Books: Entertainments for Home, Church and School
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Frederica Seeger >> Entertainments for Home, Church and School
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The ball is always in play until it has struck the ground outside of
the Court or has touched the inside ground _twice_. A ball is "dead"
the instant it strikes the ground outside of the Court, and the point
must be scored against the side sending the ball there, no matter what
happens _after_ the ball touches the ground.
In selecting a site for a lawn tennis court select a level field. Lay
it out north and south, if possible so as to prevent the rays of the
sun from blinding the players. The court may, or may not, be grassy.
As a general rule, sand courts are preferred. Level the court carefully,
so there will be no gradient or inequality in it. To make a foundation,
use stones pounded into place, and add top-soil to a depth of seven
inches or more. The ground should be often watered and rolled. Sand
is usually mixed with clay for a top soil, as the sand is likely to
give under the running feet. In the case of a grassy court it should
be constantly clipped and in addition rolled once or twice a week to
keep the ground hard and even.
POLO
Polo is a game played from horseback in a large, level field. There
is a goal at each end of the field in the center, the posts ten feet
high and 24 feet apart. The teams are generally four a side, but when
possible a greater number may play. The regular game in this country
for teams of four is of four periods of 15 minutes of actual play each.
To win a goal counts one, and the team having the largest score at the
end wins the match.
The equipment for the game besides the goal posts (which are generally
of wood or papier-mache to prevent serious accidents) are the balls
and mallets. The balls are of willow 3 1/8 inches in diameter, and
weigh 5 ounces. The mallet sticks are of rattan cane, and from 4 to
4 1/2 feet long, set into square heads beveled at the sides and about
8 inches long and 2 wide. The handles are leather-wrapped to insure
a good grip. As to the ponies, no blinkers are used, so that they may
have a clear sight of the field. No rowels or spurs are permitted. The
animals have to be trained for the purpose.
Each of the four players of a side has certain rules to obey governing
his position. It is for Number 1 to watch the opposing back, to ride
him off and clear the way for his own side when they have the ball
going towards the goal. All his energies must be directed to obtaining
a clear field for his side. He requires a fast pony to do the work.
The position of Number 2 is the most independent and the player is
called the "flying man" of the team. He must be an adept in "dribbling"
out the ball so as to get a fair hit at it. As it comes to him from
his side players his part is to race with it, hitting as he gallops,
and in this way make the goal if he can.
It is the duty of Number 3 to help his back when the latter is being
hard pressed and be ready to exchange places with him when the back
gets an opportunity to make a run with the ball.
Number 4 is the real back, for all the others are in front of him and
consequently his is the most important position. He must have a shifty
pony well trained to riding work. He has to defend the goal, and
therefore must be an expert "backhander," that is, quick to send back
the ball to the opposing rank when it comes in the direction of his
goal. It is the place of the back to knock in when the ball goes over
the end line. When he is sure of the half-back player on his side he
may go up into the game and make a leading attack himself, but it is
nearly always well for him to avoid meeting the ball, for if he misses,
the goal is left defenceless.
On the whole, pony polo is an intricate game, and while it is not the
sport of kings, it is only adapted to the people of leisure with whom
time and money are not an object.
HOCKEY
To play hockey a level field is required about 100 yards long and 50
yards wide. The space is marked out in whitewash lines and small flags
are placed at each corner. The long lines are called _side_ lines, and
the shorter ones _goal_ lines. Across the center, 50 yards from either
goal, is the center line. This divides the ground in half. These halves
are again equally divided by 25-yard lines. Five yards inside each
line is marked a dotted line, parallel with the side line, and which
is called the five-yard line.
In the middle of each goal line and 4 yards apart are placed the goal
posts, which are uprights 7 feet high, with a horizontal bar from one
to the other. Fifteen yards in front of each goal is drawn a line 4
yards long, parallel to the goal line; the ends of this line are brought
round in curves to meet the goal line and the space thus inclosed is
called the "striking circle."
The stick and balls are the main requisites of hockey. The sticks are
made of hickory. The better kind have ash blades and cane handles,
such handles giving a spring which sends a clean drive without giving
a jar to the hands. The balls used are about the size and weight of
the average baseball.
Nowadays it is customary to have nets behind the goal posts, so that
it may be definitely determined if there is any dispute whether the
ball went clean through between the goal posts or past the outside of
either.
