Chapter 2
(1) The horrifying and delightful (2) Mr. Brown (3) met the charming (4) Miss Phillips (5) in Westminster Abbey; (6) he gave her a flower (7) and said to her: "How's your mother?" (8) She said to him: "Not for Joseph;" (9) the consequence was they danced the hornpipe, and the world said: (10) "Just what we expected."
DRY BREAD
Dreams mean much on Hallow-e'en, but certain ceremonies must be carefully followed in order to insure the spell. Before going to sleep for the night have some one bring a small piece of dry bread. No word can be spoken after this; silence must prevail. Eat bread slowly, at same time making a wish and thinking the pleasantest thing imaginable. Then drop off to sleep, and your dreams will be sweet and peaceful, and your wish will come true, if the charm works.
MAGIC STAIRS
Walk downstairs backward, holding lighted candle over your head. Upon reaching bottom, turn suddenly and before you will stand your wished- for one.
ACTING RHYMES
For this game, half the players go outside the door, whilst those who stay in the room choose a word of one syllable, which should not be too difficult. For instance, suppose the word chosen be "Flat," those who are out of the room are informed that a word has been thought of that rhymes with "Cat," and they then have to act, without speaking, all the words they can think of that rhyme with "Cat." Supposing their first idea be "Bat," they come into the room and play an imaginary game of cricket. This not being correct, they would be hissed for their pains, and they must then hurry outside again. They might next try "Rat," most of them going into the room on their hands and feet, whilst the others might pretend to be frightened. Again they would be hissed. At last the boys go in and fall flat on their faces, while the girls pretend to use flat-irons upon their backs. The loud clapping that follows tells them that they are right at last. They then change places with the audience, who, in turn, become the actors.
ALPHABET GAME
Cut alphabet from newspaper and sprinkle on surface of water; letters floating may spell or suggest name of future husband or wife.
SHADOW BUFF
A splendid game, and one specially suitable for a large party. A sheet or white tablecloth is first of all stretched right across the room, and on a table behind it is placed a bright lamp. All the other lights in the room are then extinguished, and one of the players takes a seat upon a low stool midway between the lamp and the sheet. The other players endeavor to disguise themselves as much as possible, by distorting their features, rumpling their hair, wearing wigs, false noses, etc., and pass one by one behind the player seated on the stool. Their shadows are thus thrown upon the sheet. The aim of the seated player is to guess the identity of the shadows as they pass before him; and the aim of the others is to endeavor by every means in their power to keep him from recognizing them. As may be imagined, the task of the single player is not an easy one, the distorted shadows being vastly different from the originals as seen before the lights were extinguished.
APPLE SEEDS
Name two wet apple seeds and stick them on forehead. First seed to fall indicates that the person for whom seed is named is not a true lover.
PARTNERS
The players divide themselves into ladies and gentlemen, if the ladies predominate some must personate gentlemen, and vice versa. The gentlemen then proceed to choose lady partners. One of the players next undertakes to question the couples. The fun consists of the questions being put to the lady and the gentleman answering for her. "Do you like your partner?" the lady is asked, and the gentleman may reply, "Yes, I adore him." Whatever the reply the lady is forbidden to deny it; if she does, or if she answers for herself, she must pay a forfeit. But retaliation comes, for when all the ladies have been questioned the gentlemen's turn arrives, and the ladies answer for their partners. "What is your favorite occupation?" the question may be, and the lady may answer "Dressing dolls," or "Making mud pies," or anything ridiculous that occurs to her.
APPLE PARING
Each guest, receiving apple and knife, is requested to peel apple without breaking; then swing paring around head, and let it drop to floor. The letter formed is initial of future mate's name. Or, you may hang your paring over door--the first of opposite sex to pass under will be your mate.
THE FARMYARD
This game, if carried out properly, will cause great amusement. One of the party announces that he will whisper to each person the name of some animal, which, at a given signal, must be imitated as loudly as possible. Instead, however, of giving the name of an animal to each, he whispers to all the company, with the exception of one, to keep perfectly silent. To this one he whispers that the animal he is to imitate is the donkey.
