lover reciprocates your love he will appear behind you and look over
your right shoulder and ask for a piece of apple.
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.
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 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 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 prevail. 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.
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,
repeating 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 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.
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;
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.
=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
1. He who refused the crown of England.--Cromwell.
2. The conqueror of Napoleon I.--The Duke of Wellington.
3. He who escaped from his foes by reversing his horse's shoes.
--Israel O. Putnam.
4. He who owed his good fortune to his cat.--Dick Whittington.
5. The inventor of printing.--Guttenberg.
6. The captive king whose hiding place was discovered by his
troubadour.--Richard Coeur de Leon.
7. A sly one.--Fox.
8. The kernel of the peach.--Pitt.
9. Minister to George II.--Walpole.
10. The author of Poor Richard's Almanac.--Benjamin Franklin.
The Menu
1. Soup--The mainstay of the Chinese. Rice.
2. Fish--A color. Blue Fish.
3. Roast--The pride of Old England. Roast Beef.
4. Vegetable--A porridge and an apartment. Mushroom.
5. Game--A nut cracker.--Squirrel.
6. Salad--Part of a house and a letter. Celery.
7. Pudding--A summer residence. Cottage.
8. Cake--What variety gives to life. Spice.
9. Fruit--From an historic tree. Cherries.
10. Wine--The kind of invitation one likes to receive. Cordial.
A DINNER FOR LITERARY CELEBRITIES
The Guests
1. A barrel maker.--Cooper.
2. A mixture of black and white.--Gray.
3. The baby of the flock.--Lamb.
4. A disagreeable fellow to have on one's foot.--Bunyan.
5. Joyous hardness.--Gladstone.
6. A country in Europe.--Holland.
7. A lion's abode, free from dampness.--Dryden.
8. A head covering.--Hood.
9. Small talk and a cask.--Chatterton.
10. Absence of all color.--Black.
The Menu
1. Soup--What a ship sometimes springs. Leek.
2. Fish--All colors combined. White Fish.
3. Roast--A red hot bar of iron. Pig.
4. Vegetable--To steal mildly. Cabbage.
5. Game--Chinese English. Pigeon.
6. Relish--Dreadful predicaments. Pickles.
7. Pudding--The mantle of winter. Snow.
8. Cake--Brightest and best of all. Sunshine.
9. Fruit--A church dignitary and a fruit. Elderberry.
10. Wine--An island in the Atlantic. Madeira.
NUTS TO CRACK
Pass pencils and paper to each guest with the following written upon
it:--
1 (A Dairy product.)
2 (A Vegetable.)
3 (A Country.)
4 (A Girl's name.)
5 (A structure.)
6 (A name often applied to one of our presidents.)
7 (Every Ocean has one.)
8 (That which often holds a treasure.)
9 (The names of two boys.)
10 (A letter of the alphabet and an article made of tin.)
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.
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:
1. What they met for on Sunday?
2. What feeling existed among them?
3. What ship was popular with the young folks?
4. What did it lead up to?
5. What was one of the young women fond of?
6. What was unpleasant for them?
7. What caused them to leave England?
8. What interfered with their peace?
9. What would have aided them?
10. What increased their number?
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.
=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.)
"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.
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
1. The first month of the year. Janvier.
2. Strong and sturdy. Hardy.
3. An out of date arrangement for the front hair. Bangs.
4. An author whose name is on every page. Page.
5. The poet laureate of England. Alfred Austin.
6. A medium for transatlantic messages. Cable.
7. One form of single blessedness. Bacheller (Irving).
8. The pedestrian's aid. Caine (Hall).
9. What springs eternal in the human breast. Hope (Anthony).
10. A dignitary of the church. Abbott (Lyman).
The Menu
1. Soup--Toe not found on man. Tomato.
2. Fish--A unit of measurement. Perch.
3. Roast--A lean wife. Spare rib.
4. Vegetable--The result of pressure. Squash.
5. Game--Timber and the herald of the dawn. Woodcock.
6. Salad--He who fights the Japanese. Russian.
7. Pudding--An aborigine. Indian.
8. Cake--A tropical sea plant. Sponge.
9. Fruit--To waste away and Eve's temptation. Pineapple.
10. Wine--A part of the foot and a letter. Tokay.
A LUNCHEON FOR LITERARY WOMEN
The Guests
1. A verdant one. Greene (Anna Katherine).
2. To evade. Dodge (Mary Mapes).
3. A head covering and a tavern. Wiggin (Kate Douglas).
4. What ships and schooners often cross. Barr (Amelia E.).
5. A thistle's product and a head dress. Burnett (Frances Hodgson).
6. A part of the human body. Foote (Mary Hallock).
7. A pig's house and a measurement. Pennell (Elizabeth).
8. A guardian's trust. Ward (Mrs. Humphry).
9. Act of a poor cook. Burnham. (Clara Louise).
10. What the rebellion made of every negro. Freeman (Mary E. Wilkins).
The Menu
1. Fruit--Small shot. Grape fruit.
2. Fish--A soft shelled sign of the Zodiac. Crab.
3. Roast--A genial English author. Lamb.
4. Sauce--A money maker. Mint.
5. Vegetable--A city of Belgium and what a leaf does in spring.
Brussels sprouts.
6. Salad--Elizabeth and her German. Garden.
7. Tarts--Water in motion. Currant.
8. Cake--A precious metal. Gold.
9. Ice--A celebrated prince. Orange (William of).
10. The floral Decorations--The flowers that bloomed on their lips.
Roses.
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.
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
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.
8-3/4 x 6-3/4 inches, cloth binding (boxed) $1.50
Full limp leather, gilt edges (boxed) 3.00
CARD CLUB RECORD