The Washington times., 1913-03-14
SOCIETY ROMPERS
PUZZLE SERVANTS
"Jump Shot" and 'Poison
Snake" Played in Drawing
Room BY Adults.

MY word" exclaimed Mrs. Arthur J.
Parsons English butler to the first foot
man. such goings on 1 never saw in
the all at 'ome Hall of them are
romping like lot of 'oydens.''
The first footman, replied that the So
ciety folk romping in the Parsons
drawing room at Eighteenth and r
streets northwest were not simply play
ing dear little games of childhood
but had a serious purpose, this purpose
being to illustrate in practical form the
thesis gof the lecturer whose disserta-
tion had preceded the games.
The first footman had listened to the
lecture from his post in the hall, and.
though ne had stood there rigid as a
marble In the Corcoran Gallery. why.
''his Hears simply couldn't 'elp earring
what was said" The butler had been
otherwise occupied during the address
by Charles F. Weller, and so he did not
exactly understand why Mr.. and Mrs.
Parsons, Mrs. Arthur Lee, Henry
White. Mrs. Robert Hinckley. and her
beautiful daughter, Miss Clementina
Surhess, and other prominent society
folk were playing poison snake.
Jump the shot," and other new games.
Teach Children To Play.
Mr.. Weller had told his audience that
modern achildren are in danger of not
learning how to play. They are having
their playing done for them by the
moving picture shows and theaters.
Consequently, leaders in organized
ton work, in which Mr.. Weller
himself is one of the most notable, are
endeavoring to supply the lack and
need
Fresh air was always to be had
freely" said Mr.. Weller, but the anti
4, N
TO teach both city and country people
TO use II. Birds teach their nesthngs,
cats their kittens, and dogs their pup
pies, even in such instructive acts as
flying. mouse catching, and the chase.
The familiar mother games, like this
known to children until their mothers
teach them. Even religion must be
preached and taught
There is exactly the same need for
educational leadership in the modern.
frequently misunderstood, deep-reach-
ing. mighty Recreation Movement Its
tremendous possibilities for the upbuild-
ing of American citizenship cannot De
realized unless competent leaders, VINO
understand psychological, pedagogical,
and social problems, give initiative and
guidance to undeyeloped communities
Ono ask it"
"Jump the Shct" Played.
the SEOts VI lic games
IN which the adults disported them
sslyes, caused much amusement and
numerous attempts at agile leaping.
Mr.. Weller had a tennis ball affixed to
n string. Holding the other end of the
string in his hand, he revolved the ball
IN a plane parallel TO the floor. PLAYERS
then leaped over the string and ball
as IL whirled around. The game IS
something like skipping the rope
1t is not a game. according TO the
butler and the first footman, which can
be played with greatest success by any
one wearing hobble skirt, though this
Judgment would depend somewhat on
the point of view.
Tenpins In Game.
Poison snake is a game for about
sixteen persons with a handful Of ten
rims in the center. One joins hands
with bis rig<t and left neighbors and
attempts to shove some one else into
the tenpins.
ANY one who knocks down the ten
pins is "out."
Former Secretary of the Treasury and
Mrs. MacVeagh watched the playing
OF lump the shot and poison snake
from "the sidelines."