After a short time, so that all may be in readiness, the signal is given. Instead of all the party making the sounds of various animals, nothing is heard but a loud bray from the one unfortunate member of the company.
MELTING LEAD
Each person melts some lead and pours it through a wedding-ring or key into a dish of water. The lead will cool in various shapes, supposed to be prophetic. Any ingenious person will interpret the shapes, and furnish much amusement for the listeners; thus, a bell-shaped drop indicates a wedding within a year; a drop resembling a torch or lamp signifies fame; a pen or ink-bottle, that the future companion is to be an author; a horn of plenty, wealth; a bag or trunk, travel; etc.
FORTUNE TELLING
The Fortune Teller must provide the person who is to have his or her fortune told with a piece of paper and a pencil and then proceed to say:
1. Write "Yes" or "no." 2. "State a gentleman's or a lady's name." (If a lady's fortune is to be told she must write a gentleman's name and vice versa.) 3. "Give a number." 4. "Length of time." 5. "Yes or no." 6. "Yes or no." 7. "Yes or no." 8. "A color." 9. "A color." 10. "Yes or no."11. "Yes or no." 12. "A shape." 13. "A measure." 14. "A sum of money." 15. "A sum of money." 16. "A virtue." 17. "A profession." 18. "The name of a place." 19. "A lady's or gentleman's name." 20. "The name of a place." 21. "A number." 22. "Yes or no."
When these have all been written down, the Fortune Teller proceeds to read out the list of questions he has, with the answers corresponding in number. Below is appended the list of questions, which, of course, must not be shown to the person whose fortune is being told until he or she has written the answers.
1. Have you a lover? 2. What is his or her name? 3. How old is he or she? 4. How long have you known him or her? 5. Does he or she know you love him or her? 6. Is your affection returned? 7. Have you or has he proposed? 8. What color is his or her hair? 9. What color are his or her eyes? 10. Is he or she handsome? 11. Is he or she conceited? 12. What shape is his or her nose? 13. What size is his or her mouth? 14. What is his or her fortune? 15. How much will he or she allow you? 16. What is his or her chief virtue? 17. What is his or her profession? 18. Where did you first meet? 19. What is your rival's name? 20. Where do you intend to live? 21. How many other proposals have you had, or made? 22. Will the marriage be a happy one?
LOVE'S DISPENSARY
A cozy corner or a convenient part of the room may be converted into an impromptu dispensary with the addition of the Love potions and receptacles containing them, presided over by Dr. Dopem and his assistants. There are a number of pill boxes containing different colored pills, which are nothing but little round candies. The powders, composed of powdered sugar or brown sugar are folded in the regulation way, only in paper of various colors. Plasters, court plaster cut in small pieces of different design. The directions for taking the powders, etc., may be read or told to each patient, as they are prescribed for, or a copied prescription could be given with each remedy. Tell the guests that you understand they are all more or less inoculated with the Love germ in some form and this condition, if neglected, may prove serious--so for their benefit, Dr. Dopem will prescribe for each, according to his need, a remedy which is guaranteed to have the desired effect.
REMEDIES AND THEIR USE.
Red pills--six, take one every two and a half minutes. Will cause your ideal to reciprocate your love.
Pink pills--four at once. Will renew your fading love.
White pills--three, taken with eyes closed. Will cure jealousy.
Black pills--three--take one between each breath. Will vanquish your rival.
Yellow pills--sneeze, take three pills and sneeze again--repeat if necessary. Will make you love the one who loves you.
Lavender pills--stand on left foot, place right hand on heart, take two pills, reverse position, stand on right foot, left hand on heart, take two pills. Will bring about a proposal--or consent to your proposal.
White powder--take with fingers crossed and eyes shut. Will make you fall in love with the first one of the opposite sex you see.
Pink powder--take with feet crossed. Will gain consent for a kiss from the right party.
Blue powder--take with right hand holding left ear. Will bring about an introduction to Miss or Mr. Right.
Red powder--take with right hand on stomach and standing on right foot. Will bring your heart's desire, providing you tell what it is.
Yellow powder-take while kneeling. Will make your rival jealous.
