The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-22
HINTS FOR HALLOWEEN
VARIOUS ARTICLES wHICH WILL BE
NEEDED FOR THE FUN.
Oid-Time Ways and New-Time Ways
Which Make h Famous Festi-
val an Uproar of Excitement.
Moman,s Home Companion.


The ancient custom of putting a snail in
the ashes on the hearth to mark the lovers
initials is very similar to that of peeling an
apple in such a manner that the peel re-
mains whole. and throwing II over the right
shoulder; and the throwing of a ball of yarn
into a pot of water In the dark, and pulling
it up by the single thread to see If a future
husband or wife has hold Of the other end
which was a favorite practice of the Scotch
lads and lassies Of the long ago. And even
If it is not practicable to secure the snails.
the yarn and the apples must be provided
for the merry-making.
Then we must provide for the ancient Gus
toms which have been handed down and are
still practiced. The game of snapdragon
is a never-ending source Of amusement;
and remembering the credulity of our fore
fathers we are almost inclined to believe
our fate as decreed on that night. Flour
must be provided in which to hide the piece
of silver or the ring, for who has not ex-
perienced the thrill Of anxiety when assist
ing in cutting slices from a mound of
flour and finally coming to grief by disturb
ing the coin embedder therein, and having
to pull it out with his nose by way of for
felt?
Quantities of apples must be provided,
4Ok thCy PldS OH ldnl RdlI III ZIG
mystic ceremonies. Not only the parings,
but the seeds as well, are used to test the
fates and ascertain what the future holds
in store; then the apple and the candle
test, and the cid, old game of b~obbing for
apples, and the forking for apples, and
many others are to be tried. Who has not
bobbed for apples in a large tubful of
water, and at least once come out triumph
ant and soaking, with an apple firmly
grasped in the teeth? when one doesn't
mind bathing with his clothes on says
one who has had this experience, this is
much fun" But for one who is particular,
the sport of dropping the fork into the tub,
in the hope of piercing an apple, is much
more satisfactory. 1t is claimed that great
er zest is given to this sport If small coins
are introduced into the apples in small
Sits, as the comical ducking of many heads
In their vain efforts to secure the apples
and the coins makes 1t more amusing to
the onlookers, even If not to the enthusiast
tic bobbers.
GREAT FUN.
Then, again, the apple simply hune in the
doorway Is decidedly more pleasant sport
than the old custom of hanging a stick
horizontally by a string and placing a
lighted candle on one end and an apple on
the other. In the first instance it is merely
necessary to try to grasp the twirling apple
with the teeth as it hangs tantalizingly in
secure on the string; but in the apple and
candle test the stick is made to twirl
rapidly, and the ~merrymakers In succession
leap up and snatch, as they fondly imagine,
the apple with the teeth, no use of the
hands being allowed. This is not a pleasant
feat to accomplish. to say the least. for
even If there is no mishap from the flame.
it very frequently happens that the candle
comes round before they are aware and
anoints them with grease.
1t is not always possible to provide for
test of "kale stalk" unless there is a garden
attached to the home in which the merry
making takes place; yet If this is a desirable
feature OF the evening the stalks may be
provided and selected by the blindfolded
young people even IL they cannot be pulled
and the temper Of the future husband or
wife tested by the taste of the pith and the
cover the individual whom the various fate
testers are TO marry.
The time-honored custom of this evening
demands that q plentiful supply of nuts
shall be provided, and c%hestnuts will be the
most popular for foretelling the future.
One of the favorite tests Of maidens who
! several chestnuts after them. The nuts are
placed on top of the stove, and those which
fpdc 10 n tbe sIhn lppv r s vowss II . 1 nut tI heains
to burn the sutton represented by II is sup
posed 10 adore the one who attempts TO di-
vine unknown things. 1t may be a peril
nent fact that most OF the nuts either
jump or crack. Another test Of the nut Is
to name two nuts for the maiden and her
lover and place them together in the ashes
to roast. If they crack or jump apart I'M
der the influence Of the heat there will be a
lovers quarrel and final separation. but if
they roast together quietly until they are
done or until they begin to burn the love
will end happily in marriage.
HORSESHOE AND KEY.
The key and the horseshoe must not be
forgotten. Melted lead poured through the
loop of the key is supposed to determine the
occupation of a maids future husband by
the shape it takes when falling into cold
water; but If II should fall into a solid
lump celibacy will be her fate. The horse
shoe will be needed for the veal or woe
test, which consists in trying to throw an
apple through a horseshoe suspended in the
doorway at a convenient height. IL success
full. prosperity and happiness will be the
portion of the thrower ii not, vice versa
As may be imagined this Is a difficult feat,
particularly for the girls.
Popcorn will also add to the delights OF
the evening, and IL can be made 10 figure
prominently at the fate-testing. 1t is a pop
ular substitute, also. for the apple in many
OF the games. instead OF the custom OF sus-
| pending an apple by a string. for instance,
hang \ number of popcorn balls. as many