BLIND MAN’S BUFF is a popular, old-fashioned and delightful pastime, too well known to render any description of it necessary. A more quiet variety of blind man’s buff is played in the following manner: All the company arrange themselves around the room, one being blinded in the centre. Some one then either numbers them, or calls them by the names of different towns or cities. Each one must remember the name given him. Then the one who named them calls out to any two in the party, such as: “Two and Ten change places,” or, “Boston go to New York,” &c. Those called must quickly exchange places (on pain of a forfeit it they do not), the one blinded trying to catch them on their way. The caller must make them change places often, and from distant sides of the room, so as to give the blinder a good chance. If he catches any one in the act of changing his place, and calls his name correctly, the person so caught must take the part of blind-man until, in turn, he catches somebody else.
SHADOW BUFF.
Shadow Buff is a variation of blind man’s buff. Though not as generally known, it is equally amusing. A large piece of white cloth, or a linen or cotton sheet, is suspended smoothly at one end of the room, at a little distance from “Buffy,” who sits with his face towards the cloth, and his back to the company. Behind him a light must be so placed as to throw the shadows of persons passing between it and “Buffy” directly on the curtain. All other lights must be extinguished. The players then walk, one by one, slowly between the light and “Buffy” (who must not turn his head), limping, jumping, grimacing, or disguised as they please, so as to distort their shadows on the curtain. If “Buffy” can tell correctly to whom any shadow belongs (guessing once only at each person), the player whom he so discovers takes his place as “Buffy.”
BLIND MAN’S WAND.
This is another variety of the same game. The blind man carries a cane, which he reaches in every direction. Whoever it touches is bound, by the rules of the game, to take hold of it, and repeat whatever the blind man orders. The one who is caught can disguise his voice as he pleases. The blind man is allowed three guesses, and if he cannot discover the person touched by his voice, he must try another. This is an amusing change.
There is still another, called “Fettered Buff.” The person who is to catch his companions is not blinded, but his wrists are tied behind him, and he catches by running backwards. This form of the game is not recommended. The person so bound cannot balance himself easily, or guard himself, and is liable to injury from falling.