The Season of Marbles

Akron Beacon Journal

April 29, 1899 – 1:4,5

GAMES IN SEASON

Small Boys Are Just Now Playing Marbles.

TOPS WILL COME NEXT.

Fashions In Games as Well as Bonnets.

Handed Down From Generation.

     The Beacon Journal reporter was watching a game of marbles which was being participated in by two lads of 10 years, or thereabout, while a number of others, all experts in the art looked on and guyed the comrade who was "shooting" at the other boy's “set-up.” 

    The game was one for “keeps” and the lad who had set up his "crocky" to be shot at, was steadily gathering in the "commies" that his opponent was directing at the mark, after quickly recurring intervals.

    “Why are you playing marbles?” asked the reporter.

     The boy' who was shooting stopped. "This is the time o'year to play marbles; where you been raised?" was the response.

     The games by which the school children amuse themselves in their idle moments, change with the season and with equal regularity. Just now the marbles are occupying the attention of the small boys whenever there are not a sufficient number assembled to play base ball, after the most approved fashion.

     The marble Industry is no small thing in this country, and the little toys, have become so cheap that the lads can afford to have their pockets full of the best qualities during the “marble” season.

      Before long, some enterprising youth will appear with a top and presto! every marble will disappear to its hiding place in cigar box or sack, where it will remain until next season. In a very short space of time the boys will be top mad, and "pegging" will he the object of interest on every corner instead of playing "keeps."

     Other Toys Will Come.

     The marbles will disappear from the cheap shop windows and boxes of tops will make their appearance. The dealers are anxious to meet the demands of the small buyers.

     After school the boys will all play ball and fly kites. Then the fall weather brings with it a mania for foot ball and all other games quickly disappear. The boys kick any old object about, an old hat, a boxing glove, an improvised "ball"' of some kind, in imitation of the big athletic teams, whose members the small boy fairly worships. The little girls play hop scotch and tag, and later, when the playgrounds become too muddy, the boys introduce “catty.”

     So the games succeed each other year in, year out, and the technical terms used and the little familiar sayings are handed from generation to generation intact, without being written for preservation. It is an example of perfect tradition, this legacy that childhood falls heir to invariably.

    Who ever thought of writing "Ery ury ickery ann, filsy falsy Nicholas John, queever, quaver, English neighbor, strinkhum, strangthum, bee, baw, buck.”

      This may not be so familiar as “Enie menie minie mo,” etc.; which is used in counting out when someone has to be “it.”

      When children are playing hide and seek the elderly person who looks on expects confidently to hear the childish voice of the seeker say: “A hundred. Bushel o' wheat, bushel o' rye, who ain't ready holler I; no fare hidin behind the goal.”

     Is Not Disappointed.

     The elderly man is not disappointed and he recognizes the words he himself used when a boy at play, and his grandfather before him was also familiar with them in his boyhood.

     The game of hide-and-seek may be varied with “Pull away,” when the one who is “it” must sing out. "Pump, pump, pull away, if you don't come away I'll fetch you away," a very effective threat to all those in the game except the one who has “barleyed out" with fingers crossed to prove it.

     Then snow comes and the hillsides are covered with ice and snow. The boys slide on forbidden walks, but live in fear of the "copper," from whose authority the youth has no appeal.    

Home    Players Main    Origins Main