Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1905 — FOR THE CHILDREN [ARTICLE]

FOR THE CHILDREN

The Game of Coffeepot. One player goes out of the room, and the others choose a word that has more than one meaning. The one that Is “it” then comes in and asks each one in turn three questions. In the replies the word “coffeepot” must always be substituted for the word that is to be guessed. To illustrate, suppose the word to be guessed is “rough” (ruff). The guesser approaches one player and asks any question he wishes, something calculated to bring out the word plainly so that he may guess what it is, such as, “Is tliis word spelled in two different ways?” The player must tax his brain for a good answer that will be as noncommittal as possible. He may reply, “A person who is uneducated might spell coffeepot in several ways.” Another question may then be asked, such as, “Is this word anything you can eat?” The player might answer, “A moth is very fond of coffeepots” (this time it Is used In the “ruff” sense). So on till the word is guessed, when the player whose reply gave the suggestion to the guesser goes out of the room. It is an interesting game.

A Barrel Race on Skates. In Canada boys have barrel races, and they are great fun I can tell you. These races are on ice. Ordinary barrels, with their heads removed. are placed at regular Intervals along the race course for about a quarter of a mile. Then, at a given signal, all the boys skate for the first barrel. Many reach It together and, as each skater must pass through all the barrels in order to win. there is quite a scramble for first turn. Sometimes a barrel wheels completely around while a boy is working his way through it, and when he comes out he is so confused that he skates off In the wrong direction. Usually the laugh of the spectators makes him realize his blunder, and he quickly turns about and tries to make up for lost time. It is quite an exciting sport and an amusing one also for the spectators, as the boys and barrels bob about in the most ludicrous fashion. My Lady’s Toilet. Each having taken the name of some article of dress, chairs are placed for all the party but one, so as to leave one chair too few. They all sit down but one, who is called “lady’s maid” and stands in the center. She then calls out, “My lady’s up and wants her shoes," when the one who has taken that name jumps up and calls, “Shoes!” sitting down directly. If any one does not rise as soon as called a forfeit is Incurred. Sometimes she says, “My lady wants her whole toilet,” when every one must jump up and change chairs, and, as there is a chair too few, of course it occasions a scramble, and whoever Is left standing must be lady’s maid and call to the others ns before. How to Give a United States Party. For a United States party decorate the rooms with the stars and stripes and red, white and blue bunting or cheese cloth. < The scheme is to see how many states the guests will be able to recognize by the shape alone. To prepare these nameless maps put a piece of carbon paper over a map and thus make two or three impressions at the same time. Paste these on light cardboard, then cut out the states. Give each person a ten minute trial, then see who has correctly named the most. For a prize a candy box (filled) In shape of Uncle Sam or a box covered with flags for decoration is appropriate. An Arithmetic P»nl«, Ask your friends If they can write down five odd figures to add up and

make fourteen. It Is really astonishing how engrossed most people will get, and how much time they will spend over this, at first sight, simple problem. The questioner, however, must be careful to say figures and not numbers. Here is the answer: 11 1 1 . i 14 A Trick With Checkers. Try this experiment with checkers, and see the astonishment of your friend: A number of the round wooden men used in playing checkers are piled in a column. If the lowest one In the pile is dexterously hit with a paperknife or other suitable article It may be knocked away from under the rest without disturbing the pile. This is explained In this way: The one piece struck is carried away before it can Impart any considerable part of the energy It receives to the pieces above It Climbing: the Hill. Happy Go Lucky and Faint of Heart Set off on a journey with Only Try, And each was ready to do his part While the sunny hours went merrily by. But when the shadows were growing long And the crickets chirping their evensong Up rose, like a barrier steep and strong, A rocky hillside nigh. Said Happy Go Lucky. “Suppose we wait And somebody passing may give us a ride.” "We shall break our necks if we climb so late!" Poor Faint of Heart In a panic cried. But Only Try with a resolute eye Looked up at the hill and the sunset sky. “There Is plenty of time,” said Only Try, “And the moon is full beside." So Only Try, without stay or stop. Went clambering up over rock and root Till he stood at last on the hill’s green top. In a beautiful clearing, with flowers and fruit. But the other two are waiting still. For nobody lives or ever will That can reach the top of the smallest hill By sitting down at the foot! —Home Notes.