Hockey requires 22 players, 11 on each side, consisting of 5 forwards,
3 half-backs, 2 full-backs and a goal-keeper. The center forward
stands in the middle of the ground. On her right about 10 yards distant
stands the inside right; the right wing stands between the 5-yard line
and the side line; the inside left and the left wing stand on the left
of the center forward. The half-backs stand 15 yards behind the forward.
The center half takes her place directly in line with the center
forward; the right half covers the two right forwards, while the left
half covers the two left forwards. Behind, on the 25-yard line, stand
the fullbacks, right and left; the goalkeeper stands between the goal
posts about a foot in front of the goal line.
The two center forwards start the game by "bullying off" the ball in
the center of the field; the ball is placed on the center line while
the two forwards stand with a foot on either side of the line facing
each other and standing square to the side line; then the center halves
and left and inside forwards on the blowing of the whistle for the
"bully," close up in order to keep watch, each one ready to take the
ball should it come in her direction. When one of the center forwards
gets the ball she tries to pass it out to either of her own inside
players, who endeavors to "dribble" it up the field until she is
encountered by an opposition player, at which juncture, by a quick
stroke she passes it out to the wing player. It is in this manner, by
keeping a straight course and assisted by their halfbacks that the
forwards by passing and "dribbling" get the ball into the "striking
circle," and when they get it that length it is not a difficult matter
to score a goal.
GOLF
In golf the player strikes a ball in the endeavor to send it to a
particular spot. He is not met with opposition in such endeavor, as
in other ball games, his opponent having also a ball which he, too,
is trying to put into the same spot with fewer strokes. This spot into
which the player tries to put his ball is a small hole in the earth
about 4-1/4 inches in diameter, and the instruments he uses for doing
so are exceedingly varied.
The game commences by a player hitting off from a marked line called
the teeing-ground, the ball in the direction of the first hole. In
a regular golf course there are generally 18 holes, their distance
apart varying from about 100 yards to 500 yards. The smoothly kept
grounds near the holes is called the "putting-greens," and beside
each "putting-green" is a marked teeing-ground. After the ball has
been struck from the "tee" the player must not touch it with his hand
until it is driven into the next hole, out of which he may then take
it and "tee" it on the teeing ground in a good position for the
drive-off to the next hole.
As the holes are widely separated and the ground in many places uneven
and broken up, the ball will be driven into many positions, it will
lie in the grass, in sand pits or bunkers, and in all kinds of holes
and hollows in the rough surface, therefore it will be readily
understood that the distance the ball is sent will vary with the stroke.
It is to meet the difficulties arising from having to strike the ball
in its different positions that so many instruments are called into
requisition for the purpose. The names of the chief sticks and
implements employed in the sport are: driver, brassie, spoon, cleek,
iron, mashie, niblick and putter. The driver, brassie and spoon are
wooden-headed clubs, but the others have always iron heads. The
driver is the club used for striking to the greatest distance when the
ball is on the "tee," that is, on the little mound of sand on which
it is placed at the commencement of each hole, so that more facility
may be had in striking it. The putter is used on the putting--green,
for short strokes round about the holes. The putting--green or ground
surrounding each hole is kept level for about a radius of 20 yards
from the hole. The different sticks or clubs are graded from driver
to putter in accordance with the different lengths of stroke for which
they are designed. For instance, the niblick is a short club for taking
the ball out of difficult positions ("lies") as when the latter gets
into long grass, sand or some other awkward kind of obstruction.
A good driver by well hitting the ball can send it to a distance of
about 200 yards from the tee. If the hole be so far off as to require
a second stroke of equal length he can use the driver again, provided
the ball is on level ground, but it is likely it will not be on such
ground for the second stroke, and in such case the brassie or spoon
is called on to do service. Each of these instruments has the face
that strikes the ball laid back more than in the driver, so that they
can lift it more easily off the ground. If the ball gets into a worse
position, as a bunker or sandpit, the use of the cleek, iron or niblick
will become necessary. The heads of these clubs are adjusted to deal
with difficult "_lies_" that is, positions in which the ball may be
driven. The niblick is used for taking it out of especially bad
situations.
The stroke called the full swing is used with the driver. There are
many other modifications of stroke, such as the three-quarter, the
half and the wrist strokes.
