Lawford. Little Old Man

This game appears in Every Girl's Book by Louisa Lawford (1860; online at Hathi Trust) and also in Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 80 (1870; online at Google Books).

THE LITTLE OLD MAN

I sell you my little good man.

I sell you the house of my little good man.

I sell you the door of the house of my little good man.

I sell you the lock of the door of the house of my little good man.

I sell you the key of the lock of the door of the house of my little good man.

I sell you the string of the key of the lock of the door of the house of my little good man.

I sell you the mouse who gnawed the string of the key of the lock of the door of the house of my little good man.

I sell you the cat who ate the mouse who gnawed the string of the key of the lock of the door of the house of my little good man.

NOTES. 

The players seat themselves in a circle, and the one best acquainted with the game commences. Every player making a mistake must pay a forfeit.

(photo by sⓘndy°)