Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-02-03
humorous.
Amusen.ents for the Fireslde.

Amusements for the Fireslde.
| After the lessons Of the day are over the
children draw round the table and fun il
the order of the day Cor night we shoult
say). The elders Of the freside are no
unwilling to join the merry circle. GameI
are proposed
"Yes,," says little Minnie, "somethin'
can play"
"0h yes, says Arthur, "plny 'allitera
tions that's fun"
"Well alliterations it shall be-" Father
will begin the game:
"one OK opening oysters" commences
| the father. ,.r
Each in turn repeats it: zone OK open
ing oysters. y
1.-TWO toads, totally tired tried to trot tC
Toadsbury.
This runs round the circle; little Minnie
striving in vain to pronounce all the words
and causing great amusement to the Older
children.
Gone OK opening oysters"
1.-Two toads, totally tired tried to trot tc
Toadsbury." pa.
"Three tame tigers taking tea"
(The fun of the game consists in repeat
ing these absurdities in regular order, moi
emitting one word. Poor little Minnie fails
entirely, but adds to the fun, and even
mamma stumbles over the sentences. But
to continue:
-Four fat friars tanning fainting flies"
Give furriers flying to France for furs.
"Six Scotch servants serving saints"
"Seven Severn salmon swallowing flies,
eight elegant English gentlemen eating
eggs 4"
"Nine nimble noblemen nodding their
noses"
"Ten tin tea.pots turning topsy-turyy.' y
eleven elephants eyeing the elements. y
Twelve tipsy tailors twirling tops.
! This game can be carried on according to
a persons ingenuity, and is productive OF
laughter and fun. For q while it is amuse-
ment enough to laugh over each others
mistakes.
And now mamma proposes game Of a
more quiet nature. .
Scandal" is selected.
A short sentence is chosen by one of the
players, who writes it down on slip of
paper, then reads it in very low tone to
'his neighbor and so around the circle; the
last one repeats it aloud. Then the written
sentence is read, and the difference between
the two is often very amusing, and fully il
illustrates the impossibility of anything pas
sing from one mouth to another without loss
or gain. Sometimes the entire meaning of
the first sentence is changed. The game
is very entertaining, but voted rather toto
by the younger portion of the home circle.
So "Magic Photographs" is proposed by
q visitor who has called in. q =
"Does any one know the gamer
"No." He"
They are needful for attendants, the rest
must sit in row around the room; or, bet
ter still, each one sits behind the neighbor's
chair rail-car fashion; and each one must
be blindfolded with his own handkerchief,
and promise not to look. Little Minnie de-
sired greatly to play; Arthur wishes to as
sist But the eldest sister is chosen as as
sistant, and sent for nesessaries, while the
teacher of the game proceeds to bandage
the eyes of each. Then the right hand of
each player is laid upon the left arm. A
handkerchief is folded in halves, and tied
round the doubled fist, so as to hold the
fingersstill, andalso form cap Little wraps,
like blankets, are folded round each arm.
Then an inkstand is required, and with the
ends of matches, dipped into ink, q baby's
face is traced on the smooth back of the
hand. Curls are added, and the picture is
complete. Then the eyes of each are un-
bandaged and the room resounds with
fun and merriment Little Minnie looks
so comical, Arthur so astonished, and even
papa is surprised at the appearance he pre-
sents. Indeed, all the players are tending
baby, and the effect is ludicrous in the
extreme