The Washington times., 1895-06-23
"masiek Night
o. Midsummer"
CUSTOMS FOR PROPERLY 0B-
SERVING THE HOUR.
How to Get a Correct Glance
Into the Future.
Three Roses.

Midsummer night Enchantment lies in
the words. AT this season Titania's court
holds high revelry where, 'oxslp and the
nodding violet grows" Again Puck
fetches the little milk white flower now
purple with loves wound" and pease bios
som, moth and mustardseed" Z" war withrere-
mice for their leathern wings"
1t is a season of "magicR night and for
onenight the impen etrable veil ofthepreseut
is lifted and the future lies open to the
longing view; all this, of course, il the
proper ceremonies be observed
One of the best and Oldest ways of dip
ping into the future" is to make small
pin-cushron of black velvet. Upon one
side stick your name at full length with the
smallest pins that can be procured, upon
the other side make cross of pins exactly
in the middle of the cushion, surrounded
by a circle of pins. Then place this COM
plete work of art in the toe OF your left
stocking. Hang the stocking at the foot
of the bed and that night you will, in a
series of visions become acquainted with
all the important events of your future life.
A more difficult eXperimeR is one which
deals with three roses but, no doubt, the
contentment attending the fulfillment of a
universal desire to kno W Forthcoming e events
arones for the trouble involved in the means
to fathom them. This infallible rule runs
as follows.
Take three roses (the hue must be i'm
material since no emphasis is laid on it,,
smoke them with sulphur and at exactly
3 O'Clock in the afternoon OF midsummer
day (the Gath day of June), bury one Of
the roses under yew tree. Cast the second
into a newly made grave. Place the third
under your pillow for three nights and
then burn it in q charcoal fire. During
will, in dreams, become acquainted with
your sours companion. Interesting as this
feature is it does not appeal to the feminine
heart as does the pleasant assurance that
the souls companion, who NAV or may
not have met his Dulcinia, will, during this
period of divination, be stranger to
peace He will feel drawn by an irresist-
ibie power to seek his affinity, and until
he wins her will fail TO know happin ess.
After mature consideration 1 confess
that l really think this the most satisfac-
tory of these quaint customs, for, with
scant pains, a small outlay of time
e. g., little sulphur smoke, a little Dig
ging under yew tree, and a visit to bury
ing -ground-one can make ones twin soul
excessively happy, and that is diversion
no woman would lightly forego.
A more simple experiment is the steal
ing forth at midnight to SOW hemp seed,
saying, Hemp seed 1 SOW, hemp seed
sow. Now, my true love, come after me
and now" The hemp seed will at once
spring up and the true love will follow the
maiden, moving the newly grown hemp
This is a convenient custom, for, after
having a good view of the counterfeit pre-
eminent, there will be no doubts of his
eing the right man when he comes a-woo-
ing.
Another custom is attended With some
uncomfortable features, as it entails q long
fast, but he who expects to turn the leaves
OF the Book of F ate and pay no price is,
indeed, nigg ardly. herefore, on mid
summer eve lay table with bread, cheese,
and ale, and be sure not to have broken fast
since monday. AS the clock strikes IL
draw up your chair to the table and begin
to sup. Immediately the door will open
and your fate will enter the room. Lifting
glass to his lips, he Will bow to you and
in silence drink your health. Then, fill
ing another glass, he will leave it on the
table as token that he will return again.
Bowing once more politely he will leave
the room.
NANCY MANN WADDLE.