The age-herald., 1900-10-31
HALLOWEEN.


 devoted to barn frolies and games and still keeps its hold on the fancy and af- factions of children of all ages.
 Birmingham society will celebrate the evening at the Country Club, where great preparations have been made.
 The custom dates back to the times of the Drulds, who performed special rites on what is now known as Hallowmas eve. Fires were lit deep in the forests or on the hilltops and mystic rites were performed.
 The earliest records bear witness to an universal belief that on this night the pow CTS of darkness muster in great force; that all supernatural beings hold revel within the sphere of humanity, and that, there tore, It behooves all persons to be careful on this night of all nights, for any sin com mitted rendered the perpetrator liable to be brought under the influence of some evil spirit throughout whole year thereafter. In Protestant countries the vigil of All Souls Is no longer religious observance, or at any rate IS not so Tn Scotland, Eng land or Germany. It may be said that Hallowe' en, we understand it, Is only celebrated by the Teutonic and Celtic races; with the LaIins it is merely a re- ligious vigil, round its observance clinging few, if any, Of those wild legends of super stitions that are so plentiful in Scandina- via, Scotland and Ireland. The nearest ap- proach to the northern solemnity and even werdness is the Venetian notte deHe mortl, night of all the dead; but the religious ceremonies attendant thereon take place not on tne 3lst Of October, but on the eve of All-Sous' Day, that is, the day follow ing. It is in Scotland and Ireland that Holloween is kept in its entirety; in the former, curiously enough, more in the east, mid country and lowlands than the re- moter Highland district; in other words, more among the Scots proper than among the (,pltS PerhaDS hest chronicle ol hallowmas eve is the well-known poem of Burns, which contains mention ot the most generally practiced customs in con nection with this really ancient vigil
 As the time draws near each year fresh plans are made for its celebration. Fancy dress parties and ghost parties seem pecu- Harry appropriate at this date, and great preparations are being made by many hos teSses for some such event Some hos tesses engage professional ciairvoyant or palmist to assist in entertaining the guests Much pains should be taken with the decoration of the house that they may be effective and appropriate to the occa- sion Autum leaves, green branches, ap- pies and tomatoes m ay appropriately be used in the adornment of the rooms. Corn stalks tied to the banisters should hide the stairs and yellow ears of corn. with husks turned back and tied at equal distances to heavy twine, form fringe which is to be festooned over windows and in doorsways. The only light used must be that which comes from the grinning faces of dozen Jack-o'-anterns, some placed on the chan deliers, over the gas, while others with candles may be placed on mantels and ta- bles. In the hall should stand a tub of water in which float rosy apples, tempting ly inviting the guests to bob for them; other apples being placed tables with fruit knives conveniently near, that one may take off long pseling, swing it three times around the head, then throw it to see whose initial it will form.
 In the dining room the same decorations as those of the hall and parlor should pre- vail, while huge Jack-o'-lantern should stand on the table.
 A great variety of games and amuse- ments have been devised for Hallowe en parties and all the old tests, whereby one Is supposed to discover what the future holds of good or il-fortune, are in order on these occasions.
 Saucer luck may be tested by having two dishes, one containing sand, another flour and the third being empty. The person who is blindfolded dips the hand toward the dishes. If it goes into the one contain ing the flour, the person will be the only sweetheart of a future wife or husband; ii into the sand, widow or widower will be your fate, and dip into the empty dish is indicative of a single life. This may be varied by having salt In one dish and corn meal in aonther. If you plunge your hand into the meal you will have all the gold you want; if into the salt, you will have silver or wealth in modera tion; but to put your hand into the empty bowl means poverty
 If you are able to snatch a raisin from a bowl of burning salt and alcohol, you may be assured of the loyalty of your own true love- Soap bubbles have a peculiar sig nificance on Halloween. If your bubble is large and floats long and high luck will be with if if hauy
 Nuts and apples are never-failing sources of amusement at Halloween parties. If two nuts named for persons trying the charm are thrown into the fire, their burn ing will indicate sincerity and affection. If they crack in burning it denotes ncon- stancy. If they burn together, it signifies happy marriage.
 Ducking for apples swinging apple par ings over the shoulder to form an initial, and putting apple seeds on the eyeids, to see which of two lovers is the more de- voted, are devices that custom does not stale
 Matrimonial indications are shown in many ways. Three finger bowls-one with clear water, one with rose-colored water, one empty-will tell whether one is to live in single-blessedness. If the blindfolded person (the bowls having been changed) puts his or her finger into the empty bowl, it means he or she will not marry; if into the clear water, that one will marry a maid Cor bacheor) the rose-colored, a widow or widower) The same idea Is car ried out in the three saucers. Into one of these is put a gold ring which means mar riage; into another ashes, which signifies early death, and the third contains water, for single e-bleSsedness. The person who tries this must be turned around three times after being blindfolded.
 An interesting finish for the evening, for those who do not care to indulge in games or the traditional tricks of Halloween, Is the ghost story telling" The lights are turned low and before each guest is placed saucer, which contains a dessert spoon- ful of salt, saturated with pure alcohol. The hostess takes the initiative by apply ing a match to the alcohol in her saucer, and proceeding to tell story, the more ghostly the better. If the alcohol burns out before the climax Is reached the story-teller immediately must stop, no matter how thrilling the situation. Each one in turn follows out the programme and those who complete their stories be- fore the alcohol fickers out are entitled to prizes.