St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-01
ON HALO ~ FEN.
Twas Well Observed in Spite OF
the Inciement Weather.


The driving sleet of last night, the
murky, sullen sky, and the wet, bedrag-
gled streets were the parting gifts of a
dying month. October, 1892, is now
merely matter of record. 1t passed
away during the night-at ~ O'Clock,
midnight. standard time. Before pass
ing away, however, the small boys of
the city-and no doubt all over the
country - worshiped at the shrine OF
the dying month by celebrating Hal
lOWe'en. In spite of the w.t., the mud
and the general inc!emency OF the
weather these boys enjoyed themselves.
They carried away gates from their
proper hangingS and stood them against
fences, blocks and blocks away. They
tipped over innocent little woodsheds
and distributed their contents over the
picturesque landscapes OF back yards.
They tied strings to the shutters or
houses occupied by timid and nervous
people and INDUCED in "tick-tacklng,"
then laughed because the inmates ND
their heads under heavy quilts, believ-
ing the sounds were made by bold, bad
burglars.
The smallboys did all this and more.
They killed cats, and when they couldn't
find full-grown cats they killed innocent
kittens, leaving the mutlated bodies on
the front stoops of palatial residences.
The unfortunate resident of the suburb
was led to believe his house was on fire,
and when he rushed out o. the kitchen
door to discover the eseething flames, he
was assaulted from all quarters by mis-
cheyous youths. They struck him be-
fore and behind with cabbage stumps
whose sting was like thatof New jersey
mosquitoes. Eggs whose age and origin
were doubtful. and whose Odor was
anything but sweet and refreshing,
were pushed into his face. and slapped
against the door jambS with astonishing
prodigality considering the price OF hen
fruit nowadays.
But in spite of all the mischief and in
spite of all the discomfort, nobody
thought of following the example OF the
vicious and untutOred mule and kick
ing. Halloween comes but once year.
1t comes when the leaves are turning,
when the flowers are dead in the gar
den and when sunshine Is like the balm
of life instead of something to be kept
out of parlors for fear of fading the best
carpet 1t comes before the night of
All Saints day, a day handed down
from the fourth century for observance
as a sacred day. All Saints day will be
generally observed today by the relig-
iously inclined. who will go to church
and listen to the good things said by
the pastor and then go home and stuff
themselves with turkey and cake.
There were number of Halloween
entertainments last night aside fl ON
those furnished by the boys. The all
Gordons, of the Order OF Scotch Clans.
gavo an entertainment at Harmonic
hall. There was a musical and literary
programme, and every number was well
rendered. The CALIFORNIAN club made
merry at Century hall. The ladies of
st. Stephens church gave Halloween
supper in the church parlors, and the
Y. Nj. G. A. members celebrated by
giving an athletic entertainment at the
new building on Tenth street. There
were entertainments OF the same nat
ure as those recounted above in all
parts of the city. Nobody thought of
the dreary and monotonOus drlzzle,
drizZle on the outside; nobody thought
of the dying month. 1t was off with
the old love and OH with the new.
Everybody made merry on Halloween,
and waited for the morrow when new
month would be born-November, with
its chill and bleak winds, its pinched
faces and blue noses.