Purple powder--take with right hand and arm extended forward, left foot and limb extended backward. Will bring a speedy marriage.
Black powder--take while on left knee, with left hand on top of head. Will cause unwelcome attentions to cease.
The plasters worn conspicuously--have the following meaning:--
Worn on the right cheek--I love you. On the left cheek--I dislike you. On the forehead--I will be your friend. On the nose--I am looking for a partner. On the chin--I wish to speak to you. At the corner of the mouth--I am willing to be kissed.
Prescriptions may be paid for with some trinket which may be redeemed as a forfeit. A forfeit may be demanded if directions are not faithfully carried out.
Forfeits may be demanded or omitted as desired by the hostess. Suggestions for redeeming forfeits will be found under heading "Forfeits" in this book.
APPLES AND FLOUR
Suspend horizontally from ceiling a stick three feet long. On one end stick an apple, upon other tie small bag of flour. Set stick whirling. Each guest takes turn in trying to bite apple-end of stick. It is amusing to see guests receive dabs of flour on face. Guest who first succeeds in biting apple gets prize.
WEB OF FATE
Long bright colored strings, of equal length are twined and intertwined to form a web.
Use half as many strings as there are guests.
Remove furniture from center of a large room--stretch a rope around the room, from corner to corner, about four feet from the floor. Tie one end of each string to the rope, half at one end and half at one side of the room; weave the strings across to the opposite end and side of the room and attach to rope. Or leave furniture in room and twine the strings around it.
Each guest is stationed at the end of a string and at a signal they begin to wind up the string until they meet their fate at the other end of it.
The lady and gentleman winding the same string will marry each other, conditions being favorable; otherwise they will marry someone else. Those who meet one of their own sex at the other end of the string will be old maids or bachelors.
The couple finishing first will be wedded first.
A prize may be given the lucky couple, also to the pair of old maids and the pair of bachelors finishing first.
PARTNERS
Partners for different games or for the midnight spread may be decided by the fates. Write a number on one side of a small slip of paper, on the reverse side write a bit of "fortune." Place the folded papers in empty peanut or English walnut shells; the shells may be slightly glued together or tied with colored ribbons or string, or a narrow band of paper pasted at the ends will hold the two halves together. If the paper band is used, the numbers may be written on them and partners drawn before the nuts are cracked and fortunes read.
There should be two portions of nuts and two sets of numbers, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. The lady and gentleman drawing corresponding numbers are partners.
A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR FORTUNES.
You will meet your future husband (or wife) to-night. Prosperity and love await you. A lap full of money and a lap full of children. Change your mind before it is too late. You have made the right choice. Your love is not returned. She is tired of Taffy, try chocolates. Thee does not love him as much the(e)auto. You have too many beaux to your string. Your face is your fortune, but poverty is no crime. Fate has deceived you; you will be left in the lurch, waiting at the Church. Your mate is true blue; what color are you? Press your suit again; it needs it. A kiss in time may save nine others taking a chance. Dame Fortune says, "A good wife, Happy days, a long life." You are well bred, but doomed to travel in single harness. Your better half will be a silver one. Your heart is like a street car--carries many passengers and always room for one more.
The fates decree You shall married be In the year of 1923.
Ask her--two can live as cheap as one, in fact cheaper, on the same salary.
BLIND NUT SEEKERS
Let several guests be blindfolded. Then hide nuts or apples in various parts of room or house. One finding most nuts or apples wins prize.
TO TRY ONE'S LUCK
In a dish of mashed potatoes place a ring, a dime, and a thimble. Each guest is provided with a spoon with which to eat the potatoes; whoever gets the ring is to be married within a year; the thimble signifies single blessedness, while the dime prophesies riches or a legacy.
Some canny lassies have been known to get the ring into one of their very first spoonfuls, and have kept it for fun in their mouths, tucked snugly beneath the tongue, until the dish was emptied. Such a lass was believed to possess the rare accomplishment of being able to hold her tongue, but nevertheless tricky.
THE LOAF CAKE
A loaf cake is often made, and in it are placed a ring and a key. The former signifies marriage, and the latter a journey, and the person who cuts the slice containing either must accept the inevitable.
