Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-15
Mistella,,eous.
From Scrbner'5 Magazine.
HALLOWEEN, OR CHRlSSIE'S FATE.
Some merry, friendly country-folks
Together did convene
To burn their nits and pou' their stocks
And haud their Halloween

1t was merry band trooped into the
| square hall of the great comfortable home
stead at the Grove that bright October af-
ternoon, and the mellow light of the set
ting sun made glory about the bright
young heads, and lit the laughing eyes
with yet greater briliancy. Rich chest
nut braids, bright golden coils, and raven
bands, were alike radiant for the moment
I-serene spinster-had been wheedled
and coaxed until | stood committed to
give these madcapsa IL Halloween frolic
10 tell the truth, my scruples were not
very obstinate, for hoped these merry
young voices would dispel the shadow
that was falling Oh the dear old home
whence all had passed-to the altar, to
other homes, and to Heaven--save Just
my only self; and from sheer force of
habit | clung to the homestead hearth
propping my dropping spirits with i1t,-
quent visits from CHEEKY young relatives,
| and the determination that the old house
be kept up for the holiday gathering. For
at Thanksgiving and the Christmas week
the home band rallied from all points of
| the compass, and the ties OF kinship gath
| cred new strength.
so it came to pass that my niece, Kitty
Coles. was spending the month with me,
and having happened upon an old book
upon The Supernatural had become
| inibued with frantic desire to test some of
her new-iOund theories on the approach
ing Halloween. Now as l was altogether
| too sedate for such pranks, she had fonnd
some fellow eonspirators of her own age.
| and the time was AT hand which was to
test my hospitality. as well as their in
genuity and nerve. And how Jolly it was,
to be sure, to see the graceful forms and
bright young faces fitting about, prepar-
ing the nights mysteries. | soon learned
that my principal role was Lady Bounti-
ful-in other words, to place house and
subject, pro tenn, at the proposal of the
marauders. Their preparations were
soon completed, and after tea the girls
drew about the ample fireplace 10 watch
"the melting of the lead in the old iron
skillet which they had unearthed from
some unknown quarter-tor youth seems
to possess magician S charm of intuition
if not of creation, and those girls certainly
made discoveries that were new to my
gray hairs even. From my chair in the
corner had the privilege of a spectator,
and watched with curiosity as Kitty hur-
ried in from the kitchen regions with a tin
basin of clear water in one hand and a
rusty iron spoon in the other. Deposit pg
the basin on the hearth, she knelt before
it. and with a, Now, girls. who comes
first? p plunged her spoon into the glow
ing embers for the necessary heating.
Responding to my look of inquiry Madge
Milton enlightened me with, You see,
Miss Jeannette, we must drop the melted
lead into the water, and whatever form it
takes will show the occupation of our fu-
ture husband. I'm awfully curious,n said
Madge, 80 think I'll take my turn, since
you are all modest about speaking" ;"
Dipping up a little of the molten metal,
she dropped it in dit1'usye sort of way
into the water. The sharp hiss and sput-
ter brought an immediate 'cloud of wit
nesses'' and puzzled silence. which was
soon broken by merry queries.
Why, Madge it looks like a pulpit
hope you're not going to marry mission
ary y
"Indeed, no, DEAR it is much more
like a bcer-mug. Guess it's German
student"
'Wvll, it's obscure enough to be any
thing" said Madge, in Il tone OF dissatis-
faction. "I'm not one whit wiser for that
venture. Who'll spoon next ?'
With II believe I'm Your next neigh
bor,n Meta Fame consulted the fiery ora
Gle and peals OF laughter arose as one
and another traced resembances, until
Kitty sprang from her post with flashed
face and burning fingers, and the declara-
ton that it WAS time for something new.
Il conclude from this trick that we
shall Just all marry thinkers. Where are
the chestnuts. Auntie? Francis, Just skip
into the kitchen and bring that long han
died shovel that stands by the Dutch
oven, there lambkin, for don't pro-
pose to sacrifice my poor hands further in
this cause"
Again they drew about the fire with
mock anxiety. and gaZed steadily upon
the chestnuts that bo,e their names and
hopes rs they were placed in couples on
the hot shovel, each fair las>ie with 4 ia
vored swain. Miss Kitty (by proxy CO.
quetted in very characteristic way
fizzing and hopping-unti in burst of
generosity aud enthusiasm she revealed
entirely her white heart Madge sput-
tered and kissed, and finally lett her low
er altogether, in mad leap into the
flames. while demure little Daisy Burns
sighed her life away nesting close beside
her stolid choice Meta Fame skipped
about in an uncertain sort of manner.
first to one lover and then to another, un-
til she finally edged into Il cold corner,
quite alone.
The pleasure of popping being ex-
hausted, several other experiments We're
proposed which | was Obliged to veto, as
all included outdoor expeditions, and one
involved my winters supply of cabbages.
SO my plea Of icy dews and uncertain
routes in the darkness prevailed, and the
wonder-b book was scanned anew
"There, we forgot the herrings we were
to bring from the village. What shall we
do2 Miss Jeannette, thats such a fine
trick. You must swallow q salt herring
in three bites, bones and all, and not drink
a drop till the apparition of your future
spouse comes in the night to offer you
glass of water. We must have that
Haven't you 4 herring in the house, n,
matter if it is ever so dryp"
racked my brains in vain, but coul,
find no compromise between Goldfish an,
sardines. But meanwhile they had turnes
to fresh fields and pastures new. l meet
IL