom he cares the least.

Kiss the Lady you Love the best without letting any one know.—This is performed by the condemned kissing several ladies, or perhaps every lady in the room.[Pg 110]

Imitate a Donkey.—The culprit must bray like one.

Play the Shoemaker.—The culprit must take off his shoe and pretend to drive pegs into it.

Shake a Coin off the Head.—This may be made productive of much amusement. The leader, having wetted a coin, presses it firmly for several seconds against the forehead of the victim. When he withdraws his thumb he secretly brings away the coin, but the victim invariably believes that he can still feel it sticking to his forehead, and his head-shaking and facial contortions to get rid of his imaginary burden are ludicrous. It is understood at the time the sentence is pronounced that he must shake the coin off and must not touch it with his hands.

The Three Questions.—The victim is required to leave the room. Three questions are agreed upon in his absence, and he is requested to say "yes" or "no" to each as they are asked him, not knowing, of course, what the questions are, the result is usually embarrassing, he finds he has made some ignominious admission, has declined something he would be very glad to have or accepted something he would much rather do without.

Go to Market.—The culprit is ordered to go to market with some one of the opposite sex. They stand about eight feet apart, facing each other, and the culprit asks his companion if she likes apples (or any article he may choose), if the answer is[Pg 111] "yes," she takes a step forward, if "no" a step backward. If something is liked very much or disliked very much a long step is taken. Then she asks him a question which is answered by stepping forward or backward and so on until they meet when a kiss is usually claimed and taken.

Place a Straw or Small Article on the Ground in Such a Manner that No one Present can Jump Over It.—This is done by placing the article against the wall.

Bite an Inch Off the Poker.—A poker is held about an inch from the face, making a bite—of course, the person does not bite the poker but "an inch off the poker."

Blow a Candle Out Blindfold.—The person paying the forfeit is shown the exact position of the candle and then blindfolded, and having been turned about once or twice is requested to blow it out. The cautious manner in which the person will go and endeavor to blow out the clock on the mantle piece or an old gentleman's bald head, while the candle is serenely burning a few feet away must be seen to be appreciated.

The German Band.—This is a joint forfeit for three or four persons, each of whom is assigned some imaginary instrument and required to impersonate a performer in a German band, imitating not only the action of the players but the sound of the instrument as well.[Pg 112]

[Pg 113]

[Pg 114]
[Pg 115]

GAMES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

New Year's Day

Resolved:—To do my best to-day—
Tomorrow is far away.

New Year's day calling and receiving—the custom of our Grandmother's time—is in vogue again.

If it is desirable to announce that one wishes to receive callers on that day, the visiting card of the party or parties receiving with the words—"At Home January the first, 19—, from — to — P. M.," and the address written upon it, may be sent to one's friends.

Or upon the back of a visiting card may be written, "Let me (or us) wish you a Happy New Year on January the first. At Home from — to — P. M. Address ————————."

Simple refreshments should be served, hot tea, coffee or chocolate with sweet or salted wafers—fruit punch with sweet wafers—bouillon in cups with salted crackers.

Two, three or all of these beverages with assorted wafers, etc., could be served from the dining room table, giving an opportunity to cater to the individual taste of one's guests.

Have a center piece of three large white tissue paper bells tied together with white ribbon. Place them on their side with long ribbon streamers com[Pg 116]ing from underneath each one and in the center of the three place another white bell, open side up, holding an infant doll to represent the new year. Intertwine a few sprays of asparagus fern or smilax.

It is not wise to serve intoxicants to New Year's callers thus adding a drop to the bucket that will overflow eventually with regret and remorse.

New Year's Day Party Invitations may be in hour glass form cut from heavy white paper, or bell shape.

Decorations of evergreen festoons and wreaths are appropriate, also the tissue paper bells and festoons and holly and mistletoe.

A pretty center piece for the table is a large pile of snow balls made of cotton and sprinkled with diamond dust, each one containing a small favor and having a ribbon attached which runs to each plate and at a given time the guests may each pull a ribbon and receive a prize.

Refreshments may be ice cream in the form of snow balls, small cakes with the abbreviated names of the months frosted on, assorted fancy cakes and bon-bons.

The following games are suggested.

GOOD RESOLUTIONS

Each person is given a paper and pencil and requested to write at the top of the page the word "Resolved," followed by expressions of amendment[Pg 117] that he or she is conscious of needing. One such attempt at self examination resulted in the following resolves:

These are read aloud and the authorship guessed. All the correct guesses at the authorship are counted, for the prize of a china mug with "For a Good Girl" or "For a Good Boy" in letters upon it.

TESTING FATES

Upon the floor are twelve candles in a row, all alight and each of a different color. Each candle stands for a month in the year. The white one for January, blue for February, pale green for March, bright green for April, violet for May, light pink for June, dark pink for July, yellow for August, lilac for September, crimson for October, orange for November, scarlet for December. Each child in turn is invited to jump over the candles, and if the feat be accomplished without extinguishing a single candle, prosperity and happiness are in store through all the months of the coming year; but if one is put out, ill-luck threatens in the month whose shining is thus eclipsed; while to knock one over, predicts dire calamity.[Pg 118]

SPIN THE PLATE

The players seat themselves in a circle except one who gives all a name pertaining to the calendar and chooses a name for himself. If there are twelve or less players, each take the name of a month. If more than a dozen play name them January first, January second, etc.

The player standing in the center of the circle, with a tin plate, places it upon its edge and spins it, at the same time calling out the name of a month or day of the month which has been given to one of the players.

The person named must jump up and catch the plate before it stops spinning or he must pay a forfeit. It is then his turn to spin the plate and call some one else into the center.

A NEW YEAR'S EVE ENTERTAINMENT

Look through your old newspapers and magazines and cut out all the pictures of the famous men and women of the century you find—everybody, from Decatur to Li Hung Chang, from Daniel Boone to Kruger, from Queen Hortense to Helen Gould, from Coxey to Kipling. Clip the names off, and make frames for them of pasteboard and gilt paper.

Write the invitations on the backs of your cards: "You are invited to attend the opening of the Nine[Pg 119]teenth Century Portrait Gallery, on New Year's Eve,"—fixing the hours to suit yourself.

Then clear your drawing-room of all its furniture and pictures, covering the walls with the pictures you have framed. In the middle of the floor make a pedestal of two store boxes covered with a sheet, and on it stand a girl dressed as the goddess of Fame—draped in a sheet, her hair knotted in Grecian style, her bare arms hanging straight down, with a laurel wreath in one hand, and in the other a little package neatly tied. Light the room with four heavily shaded piano lamps, one in each corner.

Outside the drawn portieres seat another girl dressed as Time, with white hair and beard and hour-glass and scythe. And on the floor before her put a basket woven of evergreens, and filled with little tablets, each marked with all the numbers that are stuck in the corners of the pictures. Four little girls of different sizes as the Seasons—Spring with a wreath of artificial jonquils, Summer with roses, Autumn with chrysanthemums, Winter with holly—stand on the stairs to receive.

As the guests arrive they are led up to Time, who bids them enter his temple of Fame, and write down on the tablets he gives them, the names of those they recognize.

They enter and begin their inspection of the pictures, putting down such as they know—or think they know; and incidentally making many mistakes. And when they have finished the round of the room,[Pg 120] they sign their tablets, drop them into Time's basket, and are led away by a Season to the supper room.

When all the guests have made the tour of inspection, and the prize has been adjudged, the winner is escorted back to the "gallery" by the whole company, to receive from the hands of the Goddess the laurel wreath and its little golden duplicate that the package contains.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW YEAR PARTIES

A novel way of selecting partners for a New Year's party is to paint upon water color paper such objects as may illustrate the different months of the year. A candle for January, to represent Twelfth Night, or "The Feast of Candles." February, a heart for St. Valentine. March, the shamrock, as complimentary to St. Patrick. For April, an umbrella, the sign of rain. May, the month for moving, is represented by a sign upon which are the words, "House to Let." June, of course, is the month of roses, while a fire-cracker is always symbolical of July. A fan for the hot month of August, and a pile of school books for the first days of September. Hallow-e'en, the gala day of October, has a Jack-o'lantern, while the year closes with a turkey for Thanksgiving and a stocking for Christmas.[Pg 121]

Cut these out and fasten a loop of ribbon to each one, except the fire-cracker, where a bit of cord will answer both for the fuse and the loop by which to hang it. These are for the ladies, while the men will receive plain cards upon each one of which is written a month of the year. If there be more than twenty-four guests there are many other available days, as Arbor Day, represented by a tree; a hatchet for Washington's Birthday; a flag for Flag Day; a saw, trowel or spade for Labor Day, and a ballot box for Election Day. If it be necessary to use these extra days the plain cards must be numbered to designate the different days of the same month. For instance, the card that corresponds with St. Valentine's Day will be February No. 1, while the bearer of February No. 2 will be the partner for the holder of the Washington's birthday illustration.

The same idea may be carried out for dinner favors, painting the various objects on cards about four by six inches in size, and pasting on one corner a small calendar. When the guests arrive they will be given the plain slips upon which are written the months of the year, and must then find at the table the calendars that correspond with their cards.[Pg 122]

Lincoln's Birthday

At dinners, parties and entertainments given on February 12th, the anniversary of the birth of our immortal Lincoln, one aim of the host or hostess should be to imbue the affair with the spirit of patriotism; so use the good old red, white and blue for the color scheme in decorating. Busts and pictures of Lincoln, national emblems, such as the flag, shield, American Eagle, etc., and military accouterments would make appropriate decorations.

Dinner favors should be candy boxes representing either miniature log cabins or a log of wood with a tiny paper or metal ax imbedded in it; small busts of Lincoln would make ideal favors for such an occasion. Place cards may have on the reverse side a quotation from Lincoln which the guests may read in turn to furnish food for thought and conversation. The following sayings of Lincoln are suggested:—

MILITARY EUCHRE.

A most enjoyable afternoon or evening may be furnished ones friends by giving a military euchre party, as suggested for Washington's Birthday.[Pg 124]

GUESSING CONTEST.

Supply pencils and papers to the guests having the following mixed words written upon them:—

Inform the guests that these words pertain to the history of Lincoln. An appropriate prize may be given to the one having the correct answers, or having the most correct answers in a limited time. The correct words are:—

[Pg 125]

SPLITTING RAILS.

Guests are to be supplied with pencils and papers containing the following letters:—

Which are the rails to be split or divided into ten words, each rail containing two words which contain the word "rail" with other letters. The person splitting the most rails in a given time (having the most correct words) should be awarded a suitable prize. The split rails are:—

[Pg 126]

BREAKING THE CHAIN.

Several children are chosen as slaves and stand in the center of the room. The other children stand in a circle about them, forming a chain by linking each arm into the arm of a child on either side and clasping his own hands in front of him. The chain of children may circle around or stand in one place while the slaves try to break the chain and gain their freedom.

LOG CABIN.

The tiny tots would enjoy building a log cabin of tooth-picks by placing upon the table two wooden tooth-picks about two inches apart in a horizontal line, then laying two tooth-picks across them in a vertical position. Place two more directly above the first ones, then two above the second ones and so on as high as the children can build.[Pg 127]

St. Valentine's Day

Invitations for this party are written on red paper hearts. The decorations also are red paper hearts strung from the corners of the rooms to the chandeliers, between arches, draped across windows, etc., etc.