As has been said, the issue of the game depends upon sending the ball
into the holes with fewer strokes than the opposition. Victory is
gained by the side which holes the ball with less strokes. If the sides
hole out in the same number of strokes the hole is halved. A match is
also won by the side which is leading by a number of holes greater
than the number of holes remaining to be played. Thus if Jones has won
six holes and Smith four, and seven holes have been halved, Jones, in
case the round is the ordinary length of 18 holes, will be two holes
up, with only one hole remaining to be played, and therefore he, Jones,
wins the match. This is the general manner of playing the game in a
match, each player playing his own ball.
In what is known as "score" play the relative merits of several can
be tested at the same time. In this kind of play the total score of
each player for all of the 18 holes is added up and the player who has
the lowest total is declared the winner.
ARCHERY
Archery has played an important part in the history of the race from
the very earliest times. Primitive man hurled his stone-pointed arrows
at wild beasts, and as he advanced to a higher state of the observances
of the laws of force he fashioned bows to give a greater impulse to
his missiles. For hundreds of years the bow and arrow constituted the
principal weapon of the chase, and finally became the instrument of
offence and defence for armored knights, warriors and heroes. Robin
Hood, roving the wild woods of Merry England, depended upon it for his
prowess, as did Allan a Dale and Little John. In the early battles it
was the chief weapon, and did effective service. In the battle of
Hastings it decided the issue for William the Conqueror; at Agincourt,
Crecy and Poitiers victory depended on its use. Skilled archers became
famous all over the land, and many were their doughty deeds with the
long bow.
In modern time, however, with the introduction of firearms, archery
declined, until it came to be but a mere memory of the past. The last
century revived it, and to-day it is one of the most popular sports
in England. Americans, too, have taken it up with enthusiasm, and clubs
are interested in it all over the land, the ladies being especially
devoted to it.
In 1879 the first organization of Archery Clubs was formed at
Crawfordsville, Indiana, and the first annual target meeting was held
in Chicago in the same year.
Bows for archery are generally made out of tough soft wood, such as
yew, with a flat outside called the back and a rounded inside called
the belly; they are always strung with latter side inward. Lance wood
is chiefly used in the United States on account of its resistance to
heat. The bow must be easily controlled, and not too heavy. The strain
of drawing a heavy bow is apt to pull the bow hand out of the line of
sight. A 48-pound bow well drawn and loosed will give a lower trajectory
than one of 55 pounds sluggishly handled. By the weight of a bow is
not meant its avoirdupois, but the force necessary to draw the arrow
to its head on the bow. It is all important to know how to string the
bow. Grasp the handle firmly with the right hand, draw it near your
right side, while the lower end rests against the inside of the right
foot, the back of the bow being toward you. With left foot well extended
in front so as to brace the body, rest the left hand on the bow below
the loop of the upper end of the string, the tip of the thumb and
knuckle of forefinger pressing firmly on opposite edges of the bow.
Draw the bow firmly to you with the right hand, while you push down
and away from you with the left. A little practice will soon give the
knack. No part of the body except the face must be turned towards the
target. Stand with the feet at right angles to the direction of the
target and have them a few inches apart. In handling the arrow avoid
touching the feathers, and in the act of drawing always keep the thumb
and fourth finger away from the arrow and string. As the bow is lifted,
draw it three parts of the way, catch the aim, complete the draw and
instantly loose.
The arrows are an important consideration. Never use a light arrow
with a heavy bow, nor, conversely, a heavy arrow with a light bow.
Arrows are generally made of one piece of wood, but sometimes a harder
kind is used for the part joining the tip and which is dovetailed into
the shaft. The tip is formed of steel, and is cylindrical in form. The
length varies. A lady's bow of 5 feet calls for a 24-inch arrow, the
customary length of men's arrows is 28 inches.
The target is a flat disc about four feet in diameter made from straw
and covered with an oilcloth or white sheet painted in concentric rings
of gold, red, blue, black and white, each color of which, when
penetrated by the arrow counts so many points in the aim. The gold is
the objective point of the archer, the "bull's eye," as it is called.
Three arrows are shot by each archer in turn, then three more, the six
constituting an end. A certain number of ends complete a given range,
while two or three ranges form a round. Here is the American round:
30 arrows at 60 yards.
30 arrows at 50 yards.
30 arrows at 40 yards.
RING TOSS
This is a very simple game. A stake is driven into the ground for a
flagstaff. At a distance of, say nine feet, stakes are arranged as
follows: four at equal distances, back of these, at a short distance,
three; then two; then one. The setting for nine pins is the same.
