Tidings
Each player adopts some trade or profession. One member reads out the social gossip from a daily paper. When he pauses and points at one of the rest, that one must reply quickly some sentence regarding his calling or the stock he sells, for instance—
Reader.—The ball that took place at the residence of the Hon. Mrs. Mortimer last evening was distinguished by the presence of the President.
A number of débutantes were present, the majority of whom were dressed in—Here the reader glances at the carpenter, who answers, “Shavings.”
Reader—“Their headgear consisted of (glances at the fruiterer)—
Fruiterer—“Pine-apples.”
Reader—“Their jewels were necklaces (glances at the ironmonger)—
Ironmonger—“Of nails.”
Reader—“The dancing took place in—
Tobacconist—“A cigar box.”
Reader—“The walls of which were richly decorated with—
Lawyer—“Red tape.”
Reader—“The band was composed of forty instruments all—
Doctor—“Medicine bottles.”
Reader—“The President’s first partner was—
Fishmonger—“A codfish.”
Reader—“Who was most becomingly clad in—
Druggist—“Silver scales.”
Reader—“Her bouquet was composed of—
Dry Goods Merchant—“Spools of cotton.”
Reader—“And her tiny feet were cased in—
Mason—“Bricks.”
Reader—“Her dancing was as light as—
Plumber—“A gas escape.”
Reader—“And her charming smiles showed to view a perfect set of—
Bootmaker—“Black heels.”
It can be imagined from this example the merriment and laughter similar answers evoke.