The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-11-27

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED IMPORTANCE
OF ETIQUETTE.

AS variation, or addition, to the
regular game, the innovation known as
progressive cuchre possesses some
claims to merit The ordinary rules of
euchre govern the game, with some OBJ
vious exceptions. and progressive
euchre party should consist of three
tables, of four persons. Little strips
of card board should be prepared be-
forehand, with a loop of ribbon by
which they may be attached to the
dress or coat of the player. One of
these is drawn by each person. Ace is
written on four cards, king on four
and queen on the remaining four.
Those who draw the ace slip take the
ace table, which is the highest in rank;
those with the king slips take the sec
ond and the queens the third table,
which is the lowest in rank. One
amusing part of this game is that four
gentlemen may draw the slips for the
same table, or four ladies, in which
case they are doomed to play together,
for the laws of progressive euchre are
like those of "the Medes and Persians,
which alter not"
| The players seated at their respect
i've tables, The game begins in earnest,
and as soon as the ace table has made
five points a little bell at this table
is rung, which means that the other
tables is to stop playing, even if they
are at the very crisis of a game. This
is tantaizing sometimes. and the little
bell comes to be regarded as a cruel
fate. On the other hand, the ace table
is sometimes slow in its playing, which
gives the other tables to 60 on making
points al intinitum. On the bringing of
the bell, those who have won the game
at the ac9 table are decorated, not with
the Cross of the Legion of Honor, or
even the Victoria Cross, but with a
small wafer, which is attached to the
strip of cardboard. This couple re-
tain their seats, while the two defeated
ones move down to the king table, and
the successful players at the king table
move up to the ace table. The same
change is made in the queen table, con-
sequently continual change of part
ners is going on at all the tables, which,
with the decoration of the successful
players, occasions no small amount of
merriment.
Prizes are given at the close of the
game. Here the ingenuity and fun of
the hostess find ample scope. One
prize is given to the best player. the
one whose strip of cardboard bears
most waters. They should be some
thing pretty, even if very simple and
inexpensive. The second prize is called
consolation and is given to the least
successful player. This gift may be
something grotesque and have some
humorous verses attached, which will
add much to the gayety of the even
ing. When refreshments are to be
served, it is generally arranged at what
time the ace table shall stop playing.
A cessation of hostlites affords time
for passing around some slight refresh
ment. An elaborate supper seems out
OF place on such an occasion, as the
players are usually anxious TO return to
their game and decide their fates for
the evening.
If etiquette be important in the or
dinary affairs of life, how much more
so is it in the card room and at the
whist table, says writer on the game.
Etiquette is often but a form. At
whist, etiquette is but substance. If
a man will not send his card or call at
anothers house, he may hope to be for.
given; but at whist, the PLAYER who
does not attend to the etiquette pre-
scrlbed by good taste and the usages
OF the table, this offender will he prop
erly stunned. Etiquette in whist
phraseology, is a term SYNONYMOUS
with honest. In-sttention to the eti-
quette of the game causes more bicker-
ings and heartaches than the worst
player out Of Bedam, and goodness
knows the bad players are nearly suliic-
lent to drive ordinary people mad. But
because men and women are bad play
ers surely there is no occasion TO add to
their other offences the total disregard
of etiquette. Some people are so
thick-skinned that nothing short of
penalty VIII ever prevent their break
ing rule. These drop card face up-
ward and snatch 1t up again and think
they have done something clever in
stead ot having committed heinous
offence; or they lead ont Of turn. and
when ultimately they get they send out
the exposed card like fash of light
ming, and again think thy have done
SOM thing clever.
1t Is not etiquette TO get into a pas
sion and throw down the cards. 1t is
not etiquette for the young whist play
er to derlde or be angry with his SEN
iors II, In dealing, you expose an ace
and your adyersares elect to let the
deal stand, it is not etiquette to mis-
deal. In dealing it is not etiquette to
count the cards on the table or in the
hand and then declare you have not
done so to avoid misdeal. 1t is not
etiquette to bet with an outsider with.
out first offering the chance to your
adversaries, The breach of this law
causes more anger than any other. 1t
Is not etiquette to wrangle with your
opponent on any disputed point when
there Is bystander to whom YOU can
} refer. Such bystander having decided,
although You think him wrong, it is
not etiquette TO further argue the point,
but 1t is etiquette to submit with good
grace Having revoked once it is not
etiquette to revoke again to cover your
blunder; nor is it etiquette to make any
exclamation calling your adversaries'
attention to the fact that you have re-
voked. The eXcitable and talka,iye
players may bear this in mind, and they
} will DO well to remember that at whist
nothing should be said during the play
of the hand.
Quieted the Bully,