Each stake is numbered from ten, beginning on the left hand side, to
one hundred, which is the apex of the setting.
Iron rings are tossed from the flagstaff by each player. A score is
kept. The one getting the greatest number of points is the winner.
LAWN BOWLS
Lawn bowls, although but recently introduced into the United States,
is, however, one of the oldest games in existence, and is believed to
have been played by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Scotland has brought
this game to its present state of perfection. The game is played as
follows:
Select a level lawn, or a floor will answer if this game be played indoors.
Choose sides, giving those of a side, balls of a similar color.
A ball of a third color is called the Jack. The one holding it begins
the play by rolling the ball over the lawn. Where it stops is the goal.
The others try to strike the Jack. The one doing this is the winner
of the game. Or put a nine pin, or nine pins, at a distance from the
players, and try to strike as is done in a bowling alley.
CHAPTER XIV
HOLIDAY GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS
NEW YEAR'S--LINCOLN'S DAY--VALENTINE PARTY--EASTER EGG PARTY--HALLOWE'EN
GAMES--FLAG DAY--THANKSGIVING--CHRISTMAS
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
The decorations for the room are holly and mistletoe. The guests are
attired in white to represent snow, or they may appear in fur-trimmed
garments. At midnight all sing "Auld Lang Syne," and shake hands.
Calendars are appropriate souvenirs for the occasion. At midnight all
wish each other "A Happy New Year."
CHILDREN'S NEW YEAR GAMES
Give the children pencils and paper. Let them write out their
resolutions for the New Year. These may be grave or funny as desired.
Give calendars as souvenirs.
LINCOLN'S DAY
Recite poems about Lincoln. Tell stories about him. Explain why "Uncle
Tom's Cabin" is a suitable book to read on this day.
If possible give tableaux suited to the occasion. Those taken from
Uncle Tom's Cabin are eminently suitable.
VALENTINE PARTY
The evening is opened with the playing of a game of hearts. Each lady
receives a red paper heart, and is requested to write her name on the
back of it. The hearts are shuffled and put in a bowl; the men's hearts
are put in another bowl. A lady chooses a heart from the men's bowl,
then a man chooses from the ladies' bowl. The lady is partner for the
evening of the man whose heart she drew and vice versa.
Valentines are given, and are read aloud by the recipient. Comic ones
are admissible if not vulgar. Valentine mottoes also are given.
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY
A Martha Washington party in costume with a supper in Colonial time
style. Dance the Minuet and old-time dances.
FOR APRIL FIRST
This is April Fool's Day. It may be made the occasion of a party. Games
suitable to the occasion are played; among them pinning a tail to the
picture of a tailless donkey fastened on the wall. This may be drawn
by one of the children. Tails are slightly pinned on the children among
themselves. April fool candy is served, and glasses are offered which
appear to have lemonade in them, but which are so made that no liquor
can be drunk from them, etc. The one who is not fooled all evening
receives a prize--the funnier it is the better. It may be a "nigger
doll" or the like. A donkey is given as a booby prize to the one most
often fooled. This fooling can be done in any way which suggests itself.
EASTER EGG PARTIES
Color hard-boiled eggs and hide them. Give your little guests pretty
baskets and let them hunt for the eggs, or give each a large wooden
spoon to spoon them up. If you live in the country roll eggs down hill
at one place as a target at the foot of it.
Draw a bunny holding an egg. Pin it to the wall. The one who,
blindfolded, succeeds in putting a pin in the egg receives eggs as
presents.
FLAG DAY
Display flags liberally. Tell stories about the American Flag. Sing
"America," "Star-Spangled Banner," etc. Salute "Old Glory."
A HALLOWE'EN PARTY
The usual Hallowe'en tricks are tried such as the following: A ring,
a piece of money and a thimble are hidden; the player who finds the
ring will be first married, or these articles may be baked in a cake
which is cut and distributed. The one getting the money will be
prosperous, the getter of the thimble industrious, the getter of the
ring will soon be married.
BOBBING FOR APPLES
Bobbing for apples. All children like this. In a tub of water several
apples float. The children try to capture them with their teeth.
FLOATING NEEDLES
Grease needles and let them float in a bowl of water, upon which tissue
paper is laid. Each child has his, or her, own needle. It is amusing
to watch the action of the needle when the paper sinks--as it does
when it becomes saturated--the needles rush about.
