Table for Two, Please - Romance Through the Ages

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Photo By: Anh Nguyen
Pexels CC

Happy February, Everyone! This is the month of love and I've come prepared. With Valentine's Day approaching, the most common way to celebrate is with a romantic dinner for two at a nice restaurant. But was that always the romantic gesture it is today?

No. In fact, even the idea of romancing one's spouse is a relatively new one.

First, the idea of romance in marriage wasn't always a given. In many societies, marriage was more about political connections, wealth, or convenience than it was about love and romance. People needed a workmate, someone to help provide daily needs and partner together to raise a family. It wasn't until the 1700's that the idea of marrying for love rose to the forefront, and not until 1850 when love became a primary consideration. The Victorian era was truly a revolution on that front. But even during this era, Valentine's Day was a time of romantic cards, poems and even gifts, but not dinner at a restaurant.

In the 19th Century, dinner at a restaurant was something taboo and scandalous. Mostly because "French restaurants" with romantic dinners were synonymous with brothels at that time. Emily Post advised in 1923 that “It is not good form for an engaged couple to dine together in a restaurant, but it is all right for them to lunch, or have afternoon tea . . . They should take a chaperon if they motor to road-houses for meals.”

Most culinary historians agree that it was around the 1930's that taking a lady out to dinner became an acceptable way to celebrate. That's when restaurant ads and menus start to mention doing so. Culinary historian Charles Perry believes "The tradition probably arose during the Depression, when any meal out was a special occasion. Popular restaurants like Sardi's had some tables with curtains so that couples could choose to see and be seen or have an intimate meal while still enjoying the sounds of the orchestra."

Couple Dining circa 1910
Art by Lester Ralph

At some restaurants, the heavy curtains and low light in private dining areas still lent themselves to questionable conduct. Especially if the restaurant also had a back entrance where people could enter and exit discreetly, making secret affairs easier to execute.

However, by the 1960's, it seems to have become common for husbands to take their wives to dinner in order to give them a respite from their homemaking duties. And what is more romantic than that?

Today, while our gender roles are less strict than they were in the 1960's, dining out still seems to be the way to go. However, for many, the idea is less about the restaurant itself as it is a return to the place where they first met, kissed or had a realization that they wanted to marry their date. It may not be the fancy place, or expensive place. Indeed, their friends might not understand why they spend the holiday of love in such modest surroundings. Maybe they choose to explain why...or maybe they don't. After all, shared secrets are a thing of romance too.

Do you like to dine out with your partner on Valentine's Day? What makes the day special for you and your significant other? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

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Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Unexpected Legacy Series: Frances Jane Van Alstyne

 By Matthew J. Elliott

Fanny Crosby

Thus far in this series, I have spent a great deal of time on writers. Why? Well, because it is what I know. As a writer, I often search for stories that will inspire me to be a better writer. Most of them come from literature that I have read throughout my life. One of the things that many people do not know about me though is that music is also a deep passion of mine. In truth, my passion for music inspired my love for writing. Music is a whole other world but there are connections between the two, at least for me. It has always been something I relate to in more ways than one. With that in mind, the second phase of this Unexpected Legacies series will focus less on the writers and highlight other figures in history who have inspired others. There are a great deal of inspirational figures in the music world and one of those people is a woman named Frances Jane Van Alstyne.

While many will not recognize that name, her maiden name, Crosby, may just give it away. This woman was a prominent hymnist and poet who was also involved in missionary work in New York. There is a lot to say about this woman and the legacy she left behind. As a child, she was born to John and Mercy Crosby. When she was around 6 weeks old she developed an infection that had inflamed her eyes. Her father called a man who claimed to be a doctor to perform treatment, but this treatment resulted in permanent loss of sight. At the age of 6 months, her father died and she was left in the care of her mother and grandmother. While these tragedies did not keep her from living a joyful life, the struggle of being blind in the world around her led to many struggles along the way. 

