FROLICS BY THE FIRESIDE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 41, 11 October 1890, Page 19

FROLICS BY THE FIRESIDE.

Invariably, children wish for a frolic just before bedtime, and they ought to have it. They go to bed happier and sleep the better for it. Something all can join in is best, since father and mother should never grow too old, nor allow themselves to become too busy, to join their children in the evening games. Handkerchief Bear is a merry game. The ‘bear’ takes the middle of the room. His cage may be a certain spot or 'figure in the carpet or rug. He must stay in his cage at all events. His business is to catch the children by the handkerchiefs, which are tied securely to their hands by fastening one corner about the wrist. The children approach the cage cautiously, throwing out theirhandkerchiefs temptingly to Bruin, yet, if possible, just beyond his reach. In case he, in his eagerness, slips beyond the prescribed limits of the cage, he is condemned to catch two or more, as his offence requires, before he can be released. When Bruin succeeds in catching a child, he roars wildly, and affects to devour his prey. The prey becomes Biuin in turn. Another quite similar in type is the rolicking game of Bagged Tom. I’apa, for instance, goes out of the room and rigs up in some odd costume, then with cane, or umbrella, or a shepherd’s staff in hand he knocks loudly at the door. The following dialogue ensues: Children : ‘ Who’s there Papa : ‘ Old ragged Tom.’ Children : ‘ What are you after ?’ Papa: ‘Sheep.’ Children : ‘ What kind do you want?’ Papa : ‘ Fat ones, and I’m after them noir.’ ‘ Ragged Tom ’ bursts through the door. The children scamper in every direction, with ‘ Raggeil Tom ’ pursuing. The first sheep caught must, in turn, be ‘ Tom ’ or, he, Tom, must catch all, sending them off to bed in the order of their capture. This ?s also a merry game for the playground. Another still is Feeding Jocko. ‘ Jocko ’ is supposed to be a very capricious monkey, who may be conciliated with lumps of sugar and soft words. Yet his good-nature is hardly to be depended upon. His cage is made out of four wooden chairs, so set as to form a hollow square. Through the chair rounds ‘ Jocko ’ must be fed. The frolic consists in the feeding. One says, ‘ Dear, good Jocko, here’s a lump of nice sugar for you.’ The sugar is safely handed through the bars, which ‘ Jocko ’ receives with expressions of delight after the fashion of monkeys. Another says, ‘ Nice Jocko, will you have this delicious nut?’ Another, ‘Have a bite of my candy ?’ The candy is withdrawn before Jocko can taste it. He begins to growl. The children continue to tease him, and play all sorts of pranks to vex him. They offer him sweets when his back is turned. At last seme unwary hand is caught. The one caught is obliged to give up his store of sweets to ‘ Jocko ’ and take the monkey’s place. This game is immensely funny when some boy of the company imitates well the antics of a chimpanzee.