rns with a stick or poker in his hand, and a very grave
and solemn face. He is supposed to have just returned from a visit
to Buff. The first player asks him: "Where do you come from?" "From
Buff." The next asks: "Did he say anything to you?" To which the reply
is:

"Buff said 'Baff,'
And gave me this staff,
Telling me neither to smile nor to laugh.
Buff says 'Baff,' to all his men,
And I say 'Baff' to you again.
And he neither laughs nor smiles,
In spite of all your cunning wiles,
But carries his face with a very good grace,
And passes his staff to the very next place."

If he can repeat all this without laughing, he delivers up his staff
to some one else, and takes his seat; but if he laughs, or even
smiles, he pays a forfeit before giving it up.

* * * * *

BLIND MAN'S BUFF

In the olden times this game was known by the name of "Hood-man
Blind," as in those days the child that was chosen to be "blind man"
had a hood placed over his head, which was fastened at the back of the
neck.

In the present day the game is called "Blind Man's Buff," and very
popular it is among young folk.

[Illustration]

Before beginning to play, the middle of the room should be cleared,
the chairs placed against the wall, and all toys and footstools put
out of the way. The child having been selected who is to be "Blind
Man" or "Buff," is blindfolded. He is then asked the question, "How
many horses has your father got?" The answer is "Three," and to the
question: "What color are they?" he replies: "Black, white, and gray."
All the players then cry: "Turn round three times and catch whom you
may." Buff accordingly spins round and then the fun commences. He
tries to catch the players, while they in their turn do their utmost
to escape "Buff," all the time making little sounds to attract him.
This goes on until one of the players is caught, when Buff, without
having the bandage removed from his eyes, has to guess the name of the
person he has secured. If the guess is a correct one, the player who
has been caught takes the part of "Buff," and the former "Buff" joins
the ranks of the players.

* * * * *

PUSS IN THE CORNER

This game is really for five players only, but, by a little
arrangement, six or seven children can take part in the fun.

Four players take their places in the different corners of the room,
while the fifth stands in the middle.