CYNIVER
Each girl and boy seeks an even-leaved sprig of ash; first of either sex that finds one calls out cyniver, and is answered by first of opposite sex that succeeds; and these two, if omen fails not, will be joined in wedlock.
NAMING CHESTNUTS
Roast three chestnuts before the fire, one of which is named for some lady (or gentleman); the other two, for gentlemen (or ladies). If they separate, so will those for whom they are named; those jumping toward the fire are going to a warmer climate; those jumping from the fire, to a colder climate; if two gentlemen jump toward one another, it means rivalry.
THE MIRROR
Walk backward several feet out of doors in moonlight with mirror in your hand, or within doors with candle in one hand and mirror in the other, repeating following rhyme, and face of your future companion will appear in glass:
"Round and round, O stars so fair! Ye travel and search out everywhere; I pray you, sweet stars, now show to me This night who my future husband (wife) shall be."
BARREL-HOOP
Suspend horizontally from ceiling a barrel-hoop on which are fastened alternately at regular intervals apples, cakes, candies, candle-ends. Players gather in circle and, as it revolves, each in turn tries to bite one of the edibles; the one who seizes candle pays forfeit.
JUMPING LIGHTED CANDLE
Place a lighted candle in middle of floor, not too securely placed; each one jumps over it. Whoever succeeds in clearing candle is guaranteed a happy year, free of trouble or anxiety. He who knocks candle over will have a twelve-month of woe.
RING AND GOBLET
Tie wedding-ring or key to silken thread or horsehair, and hold it suspended within a glass; then say the alphabet slowly; whenever ring strikes glass, begin over again and in this way spell name of future mate.
MIRROR AND APPLE
Stand in front of mirror in dimly lighted room and eat an apple. If your lover reciprocates your love he will appear behind you and look over your right shoulder and ask for a piece of apple.
APPLE-SEED TEST
Cut an apple open and pick out seeds from core. If only two seeds are found, they portend early marriage; three, legacy; four, great wealth; five, a sea voyage; six, great fame as orator or singer; seven, possession of any gift most desired.
NEEDLE GAME
Each person floats greased needle in basin of water. Impelled by attraction of gravitation, needles will act very curiously; some cling together, others rush to margin and remain. The manner in which one person's needle behaves towards another's causes amusement, and is supposed to be suggestive and prophetic.
WINDING YARN
Throw a ball of yarn out of window but hold fast to one end and begin to wind. As you wind say, "I wind, who holds?" over and over again; before end of yarn is reached, face of future partner will appear in window, or name of sweetheart will be whispered in ear.
RIDDLES
Few children think they will ever tire of playing games; but all the same, towards the end of a long evening, spent merrily in dancing and playing, the little ones begin to get too weary to play any longer, and it is very difficult to keep them amused.
Then comes the time for riddles! The children may sit quietly around the room, resting after their romps and laughter, and yet be kept thoroughly interested, trying to guess riddles.
It is, however, very difficult to remember a number of good and laughable ones, so we will give a list of some, which will be quite sufficient to puzzle a roomful of little folks for several hours.
Why are weary people like carriage-wheels?--Answer: Because they are tired.
An old woman in a red cloak was passing a field in which a goat was feeding. What strange transformation suddenly took place?--Answer: The goat turned to butter (butt her), and the woman into a scarlet runner.
Why does a duck go into the water?--Answer: For divers reasons.
Spell "blind pig" in two letters? P G; a pig without an I.
Which bird can lift the heaviest weights?--The crane.
Why is a wise man like a pin?--He has a head and comes to a point.
Why is a Jew in a fever like a diamond?--Because he is a Jew-ill.
Why may carpenters reasonably believe there is no such thing as stone?--Because they never saw it.
What is that which is put on the table and cut, but never eaten?--A pack of cards.
Why does a sculptor die horribly?--Because he makes faces and busts.
When does a farmer double up a sheep without hurting it?--When he folds it.
What lives upon its own substance and dies when it has devoured itself?--A candle.
Why is a dog biting his tail a good manager?--Because he makes both ends meet.
What thing is it that is lower with a head than without one?--A pillow.
