The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-19
Amusing Charades.

Inc Ola Wl1usGultht VI aCtihS SH"A"NSS &c
revived this winter at little gatherings, and a
great deal of fun can BE- made by little in
genuity. The other cvening-in certain
Jolly family--a multitude Of these simple
devices were acted, and q more ridiculously
funny performance l never witnessed. I'm
like the more ancient chal ade, which was
presented in sylables, one scene represented
a whole word-otten an entire sentence. An
archway in which hung damask curtains
was backed by couple of white sheets
| High up in the center was displayed with
each scene placard inscribed with the lie.
gend the action Transporting beneath was sup.
posed to represent. As the curtain dropped
wild and scattered guesses were made by the
attentive audience, which, failing to hit the
mark, a powerfully spelled sign was sudden
ly run out on the red damask; and rs the
roars of laughter died away, up would go the
curtain on another more COnvulSlyc IN char
acter than the preceding But two gentle
man performed. on this occasion. AS some
| of the devices may be amusing 10 read, as
well as suggestive in getting up, thus l ap.
pend few
The curtain rolled off, Tie two gentleman
walked on from the sides, solemn, stlf and
priggish, spectacles on their noses and cotton
umbrellas under their arms, felt each others
pulses and walked off. AS the placard stated,
the article to be guessed was "A learned sci.
|eniis,."
Rash voices suggested "Proc,ors," "A gas
he is," Fellows" etc.
But the interview we had witnessed meant
"Met Physician" as the eluclda;ins para
graph unt0lded on the curtain told us.
Away went the damusk. The same two
came on, just nodded, and passed each other.
The scene was entitled a Short Similltude," VI
and OF course was "metaforc" (metaphor)
Then the charades got geographical in
character. The placarG displayed the place
to be guessed was river in Maine.
The gentleman number one walked on and
began examining the sign. Number two
came cautiously up behind, stole his hand.
kerchief and secreted it; first old fellow takes
specs of, and, feeling for handkerchief to,
wipe them, discovers his loss. Number two
eXcltedly points off as if to the thief, and the
victim dashes off in pursuit, while the thief
walks. laughingly away with his:plunder.
This resulted in tearing the atlas all to
pieces, and the answer, "Aroostook" IA rusc
to0k,) was received with groans. Away went
the curtain and one of those wonderful wood.
en animals, with plugtails and regular red
spots painted all over sky'blue skin, stood
alone on the carpet, and the placard this time
read IAN island in an Eastern archipelago
This was suggested by a clergyman to be
"Theos." And certainly this was triumph,
as the animal needed The oss" painted on ii
rs much as Johnny's four.legged table under
which he writes "A kow.'
The next tableau there stood the fiery un.
tanned steed, beneath the sign which this time
reads: Another island in an Eastern archi.
pelago." This deties everybody, but proves, |
amid much laughter, to be "Samos' same
oss)
Here followed stun ner, Il scenic divcrtise.
ment in four sections.
The first instaliment representing, accord
ing to the bill of the play, "thc highest form
of conventional Gecorum."
The secnd embracing "a famous cxclama
ton of reproach'
The third the name of ~ noted prize fight
err" and the fourth "a species of large maple
tree
The properties were merely table on
which sat three sugar cats. The artist
walked on, and with much grace and histri-
onlc ability swallowed the first and smallest
cat.
This was the highest form OF convention
al decorum," and was, therefore, "Et a cat.
With much solemnity the second cat was
and the famous exclamation,
AT two BRUTE" was fulfilled.
The masticalion of this last cat was accom-
panied with manifestations of great delight,
SO that we were prepared TO see the noted
NAMED spelled Glad Lc ate
her" (Gladiator)
Ilereupon the third and largest cat was
apparently going to join the others, but the
artist turned away with sadness and walked !
of, leaving us 10 understand that the name OF
a maple was in his case Sick O. more" (Syca-
more w. Y. Cor. So. Loats Republican.