AUNT SALLY is an amusing game of a very simple character, consisting essentially in throwing at a small object.
Aunt Sally herself is composed of a head and bust cut out of a solid block of wood, and generally carved with negro features, and painted black.
In the middle of her nose, or between her lips, a hole is bored, into which is stuck a short pipe.
To break it is the object of the game.
An iron rod serves to support the wooden figure at a proper elevation from the ground; and when in gala costume, Aunt Sally is usually arrayed in a mob cap and a petticoat.
The mode of playing the game is as follows:—
The iron rod is stuck in the ground, a pipe put into the old lady’s mouth, and a line drawn upon the ground, at twelve, sixteen, or more paces.
At this line the players stand, and each is furnished with three short cudgels, about eighteen inches in length, which they hurl at Aunt Sally’s head, in hopes of hitting the pipe.
The best plan is to throw the cudgels underhand, giving them a rapid rotatory movement at the same time.
Some persons insert an additional pipe into each ear; but this is an innovation, and leads to careless throwing.
It is better to hang a sheet, net, or large cloth behind Aunt Sally, in order to catch the sticks, and save the trouble of continually fetching them from a distance.
Within doors, the iron rod is furnished with a loaded pedestal.
Excerpt from the book:
EVERY BOY’S BOOK: A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF SPORTS AND AMUSEMENTS.
EDITED BY EDMUND ROUTLEDGE.
With more than Six Hundred Illustrations
FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS.
LONDON: GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS,
THE BROADWAY, LUDGATE.
NEW YORK: 416, BROOME STREET.