Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial132dodg).pdf/73



therefore, to use two covers, if they can be provided, as there can then always be a dry cloth ready to replace the one that has become too damp, The bubbles are apt to stick when they come upon wet spots, and the bowling can be carried on in a much more lively manner if the course is kept dry. Each of the stakes forming the goal should be wound with bright ribbons of contrasting colors, entwined from the bottom up, and ending in a bow at the top. This bow can be secured in place by driving a small, or brass-headed tack through the ribbon into the top of the stake, If the rough pine legs of the table seem too unsightly, they can easily be painted, Or a curtain may be made of bright-colored cretonne,— any other material will do as well, provided the colors are pleasing,—and tucked around the edge of the table, so as to fall in folds to the floor. The illustration on this page shows the top of the table, when ready for the game.

For an impromptu affair, a table can be made by placing a leaf of a dining-table across the backs of two chairs, and covering it with a shawl. The stakes can be held in an upright position by sticking them in the tubes of large spools, This sort of table the children can arrange themselves, and it answers the purpose very nicely, The other things to be provided for the game are a large bowl of strong soapsuds, made with common brown soap, and as many pipes as there are players.

The prizes for the winners of the game may consist of any trinkets or small articles that the fancy or taste of the hostess may suggest.

Bubble Bowling can be played in two ways. The first method requires an even number of players, and these must be divided into two equal parties. This is easily accomplished by selecting two children for captains, an allowing each captain to choose, alternately, a recruit for his party until the ranks are filled, or in other words, until all the children have been chosen; then, ranked by age, or in any other manner preferred, they form in line on either side of the table. A pipe is given to each child by the hostess, and they stand prepared for the contest. One of the captains first takes his place at the foot of the table, where he must remain while he is bowling, as a bubble passing between the stakes is not counted unless blown through the goal from the end of the table.

The bowl of soapsuds is placed upon a small stand by the side of the bowling-table, and the next in rank to the captain, belonging to same party, dips his pipe into the suds and blows a bubble, not too large, which he then tosses upon the table in front of the captain, who as first bowler, stands ready to blow the bubble on its course down through the goal. Three successive trials are allowed each player; the bubbles which break before the bowler has started them are not counted.

The names of all the players, divided as they are into two parties, are written down on a slate or paper, and whenever a bubble is sent through the goal, a mark is set down opposite the name of the successful bowler.

When the captain has had his three trials, the captain on the other side becomes bowler, and the next in rank of his own party blows the bubbles for him, When this captain retires, the member of the opposite party, ranking next to the captain, takes the bowler’s place and is assisted by the one whose name is next on the list of his own side; after him the player next to the captain on the other side; and soon until the last on the list has his turn, when the captain then becomes assistant and blows the bubbles.

The number of marks required for either side to win, the game, must be decided by the number of players; if there are twenty,—ten players on each side,— thirty marks would be a good limit for the winning score.

When the game has been decided, a prize is