CANDLE AND LOOKING-GLASS
Each person in turn walks downstairs backwards, alone in the dark,
with a looking-glass in one hand and a lighted candle in the other.
The future husband or wife will be seen--? Or, run around the house
three times with your mouth full of water--at midnight.
Melted lead poured into water results in queer figures which sometimes
resemble initials; these are supposed to be those of the future husband
or wife.
The water charm: put three dishes on a table--one empty, one containing
clean water, one soapy water; the blindfolded ones put a finger into
one of the dishes, the position of which are changed after the
blindfolding. If he puts his finger in clear water a happy marriage
will result.
APPLE GAMES
Put a basket on the wall halfway up. The players stand at a distance
and throw apples into the basket. A score is kept, the one putting the
greatest number of apples into the basket receiving the prize.
THANKSGIVING PARTY
This may be held in a barn. The stalls may be draped with bright-colored
goods and decorated with greens, or autumn leaves. Japanese lanterns
are strung about. Chrysanthemums should be the table flowers. Old-time
dances are danced, such as the Virginia Reel, Money Musk, etc. Pumpkin
pies, grapes, nuts and cider are served as a part of the collation.
KRIS KRINGLE PARTY
A Kris Kringle party may be taken in the open--in sleighs. The driver
is dressed as Kris Kringle. After a sleigh ride in large sleighs drawn
by horses decorated to represent reindeer, the party returns to an
elaborate Christmas supper.
Christmas songs should be sung, well-known Christmas carols, as "'Tis
the Eve of Christmas Day," "Merry Bells," "The Christmas Tree," etc.
Shadow pantomimes are a good form of entertainment for Christmas. They
should carry out the idea of the festival. Any of the Merry Games given
in the book may be played. The winter games are especially recommended.
SNOWBALL BATTLE
Throw ball at a target and keep a score, or build a snow fort and make
it the target.
CHRISTMAS GUESSES
Suspend mistletoe from a chandelier. Let the children in turn guess
how many berries are on the suspended bush. The one guessing most
correctly wins a prize.
"The Night Before Christmas" is read. As the names are named the
children arise and turn around, then sit down again. Santa Claus is
mentioned last. When he is spoken of all change seats. The story teller
tries to secure a seat. If she succeeds there is an odd player. He
must tell a funny story.
JACK FROST
Sing and act out the Jack Frost song,--"Jack Frost is a roguish little
fellow," etc., etc. The music and words may be obtained at a music
store.
Jesus Bids Us Shine. Christmas Is Coming. Christmas Greeting.
LEAD TEST
Drop melted lead into cold water. It assumes queer shapes. Hallowe'en
stories are told.
APPLE TESTS
Peel an apple without breaking the peeling. Throw the skin over your
shoulder and see what shape it assumes.
Apples are tied to a string and hung from the chandelier. The boys and
girls try to bite these without touching them with their hands.
A PUMPKIN GAME
A pumpkin is scooped out and a candle is placed inside; the light
shines through the holes in the pumpkin. Pumpkin favors are given.
All dance around the pumpkin and sing "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater,"
etc.
THE CHRISTMAS DINNER
The Christmas dinner is a family reunion, generally; sometimes a friend
is invited. If he be a homeless one so much the better. The turkey,
of course, is part of the dinner, and pumpkin and mince pies and plum
pudding are served, each guest making a choice; rosy-cheeked apples,
grapes, nuts and cider form a last course. The Christmas presents may
be laid at the plates or may be dispensed from the Christmas
tree--preferably the latter.
One of the party impersonates Santa Claus. Yule-tide songs are sung
and old-time Christmas games are played. Stockings hung behind curtains
and in odd places hold candy, nuts, raisins, etc. These may be made
of silk or any pretty material. The guests hunt for these.
SUGGESTIONS FOR GAMES TO BE PLAYED AT CHRISTMAS TIME OR AT THANKSGIVING
Put a very large pumpkin in the center of the room or on a grass plot.
The players stand at a distance. Each one runs and jumps over the
pumpkin, using both feet. In so doing a score is kept. The one jumping
over _with both feet together_ the oftenest wins the pumpkin. Or dance
about the pumpkin; when a small child sitting on it claps or whistles
all stop. She selects a player with whom she changes place. This game
may be played by adults, the player standing near the pumpkin.
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