The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-10-18
Written for the Cincinnati Times.l
Base BalI.-sOme Timely suggestions.
BY "aRIs E"

BY ''oRrs"
The base ball epidemic IL raging
fearfully all over the country. While
cities have it the worst, not village,
settlement, or corners has escaped
the infection. For years 0neTold
cat and tw0-Old cat = have held
their place among boys at school, but
bat aud ball passed away with school
boy days, until recently, when base
ball has suddenly been discovered to
be one Of the most healthfnl exer-
eises, M we'll ~ the choicest amnse-
menta, extant. Weak young men,
who were hardly adequate to walk
around q billiard table during one
game, short time ago, now chase the
flying ball "aGeldp like wild Indians,
or bat it with vigor and precision
that would knock down an OK, They
are indifferent TO broken fingers, cal
louise to blistered hands, and will risk
having their heads knocked off their
shoulders, 80 enthusiastic are they IN
their new found recreation
Matches are being played between
rival clubs all over the country, fire.
quently exciting great interest. IL
will die out like all spasmodie efforts
of the sort, and then, what next2
supposing Blind Mans Buff
should be the next game that
ID resuectated and made TO be the
rage. Then we should have Clubs
starting up all over the country for
the encouragement and cultivation Of
that noble and inyig0rating game.
We should have the " Buckeye Blind
Man Buff Club, " aud the Excel
sior Blind Mans Buff Club" and
many other yarionsly entitled Clubs
Of Blind Buffers.
IL would be found 10 be excellent
for the eyes, and hardening as to the
shins, besides developing tOthe great
est possible degree the sense of touch
A field could be prepared for the ac-
e0mm0datiOn Of the players, with ar
tliicial bitches skillfully arranged for
the blind Batter 10 fall into, and arti-
fetal fences for him 10 tumble over,
in chasing the Buffers who are not
blinded. II can BIO seen at glance
lby everybody except the bindfolded
Buffer, who isn't supposed 10 see any
thing,) that in this game amusement
could be blended with healthful and
invigoratlng exercise 10 "a greater de-
gree than in any other game now
known. While the blind Buffer is
strengthening his muscles by tnm-
bling into bitches, and developing ae-
tiyity by climbing out again, the other
Buffers and the spectators will be
kept in a constant roar Of laughter,
which the best medical authority de-
olaTes TO be most conducive TO health.
There is another advantage in
Blind Mans Buff the ladies, bless
their, dear hearts, could participate in
IT, The objections that they have to
Base Ball and Cricket couldn't be
urged against Blind Mans Buff
There would be delicious gratiiica-
ton ooh so feminine) in binding the
eyes OF their male friends. Then, Of
course, pretending TO be blinded
themselves, there would be a little
corner Of u mischievous eye peering
under tie handkerchief, Just enough |
10 prevent them falling over obstruc.
lions, you know, if the attentive and |
masculine arm did not, and |
TO be caught by just the right
)ne. OF course the kissing that fol- |
ows the net of catching or being !
taught. which Juveniles practice, would |
nave to be dispensed with in this case |
that is, postponed.
The play Of the Miller" might be
added TO our outdoor amusements.
Ii furnishes exercise Of limb and |
voice. Ii is simple enough, and can
DC played by both sexes. The miller |
stands in the centre of circle formed
by taking hold of hands, and us the
players swing around the circle, =
hey sing
Happy IL the miller that tends 10 the mill.
rhe mill goes around, he gathers what he
hand on the hopper, and hand on
rhe NH goes around and he cries out
Al the word grab" the gay and fes
i've miller makes a dart and captures
, timid maiden, who has been swing
ng around the circle, innocently
rolling her simple air, aud leads her,
I'll bushes and resistance TO the CEN
err, when he salutes her (the blast of
the clash of cimbols, and
he rattle Of drums, might be well in-
reduced ut this point and retires to
he ring, leaving her, the sweet little
'milleress" with hand in the hop
,er &c, who is entitled to the next
grab. en
Both sexes could participate in the
bove game and enjoy it greatly. 1t
S not as developing to the muscles,
perhaps, as base ball, but the exercise
# singing in the open air would be
dvantageous to the lungs.
There arc other games that might
,e introduced. Give ''Hilspi'T n
nance, and Cool" aud Tag" each
4 which abounds in inyigoratipg ex-
rcise and fun, aud is capable Of be- +
ng brought to high degree of scien-