New-York tribune., 1902-01-05

PING-PONG.
AN ABSORBING NEW INDOOR GA,rz
WHICH HAS ATTAINED GREAT
POPULARITY IN LONDON.

The three men who occupied the studio A..
were having their quiet end-afternoon sr,oL'
together There was the artist, whose hair b.,
turned gray after long years Of painting ana
black and white dOings; the youth Who frass
from art school. was just making start and
the man of business who was the saving clans.
of the combination He put up the money when
black and whites would not sell and the vou-b.,
checks from home We're delayed in the mails
Il wish people would find something new with
which to entertain US said the man Of busi.
ness. in a bored tone.
New Year is coming chirped the youth al,
obvious statement. seeing that Christmas VA,
Just one day past. Perhaps Santa Claus .tippe5
Off the dear girls 10 a new game"
There's nothing new under the sun. Billy
said the old artist. If there was I'd draw ii ii
a hurry"
Then there came a knock on the door. and a
messenger appeared with a dainty note Billy
grasped it hastily Billy was in love.
It's addressed to all Of US" ne said. with dis
appointment
'All the more reason you should hurry up and
Iead it," commanded the man Of business.
It's from Harriet" he murmured. as he read
it TO himself
Read out loud. IDIOT commanded one Of the
older men.
Won't you come Up Tomorrow night and
play ping-pong? read Billy Now, what is
ping pong
Search me?" remarked the one who was not
artistic. except when 1t came to making money
Sounds Chinese said the artist.
I've heard OF pom-pom.' remarked Billy.
That's a sort Of big gun which makes a funny
noise" Billy had once had the idea of becoming
a military man But ping-pons-that's new
one on me-"
some new style Of bridge suppose" nut
tered the artist It's not for M. I've sacri-
feed enough on that altar"
Well I'm going UP 10 play ping-pong" an
nOunced the youth. I don't care what it is, the
names new. Better come along Jack You
were growing minute ago about there being
nothing new, and here you are"
Billy went to Harriets and played ping pong
and when he had not returned by midnight the
other fellows knew that be was enjoying it He
would not tell them what the new game was
when he finally put in an appearance but ad-
vised them to find out for themselves.
An indoor edition Of tennis is pIng-pong. the
name coming from the curious sound which The
parchment rackets give forth when they strike
the little balls. II is played on the dining room
table. across the centre Of which a low net
stretched. Thc rules are almost the same as
in tennis, and the points are counted tennis
fashion. There is even more chance for skilfL
handling of the ball than in outdoor games
and there are tricks iuuumerable which add
interest and variety. SkiIful players can keep
up the voIIeyinS process until interest reaches
fever pitch. It is almost as exciting for the
spectators as for the players. which is more
than can be said Of tennis.
Il is an absorbing game. as the English VII
tell you. 1t has been played i- London dining
rooms for the last TWO or three years, but has
never been strictly in vogue until this wints-
The officers of the British army carried ping
pong sets 10 South Africa with them. and haTa
set up their tables on The veId- when the Boes
let them remain in camp long enough
Why the game has not taken hold in ms
country is something which Americans who Live
in London cannot understand. They have VIII
ten home about the beauties and delights o.
ping pong. They Iaud it TO the skies for the
exercise it affords to busy men who have "
work in Offices all day. and to women who aFs
occupied with a round OF teas and receptions