This game is suitable for either girls or boys, and furnishes amusement
at almost any age. The interest will be increased or diminished,
according to individual carefulness, for no one need be caught if they
give close attention. Therefore, to be often caught indicates lack of
interest, which is not complimentary to your leader, or stupidity,
which is not complimentary to yourself.
Every player assumes the character of a business man or woman, or they
may have a profession. They may be manufacturers or tradespeople, it
matters little what, provided there be no duplicates. Choose one for
your leader who will assume no trade or profession, but will read the
newspaper as will be explained.
All should sit before the leader, so there can be no mistake about
seeing each other.
When every person has settled her and his part, the leader takes up
any daily paper which is convenient and reads from it; but whenever
the leader pauses, and looks at a player, whether the pause and look
is intentional or accidental, the one looked at must at once make a
suitable remark about his profession, business or trade. There must not
be a second’s hesitation, and the more ridiculous such a remark may be,
the more amusement is gotten out of the game.
As soon as the player has concluded his observation, the leader
continues reading, the same as if his theme had not been interrupted,
and in a few seconds, pauses again, and looks at another player. Then
this player makes his remark instantaneously about his trade, and thus
the game goes on.
In order to better understand, suppose the leader reads, “This is
Bunker Hill Day. It is not a legal holiday, but by general consent the
banks and stores laid aside,” (here he looks at the dressmaker).
Dressmaker: “The big sleeves and wide skirts are not liked by
everybody.”
“The observance of the day by a—”
Marine Artist: “Sale of my painting ‘Off the Rocks at Scarborough.’”
“Is limited to Charlestown district, on one of whose hillslopes stood
the Middlesex farmers, the hayseed still in their—”
Butcher: “Marrow bones and spareribs.”
“And in their hands the guns that had been gaining reputation in the
shooting of—”
Grocer: “Eggs twenty-five cents a dozen.”
“And wild fowl. How they refused to budge before British regulars,
until they had fired all their—”
Confectioner: “Chocolate caramels packed in layers with waxed paper
between.”
“Away, and felt the pricks of the enemy’s polished—”
Ironmonger: “Poker and tongs, shovels and spades.”
“The world well knows Charlestown keeps up the remembrance of these—”
Florist: “Water-lily pads, and moss-rose buds.”
“At a lively rate.”
And so on reads the newspaper, making the proper pauses and glances,
until everybody has taken part and indeed over and over again taken
part. Care should be used as to the selection read, as some paragraphs
allow for much more amusement than do others.
When any player fails to at once make a suitable remark he must pay a
forfeit, which can only be redeemed by music or recitation.