ADONIS PUT UP AT AUCTION.
In this game two players—the Auctioneer and the Salesman—agree as to the thing to be offered in exchange for Adonis, but this they keep secret between themselves.
Then as many slips of paper are cut as there are players. On one the name of Adonis is written. They are folded up and put into a bag. The players draw them, and he or she who draws Adonis is seated on a chair in the middle of the circle (the Auctioneer beside him), and is put up for sale by auction.
The Auctioneer says: "Here is Adonis, remarkable for his great beauty and love of hunting. What will you bid for him?"
Each player has five bids alternately, but none must bid money.
First Player. I will give a bunch of roses for Adonis.
Auctioneer. A bunch of roses. Who bids for Adonis? Going, going, for a bunch of roses. (He raises his hammer, which may be a pencil.)
Second Player. I will bid a lump of sugar.
Auctioneer. A lump of sugar for Adonis. Going, going, for a lump of sugar.
Third Player. I will bid an old gray goose.
Auctioneer. Going, going, etc., etc.
Fourth Player. I will bid a postage stamp.
And thus they go on bidding, until one of the players says, "I will bid a looking-glass," which being the thing the auctioneer and seller had this time agreed on, Adonis is knocked down to her, and is bound to do whatever she commands, such as sing a song, tell a story, hop round the room, etc., etc. Should the right price not be given by the time the bidding has gone round five times, the Auctioneer tells what it is, and says, "I have bought Adonis in with a ring," a bouquet, or whatever else has been fixed on between him and the seller. Then all the circle have to pay forfeits to Adonis.
Philo.—It was not possible to insert your exchange at the time you requested. If you still desire its publication, please send it again, with your new address, and it shall duly appear.
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
TWO DOUBLE ACROSTICS.
1.—1. A household utensil. 2. Inactive. 3. Pure. 4. Not distant. 5. Rest. 6. An extremity. Primals compose the name of a land, and finals of a sea-bird.
June Bug.
2.—1. A fruit. 2. A heavenly body. 3. A sort of down. 4. A building. 5. A girl's name. 6. A precious stone. Primals and finals compose the names of two articles in favor with ladies.