The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-09
TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM |:
NO. 80
All HaIlow E. en-.

1a1 11dllCW Ii en-.
Tuesday night last was All Halow
Een, the night which hobgoblins and
ialrles, sprltes and witches were wont to
call their own. 1t owes its origin, as an ex-
change says, to the Druids, but the customs
ana superstitions are too venerable to be even
assigned correct starting point They came
IN thls country with the earliest settlers they
grew with the country, but are now gradually
fading away as the light of education and re-
hnement spreads The last day of October
was the eve of the old Druid feast of Samh in
or the Fire OF peace. 1t was sacredly kept by
the Druids The Fire was kindled on the
olackened hearths all over old England, and
the blessings for the coming winter asked
FROM arellgfous festival the change gradually
came to supersttious feast. The peasantry
OF the North, aided by their superstitious
teachings and ignorance, gave the night up to
the witch, the fairy or the spirit They firmly
believed that on this night they were allowed
agllmpse into the future Strange were their
| testing OF this power, and stranger their be-
/ lief, which pictured all sorts of hideous or
delightful future
Gradually the customs of the Scottish peas
antry are fading away, although many young
people yet believe that on this night their fu-
ture marital relations will be revealed. There
is a fascination in the idea of being able to
peer through the darkened space of the future
and see ones life, and as the last day of Octo-
Der comes again many maiden is to be found
testing the spell that is given to this day.
Before mirror in darkened room she will
stand combng, with trembling hands, her
silken hair. At midnight, his face will appear
IN the mirror over her left shoulder This
test is only recommended toyoung ladies with
cast-lron nerves, for just so sure as he comes,
and he proves to be the wrong one, there is
gong to be a row, and, perhaps, a faint.
Sometimes she steals out of doors unperceived
and hastily sows handful of hempseed. re-
peating these mystic words in a tremulous
whisper:
"Hemp seed, SOW thee hemp seed, I SOW thee;
Let him that is to be my true love come after me
and show thee"
AS soon as the last seed is gone, the maiden
looks over her left shoulder, and, if the fairies
either narrowing or pulling up the hemp, will
appear. 1t may be recommended when this
test is tried to take big bull dog along, for
tramps have not yet gone into winter quar-
tiers, and it would be narrowing to have
beautiful idea spoiled. Another test is to
wind new clew of blue yarn, and perhaps
he will hold the other hand with his unseen
,o,,
hands?" and he will answer her. Don't be
surprised if the voice happens to be that of
your MOTHER and the tones not overcoming,
Shake off the sleep and wind the yarn quickly
The hands will be less apt to appear again
These are old time tests. Nowadays the SEN
tmental maiden puts chestnuts on the back
log in, the open fireplace. While the fire .
burns she names them, and watches which
one will prove faithful. One bursts, the other
falls Oft, but the true one burns to ashes. Bob
bling for apples, nuts or potatoes is also a game
for Hallow Eve. The old Scotch custom of
young people to go blindfoided and hand
in hand into the garden, and there pull the
first stalk of colewort they can find, is still in
vogue among country lads and lassies The
stalks are named, and by their size and straight
ness, Indicate the outward appearance of their
owners future husband or wife. The guam
ity of earth left cllnging to the roots marks
the dowry; the taste of the pith reveals his
or her sweet or her sharp temper and, final
ly, when hung over the door, whoever enters
first is held to bear the Christian name of the
destined bride or bridegroom. Children born
on October 81, are said to be gifted with es-
pecial powers regarding the supernatural
world. The small boy is generally rampant
on Hallow Eve. He revels in street sports
and pranks. He adorns the door-knobs
the residences of his enemies with cabbages
carrots tin cans and other domestic emblems.
A prank in high standing on this night is to
Tie ii string across the sidewalk just high
enough TO knock off the high silk hat of the
pedestrian. The shouts OF laughter which
greet the unfortunate gentleman as he sklr-
mishes after his hat only serve to increase his
irate feelings. To tie string from one door
bell to the door-knob of the house on the op-
poste side of the street, and from the door
bell of the second house to the door-knob of
the first keeps the servants busy opening the
doors to admit no one. These and many other
street pranks were played probably on Tues
day night.