No. 5.
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Correct answers to puzzles have been received from George and Bud, W. B. Gordon, Ella Chirney, Kittie Lewis, Willie Volckhausen, Cliff Woodruff, William Lewis, Milton D. Close, Edwin S. Hippey, Laura G., Harry W. Davis, Blanche P. Heywood, L. E. Williams, Agnes G. Fletcher, John C. Myers, "Alma," A. H. Nevins, Hattie Lehman, Alice O. Quackenbos, Charles B. Semple, Mamie Cunningham, Annie I. Brown, G. W., Malcolm Gates, Alfred G. Dale, Ernest R. Smith, Fred Niver, C. Alexina Delafolie, Giles Dow, Carrie W. Rappold, "Askelon," Laura Gibbs, Henry Berlan, Jun., and "Lady Clare."
[For Exchanges, see, 2d and 3d pages of cover.]
"WE AIN'T AFRAID, 'CAUSE WE CAN SWIM."
[BOUQUETAIRE—A NEW GAME.]
BY G. B. BARTLETT.
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
This new and interesting game requires a little preparation, which forms part of the fun. It is either made up of contributions from all the players, each of whom brings three presents, or all the gifts are furnished by the lady of the house. These gifts should consist of a great variety of useful, ornamental, graceful, and funny articles, such as toys, fans, dolls of small size, boxes of candy of odd shapes, books, small articles of jewelry, china, and bric-a-brac.
The smaller articles should be inclosed in boxes, or many wraps of paper, so that all may be nearly alike in size. They are all done up separately, each in a floral envelope, and are tastefully arranged in an open flat box or basket, which, when full, presents the appearance of a pyramid of flowers.
Great taste may be displayed in making these petals, as the envelopes are called, for which these simple directions may be followed, with such variations as practice may suggest: Take a dozen sheets of tissue-paper, comprising as many colors as possible, fold them together in the middle, fold in each corner in the shape of a pyramid (see Fig. 1); then double it twice (see Figs. 2 and 3); cut a piece out of the top of this in the shape of the letter V (see Fig. 4), and crimp up each sheet in the hand as fine as possible. Mix up these colors according to taste, as the petals may be of several shades or all of one color. Place the presents inside of these papers, and twist them twice around, and spread the petals in various ways.
A very little practice will enable children to make successful imitations of gay flowers. The number of these gifts depends upon the number of players, and there should be at least three times as many presents as persons. For each gift there should be one white and one red card, the latter being distributed equally among the players, and the former placed in a box on the table. The white cards are then distributed among the players equally. Each one writes one question on each, or some quotation which refers in some way to a plant, vegetable, tree, or flower, the name of which is at the same time written on the red card. The lines on the white card may be botanical, humorous, or sentimental, and, if possible, should end in rhyme with the name on the red card; and to prevent mistakes, a number is affixed to the white and red cards in case there should happen to be two rhyming, one only being the correct answer. The red cards are then shaken up in a hat, and each player takes out his proportion.
The white cards are then piled one on another, so that only the upper one is visible, and a player is selected to read them. All listen to the reading, each intent to see if he has the correct answer on his card, and if so, he is entitled to the present, which is selected at random by a little girl, who takes it from the pyramid, and holds it above her head during the reading, and carries it to the successful one when directed by the reader.
If any player gives the wrong answer, he is obliged to give up all his presents already taken to the one who holds the correct one, which is determined by the number in case of doubt.
No one, therefore, is allowed to open the gift until the reading is over.
If played at a club or sociable, it is well to have a ring or some valuable gift, the penalty of finding which is that its lucky owner shall be compelled to give the next party, and prepare the presents.
A few specimens are given of the rhymes, which are wholly impromptu, and of the simplest kind, such as can be written in a minute by young people:
Sweet and lovely, blushing cause
Of the cruelest of wars;
In spite of thorns, no flower that grows
Excels the fair and fragrant [rose].
In purity and peace I climb
From dankest depths of mud and slime,
To show that it is always silly
From whence it comes to judge a [lily].
My first is Hansom, next is old.
My whole is good when boiled or cold.
To solve this you must be a Babbage,
And your head must not be a [cabbage].
If preferred, in order to give variety, the botanical classification or description may be given, either in prose or verse, or any curious fact or habit of the plant.