It is to laugh

by Edna Geister

Elastic Spelling.

Let the host start spelling a word by giving the first letter. For example, he may have in mind the word “kitchen.” He says “K,” and the one to his left who is to give the next letter is thinking of “kill” so he says “I,” while the next one who is thinking of “kimono” says “M,” each one trying not to give a letter that will complete a word. The penalty for completing a word is to become a third of a goat. At the second offence the penalty is to become two-thirds of a goat, and at the third, a whole goat. A whole goat is compelled to “Baa, baa” at his turn instead of giving a letter. There are always more “Baa-ers” than one would anticipate, for even though you had in mind the word “kidnap,” when at your turn you added the letter “d” to “k—i—,” k—i—d spells kid, at least in the English language, so you go on record as part of a goat.

There is always somebody who will take a chance and give “any old letter,” just so he won’t finish a word. Each player has the privilege of challenging three separate times. When challenged, a player is obliged to tell the word he had in mind, which sometimes he had not! A player cannot be challenged after the next player has given his letter.

It is not only the English language that is stretched in this indoor pastime. Minds and imaginations stretch to the bursting point in a way that gives one a new respect for one’s capacity for laughter.

Twentieth Century Blind Man’s Buff.

Instead of just one being blindfolded, all but one are blinded, and it is the business of the game to catch this lucky one. He is not as lucky as it might appear, however. He has a little bell hanging around his neck on a cord, and to say the least, it advertises his whereabouts. He cannot leave the room, must keep moving, and cannot silence the bell in any way. At that, in the average room he can elude his pursuers for a few minutes at least, if he is nimble at all, for you know how utterly helpless one is when blindfolded (and how very graceful!).

As soon as the bell man is caught he is blindfolded and the one who caught him is “it.” The game is a hilarious success for about four or five minutes, but do not let it run on any longer than that or people will be getting uncomfortable and taking off their blindfolders and “Just watching this time, thank you!”

Are you wondering how in the world you could ever get enough large size handkerchiefs to blindfold a whole party? Don’t wonder. Instead, make blindfolders out of strips of gauze long enough to go around one’s head. Just about where the eyes would come put pads of absorbent cotton, using adhesive tape to hold them in place. These blindfolders are very inexpensive and far more hygienic than the usual handkerchief, and it isn’t half as easy to peek through them either!

Employment Bureau.

Guests are divided into two equal groups lined up against opposite walls of the room. One side is designated as the first to ask for employment. They go into secret session to decide on some trade. When ready, they advance to the middle of the room where the other group is standing in a line waiting for them. The first group says, “We want a job.” The others ask, “What can you do?” Then the first group begins to act out its trade in pantomime. For example, they have decided to be veterinarians. Some act as horses and cows while the others act as the doctors who examine their teeth, their tongues, look at their heels, make them run, etc., etc. As soon as their opponents call out “Veterinarians!” they break and run for their side of the room. Any of them who are tagged before they reach the wall go to the ranks of the enemy.