The December 1936 Children’s Friend invited readers to go on a treasure hunt through the following nine sentences. The name of a jewel or gemstone is hidden in each line – that is, the end of one word and the beginning of the next, when run together, spell the name of a stone.
Since there are so few, please solve only one in order to give as many Keepa’ninnies as possible a chance to play.
1. I went with Lydia Monday to feed the swans in the park.
2. When you get nettle-sting, be sure to rub yourself with dock leaf.
3. We caught a tuna yesterday. I hooked and held it while Edgar netted it.
4. Tom Hughes and Dick Leno, pals of mine, are coming for Christmas.
5. The sea was green, and the hilltop azure with lupins.
6. They’re going to shape Arline’s Christmas cake like an airplane.
7. Jane and Anna met, hysterically laughing, after the funny show.
8. Mr. Cornsapp hired Billy Dean to feed his horses while he’s away.
9. When walking in the country, you should never leave a gate open.
9. agate
Oo, you jumped right to the hardest one, Brother H. (or at least I think it’s hardest because that isn’t a commonly-seen gemstone).
3. garnet
Yup! Steve scores!
4. Opals
I got them all, though number 2 and 7 took me awhile. Fun!
7. Amethyst
I love doing these kind of puzzles. Found all of them. Number 1 is Dia Mond.
Three more treasure hunters have found their gems!
I think that means 2, 5, 6, and 8 are still hidden.
(I’m glad you like these puzzles. They’re more fun to play together than to solve alone, I think.)
#5 is topaz.
It is, Lisa!
6 is Pearl. Whew!
It took a while, but I think I see 2 and 8 now. Okay, I’ve got to get back to work.
They can be tough, can’t they, JeannineL?
I saved this for a Friday, Gary — isn’t Friday a play day?
I won’t tell if you won’t.
2 is ruby
Aye, that’s the rub[y], eric. Now only 8 is unsolved.
8 is sapphire.
I’m too late to compete, but I played anyway. Fun. I thought that it would be obvious where they’re hidden because of funny wording or weird names. But there was funny wording and weird names in the wrong places just to throw me off track.
JRL cleans it up!
Fun thing to notice, Carol — I see now that you’re right.
These are fun, even if I am late to the game!