The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-11-07
TWO HALLOWEvES.

1867, and l was walking leisurely down
the highway toward Mary Smiths.
Just as 1 was passing the lane that
branched off from the main road, I
heard voice calling skate, Kate!"
and looking around I saw Callie Somers
coming, her long dark hair streaming
in the wind, her cheeks aglOw. swat
for me-" she said, and in few moments
she was at my side, and we pursued our
way together.
We were going down to Mary Smith s
to spend the afternoon and evening, and
test the legends of Halloweve. It had
been planned weeks ago, and we were
all as eager for the night to come as
was natural under the circumstances.
For we were young, happy girls, full of
romance and superstition, and anxious
for peep into the future as girls always
are; and we had never, any of us, tried
the charms of HallOweve.
Mary and her guest from the city
Maud LandOn, a stylish girl who had
known Mary at school, and was now
making her annual visit-greeted us
cordially, and we were soon all sitting
cozily together, crocheting, and sewing,
and chatting in girl fashion. All were
in the best Of spirits and full of eager
anticipation of the evenings fun in store
for us. All, Isay, but I must make an
exception of Callie, who was unusually
quiet, taking but little part in the con-
versation, and who seemed to be de-
pressed for some cause. We all noticed
it, but no one spoke of it at the time, for
Callie was favorite with us, and we
did not want to annoy her; and we all
at least three of us-knew very well
that her depression of spirits was owing
to events that had occurred some six
weeks before.
Callie was the beauty and the belle of
"The Corners" as the little country
place where we resided was known.
She lived off the main road in a little
cottage with her father and her maiden
sister-a perfect specimen of sour old
maid. Her father was a seemingly un-
loving and severe man, and always
wondered how Callie kept so much
sweetness as she did, growing up in such
an atmosphere. But sweet she was, as
June rose, and not youth for miles
about but would have laid down his life
for her. Callie was given to laughing at
their devotion, however, and was equally
gracious to all her lovers, until the sum-
mer before my story opens. In July a
stranger came to The Corners for a few
weeks of trout-fishing. He was a hand
some fellow-One of the dark-eyed, well
dressed sort over which young girls rave
and ere a week had gone by every
heart in the place was fluttering at the
sight of the wide-brimmed Panama
which shaded the face of handsome
Reece Dutton. But ere another week
had gone we all saw how useles was the
fiuttering, for the stranger had eyes only
for Callie Somers. At picnics and par
ties he lowered at her side, and it was
soon the neighborhood gossip that pretty
Callie Somers had a city lover. When
this reached Mr.. Somers's ears there was
a scene; and the next time Mr.. Dutton
called to see Miss Callie he was forbid
den to enter the house.
"I know nothing about you, SIR"
said the irate old gentleman; "and,
from what understand by making in
quiries, no one else does. l do not want
my daughters name coupled with that
of some scalawag of an adventurer, and
therefore keep your distance"
Reece button went away with curse
on his lips and dangerous CLEAN in his
dark eyes. He remained at The Cor
ners for several weeks after that, but
made no attempt to see Callie, and was
simply polite when they met elsewhere.
The occurrence was, of course, a theme
of much gossip, and we all knew it had
been bitter trial for Callie. She was
really interested in the stranger, and his
quiet relinquishing of his suit hurt her
pride and her heart.
was her most intimate friend at the
time, but she never spoke of it but once
to me. That was the day after Reece
buttons departure. Then she said,
"He has gone, Kate, without saying
even good by"
"Well," answered, "you can not
blame him after what has happened. IS
"I blame him for not proving to nv
father that he was not an adventurer OF
a rascal" she answered quietly, "and
for not proving to me that he meant
what he had already said to me.''
After that l never spoke of him to
her, and SO the days went by till this
October afternoon.
The hours skipped away, and at last
the family had all retired, and we four
girls sat waiting the magic stroke OF
twelve. We had all decided upon the
separate "charms we were to try.
Mary was to 60 out to the cabbage-field
some little distance from the house, and
pull a cabbage in the dark. If on bring
ing it in much earth chung to the roots,
her husband would be rich, and the
shape and taste of the stalk determine
his appearance and his disposition.
Maud was to 90 up stairs to an empty
room, sit down before the mirrer in the
dark, and eat an apple, and comb her
hair. According to tradition a bright
light would appear revealing the face of
her future partner in the mirror. Callie
was to 90 to the graveyard full quar-
ter of mile from the house, sprinkle
salt upon the newest grave there, and
say:
Dead, the living questions thee.
&Who is my true love to be?-
Bid him come and speak to me.
We had given this to Callie, whose
bravery was well known, and who alone
of the four had nerve enough to 90
through the ordeal.
Twas to 60 down cellar backward,
with a mirror in one hand and candle
in the other, repeating at every step:
MY true love, my true love, whoever Won he
Come and look in the glass with me.
If / made one mistake, or failed to
repeat the words on each stair, my fate
as an old maid was sealed. But if I
went through the formula successfully,
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