The Indianapolis journal., 1896-10-25

Ii foretold no morriage at all. This was
repeated three times, the dishes being
changed each time.
The ''Wassail Bowl" in which foated
many colored fruits, nuts and popcorn, and
around the edge of which hung delicate
vines with red berries upon their stems,
formed one Of the most beautiful and in
teresting ceremonies of Halloween. Milk
was the liquid which filled the wassail
bowl, and superstition required that its
color remain unchanged no matter what
else were done to make it attractive. Be-
fore the contents of the bowl were served
a queen or high priestess was chosen in
the following manner. The half shells of
English walnuts We're followed out, and in
each of them placed tiny candles,
which We're made to stard upright by stick
ing them upon drops of wax. These mag
ic boats were then set afioat upon big
tub of water, and the fortunate possessor
of the best sailing craft became the mis-
tress or high priestess of the evenings en-
tertainment.
A MAGIC BOWL.
After the selection of the ruling spirit
all present were invited to partake of the
magic bowl. One by one each advanced to
the table and with a. spoon drew sonnet thing
from the depths of the vessel Only one
trial was allowed, and from the prize
brought forth the high priestess foretold
the persons fortune. To dip up a big ap-
pie meant that good things were in store
for the lucky person all the year. But If
only some popcorn and nuts were brought
up there would be bad luck, which could
only be averted by begging a slice of Or
ange which was the great prize of all,
from some one more fortunate. roasted
chestnut, if burst open, meant a present
while a SDOGnfIIl Of them meant
eral presents.
The corn test, somewhat similar, is pc
cular to America A large basketful of
corn is placed in one corner OF the kitchen
and to this every one must go with their
eyes blindfolded and select of corn.
Those who get fine healthy ear covered
with bountiful supply of husks are sure
of success during the ensuing year, while
those who unfortunate in selecting
small ears must not expect much of Dame
Fortune. Here is an old corn song in vogue
quite a long while ago:
A full brings it's own good luck:
A tasseled ear much joy;
But yellow husk carries sad luck
10 hapleSS girl or boy.
| An ear that's short telIeth a gift
To him that pickett it;
But If tbs red. no gift tbs said,
Before his name is writ.
| But he who liketh not his ear.
Can have another try,
Unlucky twice, unlucky thrice
lis fate! Tis fate," they cry
The apple was the fruit most in demand
at these festivities and was used in MANY
OF the charms. "Bobbing for apples was
the most mirth-provoking of these sports
The apples were set afioat in a tub of wa
ter, into which the young people ducked
their heads in attempting to catch an ap-
Of toll;
tune was to peel the apple and throw the
parings over the shoulder when they were
supposed to form the initials OF the sweet
heart. The seeds were counted to ascer-
tain the particulars of the life of the mar
ried ones.
Another old custom still observed in
some localities in England is that of hang
ing UP a stick horizontally by string
from the ceiling and placing a candle on
one end and apple on the other The
stick is then wilrled rapidly and the per
sons present are each led up to the revolv-
ing stick and made to snatch at the apple
with their teeth use of the hands being for
bidden 1t often happens that the candle
comes round instead of the apple and the
person is obliged to look sharp in order
to avoid being scorched in the face or COW
cred with grease. Still another custom in
is the following: Alone and with candle in
hand the person goes to a looking glass,
where an apple is eaten. Some traditions
say you must comb your hair all the time
The face of your future companion will
be seen in the glass, peeping over your
shoulder.
TRYING A CHARM.
One of the Scotch customs was for the
maiden to seek some place secure from
prying eyes and there affix the core of a
good-sized pippin behind the ears. Then
in muf1ed tones she sang:
Pippn. pippin stick thee there,
That this is true thou may'st declare
Whichever core fell to the ground first
implied warning that the sutor whose
name it bore longer to be encour-
aged Still another game was to suspend
the apple from the ceiling by means of a
string. The apple was hung at about the
height of a person. With hands tied behind
him, he advanced to the swinging fruit
and attempted to catch it in his mouth
While apparently simple, it was most diff
fcult feat, especially If the apple were
large and the person possessed OF u small
mouth Still another custom is given. Ap-
pies are placed in a row before the fire and
each named. If the persons for whom they
are named to live in peace and har-
mony there will be no "spattering' while
they are cooking, but if they are noisy it
presages much dissention during the mar
ried life This custom is sometimes varied
by using chestnuts instead of the fruit
Brand, in his Popular Antiquities, says
1T is custom in Ireland when the young
women would know ii their lovers are
faithful to put their nuts upon the bars of
the CRATE, naming them after their lovers
If the nut cracks or jumps the lover will
prove faithful; if it begins to blaze or burns
he has regard for the person making the
trial. If the nuts named after the girl
and her lover burn together they will be
married" Burns refers to this custom in
these lines:
THE aud guidwife's we'll -hordet nits
Are round and round divided
An monte lads and lasSes' fateS
Are there that night decided:
Some kindle. couthie, side by side
An burn thegither trinity;
Some start ava wi Saucie pride.
And jump out--owre the chiInlie
Flu high that night.
Secrecy seems to be one of the requisites
in most of these old charms. The hemp
superstition required that the person who
sought its revelation must steal out
unperceiyed and alone to meet his
fate. A handful of hemp was sown
and har1ied with anything con-
venient at hand. The following lines Were