(Public Domain)

Upon entering a school for the blind, things began to turn around for Frances and she found herself under the tutelage of the professors there. While attending this school, Frances began developing a passion for poetry and started composing poetry which led to her being asked to stay on as a teacher at the same school. She spent most of her educated life teaching at this school, all the while continuing her future as a poet. Eventually, she married a man named Alexander, who was also blind. Both of them attended the school as students and served as teachers once they graduated. Together, they had one child who unexpectedly passed away as an infant. As their marriage developed both of them parted ways, while remaining married, to pursue their careers.  It was around this time that Francis began writing hymns rather than poetry. 

Historically, there are thousands of hymns attributed to Frances Jane Van Alstyne throughout the rest of her life.  Many of which have found a home in The Methodist denomination as well as in The Salvation Army. Hymns such as ‘To God Be The Glory,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” and “Pass me not, O Gentle Savior.” Yes, this is the legacy of Fanny J Crosby, who many claim is the mother of modern hymnology. The list of songs she wrote or contributed to composing is almost limitless. All of which were written by the hand of a woman who could not see. The music we have today because of what was written so long ago is evolving in its own right as well. Some musicians still find inspiration for new content from her work today. That is not all she accomplished either. 

Fanny and Alexander Alstyne

Amid her failing marriage, the common struggles as a blind woman, and her continued career as a hymnist, Fanny spent a great deal of time with Phoebe Palmer, a woman on mission for the Methodist movement. Together, the two of them helped promote growth and commitment in the Methodist denomination both locally and internationally. Devoting their lives to a calling to reach out to people in poverty and need, these two women influenced many people who suffered. Working in the missionary field became the primary focus of her life until a friend took ill in the early 1900s. At this point she spent the rest of her life caring for her friend and eventually took ill herself, passing away in her mid-90s. In leaving this world behind, Fanny Crosby even left funds in her will to build a homeless shelter for the homeless. This along with the slew of inspired people, hymns and poetry remind us all that despite our struggles in life we can encourage others to walk in the light and we can offer joy to those in need.  

There is so much more to say about Fanny Crosby, but the unexpected legacy here is not one of fame or wealth, it is one of joy. Regardless of what we face in life, there are opportunities for us all to embrace this idea of unexpected legacies. While this woman, and many others who have been highlighted in this series, encountered the realities of the world they lived in, the message is still there. Let us not let the hand we are dealt in life keep us from living up to the legacy that lives within each of us. We too, can be overcomers. History is filled with examples like Fanny Crosby from all paths of life who can inspire us. Do you have a favorite Fanny Crosby Hymn? Did you know she was also an Urban Missionary in New York? How does her story inspire you?

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

Ahavah Writings for the Journey is a devotional inspired by Brother Lawrence and his book, "The Practice of the Presence of God." Following his approach, this little book is filled with heartfelt letters, encouraging devotionals and simple reflections the author has discovered in life. Each one written for everyone and for any season in life. Though the journey ahead may not be easy, take these pages to heart and apply them in your own life. Grab your digital copy free July 1st-5th on Amazon.

----

Sources:

https://www.bowery.org/timeline/our-stories/fanny/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fanny-Crosby

Confessing to a Skeleton

 With Nancy J. Farrier

 

Interrogation Room
Wikimedia Commons by Nesnad 

Most of us think of murderers or hardened criminals confessing to the police in an interrogation room. We might picture one of the television shows where they solve the crime and have the confession all within an hour. Can't you picture the interrogation in the room at the left?

 

Back in the early 1900’s one woman became frustrated with the number of criminals who confessed and then retracted their confession. She wanted there to be a way to keep this from happening, so she designed a contraption to help not only get a confession from the criminal, but to record that confession so there would be no chance of a retraction.

 

Figure 1 from Patent

In August of 1927, Helene Adelaide Shelby applied for a patent for her invention—Apparatus for Obtaining Criminal Confessions and Photographically Recording Them. Her patent was approved in March of 1930.