For refreshments, cakes and ices may be heart shape, also tiny heart shape sandwiches and candy hearts with mottoes on them.

For a center piece a wax cupid with bow and arrow in the midst of flowers and foliage, with various sized red paper hearts scattered around.

A large heart shaped bag with the words, "There is something in my heart for you," printed on it, contains a valentine or a favor for each guest. The young host or hostess holds the bag while the guests march along and each one in turn reaches into the bag for a prize.

The following games are appropriate:—

ST. VALENTINE'S POST OFFICE

The players sit in a circle around the room except one who is selected for postman, blind folded and placed in the center of the room. Some grown person, who acts as Postmaster General giving each[Pg 128] child the name of a city or town and standing in a position to see the players, begins the game by saying, "I have sent a valentine from Chicago to New York (or the names of any of the cities or towns given the children.)" The children representing these cities change places quickly, the postman trying to catch them or to sit in one of the empty chairs. If he is successful in either attempt the child who is caught or whose chair he has taken becomes postman, while the retiring postman receives a small valentine as his reward. A child who remains seated when his name is called must take the place of the postman.

CUPID IS COMING

The players seat themselves round the room, and one having announced "Cupid is coming," another questions, "How is he coming?" Whereupon everyone must in turn say "Cupid is coming amblingly" or "amiably," or use some other adverb beginning with "A." When every member of the company has mentioned an adverb, the game goes on by using adverbs beginning with "B," then "C," and so on until all the letters are used up, or the company prefers to change the game. Anyone failing to supply an adverb must pay a forfeit.[Pg 129]

HEART HUNT

Candy or paper hearts are hidden in nooks and corners, behind bric a brac, curtains, etc. Heart shaped paper baskets, boxes or envelopes are given to each hunter, to put the hearts in. The one finding the greatest number of hearts receives a heart shaped prize, such as a box of bonbons, pin tray or cushion, photo frame, blotter, pen wiper, needle book, trinket box, etc. etc.

CUPID'S DART

A large white heart-shaped target having a small red heart for the bull's eye, a bow and cupid's dart are necessary for this game. Each person in turn stands a certain distance from the target and shoots at the red heart. A satin heart with the motto, "Cupid's dart has pierced my heart" may be awarded the person making the best shot.

A HEART GUESSING CONTEST

The following sentences are written on heart shaped cards and passed with pencils to the guests[Pg 130] who are told to supply the missing word with a word whose first five letters spell heart.

The first person who guesses correctly receives an appropriate heart shaped prize.

BROKEN HEARTS

Place two red paper hearts which have been cut into several irregular pieces into an envelope and distribute to each gentleman guest, who selects a lady for a partner and at a signal they begin putting[Pg 131] the pieces together to form the heart. The couple first getting the pieces together in perfect order, forming two hearts, wins the contest and each receives a prize.

TWO HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE

Fasten a large white handkerchief on the wall or door. Paste or sew a small red paper heart in the center of it.

Let each person in turn be blindfolded and try to pin a heart of corresponding size over the heart on the handkerchief. The one accomplishing the feat or coming the nearest to it receives a valentine or appropriate prize.[Pg 132]

Washington's Birthday

To give a patriotic air to the surroundings should be the aim of the hostess in giving a party or entertaining on Washington's Birthday.

Use the American flag, various sizes, for draping and decorating pictures, mantels, door-ways, windows etc., and red white and blue bunting hung from the chandeliers to the corners of the room, over archways, twined around the banister of stairways, etc., etc.

Red, white and blue paper garlands, paper hatchets and clusters or branches of artificial cherries are attractive; and pictures and busts of Washington draped with flags or bunting would be very effective.

A military Euchre Party would be very appropriate for this occasion. Invitations written on a card with the American flag painted or printed on may be worded as follows:

[Pg 133]

Greet the guests with a military salute, which they should, of course, return.

Over each table suspend a small wooden ball with tiny holes in, just large enough to insert the smallest size flag having a wooden staff. (These flag holders may be purchased. They are usually red and have a long round stick or handle which may be tied or wired to the chandelier, or festoons.)

Red, white and blue festoons must be strung upon wire or very heavy cord to be strong enough to hold the wooden ball for the flags.

A card about three by ten inches bearing the name of a fort should also be hung over the table. Fort Sumter, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Moultrie, Fort Duquesne, Fort Riley, Fort Hamilton, Fort Necessity, Fort Dodge, Fort McAllister, and Fort Donelson are names which may be used.

Tally cards may represent flags or shields with red strings or ribbons for the ladies and blue for the men, and on the reverse side write the name of the fort and company, as "Fort Sumter, Company A" and "Fort Sumter, Company B" instead of table 1, couple 1, etc., etc.

Six players are at each table—three are Company A and three are Company B. When all are seated the bugle is sounded and company A of each fort advances to the next fort in rotation to meet the enemy, company A of the foot table coming to the first table or fort.

The bugle sounds again as a signal for the players[Pg 134] to begin. Company A are partners sitting alternately with company B, who are partners and, of course, company A play against company B.

Thirty-three cards are used to play this game, the Joker, Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Ten, Nine, Eight, and Seven spots. Five cards are dealt to each player, the three remaining cards, called the widow, are turned face down. No trump is turned. After the deal the players bid for the trump in turn, commencing with the eldest hand. When a player bids he must name the suit he bids on. The highest bid wins and the bidder is entitled to the widow, selecting any cards he wishes and discarding others in their place. The side whose bid is successful must win the number of tricks bid or it is euchred and the opposite side scores the amount bid. A bid to play alone is higher than a bid of five and if the bidder takes all the tricks his side scores ten.

At the end of five minutes the bugle is sounded and all must stop immediately. The company which has scored the most points at that time is victorious and takes the small flag, which has been placed on the table while they were playing, and places it in their own fort. (The flag holder suspended above the table.)

All players return to their original forts and at the first sound of the bugle company B advances to meet the enemy while company A remains to protect the fort. At the second bugle call the soldiers begin the warfare which lasts another five minutes when[Pg 135] the bugle announces time is up. A flag is given to the winning company at each table and furled above their fort, the players again taking their original seats at their own fort.

At the bugle's blast company A advances to the second fort while company B remains to hold the fort, etc. etc.

These maneuvers are kept up until the "soldiers" of each fort have "fought for the flag" with the "soldiers" of each of the other forts, or as long as the "General" may see fit.

The home fort must not be deserted by all of its soldiers at the same time. Either company A or company B remain during each skirmish—nor do company A and company B of the same fort play against each other.

At the desired time the sound of the bugle is heard and the skirmish is ended. The fort having captured the most flags gains the victory and each soldier should be awarded a suitable prize. The fort having the least number of flags may be given a booby prize in the shape of small toy drums for the ladies and toy fife or horn for the gentlemen. The "General" may then order the soldiers of this fort to serenade the victorious soldiers.

Fruit Punch with a generous supply of Maraschino cherries may be served during the evening.

Refreshments may consist of sandwiches tied with red, white and blue ribbon; red, white and blue layer cake (vegetable coloring can be obtained from[Pg 136] the confectioner) or small fancy cakes; red, white and blue cream patties, salted nuts, coffee, cherry ice or vanilla ice-cream. Use an ice cream disher which forms the ice cream into a conical shape. Small flags having a very long pin for a staff are placed in these forts.

The menu may be enlarged by serving a salad or meat patties of various kinds.

Cream cheese served with preserved cherries and salted crackers would be a palatable and appropriate dish. Ice cream and ices may be obtained from the caterer in various appropriate molds, such as cannon balls, shields, flags, Geo. Washington hatchets, etc., etc.

A WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON IN WHITE AND RED

A White cloth covered the table at this luncheon—a white embroidered linen center piece with lace edge under which showed red crepe tissue paper—vase of red and white carnations. Place Cards ornamented with hand painted cherries and hatchets. Favors, miniature artificial cherry trees (with a tiny paper hatchet at the base) growing in (imitation) birch-wood candy boxes, which should be filled with candied cherries.

Cream of oyster soup served in bouillon cups—salted crackers.—Celery; pimentos cut in small[Pg 137] pieces; salted peanuts in red paper cups. Serve on individual plates, chicken chartreuse with cannon ball potatoes.

Chicken Chartreuse,—Butter tin moulds (½ pt. tin cups are good ones) and line with cooked rice. Fill with creamed chicken previously prepared. Set moulds in pan of hot water and keep hot until wanted. Run knife around inside of tin to loosen the contents and invert mould upon serving plate. The result will be apparently a mould of rice. Place a Maraschino cherry on the top.

Cannon Ball Potatoes,—With a potato scoop cut round balls out of raw potatoes. Boil them in beet juice or use enough liquid off of pickled beets to color the water a deep red. Watch carefully that they do not cook soft enough to break. Serve a couple on each plate with the chicken chartreuse.

Thin bread and butter sandwiches.

Lady Washington Salad,—Cut the top off and scoop out the inside of bright red Jonathan apples. Place them on white lace paper doilies on salad plates and fill with the following mixture:—

Equal portions of apple and celery cut in small cubes, one-eighth the amount of pimentos cut fine and one-eighth the amount of Maraschino cherries cut in half. Use a mayonnaise dressing or one of the manufactured salad dressings mixed with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Coffee covered with whipped cream. Vanilla ice cream or any fancy cream that is white, served in[Pg 138] champagne glasses topped with a maraschino cherry. Marshmallow cake dotted with candied cherries. Red and white cream patties.

GAMES AND PASTIMES FOR WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

HUNTING THE HATCHET

Small paper hatchets (containing candy if desired) are previously hidden in every conceivable place in rooms to which guests have access, behind doors and pictures, in vases, under chairs and tables, on the gas fixtures, etc., etc. A certain length of time should be allowed for the hunt and the one finding the most hatchets should be rewarded with a prize.

CHERRY RIPE

A tooth pick is suspended by a string in the door way or from the ceiling just out of reach of the children. Stick a ripe cherry or a candied cherry on the tooth pick. The children in turn jump up and try to catch the cherry in their mouth. The cherry is the prize and when won by one of the children another cherry must be put on the toothpick until each child has had a turn.[Pg 139]

WASHINGTON PI

Distribute to each guest a pencil and a slip of paper with the following letters written upon it:—

Announce to them that by transposing the letters they will spell a word which is in some way connected with the history of George Washington. The person having the correct answers first or the one having the most correct answers in a given time wins a prize. A candy box in the form of a pie full of candied cherries would be appropriate or something in a patriotic line such as a portrait or bust of Washington—a small cannon on a solid base intended for a paper weight—a drum pincushion—a miniature sword paper knife, etc., etc.

CROSSING THE DELAWARE

A space about four or five feet wide is marked off on the floor by stretching two strings from one[Pg 140] side of the room to the other or with chalk which represents the "Delaware River." Or an imaginary line will answer. Half of the players stand on one side of the space and half on the opposite side.

Each company has a captain who gives each of his soldiers a name that denotes action and can be demonstrated—beginning with the letter "A" such as appealingly, angrily, etc. The second soldier's name begins with "B"—blindly, bashfully, boisterously. The third soldier's name begins with "C"—cautiously, carelessly, curiously, and so on through the alphabet until all are named.

Then the captain of company A announces, "Washington is crossing the Delaware." The captain of the opposite company "B" replies, "How?" The first captain responds "A" whereupon the soldier of his company whose name begins with "A" walks across the space and back "awkwardly," "angrily" or acting whatever name has been given to him (or her.) The opposite side try to guess the name from the actions or manner of the soldier. If the soldier crosses to the opposite side and back before his name is guessed he remains with his own company, but if the soldiers of the opposite side guess his name before he reaches camp he must join their ranks.

