The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-15
Did You Ever PLAY These /?


Here is game that you will be sure
10 like. It is more lively than the game
Of Spirits" and will always make lots
OF fun. II is called The Elements" and
is played as follows;
Two captains are chosen by lot. and
they choose the players, one after the
other until the party is equally divided.
Then the sides seat themselves in two
rows. facing each other, and the captain
who has won the first play throws a
knotted Handkerchief at one Of the players
on the opposite side, selecting any one
he pleases. and as he throws II, he calls
out one of the words. EARTH water"
"Airw "Fire!'
II Earth" be called. the player into
whose lap the handkerchief has fallen
must name some quadruped before the
thrower OF the handkerchief counts ten;
II water" be called, he must name a
kind Of fish; IL Air be called, he must
name some kind OF bird and II Fire be
called, he must remain perfectly silent.
II the player should name the wrong
thing, or speak when he ought 20 remain
silent. he must drop out OF the game.
and the player who threw the Handkerchief
must then throw Il at some one else on
the opposite side If this second player
at whom the Handkerchief is thrown should
on the opposite side, calls out one OF
the words above quoted, and counts ten;
and the game goes on thus until all the
players on one side have dropped out,
when OF course. the other side wins.
The game. like Spirits" has an ele-
ment Of instruction, for not only does II
brush up ones knowledge OF natural his
tory. but the necessity for a quick an
swer cultivates the habit OF rapid thought,
and OF self-possession. The fun OF the
game will be enjoyed in the absurd errors
that many OF the players will be sure TO
make in being compelled to answer quick
~.
Let us give you one more game, and
we shall have done. 1t is called the 'Im-
possible Cat" 1t IS not new. but It is
good
Two captains are chosen, who choose
their sides. and then all take seats facing
each other. IL is determined by lot who
shall begin the game and the captain who
wins says. "Our cat is ambiguous" Then.
before he counts ten. the captain on
the other side must say, "Our cat Is
agile" or ~ not "agile." he must use
some other adjective beginning with "a"
No one is allowed TO use an adjective
that has already been used, and IL he fail
TO name one before the opposite player
counts ten, he IS 'out."
When the adiectives beginning with
"a" have been exhausted, those beginning
with "b" may be used; or, the game
may be started with any letter the captain
chooses: this is left entirely 90 him.
Tho point of the game is. however, that
every adjective used after he starts. must
begin with the same letter that he used,
until change TO another be made, as
above provided for.
DO You Want to Hear Them?
DO you want 10 hear the chimes OF
Normandy? IL you do all you need is n
heavy silver spoon and a piece OF string.
Tie the string at its center around the
handle OF the spoon. leaving the ends
| three or four feet long. Now wind the
ends around our two forefingers near the
first Joint and then thrust your fingers in
your cars. Bend over and allow the
tablespoon TO knock against the wall or
the door or q chair and you will be sur
prised at the really beautiful imitation
OF church chimes which you will hear.
Probably
The lesson was from the Prodigal Son.
and the teacher was dwelling on the char
acter OF the elder brother.
But amid all tho rejoicing" he said.
there was one TO whom the preparation
or the FEAST uIouSuN no Jpys W NhNih NHV
prodigal sons return gave no pleasure,
but only bitterness; one who did not APP
prove OF the feast being held. and who
had no wish 20 attend H. Now, can any
OF YOU tell me who this was?"
There was a breathless silence, follow
ed by a vigorous cracking or thumbs.
and then from a dozen sympathetic little
| eeniuses came the chorus:
please sir, 1t was the fatted calf
! Exchange.
He is a Good Weather Prophet.
one OF the best OF weather prophets
Is the spider. II there happens TO be n
web in the secluded corner Of the porch
watch II carefully for q few days or
weeks and the spider will unfailingly pre-
dict the coming Of storms.
When q high wind or heavy rain
| thratens the spider may be seen taking
| in sail with great energy-that is, short
ening the rope filaments that sustain the
web structure II the storm Is to be I'M
usually severe or OF long duration the
ropes are strengthened as well as shorten
| ed. the better 20 resist tho onset OF the
| elanantss Nok. HJdll pleasant HeatheS "a