 

Figure 2 from patent showing skeleton from front.

She wanted her invention to create an illusion that would scare the criminal with seeming supernatural elements. She believed the imagination would then create enough fear that the questioner could more easily obtain the confession, although the interrogator would never be seen by the alleged criminal.

 

Her apparatus was a standing skeleton that faced the accused. The inquisitor remained unseen in a room behind the skeleton, while the criminal was in a room facing the skeleton. As the questioner began his inquisition, the skeleton’s eyes would light up with red lights that blinked eerily. At the same time the question would appear to come from the skeleton.

 

Figure 3 from patent showing how the eye camera will work.

The head of the skeleton contained equipment for photographically recording the criminal’s statements and reaction. It recorded both pictures and sound. The questions being asked were also recorded so there would be a complete record.

 

Shelby believed if a person were guilty, the horrific nature of a talking skeleton with glowing red eyes would make them more likely to break down and admit their guilt. The way the skeleton was placed, and the lighting that was used, would give it a spectral quality. The eyes had lights that would appear to blink making them even scarier. 

 

Figure 4 from patent showing the film/recording strip.

Although Shelby’s invention received a patent, I found no evidence that it was ever put to use. Using something this horrific would have constituted a coerced confession. Some people would have given a confession just from being so frightened. 

 

This invention was very well described in the patent and well thought out, but maybe not so practical. It’s hard to imagine a police station using such an unconventional method to solve crimes. 

Have you ever heard of Shelby's invention? What do you think would happen if a person would faced with such an apparition? Do you think it should have been put to use? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this unique invention.

Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.

 

Puzzle Blocks and Cube Puzzles

by Anita Mae Draper

Map block puzzle, 20th century. Courtesy of © McCord Museum

Colored puzzle blocks like the one in the map puzzle image above, courtesy of the © McCord Museum, have been around since Louis Prang presented chromolithography to the world in 1897. Before then, what was called color lithography was lackluster in appearance and often monotone and dull. With Prang's new process using bright multi-colors, imaginations soared for children and adults alike.

Puzzles blocks are created by pasting parts of a large image on hollow blocks of wood. Since a block has six sides, each puzzle box contained a card showing what each completed puzzle looked like. A page from the 1880-81 McLoughlin Brothers' Catalogue of Games shows a listing of what were called cube puzzles. The list shows a variety of topics, including stories our children still read today. 

McLoughlin Brothers Catalogue of Games, 1880-1881. Public Domain, Courtesy American Antiquarian Society

The puzzles were challenging when similar images of the same topic were included in one box, especially so before the use of chromolithography. Interestingly, the left side of the McLoughlin Bros catalog page shows puzzles called comic and transformation cubes which don't necessarily match. This type invites the imagination to create characters, animals, or things without feeling the need to solve a puzzle. 

In 1898, McLoughlin Bros of New York printed this block puzzle of children playing. The colors show the exquisite detailing of the images, similar to the oil paintings which Louis Prang envisioned when he created the chromolithography process. 

Puzzle blocks of this caliber are still available if one takes the time to search out them out. I found this set online at SS Moore Antiques on Rubylane where they were kind enough to let me use the images. My research into puzzle blocks showed that because the pictures were pasted onto the wood cubes, corners tend to show the most wear, and cards grow brittle. Both blocks and cards are often lost over the years, yet they are still valuable if you like to display vintage items in your decor. 

Although the cube puzzles were eye-catching in stores, it would be many years before catalogues advertising them, or any other toys, were printed in color. 