Then the captain of company B announces, "Washington is crossing the Delaware." Captain of company A asks, "How?" Captain of company B responds "A" and his soldier "A" crosses over "anx[Pg 141]iously," "actively" or whatever the name may be. If he succeeds in reaching camp before his name is guessed he remains there but joins the opposite company if they guess his name before he reaches camp.

Now it is company A's turn to send soldier "B" across with the same preliminaries as before. Then company B sends soldier "B" across the Delaware. Then Company A sends soldier "C" followed by soldier "C" of company B and so on, a soldier from each company alternately until all have had a chance to cross.

The company having the most soldiers is victorious, as they have either crossed successfully or been captured. They may be rewarded by some appropriate trifle such as a tiny flag or paper hatchet, or some of the small brass or metal stick pins representing shields, flags, eagles, colonial hats, rosettes, muskets, drums, etc., etc.[Pg 142]

April Fool's Day

April first would be an occasion for a fancy dress party en masque. Invitations may be written on a large sheet of paper and folded or rolled into a small parcel and tied up in wrapping paper like a package.

Decorate the rooms with paper or artificial flowers and plants. April Fool the guests when time for them to arrive by having the lights as low as possible. The maid or person admitting the guests informs them the hostess is "not at home," but immediately adds "please come in and wait," and they are then directed to lighted rooms where they may remove their wraps.

An invitation to a "Folly Party" may be adorned with a picture of a fools cap and bells or a Jester. One form reads thus:—

On ye night of April first at stroke of eight
Ye Fooles and Jesters will congregate
At —— St; Prithee come, likewise
Bedecked in frivolous garb, Thy face disguise
So unquestioned you may see
"What fools these mortals be."

If there is any question as to which member or members of the family is giving the party, enclose a visiting card or write the name of the host or[Pg 143] hostess on the reverse side of invitation or back of envelope.

One may choose from the following menu, foolish food for refreshment.

Turtle Soup—au natural
(Soup plates or bouillon cups of water with tiny toy turtle in each one)

Radishes
(Toy or paper red dishes)

Piccalilli
(A dish of artificial or natural lilies to pick from)

Blue Points
(Short pointed ends of blue crayon or lead pencils)

Crackers
(Tiny fire crackers)

FISH

Baked Sole
(An old sole of a shoe)

Fried Perch
(A wooden perch—the kind used in bird cages)

ROAST

Spring Lamb
(A toy lamb in place of a jack-in-the-box)

Wild Duck
(Throw at the guests a large handful of small rubber or paper balls attached to rubber strings, so they will return and hit no one—the guests will "duck" to escape being hit.)

ENTREES

Rabbit en casserole
[Pg 144](Hair (hare) in covered dish)

DESSERT

Strawberry Ice
(Strawberry buried in ice)

Cake—Devil's Food
(Sulphur matches)

Black Coffee
(Have the colored man step in and cough)

Mixed Nuts
(Iron nuts such as used on bolts and machinery)

Raisins
(Yeast cakes)

The hostess should have a bell at her place and ring it before each course, when the butler (or a gentleman who will act as butler for the occasion) will repeat in a loud voice the order of the hostess which, of course, will be simply the name of the food about to be served. Or have at each plate a small card with the menu written on it.

For a centerpiece a dish of artificial fruit or a vase of daffodils (daffy-dills) may be used, placed on a cloth centerpiece, circular and cut in points, a bell on each point. Two colors should be used for the points.

A few dishes of April Fool bon bons may be distributed on the table.

After this foolish feast is ended genuine refreshments should be served. One might reverse the order of serving; begin with the dessert and end with what should have been first.

Many viands may be served "in disguise" and yet be very palatable. For instance creamed chick[Pg 145]en, sweet breads, etc., may be encased in mashed potato or boiled rice.

Line tin moulds with the potato or rice, fill the center with the creamed fowl, sweet breads or oysters and heat in pan of hot water. When inverted on serving plate there will be, apparently, a mound of potatoes or rice.

Large baked potato skins may be used to enclose the meat, also grape fruit or orange rinds cut in half and contents removed, then filled with the hot chicken, etc., and the other half replaced, or cover the top with a lettuce leaf or sprigs of water cress or parsley.

Lift one section of a banana skin, remove fruit, fill with any desired salad and replace section of skin. Use a toothpick to keep in place if necessary.

Olives may be served, each covered with the half of an English walnut shell. A corn husk may hold a sandwich, etc., etc.

Fruit cups may be made from apples, oranges, lemons, grape fruit, bananas, etc., and many of the vegetables could be utilized. The large telephone pea pods may contain a small pickle or relish of some kind.

Mangoes or green pepper pods, tomatoes, cantaloupe, cucumbers, etc., may be scooped out and filled with food of a different nature.

Cover the opening in the bottom of small flower pots with stiff paper or fill with paraffin wax. Line the flower pot with stiff white paper to within an[Pg 146] inch of the top. Fill with chocolate ice cream or any desired cream, but cover the top with chocolate ice cream or chocolate frosting as dark as possible, sprinkle grated sweet chocolate or bits of chocolate fudge on top. Stick rather a short stemmed carnation, daisy or similar flower in the center and serve.

Small cakes may be served from cabbage heads. Use cabbage having the outside leaves on. Open the outer leaves carefully until there is enough to hide the interior. Cut out the center of the cabbage and fill with small cakes.

All sorts of odd candy boxes filled with candies may be used for favors.

Ordinary refreshments may be served on dishes not ordinarily used for that particular purpose. Use bowls or soup dishes instead of cups—saucers, vegetables dishes, cups, etc., where plates or platters should be used.

The clever hostess will, no doubt, think of many ways wise and otherwise to serve refreshments on such an occasion.

AN APRIL FIRST FESTIVAL

A "King's Jester," painted in water-color, clad in red and yellow, smiling and beckoning, is painted on one side of the white card of invitation. On the reverse side is written, in gold ink, "'Fools make feasts and wise people eat them,' saith the seer. Will[Pg 147] you be one of the many wise ones on All Fools' Day evening to partake of a feast, and make merry betimes?"

On the appointed evening the guests are met at the door and conducted to the parlor by a youth, dressed in a red blouse with full bishop sleeves and long pointed yellow cuffs, and a full-gathered, double skirt, half way to the knees, made in pointed scallops—the scallops of the lower skirt of yellow alternating with the scallops of the upper one of red with a jingling gold bell sewed to each scallop. One stocking is red, and the other yellow, and one foot is thrust into a red sandal, and the other into a yellow one, with a bell on each sharply pointed toe.

Around his waist is a red leather belt; a yellow jester's cap with red leather rim, and with bells on the hood, and a red cape with yellow lining completes his dress. The costume is made of glossy sateen; the sandals of canton flannel.

A half hour before dinner, the "fool" hands each guest pencil and paper and menu card, and they are asked to guess the dinner viands. The menu reads, "Food for the Wise:"

The prizes for the best "guessers" are books—Max Pemberton's "Queen of Jesters" for the fortunate girl, and Victor Hugo's "Man Who Laughs" for the lucky man. The booby prizes are wands with "fools' heads" of gingerbread.

The cloth of the dining table is made of sheeting, with a two-inch hem, and with pleasantly jingling bells of yellow and red sewed thickly around the entire edge.

At each end of the table, with each hand catching a red ribbon that runs in waves entirely around the[Pg 149] table, is a King's Jester, painted on the cloth—facsimiles of the living one who served the guests.

For painting the cloth—common tube paints are used—taking for a thinning medium a mixture of three ounces of turpentine, ten drops of pure cider vinegar, six drops of lemon extract, and a little sugar of lead. The figures are drawn with a lead drawing pencil, and care taken in painting them to prevent the paint spreading over the edges of the design. Several days are given the cloth to dry before using.

The tomatoes and apples are yellow and red; the radishes are red; the cakes are small squares, iced yellow and red, and the bon-bons are little clear red and lemon colored fishes—typical of the French "poissons d'Avril," "April fish," as their "April Fool" is called.

Following are a few games, etc., for the amusement of children small and children tall.

FOLLIES OF FORTUNE

Let one of the ladies be blindfolded and seated behind a large screen or curtain or in a tent in an adjoining room which is dimly lighted. A gypsy tent may be improvised with three long sticks tied together at one end, the other ends resting on the floor at equal distances forming a tripod which is covered with a couple of large sheets.

Announce to the guests, "We have secured for your pleasure this evening that remarkable necro[Pg 150]mancer, Madam Loof-lirpa. (April fool spelled backwards.) The madam is the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter and has the rare and marvelous power of second sight, and while securely blindfolded she will tell you anything that you have done."

"All are welcome to visit this seeress but only one at a time. Mr. —— you may come first if you please," (naming one of the gentlemen present.)

Just before ushering the "fated" one into the presence of Madam Loof-lirpa, inform him that in order to be sure the fortune teller cannot see through the bandages over her eyes, he should make several motions or signs or pose before her for a few seconds and then say to her "Madam, what did I do?"

The Seeress may keep him in suspense a second or two before replying or may say "I am not quite sure. Please do it again," and finally answer, "You made a fool of yourself."

Each victim has the privilege of remaining near enough to see the next one caught.

FOLLOW MY FOOT-STEPS

Place a number of articles such as pillows, books, handkerchiefs, inexpensive bric-a-brac, etc., on the floor. One person acts as leader and walks in a zigzag path around the obstacles, followed by the others. Then one of the party is blindfolded and told by the leader to "follow my foot-steps and if[Pg 151] you do not break or mar anything you shall have a surprise."

When the "victim" starts on his journey everything is quietly removed from his path and when he has tired of wandering and removes the bandage he is greeted by "April Fool."

FOOLISHNESS

Ask the guests to tell the most foolish thing they ever did and give a suitable prize for the most foolish answer.

IT IS TO LAUGH

The players form a circle taking hold of hands and circle around one of the players who is blindfolded and holds a staff or cane. When he raps on the floor with the cane they all stand still. He then points the cane towards some one, saying, "It is to laugh." The person touched by the cane or nearest it places the end of the cane close to his mouth and laughs. If his name is guessed by the player in the center they change places and circle again—if not, they circle until the player in the center succeeds in naming the owner of the laugh.[Pg 152]

THE MUSEUM

The guests are invited to inspect your collection of curios and souvenirs which are displayed in numerous paste board boxes, collectively on a large table, or distributed in convenient places about the room on mantels, tables, piano, book shelves, etc.

Each box bears a large placard or label of its contents. "An Ancient Instrument of Punishment," a worn slipper; "An Irish Bat," a brick bat; "The Mummy of the Mound Builders," a stuffed mole; "Bonaparte," two small bones placed apart from each other; "An American Fool's Cap," a sheet of fools-cap paper; "Tainted Money," a penny flattened and mutilated until it is spoiled; "A Longfellow Souvenir," a section of bamboo; "A Pair of Ancient Pincers," two dried crawfish or lobster claws; "A Fool's Paradise," a pair of dice; "Sacred White Rabbit," a white hair.