Which is the left side of a plum-pudding?--That which is not eaten.
What letter of the alphabet is necessary to make a shoe?--The last.
Why is it certain that "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was not written by the hand of its reputed author?--Because it was written by Mrs. Beecher's toe (Stowe).
If all the seas were dried up, what would everybody say?--We haven't a notion (an ocean).
Why is a fishmonger never generous?--Because his business makes him sell fish (selfish).
What is that which works when it plays and plays when it works?--A fountain.
What is that from which you may take away the whole and yet there will be some remaining?--The word wholesome.
Why are fowls the most economical things a farmer can keep?--Because for every grain they give a peck.
What coin doubles its value by taking away a half of it?--Halfpenny.
Why is it dangerous to walk in the meadows in springtime?--Because the trees are shooting and the bulrush is out (bull rushes out).
Why is a vine like a soldier?--Because it is listed and has ten drills (ten-drils) and shoots.
Why is an opera-singer like a confectioner?--Because she deals in ice- creams (high screams).
If a man who is carrying a dozen glass lamps drops one, what does he become?--A lamp lighter.
What belongs to yourself, but is used more by your friends than by yourself?--Your name.
Why is a spider a good correspondent?--Because he drops a line at every post.
When is the clock on the stairs dangerous?--When it runs down.
Why is the letter "k" like a pig's tail?--Because it comes at the end of pork.
What is the keynote to good manners?--B natural.
Why is a five-pound bank-note much more profitable than five sovereigns?--Because when you put it in your pocket you double it, and when you take it out you will find it increases.
Why is a watch like a river?--Because it doesn't run long without winding.
What is that which flies high, flies low, has no feet, and yet wears shoes?--Dust.
When has a man four hands?--When he doubles his fists.
What trees has fire no effect upon?--Ashtrees; because when they are burned, they are ashes still.
What is the difference between a schoolmaster and an engine-driver?-- One minds the train and the other trains the mind.
A man had twenty sick (six) sheep, and one died; how many were left?-- 19.
What is that which everybody has seen but will never see again?-- Yesterday.
Which is the best day for making a pancake?--Friday.
Which is the smallest bridge in the world?--The bridge of your nose.
What four letters would frighten a thief?--O I C U.
What is that which goes from London to York without moving?--The road.
Which is easier to spell--fiddle-de-dee or fiddle-de-dum?--Fiddle-de- dee, because it is spelt with more "e's."
When may a chair be said to dislike you?--When it can't bear you.
What animal took most luggage into the Ark, and which two took the least?--The elephant, who took his trunk, while the fox and the cock had only a brush and a comb between them.
Which of the English kings has most reason to complain of his washer- woman?--King John, when he lost his baggage in the Wash.
If a bear were to go into a linen-draper's shop, what would he want?-- He would want muzzlin'.
Why is B like a hot fire?--Because it makes oil Boil.
If an egg were found on a music-stool, what poem would it remind you of?--"The Lay of the Last Minstrel."
Why is a schoolmaster like a shoe-black?--Because he polishes the understanding of the people.
Why was the first day of Adam's life the longest?--Because it had no Eve.
Why is a washerwoman like a navigator?--Because she spreads her sheets, crosses the line, and goes from pole to pole.
Why is an author the queerest animal in the world?--Because his tale comes out of his head.
Why is it that a tailor won't attend to business?--Because he is always cutting out.
When can a horse be sea-green in color?--When it's a bay.
Why were gloves never meant to sell?--Because they were made to be kept on hand.
When are we all artists?--When we draw a long face.
Why are watch-dogs bigger by night than by day?--Because they are let out at night and taken in in the morning.
When is a tradesman always above his business?--When he lives over his shop.
Which is the liveliest city in the world?--Berlin; because it's always on the Spree.
Why is a water-lily like a whale?--Because they both come to the surface to blow.
Why is a shoemaker the most industrious of men?--Because he works to the last.
What is book-keeping?--Forgetting to return borrowed volumes.
Why is scooping out a turnip a noisy process?--Because it makes it hollow.
Why are teeth like verbs?--Because they are regular, irregular, and defective.