Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-11-07
TWO HALL0WEYES
BY ELLA WHEELER.

IL WIS n lovely afternoon ~ octooef,
1866, aud | was walking leisurely
down the highway toward Mary Smiths.
Just as | was passing the lane that
branched of from the main road, |
heard voice calling kate, katel' and
looking around l saw Callie Somers
coming,-her long dark hair streaming
III the wind. her cheeks aglow. "WMt
for me- She said, and in few mo-
meuts she was at my side, and we
pursued our way together.
We were going down to Mary Smiths
to spend the afternoon and evening, and
test the legends of Halloweve. 1t mad
been planned weeks ago, and We We're
all a, 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 a peep into the future as girls al
ways are; and we had never, any of US,
tried the charms of Halloweve.
Mary and her guest from the city
Maud Landon, stylish girl who had
known Mary at school, and was now
making her annual visit-greeted us
cordially, and we were soon all sitting
cozly together, crocheting, and sewing,
ana chatting in glrl fashion. All were
in the best of spirits and full of eager
anticipation of the evenings fun in
store for US. All, | say, but | must
make an exception of Callie, who was
unusually quiet, taking but little part
in the conversation, and who seemed
to be depressed for some cause. We
all noticed it, but no one spoke Of 1t
at the time, for Callie was Il 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 oc-
Cured some six weeks before.
Gallo 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 u little
cottage with her father and her
maiden sister,--a perfect specimen of
a sour old maid. Her father was Il
seemingly unloving and severe man,
and | always wondered how Callie kept
SO much sweetness as she did, growing
up in such an atmosphere. Eut sweet
she was. as u June rose, and not youth
for miles about hut would have laid
down his life for her. Callie was given
to laughing Mt their devotion, however,
and was equally gracious to all her
lovers, until the summer before my
story opens. In July Il stranger came
to the Corners tor few weeks Of trout
fishing. He was a handsome fellow
one of the dark-eyed, well.dressed sort
over which young girls rave,-and ere
week had gone by every heart Ill the
place was iluttering 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 useless was the fluttering for
the stranger had eyes Only for Callie
Somers. AT picnics and at parties he
lowered ut her side, and it was soon the
neighborhood gossip that pretty Callie
Somers had city lover. When this
reached Mr.. Somers' ears there was Il
scene; and the next time Mr.. Dutton
called 10 see Miss Callie he was for
hidden to enter the house.
81 know nothing about you, sir, " said
the irate old gentleman; "and, from
what understand by making inquiries,
no one else does. | do not want my
daughters name coupled with that Of
some scalawag of an adyenturer, and
therefore keep your distance"
Reece Dutton went away with a curse
on his lips and dangerous CLEAN in
his dark eyes. He remained at The
Corners 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 a bitter trial for Callie. She was
really interested in the stranger, and his
quiet relinqulshing 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 even say
ing goodbye"
"Well," | answered, you cannot
blame him after what has happened"
Il blame him for not proving to my
father that he was not an adventurer or
a rascal" she answered quietly, land
for not proving to me that he meant
what he had already said to me-"
After that 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 10 the cabbage
field, some little distance from the
house and pull cabbage in the dark.
Ii on bringing il 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 dis
position.
Maud was to 90 upstairs TO an emp
ty room, sit down before mirror 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 ID the mirror.
Cailie was 90 10 the graveyard full
quarter OF mile from the house,
sprinkle salt upon tue newest grave
there, and say:
ngaR