Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-11-03

ALL hALLVW II kN--Ala OhialNt Nba-
TOMS, ETo.--Thdngh IL may be little late
for an article on Hallow Zen, now that
the occasion has passed by, we think that
brief dissertation on "The Witches
Night" ~ II is often denominated, and
the customs that prevail once year on the
night of the Slst Of October, will prove
interesting 10 our readers. Hallow Fen,
then, Is the night when witches are sup
posed to walk abroad and supernatural In
Huences prevail in the visible and invisible
world. In the United Kingdom, particu-
larly in Scotland and Ireland, IL Is great
day, and many old Irish and Scotch-Irish
people here who spent their early days
there will remember with pleasure the in
terest with which they looked for its an
nual recurrence. Some have been disposed
to connect Hallow En- with the observ-
ance of All Sainta' day, which follows (;
but according to the best authorities 1t is a
relic of Pagan times.
In the United Kingdom IL is celebrated
in quaint manner by the common peo-
pie, and the customs there have 10 some
extent been brought 10 this country, al
though II is not now celebrated 10 so great
an extent as formerly. In the old country
nuts and apples were everywhere in great
demand and many strange suporstitions
concerning the observance of Hallow Fen
prevail among all.
According to Brand the young women
who wish TO know If their lovers are faith
full put three nuts upon the bars Of the
CRATES, naming the nuts after the lovers.
II nut cracks or jumps the lover will
prove unfaithful if II begins TO blaze or
burn the lover has a regard for her. If the
two named after the girl and her lover
burn together they will be married. With
apples the custom is to set them aaoat in Ii
tub of water, into which the Juveniles by
turns duck their heads with the view of
catching them, and the bobbing Of the ur-
ehins' heads in pursuit Of the apples occa-
sions great mcrriment TO the youngsters.
Another ceremony much praeticed Is TO
place three dishes filed with clean and foul
water and one empty on the hearth, when
the parties, blindfolded, advance In success
sion and dip their fingers into one. IL they
dip into the clean water they are TO marry
Il maiden; II into the foul water q widow ;
IL into the empty dish the party 20 dipping
IL destined 10 be either n bachelor or An
old maid
Other customs Of still more supersti-
tious character are common. One of them
is the eating Of an apple in front of a mir
ror with Il view OF discovering the inquir-
er's future companion pecping over the
shoulder. Another il the custom TO wet a
shirt sleeve, hang ii up TO the FIRE TO dry,
and lie In bed watching till midnight, when
the appArition Of the individuals future
partner for life will come in and turn the
sleeve In the town Hallow Zen Is gsner.
ally thoroughly observed by the Juveniles
in the matter of ringing doorbeIls and
humping on doors Of houses not possessing
these appendages, and many are surprised
at the number Of callers until the eKplanA-
ton comes, "oh It's only HAllow Zen ~
One custom common In this country is for
young lady to throw = ball Of twine out
Of the window and commence winding IL
from the inside. The frs, young man who
picks up the outside ball ia TO be the future
lover.