The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-11-06
PART II.

Among the bonny winding banks
Where Doom runs, ripping clear,
Where Bruce once ruled the martial ranks,
And shook his carrick spear.
Some merry, friendly country folk
T0gether did convene.
To burn thc'r nuts and pun their stocks.
And hold their Halloween
-Hu,ns.
The festival was at it's height. Lads
and lasses.all had thrown grim care to
the winds: all were blithe and gay.
Tricks were all the sport.
Cabbage had been pulled, until timid
Luella began to expatiate on the pro-
priety or safety Of continuing in that
branch longer, rs the garden was her
fathers pride.
Burning nuts next ensued, until when
near the close of this, she was we'll as
sured that the one designated Gilbert
was in no wise to leave the side of the
one named Luella, then she turned her
back upon them for fear Of being de-
tected watching them.
Then lots were cast to determine
which of the ladies present should pro-
ceed to the kiln, q quarter of mile
away, and throw into the pot ball of
blue yarn, wind it in . ball off of the old
one, and toward the latter end, when
the expected something held the thread
demand, "Who holds?" their answer
would come from the kiln-pot, by NAM
ing the Christian and surname Of her
future husband.
The lot fell upon Kitty Frazer, who,
with rapidly beating heart, left the
company for the kiln. While she was
absent, the game of going alone to a
looking glass with candle; eating an
apple before it, and combing her hair
the while; was conferred on the little
faded blonde, who simpered charming
ly at beholding the grinning features
of Bob Merrivale peeping over her
shoulder.
BY this time Kitty Frazer was back
from tho kiln with white, scared face
and wild eyes, declaring that she had
seen ghost on the way back, all in
white, and that it pursued her to the
hall.
The young gallants all rushed out,
but could discover nothing in the ex.
treme darkness.
Hemp was next sown silently by two
or three of the party, Luella Farleigh
being one of the chosen ones to try the
spell. just as she was about to repeat
the crowning words, "And he that is
my true love to be, come after me and
pull thee" dark figure obstructed hel
path, and her father stood before her
"Why, papa, how you startle me
| Whatever is the matter?" And she laid
her hand inquiringly upon his arm.
"Hush! Be as secret rs the grave!
have been thinking my words Of yes
terday perhaps somewhat too hard, and
have concluded to allow you your owr
way in the matter, on one condition
only"
Luella's face frightened with the ra
dance of pure love, and degree o
| JOY was observable in the soft, swee,
tones, as she exclaimed:
"Oh, papa, and that is?'
| "This is the condition: At l. O'Clock
precisely You are to leave here alone
and tonight proceed straight to thu
old churchyard by the ruins, and, en-
tering in, procure the skull which rest.
on the tomb of John Mcleod: and, a.
a proof that you have been there, bring
it to me in your hanging basket" sait
the father, with a ring of triumph in
| his voice.
But, papa, the night is so dark ani
ghostiy!" said Luella, culver of feal
in her tones.
Il am putting your love to the test
Do you refuse?"
NO, no! / will go. But remember
that whatever happens, father, you ar,
responsible for" The clear, ringing
tones ceased, and the stern parent
turned away muttering:
"Bosh. She was always timid.
knew that she dare not venture, else
should never have proposed it! Sh,
will soon marry the Merriyale fortune
and be rs sensibble as l was. Yes,
he soliloquized. Il went in for none.
and beauty both; and got them, too
Bah! The idea of poverty and Low,
dwelling beneath the same roof is al
nonsense And he drove his hand
into his pockets viciously.