McLoughlin Bro.'s Catalogue, 1900. Public Domain, Courtesy American Antiquarian Society 

If you're interested in puzzles and game boards, check out my previous posts:

Sep 5, 2020 - Dissected Puzzles in Jane Austen's world

Aug 5, 2020 - Carom and Crokinole

July 5, 2020 - The Reach for Success Board Game

June 5, 2020 - Virtue Board Games

May 5, 2020 - Geographical Board Games

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Anita Mae Draper served a 20-year term working on air bases in the communication trade of the Canadian Armed Forces before retiring to the open skies of the prairies. She uses her experience and love of history to pepper her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism as well as faith. Anita Mae Draper's published stories appear in Barbour Publishing, WhiteFire Publishing, and Guideposts Books. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking out Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

The Golden Age of Board Games

The Golden Age of Board Games

by Susan G Mathis 

The Gilded Age was also the Golden Age…of board games! From about the 1880s-1920s, playing board games and card games became a favorite pastime. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution and the invention of mass production, games became more available and affordable. And remember, there were no televisions, smart phones, and few movies to distract.

Board games were traditionally wooden or cardboard “boards” that required certain strategies to win, elements of chance to overcome, or purely chance with no skill needed. Eventually, they’ve become more complex as technology developed. Remember the game, “Operation”? 

As a form of family entertainment, hundreds of games have been created. When I was a teacher, as an alternative to a boring book report, I had students read a novel and create a board game with the characters, setting, and plot. How fun was that? 

In 1902, the Parker Brothers published the game of King’s Castle. It’s a beautiful and intricately decorated game created by the Mcloughlin Brothers and is a cherished collectable today. In the early 1900s, the box and the board were often artistically elaborate and became family heirlooms that were past down from generation to generation.

The cover shows a family playing a game together. In elegant attire, they are enjoying time together on a patio with a lovely landscape in the background. Royal shields, elegant script, and knightly costumes hint to the game’s plot. 

The colorful board sits on a wooden box bottom as many games of that period were often paper boards attached to a wooden box. A small box held the wooden pawns, spinner, and game pieces. Players race around the board from start to finish, and, as with most games, the first one to finish wins.

Similar to “Chutes and Ladders,” players follow arrows around the paths the players travel, moving according to the spin’s number. Instead of a chute or ladder, feathers at the end of arrows move the player closer or further from the inner circle’s finish line.  

As an author, I often add such fun games, toys, or experiences to my novels. In Devyn’s Dilemma, three of the characters play this game as well as others. 

Check out Devyn’s Dilemma here: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731 

What more would you like to know about the board games? 

Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on the 19^th for my next post. 

About Susan: 

Susan G Mathis is an award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma and Katelyn’s Choice are available now, and she’s working on book three. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise are also available. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

Lighthouse Publishing: https://shoplpc.com/devyns-dilemma

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731 

Website: www.SusanGMathis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanGMathis

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SusanGMathis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangmathis

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis

Carom and Crokinole

by Anita Mae Draper

The deciding shot, 1903. Public Domain, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

While researching images for my series of board games posts, I came across this photograph of children sitting around a table playing a board game. Half of a stereograph, the caption reads, The Deciding Shot, with the image summary as, "6 children playing board game - caroms?" 

I hadn't heard of caroms, but it looked like they were playing crokinole, a game I've played many times as a child as well as an adult. According to Wikipedia, caroms, carroms, or carom, is a tabletop game with its origins in India and is still very popular in southeast Asia where tournaments are commonly held.

A carrom board, undated, Public Doman, Wikipedia

The Asian game board didn't look like the crokinole board I'm familiar with, although it did have the corner pockets, wooden playing pieces, and center hole. The method of play is also different which starts with all the pieces in the center ring and uses a larger, heavier piece called a striker to push opponent's pieces into the pockets, much like the start of a pool game. Also similar to pool, is the red piece which is designated as the queen and acts much like the eight-ball in billiards. 

Carrom men and one striker, arranged at the start of a game. Public Domain, Wikipedia

Further research on the Library of Congress website brought up a photograph of boys playing caroms in a Boys Club recreation center, yet they were using what looks like pool cues. It seems that in the late 19th century, missionaries to Asia brought the game of carrom back with them and altered it as an attempt to lure young boys away from hanging around the pool halls where gambling was a regular occurrence.

