The Reducer.
Eight men are chosen to run this race, four in each line, one behind the other. The first one in each line has a barrel hoop bound about with cloth so that no ragged edges are left to penetrate the reducee. At a signal from the leader the first man of each line runs up to the goal line, which is across the middle of the room, puts the hoop above his head and quickly draws it down over his shoulders to the floor, steps out of it, picks it up, runs back and gives it to the next runner, he himself going to the end of the line. The second runner does the same thing and so does the third, and then the fourth runner who first gets through the hoop and back to his place wins the race for his team.
No matter how stout the men of a group are, it always seems possible for them to get through their hoops. At innumerable social events I have looked for a fat guest to get jammed in his hoop, but as yet I have been disappointed.