Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-11-15
HALLOW-EVE,

A gray, lowering sky; sodden earth,
matted with wet leaves; lines of mel
ancholy trees bent away from the east
by blasts of fierce wind laden with chilly
rain; in the distance, masses of black
evergreens; framing in this picture,
skeleton vines that clung around the
window and wrestled dismally with the
wind, 1t is no wonder that pair OF
blue eyes gazing out on the scene were
6urned discontentedly away, or that
their owner drew near the fire for COM
fort, as she said with a shiver:
"Its winter now, almost. It's the
very last day of October to-day, and still
storming as hard as ever"
Yes; if it rains and blows like this,
the servants Hallow-eve will be rather
tempestuous.
"What are the servants going to do?
was the interested query.
ooh, they're going to a Hallow.eve
celebration in the village, to be gone
all night. I suppose they would 90 in
the face of tempest. Even Martin was
asking leave of papa this morning."
"Oh, see here p and Lucy sat up
right, in sudden eagerness; "wouldn' t
it be fun to try some Hallow.eve magic
Did you ever do it p
"Never but once-at school," said
her sister, with a laugh. "We got five
marks apiece then for being found heat
ing lead over the gas at eleven o'clock OF
night"
Bertha, don't you believe any of this
m Oia aunr 40 poa 4r11a oftaruor1
Miss Morris turned round and laughed
at her sisters solemn countenance. "I've
heard girls say it did. OF course didn't
believe it."
"Don't you know Aunt Alice tells q
story of spreading supper table at mid.
night, and lighting candles with nine
pins stuck in them at regular distances;
and before the fame reached the ninth
pin, Uncle Jasper walked in and sat
down opposite"
"Oh, that's true enough. He knew
she was going to do it. He almost fright.
ended her out of her wits, though. And,
Lucy, if it's all the same to you, don't
think I'll leave the doors unlocked to.
night for our future husbands to walk
in"
"Oh, no, no, Bertha p and Lucy
turned pale at the very idea. "But We
might try something. I don't want te
eat eggs full of salt, or burn ears oi
corn; it's not exciting. One of the
girls at Madam Durange's school told
me she went down cellar backward al
midnight with hand mirror and can.
die. When she reached the foot of the
stairs she was to look in the glass ani
see"-
"The irresistible he, of course. Wha
did she see-the cellar walls ?"
"No; she declares she saw Henry
Marvell's face. And she was married tC
, him IN less than year."
"That was nsorUeI indeed. Do yor
want me to try the cellar experiment 2
"Td try it myself if dared )" ant
Lucy's pretty face looked doubtful
as she tapped the rug with her slipper
Don't you dare :? I'll mount guarC
at the head of the stairs"
"That weuld spoil it. There mus
be no one in the room above. And thu
descent is begun at the first stroke O
twelve. / believe will try it,"
"You'1l feel less inclined at midnight
with this wind wailing round the house
What am to do?"
"Why, let me see. Milly Durell tolt
me some other things. One was some
thing like the cellar one-to eat an ap
pie before mirror in an empty room
while the clock is striking twelve"
What, finish the apple before tn
twelve strokes are done?"
"No, no don't finish at all miles
you like, but eat while the clock is strik
ing"
every good. I won't attempt gas
tronomic feats, but the rest is easy
There's no mirror in the kitchen, how
ever"
"Don't I tell you you mustn't be i
the kitchen? The cellar opens in tn
kitchen, and that's the scene of my 81
pertinent. You must be in lionel
room. The east parlor would do. G
eat your apple before one of the bi
mirrors there"
Very well. If your courage hold
out long enough to attempt the celia
feat, I'll try the other. Now get dresse
II you mean to. | must go to papa"
Since Mr.. Morris last attack OF rhel
natism, dinner had been served in hi
sitting. room up stairs. There, as usua
it was laid tonight.
A social dinner they had, so pleasa1
that when dessert was removed, and IL
clock struck eight, Mr.. Morris shove
no inclination to retire. He was III
usually loquacious that evening. ST
ries of college life and travels succeedt
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