The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-10-28
HALLOWEEN;
Or. CIIRISSIE'S FATE.

"Some merry. friendly country-folks
Together did convene
To burn their nits. and pou their stocks
And hand their Halloween
Fu' blythe that night.'-Burns.
1t was a merry band that trooped into
| the square hall of the great comfortable
homestead at The Grove that bright OctO-
Der afternoon, and the mellow light of the
setting sun made a glory about the bright
young heads, and lit the laughing, girlish
eyes with yet greater brilliancy. Rich
chestnut braids, bright golden coils, and
raven bands, were alike radiant for the
moment.
I-serene sister-had been wheeded and
coaxed until l stood committed to give
these madcaps Halloween frolic. To
tell the truth, my scruples were not very
obstinate, for hoped these merry young
voices would dispel the shadow that was
falling on the dear old home whence all had
passed-to the altar, to other homes, and
to heaven-save just my lonely self; and
from sheer force of habit | chung to the
homestead hearth, propping my dropping
spirits with frequent visits from CHEEKY
young relations, and the determination
that the old house should be except up"
for the holiday gathering. For at Thanks
giving and the "Christmas Week" the
home band rallied from all points of the
compass, and the ties of kinships gathered
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
imbued with frantic desire to test some
of her new-found theories on the approach
ing Halloween" Now, as l was alto
gether too sedate for such pranks, she had
found some fellow conspirators of her own
age, and the time was at hand which was
to test my hospitality, as well as their inge
nuity and nerve. And how jolly it was, to
be sure, to see the graceful forms and
bright young faces fitting about, preparing
the nights mysteries. | soon learned that
my principal role was Lady Bountiful-in
other words, to place house and substance
pro tenn. at the disposal of the marauders.
Their preparations were soon completed,
and after tea the girls drew about the
ample fireplace to watch "the melting of
the lead," in little old iron skillet which
they had unearthed from some unknown
quarter-for youth seems to possess a
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 cor
ner I had the privilege of spectator,
and watched with curiosity as Kitty hur-
red in from the kitchen regions with
tin basin of clear water in one hand and
rusty iron spoon in the other. Deposit
ing the basin on the hearth, she knelt before
it, and with "a" Now, girls, who comes,
first % plunged her spoon into the glowing
embers for the necessary heating. Re-
spending to my look of inquiry, Madge
Milton enlightened me with, "You see,
Miss Jeanette, we must drop the melted
takes will show the occupation of our
future husband. I'm awfully curious"
said Madge, so I think I'll take my turn,
since you re all so modest about speaking
Dipping up a little of the molten metal
she dropped it in diffusve 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 pulpit
hope you are not going to marry mission
aryn
''Indeed, no, dear; it is much more like
a beer-mug. Guess it's German student"
"Well. it's obscure enough to be any
thing said Madge, in tone of dissatis-
faction. "fm not one whit wiser for that
venture. Who'll spoon next?''
With 81 believe I'm your next neigh
bor,' Meta Fame consulted the fiery oracle;
and yells of laughter arose rs one and
another traced Resemblance, until Kitty
sprang from her post with flushed face and
burning fingers, and the declaration that it
was time for something new.
81 conclude from this trick that we shall
lust all marry thinkers. Where are the
chestnuts, Anntie ? Frances, just skip into
the kitchen and bring that long handled
shovel that stands by the Clutch oven;
there's a lambkin, for l don't propose 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 bore their names and hopes
as they were placed in couples on the hot
shovel, each fair lassie with favored swain.
Miss Kitty (by proxy coquetted in very
characteristic way-fizzing and hopping
until in burst of generosity and enthu-
sasm she revealed entirely her white heart.
Madge sputtered and Missed, and finally
left her lover 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 another, until she
finally edged into a cold corner, quite alone.
The pleasures of popping" being
exhausted, several other experiments were
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 book was scanned anew.
"There, we forgot the behring's we were
to bring from the village! What shall we
do? Miss jeanette, that's such fine trick!
You must swallow salt herring in three
bites, bones and all, and not drink 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
herring in the house, no matter if it's ever
SO dry?'
l racked my brains in vain, but could
find no compromise between Goldfish and
sardines But meanwhile they had turned
to fresh fields and pastures new. | need
hardly enumerate the various experiments,
though they were many and ludicrous.-
But finally came the most momentous and
inspiring of all, that which was to show the
true metal.
"My dears," announced Kitty, in a seri-
Gus, dignified tone, "buckle on your armor
now, for l am about to propose what
demands Spartan courage. Leading from