Pitfalls and snares for the unwary are all around.[Pg 153] A silver coin is glued to the floor. A handkerchief or bow is fastened to the floor. A vase of flowers have a little snuff or pepper sprinkled on them—those who smell will sneeze. An artificial mouse is attached to a curtain. Slyly pin papers, bearing different inscriptions, on the backs of some of the guests. One may read, "Please tell me my name." All who read it will tell him his name which becomes monotonous. "Please kiss me," "Please hold my hand," "Please kick me gently," "Please borrow my money," "Please make me laugh," "Please call me Fond Heart."

These and many other foolish things will seem funny on All Fool's Day.[Pg 154]

Easter

Easter Day should be a peaceful, happy day of rejoicing, thanksgiving and praise to the Giver of all good. Easter is symbolic of a new life, and a brighter one. It is springtime, the sun shines brightly, and Nature smiles. She is rejoicing because her dead are coming to life again. The trees, the grass, the flowers all rise up in the glory of a new and beautiful life. Chrysalis and egg are not strong enough to keep back the new life of butterfly and bird which rises skyward to rejoice, each in its own way.

One of the oldest and most characteristic Easter rites and the most widely diffused is the use of paschal (Easter or Passover) eggs. They are usually dyed in various colors and people mutually make presents of them. There can be little doubt that their use at this season was originally symbolical of the revivication of nature, the springing forth of life which in turn is symbolical of the ascension.

In some parts of the country colored eggs are hidden in nests or in corners, and the children have a great deal of pleasure on Easter morning hunting for the eggs which, according to German folk-lore, were brought during the night by the White Rabbit.

Here is an idea for an Easter Luncheon which would be appropriate at this season.[Pg 155]

A LUNCHEON IN WHITE AND YELLOW

Use a large plateau or mirror for the centerpiece, in the center of which lay an irregular piece of real (or artificial) moss about one-half the diameter of the plateau (to represent an island.) Stick a few sprays of asparagus and maidenhair fern in it and a number of white and yellow spring flowers—the crocus, jonquil, daffodil, daisy and snowdrop. Cut the stems of the flowers in various lengths to give a better effect. Place a few (artificial) little fluffy chickens on the island and several downy ducklings in the surrounding lake (mirror.) Or use a vase of jonquils and daffodils for a center piece.

Place cards may be made by cutting bristol board into egg shape or oval pieces. On a portion of this card spread some mucilage and sprinkle yellow sand over it. Then stand a tiny yellow chick (these are made of wool and can be purchased very cheap) on the sand (using glue) and close behind it glue the small end of an egg shell. Similar cards can be purchased all ready decorated.

Serve a grape fruit cocktail first. Cut the grape fruit in half, take out the fruit in as large pieces as possible, place in a bowl with the juice. Mix with this a small amount of white grapes, halved and the seeds removed, and a portion of pineapple canned or fresh cut in small pieces and some of the juice or syrup from the pineapple. Add a little sugar and angelica wine if desired. Remove the pulp from the[Pg 156] grape fruit, fill each half with the mixture and serve on doylie covered plates.

For a relish use celery, white radishes, small yellow tomato pickles or pickled white grapes.

The meat course consists of creamed chicken, creamed sweetbreads and creamed veal. Carefully cut about one-third of the shell off the top of as many eggs as needed. Remove egg and fill shell with the hot creamed meat, (use three shells for each plate, each having a different filling) and replace top of shell.

Form shoestring potatoes into a nest on a serving plate and place the stuffed eggs in the nest. (Tap the filled egg slightly on the end, indenting but not breaking it and the egg will easily stand on end.)

Or make a nest of mashed potatoes pressing it through a fruit press or potato ricer and place in the center of it meat croquettes, oval shaped and very delicately browned.

Bread sticks or tiny rolls tied with white and yellow ribbon. Mould the butter into the shape of an egg.

Escalloped corn in ramikins.

Salad of California Asparagus tips on bleached lettuce leaf: Place a ring of hard boiled eggs around the stem end of asparagus (slice hard boiled eggs cross-wise, remove the yolk and thrust the ends of asparagus through the white part) serve with French dressing.

If ice cream is to be served on plates, have vanilla[Pg 157] and orange flavors packed in a tubular mold, the orange in the center and the vanilla around the outside so that when cut it has the appearance of a slice of hard boiled egg.

If the cream is served in glasses have the two colors moulded in the form of an egg.

Serve lady fingers and egg kisses, or angel food and sunshine cake.

At each place have salted almonds in a yellow egg shell cup. Color the eggs a rich yellow, cut off about one-third of the top and remove egg—use the larger portion of the shell, mash the end a trifle and glue to a small oval paste board.

Bon-bons consist of small jelly eggs, white and yellow in a tiny basket at each place.

The favors are Easter bonnets which the guests are asked to wear. (Procure small doll hats of various styles profusely trimmed with flowers of white and yellow and place a common white hat pin in each one.)

AN EASTER BONNET PARTY

A very pleasant entertainment to be given about Eastertide is one at which the all-engrossing head covering of the season is to be manufactured.

The materials required are simple—two sheets of tissue paper for each guest, numerous pairs of scissors and silver table knives, and pins without limit.[Pg 158]

The workroom—preferably one provided with a large table—is decorated with plates of fashionable hats borrowed from a milliner, advertisements of all sorts displaying bonnets, and half a dozen pattern hats previously made by the hostess.

Placards announcing "Fashion's Fancies" or "Hints on Headgear" give substantial advice like the following: "Bald-headed gentlemen are no longer affecting the pompadour style of hat;" "A simple crown is King Edward VII.'s favorite headgear at present;" "None but the very fast set will wear more than fifteen colors in any one bonnet this season."

Each guest is furnished with a roll of two sheets of paper which harmonize in hue, and is told to make a hat or bonnet in fifteen minutes. Really surprising results will begin to appear. Some very lovely creations will be evolved by the tasteful fingers of the wonderful woman who can stretch a dollar; exceedingly funny dunce and soldier caps with nodding tassels of paper fringe will be the products of the big men who can always laugh and give others an occasion for mirth. Hats with brims and without, crownless and with peaked crowns, with streamers and with ties, so small that they challenge the ever-present bow in the hair, and so large as to give cause for another arrest in a New Orleans theater—all the hat family will be there—and so will fun.

Did you ever make one? Lay together two[Pg 159] squares of tissue of different colors (white and blue are pretty), gather it—with pins—in a circle, so as to form a crown, leaving the four corners sticking straight out for the present. Roll back two corners loosely, so as to give a pompadour effect for the front, and plait the others so they stand stiff for high trimming behind. This gives you a foundation. For trimming use aigrettes—long fringe pinned so tightly as to stand stiff and curled on its edges with a table knife—and ostrich plumes—short fringe well curled. Pin on the back a pair of bewitching strings, pat, punch and pull into shape, and you have a fetching bonnet.

That is only one—an easy one. Numberless forms come when one begins to invoke them.

When the time has expired, form couples for a cake walk before the judges and award the prizes. A bunch of Easter lilies, or a clump of hepaticas or pasque flowers growing in a tiny china bowl is appropriate for head prize; a hat-pin or a book of nonsense verse for the foot prize.

The following games are also suggested.

MATCHING EGGS

Give each person a certain number of hard boiled eggs. The one who succeeds in cracking the shells of his opponent's by hitting the ends together is the winner.[Pg 160]

EGG RACE

Place six hard boiled Easter eggs on each side of the room about one foot apart. A large basket is placed at the far end of the room. The players are divided in two sides, each side being chosen one at a time by the leaders. A large wooden or tin spoon is then given to one player on each side, who, at a given signal, dishes up the eggs one at a time with the spoon, placing them in the basket provided. The leader replaces the eggs on the floor and the next player on each side takes the spoon and lifts the eggs from the floor and carries them to the basket and so on until all have had a turn.

A record is kept of the winners and the side having the greater number wins the game. This game may be changed slightly by someone timing the players with a watch, keeping track of the seconds and the one getting all the eggs into the basket in the shortest time receives a prize.

When it is convenient to play this game out of doors or in a very large room place six or more rows of six eggs each on each side of the room or lawn, with a player (provided with a spoon) behind each row. At a given signal all start to pick up the eggs with their spoons, and the one finishing first wins for his side.[Pg 161]

HEN AND CHICKENS

A leader is chosen for the "hen" and the remainder of the children are "chickens," except one who is supposed to be a chicken hawk.

They stand in a row behind one another and grasp the skirts or coat-tails of the child ahead and then they march along with the "hen" at the head of the line.

The "hawk" stands from six to sixteen feet away (the distance depends on the size of the players and the space to play in, the larger each are the greater the distance may be) watching the parade for a short time, then begins to flop his wings (moves arms in imitation of flying) and calls out, "How many chicks have you?" The "hen" replies, "four and twenty, shoo! shoo!" The "hawk" shouts, "That's too many. I'll take a few," and then runs after the children trying to touch or "tag" them. The "hen," of course, tries to protect them by getting them under her wing—when the "chicks" stoop they are supposed to be under their mother's wing and cannot be caught. The children must not let go of each other's skirts or coat-tails (except when caught, then the captured one steps out of the line and the line is closed up.) The hen and chickens may run around as much as they like, only they must keep together by holding on to each other's clothes. The game continues until the hawk has caught the hen and chickens—then a different player is chosen for the hawk and the hen.[Pg 162]

AN EGG HUNT

Hide colored Easter eggs or small candy eggs in various places, in corners, behind curtains, bric a brac, etc., etc. Provide each child with a small basket or paper bag and at a signal they start to hunt for the hidden eggs. Allow a certain length of time for the hunting and reward the one who finds the most eggs with a large candy egg.

BOWLING

Get ten small toy ten-pins or use wooden clothes pins. Stand them upon end about six or eight inches apart in a line across the room. Use five colored eggs for the balls. A player kneels on one knee at a distance of four feet from the ten-pins and rolls the eggs, one after another toward the ten-pins, knocking down as many as he can. Then another player rolls the eggs and so on until all have taken a turn. Count is kept and the person knocking down the most ten-pins is the winner and receives a "Panorama egg" or some other appropriate prize.[Pg 163]

May Day

May Day was one of the chief festivals of ancient times and also in more modern times. The Romans held the "Floralia" or festivals in honor of Flora, the Goddess of Flowers, from April 28th to the First of May. The Celts and English used to celebrate May Day extensively. But time makes many changes and as the years increase this custom has decreased, so that in some parts of the country the present generation know May first only as moving day instead of a festival of flowers.

MAY POLE DANCE

If this entertainment is to be out-of-doors a long pole is erected in the center of the lawn; or fastened into a solid base and set in the center of the room if desired for indoor amusement.

Procure a very light weight wheel about twenty inches in diameter. Wind bright colored bunting or ribbon around the wheel and spokes and attach various flowers and blossoms singly and in clusters to the cloth, letting some hang down as vines and festoons. Place the hub over top of May Pole. Insert in the top of hub three pennants of red, white and blue and stalks of flowers. Natural flowers[Pg 164] should be used if possible but paper or artificial ones may be substituted.

Attach from ten to twenty bright colored narrow streamers or ribbons to the May-pole underneath the hub; braid these in and out around the May pole intertwining garlands of flowers for a distance of about twelve inches and fasten streamers securely in place. Supply each child with a basket or bouquet of flowers.

The end of each streamer is given to a girl and boy alternately. The girls hold the ribbon in the left hand and the boys hold the ribbon in the right hand. They spread out into a circle the ribbons or streamers at full length the children standing sideways from the May-pole, the girls facing one direction and the boys facing the opposite direction. The music starts up and the children dance around in a circle. The boys pass on the outside first letting their ribbons pass over the heads of the girls, then the girls pass at the outer edge of the circle letting their ribbons pass over the heads of the boys, and so on until the ribbons are braided around the May-pole, and then they are unwound in the same manner if desired.

