Parlor Games for the Wise and Otherwise

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... and then commences to count twenty, whereupon B interrupts with: "All among the barley, who would not be blithe, With the gay and happy barley smiling on the scythe." No. 1 on A's side responds -- while B counts twwatj --with: "But evil is wrought by want of thought, As well as want of heart." But No. 1 on B'g side failing to think of the n quired quotation in time, causes the loss of one for £ and a gain for A. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT The players sit in a circle and some one begins by claiming to possess whatever object he may choose, the more out of the way the better. For instance: No. 1 announces, " Here is the key of Bluebeard's closet." No. 2 adds, " Here is the string that was tied to the key of Bluebeard's closet." No. 3 continues, "Here is the hemp that made the string that was tied to the key of Bluebeard's closet." No. 4 goes on, " Here is the farmer that sowed the hemp that made the string that was tied to the key of Bluebeard's closet." And so on, as long as the accumulation of objects can be remembered. A failure to give them all corrtetly is punishable by a forfeit. THE STORY TELLER One person in the room begins to relate a story, and after telling enough to interest his hearers and arouse their curiosity, suddenly breaking off, throws a knotted handkerchief at some other member of the party, calling upon him to continue the narrative. This is kept up as long as possible, the more absurd and impossible the plot of the story the better. If any one fails to respond upon receiving the handkerchief, he must pay a forfeit. BIRDS HAVE FEATHERS The teader throws up his hands every time he mentions a bird or animal. The players follow him when he mentions any of the feathered tribe, but keep their hands upon their knees...