The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-24
NIGHT OF ALL SOULS FUN.
SOME OF The FGYORITE DIVINATIOES
Many Tests by Which You Can Decipher
what True Love Has For You.
The Origin and OBJ
seryance.

Halloween is a relic OF the FOSTERING
days Of Paganism. But just when the
exact established observance commenced
1t is impossible to say. 1t IS known that
the ancient Driids performed certain
rites on what Is now known as Hallow-
mas Eve. We are told that on this
night fires were lii deep IN remote for
ests, upon the hilltops and great plains
and mystic rites performed. IL was the
belief that on this night the powers Of
darkness held a sort of annual mastering
within the domain OF mortals. and that
therefore care must be taken that the
living were not brought under the evil
influence. Within more recent times the
superstition has more or less die out,
giving way to the much more pleasant
nut-cracking, apple-ducking, etc.
II has nothing 10 do with the church
Observance of the following day of All
Saints. and there IS nothing in All Saints
TO have originated such extraordinary
ard absurd tricks as have from ancient
times attached themselves to this eve
ming.
II you look into folk lore and fairy lore
you will ind that. in the days when
princes and princesses were changed into
wild beasts. the evening Of October 3lst
was an important one, for it was then
for one brief night they were permitted
TO assume their natural form.
Halloween is a delightful combination
Of mystery and mirth; the night most
eagerly anticipated OF the whole year
among children. Small boys go nutting
weeks beforehand, to gather their har-
vest for this occasion. and In the north
Of England Halloween is still known as
nut-cracking night IN Scotland Hal
loween Is a great holiday, and Burns In
his poem on Halloween refers to rs
love-making properties thus
The aud gudewlfes weel hoordt nits
Are round and round divided.
And mcny lads and lasscs' fates
Are there that night decided.
Some kindle couthe side by side,
And burn thesither trinity,
Some start ava wi saucy pride
And jump out over tho chimly
Fu high that night
Halloween. as We know IL is confined
to tricks. all of which have for their de-
nouement the discovery Of ones own
true love. or the unravelmcnt of a love
affair. Notwithstanding tho fact that
Halloween is the night Of true love, IL
IS not tOi1lNfTtu n HAHEAAANN" INNS w t'
ceive a proposal on this night III your
lover PROPOSES on halloween, let him
bind you by tying a blue ribbon on your
weddng-ring finger.
II is we'll in dressing for the evening 10
have somewhere about your person the
requisite bit OF ribbon. lest. II you should
receive a proposal and accept it, the RIB
bon might bo lacking. the spell would
be broken, and your lover would surely
leave you within a twovemonth.
A favoritc Halloween divination Us the
apple trick. You suspend an apple in
the doorway so that 1t hangs five feet
above the floor. and as many persons
as pass under IL. so many months viii
elapse before you marry. This trick
should not be told TO the rest OF the
family or they may attempt TO thwart
YOU by lodging under the apple. If the
tenth person hit the apple you will marry
ten months from this date, or next Au-
gust.
II on Halloween You shake hands with
very blond man YOU Will have pro-
nosal before the bells shall have rung I'm
Tho new year of 'gS. II. on the other
hand. YOU shake hands with very dark