MAY-DAY FETE

A Japanese fete is suitable for a May Day affair, especially for a large affair where house and grounds can be utilized. The hostess who wishes to carry[Pg 165] out the Japanese idea correctly will study a book on Japanese customs. She will find it an easy matter to make her grounds attractive on this idea. Cross two long bamboo fishing poles over the gate and hang two fancy lanterns therefrom. Make a path from gate to house by setting up wooden pedestals surmounted by lanterns (this is the approach to the Japanese temples); suspended. Outline the veranda with the lanterns, suspend large ones in doors and windows, and burn red fire in dark corners of the lawn. Have fans passed by small boys in Japanese costume. Have all waiters in the house dressed as Japanese waiters.

In fixing up the house, take into consideration the Japanese love for flowers and that they have several floral feasts. The flowers can be made from paper. Let one room represent the cherry blossoms, the great flower of Japan. Use the pink cherry blossoms everywhere, against the walls, from chandelier and in the hair of the ladies. Serve cherry ice and small cakes decorated with candied cherries, and cherry phosphate or punch in this room. The wisteria is another flower which is cultivated in great quantities in Japan. This room should be in lavender, and if it is impossible to secure the wisteria for a pattern, show Japanese photographs or have Japanese tableaux, a reading from "Madame Butterfly," or "The Japanese Nightingale," and give tiny fans tied with violet ribbon in this room. In August the Japanese have their feast of the lotus and the pond[Pg 166] lily can be used in decoration of one room. Have everything here green and white. Use the water-lily and its broad leaves in a frieze around the room and in a wreath about the table. For the table decoration use tiny dwarf plants in odd jardiniers surmounting an "island" made of rocks. Mirrors can be used about the base of this rocky pile and a miniature garden laid out with tiny shells, white pebbles, and the sprigs. The Japanese delight in making these miniature landscape gardens in the smallest possible space; the dwarf trees, but a few inches high, are the wonder of tourists.

In this room serve white sandwiches tied with red ribbons. These may be chicken, Neufchatel cheese, chopped almonds and Brazil nuts, peanuts, lettuce with white mayonnaise. Serve white ice cream, in scarlet tissue cups, and cake. Decorate the squares of white cake with round red candies in imitation of the flag of Japan. The imperial flag is the gold ball on a red field, the national flag a red sun on a white field and the man-of-war flag, a red sun with rays on a white field. Iced tea may be served in this room.

A fancy dress party, each person representing a flower would be a pretty idea for May Day. Dancing, according to history, was the favorite pastime on this occasion and would be very appropriate at the present time.[Pg 167]

VARIEGATED ROSES

Pass pencils and slips of paper to the guests with the following written on each paper:—

Tell the guests that the questions represent some kind of a rose or a word whose last syllable has the sound of rose. A suitable prize is given the person who has the correct answers in a limited time.

The "roses" represented are (1) white rose; (2) red rose; (3) heroes; (4) tea rose; (5) jack rose; (6) wild rose; (7) tuberose; (8) moss rose; (9) negroes; (10) American beauty rose.

RING AROUND A ROSY

The children take hold of hands and form a circle; except one who stands in the center of the ring. They circle around singing this little verse[Pg 168]

Ring Around a Rosy
A pocket full of posy
The one who stoops last
Wants to be your Beau-sy

When the verse is ended the children in the circle stoop quickly and the last one down must join the child in the center of the ring. The circle of children go around again singing the same ditty. The last child to stoop this time joins the one who went into the circle the previous time and the child who has remained through the two verses steps out and joins the children in the circle.

DROP THE FLOWER

This is played the same as drop the handkerchief except a flower is used instead of a handkerchief and the verse is a trifle different. The song runs thus—"A tisket a tasket a green and yellow basket. I sent a bouquet to my love and on the way I dropped it, etc., etc."[Pg 169]

Fourth of July

Fire crackers and fire works seem to have first place in the celebration of our Glorious Fourth, but a few games and amusements of a patriotic nature or connected in some way with the symbols of the day may not come amiss.

WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY

The players are seated in a row or circle except the leader who is seated in the center of the group. The leader begins the game by asking the first one "What will you do for your country." The player must reply immediately with a word beginning with the letter "A" such as admire it, adore it, aid it, act for it, etc., etc. If he does not reply promptly he must pay a forfeit or he must pay a forfeit if he uses a word which would show disloyalty to his country such as antagonize it, abhor it, etc. etc.

The same question is put to each player to answer with a word beginning with the letter "A." Then ask the first player again, "What will you do for your country." This time the reply must begin with the letter "B" such as battle, beg, bawl or be brave for it. The next time use the letter "C" and so on through the alphabet.[Pg 170]

RALLY ROUND THE FLAG

The children take hold of hands and form a circle, except one who is standard bearer and stands in the center of the circle holding an American flag having a staff about four feet long, which is pointed so it can be easily stuck into the ground. The children all sing,

The Union Forever, Hurrah boys, Hurrah!
Down with the traitor, Up with the star;
While we rally 'round the flag, boys, rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

When the children sing, "Hurrah boys, Hurrah," they wave their right hands high in the air. As they sing "Down with the traitor" all stoop to the ground. As they sing "Up with the star" all jump up and the child in the center raises the flag and waves it until the last line is sung, when he places the flag in the ground. As the children begin to sing the third line of the verse, "While we rally round the flag, etc.," they join hands and circle around until the verse is finished, when they drop hands and run. While the child in the center counts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, halt. If the standard bearer sees any child's feet move after he cries "halt," he has the privilege of tagging that child, who is then an ally of the standard bearer and helps tag the other children he sees[Pg 171] moving. If a child can reach the flag and touch it without his movements being seen by the standard bearer or his allies he is free. When all have gained freedom or been caught the game is finished and may be repeated if desired, choosing a different standard bearer.

TORPEDO HUNT

Hide a lot of small paper torpedoes in various places around the lawn. Give each child a paper bag and at a signal, which is the explosion of a torpedo, they begin to hunt for the hidden torpedoes. The one finding the most is given a small flag which the children salute by firing off their torpedoes.

THE FLAG OF THE FREE

With water colors or crayons sketch the American flag on white cards omitting the stars. Give each guest a card and forty-six tiny mucilaged stars. Wave a flag as a signal to begin placing the stars on the blue of the flag. Ring a bell at the end of five or six minutes and award a small silk flag or a fire cracker candy box filled with candy to the one having his flag the most complete.[Pg 172]

BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR FOURTH OF JULY

Try the following: What battle of the United States is

[Pg 173]

Answers:

1. Battle of Fort Du Quesne. 2. Crown Point. 3. Princeton. 4. Germantown. 5. Brandywine. 6. Saratoga. 7. Cowpens. 8. Yorktown. 9. Tippecanoe. 10. Queenstown. 11. Bull Run. 12. Belmont. 13. Pea Ridge. 14. Corinth. 15. Fair Oaks. 16. Five Forks. 17. Roanoke Island. 18. Chancellorsville. 19. Richmond. 20. Cemetery Ridge.

FLAGS OF ALL NATIONS

Drape the red, white and blue bunting from tree to tree and nail to the trees flags of sixteen different countries; the flags to be numbered. Provide each guest with a card containing as many numbers as there are flags. The guests are requested to fill out the cards with the names of countries the flags represent, and are allowed fifteen minutes in which to do this. He who correctly fills his card in the shortest time is given a prize. Flag stickpins, bon-bon boxes representing flags, or some patriotic book would be appropriate.

It is surprising how few are familiar with the flags of different nations.[Pg 174]

Hallow-e'en

Hallow-e'en or Hallow-Even is the last night of October, being the eve or vigil of All-Hallow's or All Saint's Day, and no holiday in all the year is so informal or so marked by fun both for grown-ups as well as children as this one. On this night there should be nothing but laughter, fun and mystery. It is the night when Fairies dance, Ghosts, Witches, Devils and mischief-making Elves wander around. It is the night when all sorts of charms and spells are invoked for prying into the future by all young folks and sometimes by folks who are not young.

In getting up a Hallow-e'en Party everything should be made as secret as possible, and each guest bound to secrecy concerning the invitations.

Any of the following forms of invitations might be used.

[Pg 175]

The room or rooms in which most of the games are to be played should be decorated as grotesquely as possible with Jack-o'-lanterns made from apples, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, etc., with incisions made for eyes, nose and mouth and a lighted candle placed within.

Jack-o'-lanterns for the gas jets may be made of paste board boxes about the size of a shoe box. Cut holes for eyes, nose and mouth in all four sides of the box and cover the holes with red or green tissue paper. A black box with the openings covered with red tissue paper or vice versa or white and green make good combinations.

Cut a hole in the bottom of the box just large enough to fit over the gas jet, turning the gas low enough to not burn the box.

In addition to this Jack-o'-lanterns made from[Pg 176] pumpkins, etc., should be placed around on tables, mantles, corners, etc.

A skull and cross bones placed over the door entering the house would be very appropriate. The hall should be in total darkness except for the light coming from the Jack-o'-lanterns of all shapes and sizes in various places.

Autumn leaves, green branches, apples, tomatoes and corn should also play an important part in the decorations. Black and yellow cheese cloth or crepe paper makes very effective and inexpensive decorations.

The dining room should be decorated with autumn leaves, golden rod, yellow chrysanthemums, strings of cranberries, etc. For a table center piece a large pumpkin could be used with the top cut off and partly filled with water in which a large bunch of yellow chrysanthemums or golden-rod could be placed. Bay leaves can be scattered over the table.

Another idea for a center piece is a large pumpkin Jack-o'-lantern, the top cut in large points with small chocolate mice in the notches and scampering down the sides of the pumpkin (held in place by long pins or a little glue) and over the table.

Place Cards representing pumpkins, black cats, witches' hats, witches, brownies, etc., are appropriate.

If one is not an artist in water color painting, some of the cards could be cut from colored bristol board or heavy paper. The witches' hats of black[Pg 177] or brown paper with a red ribbon band; the cats of black paper showing a back view may have a red or yellow ribbon necktie; the pumpkins of yellow paper with the sections traced in ink or notched a trifle and black thread drawn between the notches.

Any of these designs could be used for an invitation for a children's party, by writing on the reverse side: "Will you please come to my party on Wednesday, October 31st" with the name and address of the little host or hostess, using white ink on black paper.

The dining-room should also be in total darkness, except for the light given by the Jack-o'-lanterns, until the guests are seated, when they should unmask. The supper could be served in this dim light or the lights turned up and the room made brilliant. After the supper is over and while the guests are still seated a splendid idea would be to extinguish all the lights and to have one or more of the party tell ghost stories.

Have a large pumpkin on a stand or table from which hang as many ribbons as there are guests. Have one end of the ribbon attached to a small card in the pumpkin on which may be a little water color sketch of pumpkin, apples, witch, ghost or other appropriate design together with a number. Have red ribbon for the girls and yellow ribbon for the boys, with corresponding numbers. Let each guest draw a ribbon from the pumpkin and find their partner by number.[Pg 178]

Another suggestion is to have the hall totally dark with the door ajar and no one in sight to welcome the guests. As they step in they are surprised to be greeted by some one dressed as a ghost who extends his hand which is covered with wet salt.

