Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-02-03
Amusing Charadcs

The old amusement Of acting charades
Is revived this winter at little gatherings,
and great deal Of fun can be made by a
4 little in genuiiy. The other cvening-in
q certain jolly family--a multitude OF
these simple devices were acted, and a
more ridiculously funny performance
never witnessed. Unlike the more an
q lent charade, which was presented In
syl. ables, one scene represented whole
word. often al entire sentence. An arch.
way in which hung damask curtains was
backed BY q couple Of white sheets. High
mp in the center was displayed with each
scene placard Inscribed with the legend
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, powerfully
spelled sign was suddenly run out on the
red damask and as the rcars Of laughter
died away, up would go the curtain on
another more convulsive In character than
the preceding. But two gentlemen per
formed on this occasion. AS some Of the
devices may be amusing to read, as wen As
suggestive in getting up, thus l append
few:
The curtain rolled off. The two gen
tlemen walked on from the sides, solemn,
stiff and priggish, spectaclcs 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 scientist"
Rash voices suggested Proctors, y" A
gas he is" Fellows" etc.
But the interview we had just witnessed
4 NJ -. as.s. h. ~, A..
dating paragraph unfoldcd on the curtain
told us.
Away went the damask. The same two
came on, Just nodded, and passed each
other. The scene was entitled "A Short
afore" lmetaphor).
character. The placard 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 Zip behind, stole his
handkerchief and secreted 1t; first old fel.
low takes specs OFT, and, feeling for hand
kerchief to wipe them, discovers his loss.
Number two excitedly points off as il TO
the thief, and the victim dashes off In pur.
suit, while the thief walks laughingly
away with his plumber.
This resulted In tearing tho atlas all 10
pieces, and the answer, "Aroostook" 10
ruse took, was received with groans
Away went the curtain and one of those
wonderful wooden animals, with plug
tails and regular red spots painted all over
ssky-blue skin. stood alone on the carpet,
and the placard this time read IAN isl.
and in an Eastern archipelago" This
was suggested by q clergyman 10 be
"Theos." And certainly this was tri.
umph, as the animal needed "The oss"
painted on il as much ~ Johnny's four.
legged table under which he writes "A
Kow,"
The next tableau there stood the fiery
untamed steed, beneath the sign which
this time reads Another island In an
Eastern archipelago" This defes every
body, but proves, amid much laughter, TO
be Samos" (Same oss).
Here followed a sumner, q scenic divert
isement IN -four sections.
The first installment representing, &C
cording 10 the bill Of the play, 1.-The high
est form OF conventional decorum."
The second embracing "a famous ex-
elamaiion of reproach."
The third the name Of "a noted prize.
lighter" 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 his.
trionic ability swallowed the first and
smallest cat.
This was the highest form OF conven-
tional decorum," and WAS, therefore, III
q cat"
With much solemnity the second cat
was demolished, and the famous excla-
nation, :" III two brute" was fulfilled.
the mastication Vi this last cat was &C.
companied with manifestations of great
delight, 30 that we were prepared 10 sec
the noted prize. fighters name spelled
"Glad he ate her" tGladiator).
Iereupon the third and largest cat WAS
apparently going TO Join the others, but
the artist turned with sadness away and
walked off, leaving us 20 understand that
the name Of Q maple was In bis case
sick o. more" (Sycamorc).--N. Y. Ger.