What fun it was growing up in our neighborhood. There was always someone hanging out on their front porch looking for something to do. Like a game of marbles.
Shooting marbles was a talent that most 10 year old boys took a great deal of pride in. Most marble collections were kept in a draw string bag and hug at the ready from the handle bars of your bike. These collections would generally consist of a couple of shooters. These were the ones that were usually chipped and occasionally made of steel. These were known logically as , Steelies. The rest of the bag contained the most beautiful ones, known as “cat’s eyes”. So known because the center section of the clear glass resembled the eye of the family pet feline. They came in varying sizes and colors and had generally been won by the owner in previous matches. These beauties were the object of much affection and were coveted by opposing players.
Generally, Girls did not participate in shooting marbles. It must of had something to do with lowering themselves to the boys level to participate in what usually took place in the dirt. That was the only place to draw a ring with which to determine a boundary. The object was simple, each player took turns using his shooter to attempt to knock the opposing players marbles out of the ring with one shot. Once accomplished, the marble then belonged to the player who had performed the feat. Many argumenta and an occasional fist fight would arise as to the validity of one’s shot. Mostly though, it was, “to the victor goes the spoils” type of arrangement, with promises for a rematch in the days to come. A game of marbles could break out at any time and the least likely of places. I once saw an impromptu session at an outdoor wedding. All that was needed was some ground, two bags of marbles and preferably some spectators to attest to your skill at the game. It could last for one round or go on long into the afternoon. It was helpful to arrive at the rules of longevity at the outset of the game so as not to be labeled a quitter. This rule was especially applicable when you were the recipient of a few new precious cat’s eyes. Once the opposing player was wiped out of marbles there was a moment of triumph as the winner counted out his new acquisitions. Humility was the best option here because tomorrow you could very well be on the losing end. Sore losers could easily find themselves without a rematch. Many an evening was passed washing and polishing one’s marbles for the prospect of another acquisition for the following day. It has never occurred to me until now but I assume this is where the term meaning going wacky was known as “Losing your Marbles”.