The following games and tests of fate and fortune will furnish entertainment for children small and children of a larger growth. Of course, prying into the future with these tests at any other time, they may not prove infallible, but on the Eve of All Saint's Day, when all the elves, the fairies, goblins and hob-goblins are at large playing pranks and teasing and pleasing, why should they not "come true."

APPLE SEEDS

Name two wet apple seeds and stick them on forehead. First seed to fall indicates that the person for whom seed is named is not a true lover.

APPLE PARING

Each guest, receiving apple and knife, is requested to peel apple without breaking; then swing paring around head, and let it drop to floor. The letter formed is initial of future mate's name. Or, you may hang your paring over door—the first of opposite sex to pass under will be your mate.[Pg 179]

APPLE-SEED TEST

Cut an apple open and pick out seeds from core. If only two seeds are found, they portend early marriage; three, legacy; four, great wealth; five, sea voyage; six, great fame as orator or singer; seven, possession of any gift most desired.

BLIND NUT SEEKERS

Let several guests be blindfolded. Then hide nuts or apples in various parts of room or house. One finding most nuts or apples wins prize.

BARREL-HOOP

Suspend horizontally from ceiling a barrel-hoop on which are fastened alternately at regular intervals apples, cakes, candies, candle-ends. Players gather in circle and, as it revolves, each in turn tries to bite one of the edibles; the one who seizes candle pays forfeit.

RAISIN RACE

A raisin is strung in middle of thread a yard long, and two persons take each an end of string in mouth; whoever, by chewing string, reaches raisin first has raisin and will be first wedded.[Pg 180]

HALLOW-E'EN SOUVENIR GAME

Suspend apples by means of strings in doorway or from ceiling at proper height to be caught between the teeth. First successful player receives prize. These prizes should be Hallow-e'en souvenirs, such as emery cushions of silk representing tomatoes, radishes, apples, pears, pickles; or pen-wipers representing brooms, bats, cats, witches, etc.

CANDLE AND APPLE

At one end of stick 18 inches long fasten an apple; at the other end, a short piece of lighted candle. Suspend stick from ceiling by stout cord fastened in its middle so that stick will balance horizontally; while stick revolves players try to catch apple with their teeth. A prize may be in center of apple.

TRUE-LOVER TEST

Two hazel-nuts are thrown into hot coals by maiden, who secretly gives a lover's name to each. If one nut bursts, then that lover is unfaithful; but if it burns with steady glow until it becomes ashes, she knows that her lover is true. Sometimes it happens, but not often, that both nuts burn steadily, and then the maiden's heart is sore perplexed.[Pg 181]

RING AND GOBLET

Tie wedding-ring or key to silken thread or horsehair, and hold it suspended within a glass; then say the alphabet slowly; whenever ring strikes glass, begin over again and in this way spell name of future mate.

THREADING A NEEDLE

Sit on round bottle laid lengthwise on floor, and try to thread a needle. First to succeed will be first married.

ALPHABET GAME

Cut alphabet from newspaper and sprinkle on surface of water; letters floating may spell or suggest name of future husband or wife.

NEEDLE GAME

Each person floats greased needle in basin of water. Impelled by attraction of gravitation, needles will act very curiously; some cling together, others rush to margin and remain. The manner in which one person's needle behaves towards another's causes amusement, and is supposed to be suggestive and prophetic.[Pg 182]

APPLES AND FLOUR

Suspend horizontally from ceiling a stick three feet long. On one end stick an apple, upon other tie small bag of flour. Set stick whirling. Each guest takes turn in trying to bite apple-end of stick. It is amusing to see guests receive dabs of flour on face. Guest who first succeeds in biting apple gets prize.

CYNIVER

Each girl and boy seeks an even-leaved sprig of ash; first of either sex that finds one calls out cyniver, and is answered by first of opposite sex that succeeds; and these two, if omen fails not, will be joined in wedlock.

WALNUT BOATS

Open English walnuts, remove meat, and in each half shell fasten short pieces of differently colored Christmas candles, each of which is to be named for a member of party and, after lighting, set afloat in large pan or tub of water. The behavior of these tiny boats reveals future of those for whom they are named. If two glide on together, their owners have a similar destiny; if they glide apart, so will their[Pg 183] owners. Sometimes candles will huddle together as if talking to one another, while perchance one will be left alone, out in the cold, as it were. Again, two will start off and all the rest will closely follow. The one whose candle first goes out is destined to be old bachelor or maid. These nut-shell boats may also be made by pouring melted wax into halves of walnut-shells in which are short strings for wicks.

WINDING YARN

Throw a ball of yarn out of window but hold fast to one end and begin to wind. As you wind say, "I wind, who holds?" over and over again; before end of yarn is reached, face of future partner will appear in window, or name of sweetheart will be whispered in ear.

SNAPDRAGON

1. The dragon consists of half a pint of ignited brandy or alcohol in a dish. As soon as brandy is aflame, all lights are extinguished, and salt is freely sprinkled in dish, imparting a corpse-like pallor to every face. Candied fruits, figs, raisins, sugared almonds, etc., are thrown in, and guests snap for them with their fingers; person securing most prizes from flames will meet his true love within the year.

2. Or, slips of paper on which verses are written are wrapped tightly in tin-foil and placed in dish.[Pg 184] Brandy is poured on and ignited. The verse each person gets is supposed to tell his fortune.

Place burning dish in middle of bare table, for drops of burning spirits are often splashed about.

NECKLACE

Make barrel-hoop into necklace of bread, candies, red peppers and candle-ends, and hang horizontally from ceiling. Set hoop whirling and try to grasp its freight with your teeth. Accordingly as you like your first bite will you enjoy married life.

WINNOWING CORN

Steal out into barn or garden alone and go three times through motions of throwing corn against the wind. The third time an apparition of future spouse will pass you; in some mysterious manner, also, you may obtain an idea of his (her) employment and station in life.

MAGIC STAIRS

Walk downstairs backward, holding lighted candle over your head. Upon reaching bottom, turn suddenly and before you will stand your wished-for one.[Pg 185]

PUMPKIN ALPHABET

Carve all the letters of the alphabet on a medium sized pumpkin. Put it on a dish and set on a stand or table. Each guest in turn is blindfolded and given a hat-pin, then led to pumpkin, where he (she) is expected to stick pin into one of the letters on the pumpkin, thus indicating the initial of future life-partner.

JUMPING LIGHTED CANDLE

Place a lighted candle in middle of floor, not too securely placed; each one jumps over it. Whoever succeeds in clearing candle is guaranteed a happy year, free of trouble or anxiety. He who knocks candle over will have a twelve-month of woe.

DUMB CAKE

Each one places handful of wheat flour on sheet of white paper and sprinkles it over with a pinch of salt. Some one makes it into dough, being careful not to use spring water. Each rolls up a piece of dough, spreads it out thin and flat, and marks initials on it with a new pin. The cakes are placed before fire, and all take seats as far from it as possible. This is done before eleven p. m., and between that time and midnight each one must turn[Pg 186] cake once. When clock strikes twelve future wife or husband of one who is to be married first will enter and lay hand on cake marked with name. Throughout whole proceeding not a word is spoken. Hence the name "dumb cake." (If supper is served before 11:30, "Dumb Cake" should be reserved for one of the After-Supper Tests.)

HIDING RING, THIMBLE AND PENNY

Hide ring, thimble and penny in room. To one who finds ring, speedy marriage is assured; thimble denotes life of single blessedness; penny promises wealth.

PULLING KALE

All are blindfolded and go out singly or hand-in-hand to garden. Groping about they pull up first stalk of kale or head of cabbage. If stalk comes up easily the sweetheart will be easy to win; if the reverse, hard to win. The shape of the stump will hint at figure of prospective wife or husband. Its length will suggest age. If much soil clings to it, life-partner will be rich; if not, poor. Finally, the stump is carried home and hung over door, first person outside of family who passes under it will bear a name whose initial is same as that of sweetheart.[Pg 187]

PERPLEXING HUNT

In this game the seeker for a prize is guided from place to place by doggerels as the following, and is started on his hunt with this rhyme:

"Perhaps you'll find it in the air;
If not, look underneath your chair."

Beneath his chair he finds the following:

"No, you will not find it here;
Search the clock and have no fear."

Under the clock he finds:

"You will have to try once more;
Look behind the parlor door."

Tied to the door-knob he discovers:

"If it's not out in the stable.
Seek beneath the kitchen table."

Under the kitchen table he finds another note, which reads:

"If your quest remains uncertain,
You will find it 'neath a curtain."

And here his quest is rewarded by finding the prize.

DOUGH TEST

Take water and meal and make dough. Write on slips of paper names of several of opposite sex friends; roll papers into balls of dough and drop them into water. First name to appear will be future husband or wife.[Pg 188]

WATER EXPERIMENT

A laughable experiment consists in filling mouth with water and walking around house or block without swallowing or spilling a drop. First person of opposite sex you meet is your fate. A clever hostess will send two unsuspecting lovers by different doors; they are sure to meet, and not unfrequently settle matters then and there.

THE DREAMER

If a maid wishes to know whom she is to marry, if a man of wealth, tradesman, or traveler, let her, on All-Hallow-e'en, take a walnut, hazelnut, and nutmeg; grate and mix them with butter and sugar into pills, and take when she goes to bed; and then, if her fortune be to marry a rich man, her sleep will be filled with gold dreams; if a tradesman, she will dream of odd noises and tumults; if a traveler, there will be thunder and lightning to disturb her.

MIRROR AND APPLE

Stand in front of mirror in dimly lighted room and eat an apple. If your lover reciprocates your love he will appear behind you and look over your right shoulder and ask for a piece of apple.[Pg 189]

CELLAR STAIRS

Cellar-stairs' test is where girl boldly goes down stairs backward, holding a mirror, and trying to catch in it the features of him who is to be her mate.

AROUND THE WALNUT TREE

Of all Hallow-e'en spells and charms associated with nuts, the following is one of the oldest: If a young man or woman goes at midnight on Hallow-e'en to a walnut tree and walks around three times, crying out each time, "Let him (her) that is to be my true love bring me some walnuts," future wife or husband will be seen in tree gathering nuts.

DUCKING FOR APPLES

Into one tub half filled with water are placed apples to the stems of which are tied bits of paper containing the names of the boys present at the party, while across the room is a similar tub in which the names of the girls are placed. With hands tied behind them the young folks endeavor to extricate the apples with their teeth, and it is alleged that the name appearing upon the slip fastened to the apple is the patronymic of the future helpmeet of the one securing the fruit from the receptacle.[Pg 190]

COMBING HAIR BEFORE MIRROR

Stand alone before mirror, and by light of candle comb your hair; face of your future partner will appear in glass, peeping over your shoulder.

THE FOUR SAUCERS

Place four saucers on table in line. Into first put dirt; into second, water; into third, a ring; into fourth, a rag. Guests are blindfolded and led around table twice; then told to go alone and put fingers into saucer. If they put into dirt, it means divorce; into water, a trip across ocean; where ring is, to marry; where rag is, never to marry.