Scenes in Boys Club Recreation Center: playing caroms in junior play room, ca 1910; Public Domain, Library of Congress prints and Photographs Division 

In fact, there is another carom game which uses pool cues, two white balls, and a red ball which is played on a billiard table and was available prior to 1869 which may have been the inspiration for the version created by the missionaries. 

New rules for the American Carom game. as played on the standard America Carom billiard table. 1869; Public Doman, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

As I continued my search for early crokinole boards, I found an image of a 1915 advertising pamphlet from The Carrom Company of Ludington, Michigan, showing a carom game board with the game pieces and cues, and selling as 'Pool Crokinole', however due to copyright, I can't post the image here.

Finally, a page out of the 1905 Holiday Catalogue from the John Wanamaker store shows a crokinole board, as well as a combination board where a variety of different games could be played on either side. It's interesting to note that although the crokinole board shows a hand without the cue stick, only the combination board shows pockets.

1905 Holiday Catalogue, John Wanamaker. Public Domain

Instead of a cue stick, crokinole involves flicking your finger against the inside of your thumb to gain the force necessary to propel your playing piece across the board and enable it to not only hit, but push your opponent's piece off the playing surface. 

Crokinole shot, 2010. Flikr, wafterboard

According to Wikipedia, the first known crokinole board was made in 1876, Ontario, Canada, when Eckhardt Wettlaufer crafted a board for his son Adam's 50th birthday. Then in 1880, a similar crokinole board game was patented in the United States by Joshua K Ingalls. It is thought that crokinole is the marriage of British and Asian games that were popular in the 1860's, which makes sense when we find that the carom versions were present during that time as well. 

Crokinole sets can be found with plastic or wooden playing pieces. There are even crokinole travel bags to carry your huge board with you when attending family gatherings, or playing in tournaments, like the World Crokinole Championship (WCC) which is played annually in Ontario every June. 

To get back to the image at the top of this post then, due to the 1903 designation, the children's hand positions, and the playing piece, my guess is that image shows a group of children playing crokinole.

What do you think?

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Anita Mae Draper lives on the Canadian prairies where she uses her experience and love of history to enhance her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

Reach for Success Board Games

by Anita Mae Draper

Popular board games of the early 19th century were based on geography and morality and provided more of a few hours education than entertainment. In the latter part of the 1800's however, and spurred on by the industrial revolution, immigration to the new world provided a way for a person to shed his old life and start anew. The reach for success became the goal of life.

The Checkered Game of Life board. Wikipedia, Public Domain

Milton Bradley, a successful Massachusetts lithographer with a strong set of moral values, created the Checkered Game of Life in 1860. As you can see in the above image, the players of the board game started at INFANCY in the bottom left and traveled through life facing many of the challenges people face, such as college, honor, ambition and influence. Sprinkled in the game are pitfalls such as disgrace, poverty, prison, and even suicide. However, the major difference between this game and other board games was that the Checkered Game of Life ended WEALTH as the goal.

Yes, wealth appears to be the goal if one starts at INFANCY and follows the row to the right, then up one row and left, etc. A player received 50 points for landing on HAPPY OLD AGE, followed by MATRIMONY and then WEALTH. 100 total points and you'd win the game. The Checkered Game of Life was commercially successful and appeared in Milton Bradley's 1889-90 catalog of Games, Sectional Pictures, Toys, Puzzles, Blocks and Novelties. The Milton Bradley Company was a major game manufacturer well into the 20th century, long after the death of its founder in 1911. 

