The Game of Blind Man’s Buff, 1885

“Who wants to be the Blind Man first?” Rance asked.

“I do!” James answered before anyone else could.

The eight Whitaker children hurried upstairs and pushed the large quilt aside that divided the boys’ room from the girls’. In just a few moments, the upstairs stretched the full length of the house, giving them plenty of room to play.

Rance folded a clean handkerchief and tied it gently over James’s eyes.

“No peeking,” he said with a grin.

Blind Man’s Buff was one of the favorite games children played in Northumberland. One player wore a blindfold while everyone else quietly moved around the room. The Blind Man had to listen carefully, reach out, and catch someone without ever lifting the blindfold. If the Blind Man guessed correctly who had been caught, that player became the next Blind Man.

James held his hands out in front of him and listened.

The room grew almost silent.

Almost.

A floorboard creaked near the far wall.

James smiled and took two careful steps toward the sound.

The children scattered as quietly as they could.

Clarabelle covered her mouth before a laugh slipped out.

Stacy stood perfectly still behind the folded quilt.

Will ducked beside one of the bedsteads.

Even Rance held his breath.

James stopped.

Someone had moved.

He slowly turned his head, listening for another sound.

A shoe scraped across the wooden floor.

“There you are,” James whispered.

He reached forward.

His fingers brushed against a sleeve.

“I’ve got someone!”

“But who?” Rance asked.

James thought for a moment.

He felt a long braid resting against the girl’s shoulder.

“I know,” he said with a grin. “It’s Clarabelle.”

Rance untied the handkerchief.

James was right.

Clarabelle laughed.

“I almost didn’t giggle.”

“Almost,” James replied.

Now it was Clarabelle’s turn to wear the blindfold.

Before she could count to three, seven pairs of feet were already searching for the quietest place to stand.

Their laughter echoed through the old farmhouse. Downstairs, Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker smiled as the squeals, giggles, and footsteps drifted through the ceiling. They knew the game would end soon enough when it was time for supper, but for now they were happy to hear eight children filling the old house with life.

A few moments later, Mother called everyone downstairs for supper.

Did You Know?

Long before televisions, video games, or even electricity, children made their own fun. Blind Man’s Buff became a favorite because it could be played almost anywhere. All it took was a handkerchief, a little open space, and family or friends ready to laugh together.

You and your friends and family can play too!

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