Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-07-13
Nirgiuia 9ree gress.
". K.B. GALLAHER, Editor.
eferson County, Iyest Yo
July 13, 1892
Progressive Hammockimg.

The young people IN one OF 81. LOUIS
prottiest suburbs are in a state Of fever
ish excitement over a new game that has
been devised by some of their number.
1t is called progressive hammocking"
and is so full of golden opportunities in
sentimental way that it is destined to be-
come very popular with the youth of
both sexes.
A bright young girl, TO whom, with
several others, is due the credit of having
given this new diversion to the world,
thus describes it:
"You see, each girl is provided with
hammock, in which she reclines, grace
fully or ungracefulIy, according to the
extent of her experience in hammocking,
during the game. The hammocks are
hung far enough apart so that no one can
see nor hear her neighbors, and above
each is suspended a Chinese lantern with
number on it but these, of course, will
be blown out early in the proceedings
A chaperon is required-preferably two
"A lady and a gentleman. To start the
game the boys draw numbers from hat,
and then each hunts up the hammock
which corresponds to the number drawn.
At given signal he begins to tell the
girl in it love story. BY the rules the
stories must be impersonal.
"But of course they won't be. That"
she added with laugh "is matter that
lies with the story teller and his con-
science. Well, at the end of fifteen min
utes the chaperon beats a tom-tom and
the boys move up one hammock, and
each tells another story to new listener.
The stories, mind you, must all be differ
ent-that IS, one cannot tell the same
story to two girls"
"And they must all be love stories ?"
asked the reporter.
Certainly. Oh, it's more fun. The
BOYS out there are scouting the town for
short love stories. De Maupassant is in
great demand. But some of them draw
on their own experience for MATERIAL
Well, when the rounds have been made,
and each of the six, say, has told six
amorous tales to six tender maidens Sc
cret ballot is taken, the girls voting for
the best story teller and the boys for the
best listener. That's where the real fun
ny part comes in, for, of course, each
girl will vote for the man she likes best,
and vice versa hence the chaparon will
will become the sacred repository of one
half dozen true love tales"
"What about the prizes?'
"There will be six first prizes on each
side, and no boobies, and the far schem-
er laughed heartily at the success of her
efforts to devise something new and start
ling in the way of summer amusement.
Anecdotes of Rossetti are just now Gin
the air." Here is one He went one
day with friend for a stroll through
the poorer quarters of the town, and was
greatly attracted by the shops in Seven
Dials. Outside one he saw in a cage a
curious round ball of spikes.
"What is the price of that"
"Half a crown"
could you get me some more of
them ?"
Certainly"
"Well, let me have twenty tomorrow
evening"
The retail dealer, whose stock consist
ed of a few linnets, chafinch or two
and four or five staggering larks, looked
aghast.
Said his fr; ,ud on the way home
"What on earth did you want with all
those hedge-hogs p
"I'll put them in my garden said
Rossetti, "and when fellows come to see
my pictures they'll pass through the gar
den. Look at this little round ball, one
of them will say; why, il alive. And
here's another and here's third . Why,
the garden is full of them And then