Milton Bradley Company Game Catalog, 1889-90. Public Domain

In 1960, the Milton Bradley Company created an updated version to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first sale of the Checkered Game of Life. The name was shortened to the Game of Life, grimmer parts like the suicide spot were deleted, and goals reflected 1960 culture. Paper money was added to give a tangible feel of making, losing, and keeping wealth. Instead of a flat board, the updated game was played on a 3D (three dimensional) board that included a built in spinner and plastic playing pieces. A "car" that looked like a open-air bus had 6-8 holes designating seats. A blue or pink peg, depending on the gender of the player, sat in the driver's spot and picked up his "family" as he traveled along the track of life. Many versions followed this 1960 one, modernizing the game with the times which is probably why it is one of the most successful board games of all time. 

The modern Game of Life. Courtesy of New England Historical Society. CC BY-SA 3.0

If you have played the Game of Life, how did it go for you? 

If you don't like any of the current versions of the Game of Life that appear in today's market, there are numerous versions you can print off and tweak to your own heart's content. 

If you like board games, you might like my previous posts on this topic:

May 5, 2020 - Geographical Board Games
Jun 5, 2020 - Virtue Board Games

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Anita Mae Draper lives on the Canadian prairies where she uses her experience and love of history to enhance her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking Anita's Pinterest boards. All links available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com

Virtue Board Games

by Anita Mae Draper

The New Game of Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished, London, 1818. Courtesy of SLSA B1715487

A common theme for early 19th century board games was the virtue or morality game where a player set out to prove himself of good moral character while avoiding temptations placed along his path. In 1818 London, William Darton published the above image for The New Game of Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished. The game started on the space, the House of Correction, and the winner was the first one to travel the spiral and reach the last space, Virtue. 

Another one of these good vs evil games was the Mansion of Happiness, published in the United States in 1843. As you progress through the game, virtues are rewarded and vices punished with the winner receiving happiness as his/her reward for being virtuous.  

The game of Snakes and Ladders is probably the most well known virtue game and can be traced back to ancient India. In this game, virtue is pictured as ladders and offer a quick way to bypass squares and rise to the top, while snakes punish you and send you back to the start. I've heard that the term, back to square one, refers to this game as there is always one snake that sends you back to the start if you happen to land on its head.

Jain version Game of Snakes & Ladders India, 19th century. Courtesy Wikipedia

Kismet, meaning fate or destiny, is the name of a British version of this game. Designed in England and manufactured in Bavaria, the makers of Kismet wanted to show children that life would be rewarding if you were good and obedient, but if you were bad, you would be punished. The illustrations on this board depict a variety of wrong-doings as well as numerous snakes and ladders.

Kismet Board Game, ca. 1895. Courtesy VAM Misc 423-1981

Although the snakes in the game of Snakes and Ladders represents the serpent who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, the image of a snake can be disturbing to some children and adults. That could explain why another version of this common game was produced under the name of Chutes and Ladders. Nowadays, we refer to a chute as a slide like you find in play areas. 

Milton Bradley Chutes and Ladders game board c.1952. Courtesy Wikipedia

Other versions of this popular game used a winter theme, such Canada Games versions Sleds and Toboggans and The Great Game of Ups and Downs.

Game of Ups and Downs, Canada Games Company, 1920s-1930s. 

In 1900, McLoughlin Bros of New York published The Game of Tobogganing at Christmas which showed children playing in the snow. With this theme, the challenge was to climb up the stairs and avoid the squares that would send the player back down again. 

THE GAME OF TOBOGGANING AT CHRISTMAS, McLoughlin Bros., c 1899

Games, like everything else, evolve over time and the way I see it, versions that show the penalty as a ride down a chute or toboggan run cannot be classified as a penalty. How can the exercise of climbing stairs beat the temptation to fly down at a fast clip?

There are a myriad of versions that are based on virtue games. Have you played any, and if so, what version are you familiar with? 

If you enjoy board games, you might like to check out my previous post Geographical Board Games.

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Anita Mae Draper lives on the Canadian prairies where she uses her experience and love of history to enhance her stories of yesteryear's romance with realism and faith. Readers can enrich their story experience with visual references by checking Anita's Pinterest boards. All links are available on her website at www.anitamaedraper.com