This simple game has been a puzzler to young people many and many a time. With a stick in the left hand the player thumps on the floor, at the same time saying, "He can do little who can't do this." Then, passing the stick into the right hand, he gives it to the next person, who, if unacquainted with the game, will, no doubt, thump with the right hand. Of course, it is most natural to use the right hand for everything, consequently few people suspect that the secret of the game lies in simply taking the stick with your right hand when it is passed to you, but knocking with your left.
HISS AND CLAP.
In this game, the gentlemen are all requested to leave the room, when the ladies take their seats, leaving a vacant place on the right side of every one for the gentlemen of their choice. Each gentleman in turn is then summoned, and asked to guess which lady he imagines has chosen him for her partner. Should he guess rightly he is allowed to take his seat by the lady who has chosen him, while the company loudly clap hands, in proof of their congratulations on his success; but should he guess wrongly, he will be only too glad to disappear from the scene, so loud will be the hisses of his friends.
"HOT BOILED BEANS."
In this game some small article is to be hidden, the player who has to find it being sent out of the room while the hiding is being effected. This being done, the invitation, "Hot Boiled Beans and Bacon, make haste and come to supper," is given, upon which the searcher returns to the room and begins to hunt for the hidden article. The progress of the player is usually announced by assuring him that he is "very cold," "cold," "warmer," "warm," "hot," "very hot," or "burning," according as he is far from or near to the article to be discovered.
HOT COCKLES.
A game not unlike Shadow Buff is that known by the peculiar title of Hot Cockles. A handkerchief is tied over the eyes of one of the company, who then lays his head on a chair, as if he were about to submit to the punishment of being beheaded, and places his hand on his back with the palm uppermost. Any of the party come behind him and give him a slap on his open hand, he in the meantime trying to discover whose hand it is that strikes.
HOUSE FURNISHERS.
In this game the company are to imagine themselves a number of hosts and hostesses who are expecting the arrival of some friends, for whose reception they are totally unprepared, as far as provisions and household arrangements are concerned. Accordingly, each one must volunteer to set out immediately, in order to procure some particular article. First of all, the rooms must be furnished with tables, chairs, beds, bedsteads, curtains, carpets, and fire-irons; then knives, forks, and crockery of every kind must be obtained; and lastly, a good supply of provisions—meat, wine, ale, fruit, vegetables, sugar, coffee, tea—indeed, everything that would conduce to the comfort of the coming visitors. Every made article must come direct from the place where it has been manufactured, as must also the articles of produce from their native soil.