GAME OF FATE

Guests take part, seated in a circle. Three Fates are chosen, one of whom whispers to each person in turn name of his (her) future sweetheart. Second Fate follows, whispering to each where he (she) will next meet his (her) sweetheart; as, "You will meet on a load of hay," or, "at a picnic," or, "at church," or, "on the river," etc. The third Fate reveals the future; as, "You will marry him (her) next Christmas," or, "You will be separated many years by a quarrel, but will finally marry," or, "Neither of you will ever marry," etc. Each guest must remember[Pg 191] what is said by the Fates; then each in turn repeats aloud what has been told him (her). For example, "My future sweetheart's name is Obednego; I shall meet him next Wednesday on the Moonlight Excursion, and we shall be married in a week."

WHERE DWELLS MY LOVER?

Steal out unobserved at midnight; plucking a small lock of hair from your head, cast it to breeze. Whatever direction it is blown is believed to be location of future matrimonial partner.

"I pluck this lock of hair off my head
To tell whence comes the one I shall wed.
Fly, silken hair, fly all the world around
Until you reach the spot where my true love is found."

FEATHER TESTS

To foretell complexion of future mate, select three soft fluffy feathers. (If none is handy, ask for a pillow and rip open and take out feathers.) On bottom end of each feather fasten a small piece of paper; a drop of paste or mucilage will hold all three in place. Write "blonde" on one paper; "brunette," on another, and "medium" on the third. Label papers before gluing them on feathers. Hold up[Pg 192] feather by its top and send it flying with a puff of breath. Do same with the other two; the feather landing nearest you denotes complexion of your true love. To make test sure, try three times, not using too much force in blowing feathers, which should land on table, not on floor.

ROSE TEST

Take two roses with long stems. Name one for yourself and one for your lover. Go to your room without speaking to any one; kneel beside bed; twine stems of roses together, and repeat following lines, gazing intently on lover's rose:

"Twine, twine, and intertwine,
Let my love be wholly thine.
If his heart be kind and true,
Deeper grow his rose's hue."

If your swain is faithful, color of rose will grow darker.

DRY BREAD

Dreams mean much on Hallow-e'en, but certain ceremonies must be carefully followed in order to insure the spell. Before going to sleep for the night have some one bring a small piece of dry bread. No word can be spoken after this; silence must pre[Pg 193]vail. Eat bread slowly, at same time making a wish and thinking the pleasantest thing imaginable. Then drop off to sleep, and your dreams will be sweet and peaceful, and your wish will come true, if the charm works.

THE LOAF CAKE

A loaf cake is often made, and in it are placed a ring and a key. The former signifies marriage, and the latter a journey, and the person who cuts the slice containing either must accept the inevitable.

TO TRY ONE'S LUCK

In a dish of mashed potatoes place a ring, a dime, and a thimble. Each guest is provided with a spoon with which to eat the potatoes; whoever gets the ring is to be married within a year; the thimble signifies single blessedness, while the dime prophesies riches or a legacy.

Some canny lassies have been known to get the ring into one of their very first spoonfuls, and have kept it for fun in their mouths, tucked snugly beneath the tongue, until the dish was emptied. Such a lass was believed to possess the rare accomplishment of being able to hold her tongue, but nevertheless tricky.[Pg 194]

MELTING LEAD

Each person melts some lead and pours it through a wedding-ring or key into a dish of water. The lead will cool in various shapes, supposed to be prophetic. Any ingenious person will interpret the shapes, and furnish much amusement for the listeners; thus, a bell-shaped drop indicates a wedding within the year; a drop resembling a torch or lamp signifies fame; a pen or ink-bottle, that the future companion is to be an author; a horn of plenty, wealth; a bag or trunk, travel; etc.

NAMING CHESTNUTS

Roast three chestnuts before the fire, one of which is named for some lady (or gentleman); the other two, for gentlemen (or ladies). If they separate, so will those for whom they are named; those jumping toward the fire are going to a warmer climate; those jumping from the fire, to a colder climate; if two gentlemen jump toward one another, it means rivalry.

THE MIRROR

Walk backward several feet out of doors in moonlight with mirror in your hand, or within doors with candle in one hand and mirror in the other, repeat[Pg 195]ing following rhyme, and face of your future companion will appear in glass:

"Round and round, O stars so fair!
Ye travel and search out everywhere;
I pray you, sweet stars, now show to me
This night who my future husband (wife) shall be."

BOWLS

One bowl is filled with clear water, another with wine, a third with vinegar, a fourth is empty. All are placed in line on table. Each person in turn is blindfolded, turned about three times, and led to table. A hand is put out and prophecy made by bowl touched. Water shows happy, peaceful life; wine promises rich, eventful, noble career; vinegar, misery and poverty; an empty bowl is a symbol of bachelor or spinster life.

LOVER'S TEST

A maid and youth each places a chestnut to roast on fire, side by side. If one hisses and steams, it indicates a fretful temper in owner of chestnut; if both chestnuts equally misbehave it augurs strife. If one or both pop away, it means separation; but if both burn to ashes tranquilly side by side, a long[Pg 196] life of undisturbed happiness will be lot of owners.

These portentous omens are fitly defined in the following lines:

"These glowing nuts are emblems true
Of what in human life we view;
The ill-matched couple fret and fume,
And thus in strife themselves consume;
Or from each other wildly start,
And with a noise forever part.
But see the happy, happy pair,
Of genuine love and truth sincere;
With mutual fondness while they burn,
Still to each other kindly turn;
And as the vital sparks decay,
Together gently sink away;
Till life's fierce trials being past,
Their mingled ashes rest at last."

FLOUR TEST

A bowl is filled tightly with flour. During the process of filling, a wedding ring is inserted vertically in some part of it. The bowl, when full, is inverted upon a dish and withdrawn, leaving the mound of flour on the dish. Each guest cuts off with a knife a thin slice which crumbles into dust. The guest who cuts off the slice containing the ring will be married first.[Pg 197]

APPLE SEEDS

Apple seeds act as charms on Hallow-e'en. Stick one on each eyelid and name one "Home" and the other "Travel." If seed named travel stays on longer, you will go on a journey before year expires. If "Home" clings better, you will remain home. Again, take all the apple seeds, place them on back of outspread left hand and with loosely clenched right hand strike palm of left. This will cause some, if not all, of seeds to fall. Those left on hand show number of letters you will receive the coming fortnight. Should all seeds drop, you must wait patiently for your mail.

Put twelve apple seeds carefully one side while you cut twelve slips of blank paper exactly alike, and on one side of each write name of friend. Turn them all over with blanks uppermost and mix them so that you will not know which is which; then, holding seeds in your left hand, repeat:

"One I love,
Two I love,
Three I love I say;
Four I love with all my heart
Five I cast away.
Six he loves,
Seven she loves,
Eight they both love;
[Pg 198]Nine he comes,
Ten he tarries,
Eleven he courts and
Twelve he marries."

Stop at each line to place a seed on a paper, and turn slip over to discover name of one you love or cast away. Continue matching apple seeds with papers as you count, until all twelve seeds and twelve papers are used.

[Pg 199]

Thanksgiving

AFTER DINNER GAMES FOR THANKSGIVING DAY

The game of enigmatical menus, as its name implies, is not only especially appropriate for Thanksgiving Day, but has the further merit of not requiring a great deal of preparation beforehand, and is therefore not too great a tax upon a busy woman's time. Before this greatest feast day of the year, the hostess is usually so fully occupied in planning the actual bill of fare, that a game which requires nothing more than pencils, and sheets of paper with the following riddles either plainly written or typewritten upon them, will be found a boon indeed. An hour's time is usually allowed for guessing the names of the guests, and of the viands suggested upon any one of the menus which are given together with the correct answers.

A DINNER FOR HISTORIC CELEBRITIES

The Guests

The Menu

A DINNER FOR LITERARY CELEBRITIES

The Guests

The Menu

NUTS TO CRACK

Pass pencils and paper to each guest with the following written upon it:—

Explain that the above describes ten different nuts, which they are to guess. The nuts described are (1) butternut; (2) peanut; (3) brazil nut; (4) hazel nut; (5) walnut; (6) hickory nut; (7) beechnut; (8) chestnut; (9) filbert; (10) pecan. A prize may be awarded to the one first having correct answers.[Pg 203]

Thanksgiving originated with the pilgrims who came from England in the Mayflower. What other ships were they acquainted with? Provide the guests with pencils and paper having the following questions written upon it:

A prize may be awarded to the one who correctly answers the questions first. The answers are: 1. Worship; 2. Friendship; 3. Courtship; 4. Partnership; 5. Fellowship; 6. Hardship; 7. Rulership; 8. Leadership; 9. Airship; 10. Heirship.[Pg 204]

Christmas

"Christmas comes but once a year and when it comes it brings"—a whole lot of things. If there doesn't seem to be anything to be thankful for, there was a Christmas hundreds of years ago which gave us One who comprised and radiated everything to be thankful for, so let us rejoice in memory of that Christmas and be merry and cheerful and glad.

Children, especially, love to have games and amusements at this time of the year, so a number are suggested as appropriate, some of which will prove entertaining to grown-ups.

JOLLY ST. NICHOLAS

One child is chosen to represent Jolly St. Nicholas or Santa Claus and stands in the center of the room. The other children stand around in a circle while Santa Claus reads his rules of good behavior to them which are as follows:—

"You must speak when you are spoken to. Do you understand?" (The children reply, "Yes, sir.")

"You must come when you are called. Come here." (The children run toward Santa Claus and stand still when he raises his hand.)[Pg 205]

"You must keep your place." (The children return to their former places.)

"You must be asleep by eight o'clock." (Santa Claus counts eight and the children must all close their eyes by the time he says 'eight.')

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." The children are supposed to keep their eyes closed and when Santa Claus gives them something (which will be a little tap on the hand or a light trod on the foot, a kiss, a hug or gentle pull of the hair or ear or something of that sort,) the recipient must pass it on to the next who passes it on to the next, and so on.

If Santa Claus observes anyone disobeying his rules he tags them and they are out of the game. If any of the children succeed in being perfectly good children they are given a suitable prize by Santa Claus, and another Santa Claus chosen if it is desired to continue the game.

CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Paint or draw on a sheet the picture of a fireplace. Tack this to the wall and after providing each child with a small stocking and pin, blindfold them in turn, telling them to hang up their stocking at the mantel. Drop a small toy in the stocking of those who succeed before taking the handkerchief from their eyes. Those who fail may have one more turn after all have had a chance.[Pg 206]

CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Place on a low table a small Christmas tree, on which there is arranged lighted candles. Blindfold each child in turn, having them stand about one foot away with their back turned toward the tree. He is then told to take three steps forward, turn around three times, then walk four steps and blow as hard as he can. A prize is awarded to the one who blows out the most candles.

HOLLY WREATH OR SNOW BALL

Make several snowballs from crepe paper or white cotton. Hang a large holly wreath in the doorway and let each child in turn try to throw his snowball through the wreath. The players who are successful throw three balls through the wreath, and the one who throws them all through receives a prize.

AFTER DINNER GAMES FOR CHRISTMAS

A DINNER FOR CONTEMPORARY CELEBRITIES

The Guests

The Menu

A LUNCHEON FOR LITERARY WOMEN

The Guests

The Menu

INDEX

GAMES FOR TINY TOTS

A Running Maze, 11

Bean Bag, 11

Birds Fly, 12

Button, Button, 12

Bingo, 13

Blindman's Buff, 14

Blowing The Feather, 14

Cock Fighting, 15

Catching The Mouse, 16

Drop The Handkerchief, 16

Donkey's Tail, 17

Frog In the Middle, 17

Green Gravel, 17

Hunt The Ring, 18

Hot Tamales, 19

Hunt The Slipper, 19

Hot Boiled Beans and Bacon, 20

Hide and Seek, 21

Hiss and Clap, 22

London Bridge, 22

Miss Jennia Jones, 24

Oats and Beans and Barley, 26

Puss In the Corner, 27

Rule of Contrary, 27

Soap Bubble Battle, 28

Spider Web, 29

Severed Flowers, 29

GAMES FOR CHILDREN

Acting Proverbs, 33

Blind Man's Wand, 34

Blind Postman, The, 34

Blowing The Candle, 35

Cat and Mouse, 35

Clairvoyant, The, 36

Cushion Dance, The, 37

Change Seats: The King's Come, 37

Duck Under The Water, 38

Gardener, The, 38

Going To Jerusalem, 39

Game of Cat, 40

Grand Mufti, 40

Here I Bake, Here I Brew, 41

Hat Game, 41

Huntsman, The, 42

He Can Do Little Who Can't Do This, 43

Hissing and Clapping, 43

Hold Fast! Let Go!, 44

Hunt The Whistle, 45

I Sell My Bat, I Sell My Ball, 45

Judge and Jury, 46

My Master Bids You Do As I Do, 46

Magic Music, 47

Malaga Raisins, 48

Our Old Grannie Doesn't Like Tea, 48

Oranges and Lemons, 49

Old Soldier, 50

Post-Office, 50

Peter Piper, 51

Sea and Her Children, The, 52

Stage Coach, The, 52

Shadow Buff, 53

Steps, 54

Spelling Game, The, 54

Simon Says, 56

Sergeant, The, 57

Sea King, The, 57

Tongue Twisters, 58

Trades, 58

Think of A Number, 59

This and That, 60

What Am I Doing, 60

Wonderment, 61

Wink, 62

Riddles, 62

GAMES FOR ADULTS

Advice, 75

Adjectives, 75

Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral, 76

Acting Rhymes, 77

Bird-Catcher, The, 78

Buzz, 78

Birds, Fruits and Flowers, 79

Cities, 80

Cook Who Doesn't Like Peas, The, 80

Consequences, 81

Cross Questions and Crooked Answers, 82

Curate, The, 83

Definitions, 84

Earth, Air, Fire and Water, 84

Farmyard, The, 85

Forbidden Letter, The, 86

Forbidden Vowels, The, 86

Fortune Telling, 87

Game of Conversation, The, 89

Guilty Or Innocent, 90

Guessing Groceries, 91

Gossip, 91

How? When? Where?, 92

I Love My Love With An A, 93

It, 93

Jack's Alive, 94

Menagerie, The, 95

Minister's Cat, The, 95

Magic Writing, 96

Mimic Club, The, 97

My Lady's Toilet, 98

Partners, 98

Proverbs, 99

Questions and Answers, 101

Ruth and Jacob, 102

Rhymes, 103

Sketches, 103

Traveller's Alphabet, 103

Thought Reading, 104

The Little Dutch Band, 105

What's My Thought Like, 106

FORFEITS

Forfeits, 107

GAMES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

New Year's Day, 115

Lincoln's Birthday, 122

St, Valentine's Day, 127

Washington's Birthday, 132

April Fools' Day, 142

Easter, 154

May Day, 163

Fourth of July, 169

Hallow-e'en, 174

Thanksgiving, 199

Christmas, 204

TIGHT-WADS

A collection of the best stories that could be found after a careful research, by

R. U. TITE

With sixteen illustrations of different types of "Tight-Wads" you have met, by

CLARE A. BRIGGS,

The famous cartoonist of "The Chicago Tribune."

This unique volume presents the Tight-Wad in all his glory, showing him "at home," on the "street car," while "entertaining friends," when "out with the boys," and other places too numerous to mention. Mr. Briggs' illustrations prove that during his travelling experience he has encountered many descendants of the Tight-Wad family who have made a lasting impression on his mind. From title to "finis" the book abounds in wit and humor which will make you scream as loud as the eagle on the cover.

Cloth binding with four color
inlay, square 16 mo., 50c.

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 WABASH AVE. :: :: :: :: CHICAGO

The Famous

Billy Whiskers Books

By Frances Trego Montgomery

Billy Whiskers' Friends
Billy Whiskers Jr. and His Chums
Billy Whiskers' Vacation
Billy Whiskers' Grandchildren

Thousands of children have read this delightful series of books which are written around the lives and adventures of a goat, "Billy Whiskers," his wife, Nannie, and their descendants. The family have a strain of the adventurous spirit which leads them into many serious and laughable mishaps. Mrs. Montgomery has the happy faculty of writing stories about animals which always amuse and please the children. Each book has over fifty black and white illustrations and six full page pictures in colors by Hugo Von Hofsten.

Bound in boards with cloth
back, quarto, each  $1.00

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 WABASH AVE. :: ::  :: :: CHICAGO

Everybody should save their

THEATRE PROGRAMS

In after years many of them become historic and increase wonderfully in value as souvenirs of the great plays and actors you have seen. Nearly every one takes home their theatre program, and is at a loss afterwards what to do with it, or where to put it so it can be found when wanted in the future. Here is a book that solves the problem:

PLAYS AND PLAYERS

A Theatre-Goer's Record

in which one may keep a record of the plays seen, the date, play, theatre, in whose company, coupon of seats, comment on the play and players, synopsis of scenes, cast of characters, pictures, scenes and clippings pertaining to the play.

The paper (India Tint) is of fine quality; the printing is in colors; the binding is cloth with an appropriate cover design in colors; the whole making a very attractive book for gift purposes, or for one's own use, and is put up in a handsome box.

8¾x6¾ inches, cloth binding (boxed) $1.50
Full limp leather, gilt edges (boxed)        3.00

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 Wabash Ave.,        CHICAGO

CARD CLUB RECORD

Every person who attends card parties wants to refer at some time or another to what happened at or who attended a certain gathering and here is a book specially designed for that purpose. Blank spaces are provided in which to record: The Date, Hostess, Game Played, Scores, Prizes, Winners, Refreshments, Guests, and General Remarks. The book is printed in two colors with handsome border designs, and includes concise card rules of latest revision. Both bindings put in a handsome box.

Cloth binding, cover stamped in gold, boxed, $1.00
Full leather binding, full gilt edges, boxed, $2.00

NOTE: THIS BOOK MAKES THE VERY BEST KIND OF A CARD PARTY PRIZE

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 Wabash Ave.        CHICAGO

AMERICAN SKAT

By J. CHARLES EICHHORN

Chairman Committee on Rules of the North American Skat League

The rapid strides this great game of cards has made in America, can be gathered from the fact, that at the First Congress at St. Louis, in 1897, of the North American Skat League just 288 players took part. In 1907, ten years later, at Chicago, 2700 gentlemen and 600 ladies took part.

The book "American Skat" is a complete and comprehensive guide for beginners, and a complete treatise of the game as played to-day.

It is also a ready reference on all rulings and plays up to the present time, a condensed glossary on the game of Skat.

Endorsed by the "North American Skat League" as the Authority on rules.

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 WABASH AVE. :: :: :: :: :: CHICAGO

THE

Wealth of Friendship

Compiled by Wallace and Frances Rice

WITH A PREFATORY HOMILY ON

FRIENDSHIP

By the Rev. FRANK W. GUNSAULUS

Dr. Gunsaulus, the most popular pulpit and platform lecturer in the United States, has written the introduction for the most inclusive selection of extracts regarding friendship ever brought together in a single volume. He has seen in the theme of friendship the basis of all true religion, and has stamped with his approval the work of the compilers. They in turn have exhausted English literature from the time of Queen Elizabeth to that of President Taft in order to present in the briefest possible space the views of all great writers in Great Britain and America on this most interesting topic. They have drawn extensively on the languages of continental Europe, in many cases making original translations of the sentiments of the most famous authors and poets there. And finally the sacred Scriptures have been diligently searched for this same high purpose, leaving this the furthest reaching compilation on the finest relation between human beings ever published.

Printed in two colors on fine paper, and bound in lavender silk finish cloth, cover stamped in gold. Size 5x8¼ inches. Attractively boxed, $1.25.

Pull leather edition, boxed, $2.50.

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 WABASH AVE. :: ::  :: ::  CHICAGO

DINNERS AND LUNCHEONS

Compiled by Paul Pierce

The busy housewife is ever seeking for something new—for unique ideas for these occasions. This book is full of suggestions—"Ice Breakers, for Getting the Company Started Right," "Sentiments and Quotations for Dinner Menus," "Dinners for Patriotic and Special Occasions and appropriate table stories and toasts." "Favors and Place Cards," "Helps Over Hard Places," "Don'ts for the Table," "Passing the Loving Cup," are some of the many hints.

Appropriate cover design in colors. Size 6¼ x 4½ in. 50c

PARTIES AND ENTERTAINMENTS

Compiled by Paul Pierce

"What shall I do to entertain my friends?" is always the question that confronts the hostess. It is answered here. This little book is made up of new and novel suggestions for all kinds of occasions, something to replace the thread-worn ideas of old time social usage. Here are some of the chapter headings: "A Rainbow Bridge," "A German Whist," "Golf Euchre," "Valentine's Day," "St. Patrick's Day," "April Fool's Day," "Easter," "Decoration Day," "Fourth of July," "Hallow-e'en," "Thanksgiving Day," "Christmas," "New Year's," "Birthday," "Colonial Ball," "Lawn Parties," "Children's Parties," etc.

Appropriate cover design in colors. Size 6¼ x 4½ in. 50c

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 Wabash Ave.,    CHICAGO

BREAKFASTS AND TEAS

Compiled by PAUL PIERCE

A book containing some new ideas for Breakfasts and Teas will be welcomed by the perplexed hostess. Here are some of the suggestions:

"Chrysanthemum Breakfasts," "Bon Voyage Breakfast," "A Club Breakfast," "A Gypsy Tea," "Book Title Tea," "Fancywork Tea," "Valentine Tea," "Colonial Tea," etc. With other unique ideas for menus, together with toasts and stories.

Appropriate cover design in colors. Size 6¼x4½ in. 50c

SUPPERS

Compiled by Paul Pierce

This is a subject of which there has been very little written, and offers a great opportunity for the display of unique and novel ideas. This book is full of such. Here are some of the subjects treated:

"Buffet Suppers," "Dutch Suppers," "Stag Suppers," "After the Play and Sunday Evening Suppers," "Bohemian Suppers," "Suppers for Patriotic, Holiday and Special Occasions," with toasts and stories for all these occasions.

Appropriate cover design in colors. Size 6¼x4½ in. 50c

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 Wabash Ave.,    CHICAGO

TOASTS AND AFTER-DINNER STORIES

Being a careful selection of the best toasts and sentiments, new and old, gleaned from the writings of standard and popular authors and conveniently arranged for reference. The scope of the subjects is wide and the variety such that this book is all that could be desired in a book of toasts. The latter half of the book is a collection of side-splitting and clever stories as told by the great humorists and well-known after-dinner speakers. Here again the wide range of subjects makes this book especially useful and withal highly entertaining. The idea of a combination of toasts and stories (two-books-in-one) is attractive.

Cloth binding. Cover design in five colors from appropriate drawing. Size 6¼x4½ in. 50c

For sale at all book stores, or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price, by the publishers

BREWER, BARSE & CO.

300-304 Wabash Ave.,    CHICAGO

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