Los Angeles herald., 1905-10-22
BY Cornelia c. Bedford

and superstition have held high
carnival among young and old
alike on the last night of october,
and as the date is not far dis
tant, preparation for Halloween fes-
tivities have already begun in
many quarters. The use of apples
as a basis for many of the traditional
tricks and tests undoubtedly originated
in the Roman feast of Pomona, the
goddess of fruits and seeds, which was
celebrated on November l.
The old Halloween games and GUS
toms have survived among the Scottish
peasantry to a greater extent than 9TH
er English speaking people. and to
them we owe many quaint and curious
rites for the night. Among these there
Is none more popular or, to the young
girl, more uncanny than visit in
silence and alone to the "kaieyard"
or cabbage patch just before midnight.
There she must pull up the first cab
bage stalk she touches and return to
the house. If the stalk is straight and
smooth, the course of love will be the
same, but woe to her If the stalk is
crooked or knotted. Another equally
eerie test of courage is for her to go
through dark passage or hall at
midnight with q candle in her hand,
and, entering the most secluded bed
mirror and comb her hair; If she is to
be married the image of her future
husband will be reflected in the glass.
Soap bubbles have a peculiar sig
nificance on Halloween. When the
bubble is large and floats high and
long, it denotes good fortune; should
it burst quickly, some i'll luck will
soon follow. To be able to snatch a
t,it1 Il
alcohol gives the assurance Of the 10y
atty of ones true love. Cards or slips
of paper which are apparently blank
may be made to bear messages by
holding them over the flame of a can
die. This Is made possible by writing
on them beforehand with an ink made
with baking soda and water,
Nuts and apples are great source
of amusement for Halloween parties
Nuts are paired, named for q man
and woman and dropped close together
in the fire; If they burn quietly to-
gether a happy marriage Is indicated;
If they crack or jump apart incon-
stancy or misfortune will follow APP
pies may be hidden in all sorts of out
of-theway places to be hunted for.
When found, they are to be carried to
the fire and pared while standing be-
lore Ile DldZe, IHe lOllS, ullpIOhtI
pairing is to be thrown over the left
shoulder after turning round three
times and repeating the following dog
gerel.
On you ] must ntrude.
For by this pairing l wish to discover
The first letter of my own true lover
After such games, accompanied by
much hilarity, refreshments are natur-
oily in order. The menu may be very
simple or quite elaborate. according to
the general character of the evenings
entertainment; it may be served stand
ing or, If the party is a small one and
1t is more convenient, guests may bs
invited to sit at table. The olnblem-
attic colors of Halloween are red, yell
low and green. The dining room lights
should be jack-o' lanterns made from
small pumpkins-these can be had in
papier mache from caterers and depart
rnent stores, where the real article cam
not be obtained. Additional lights may
be furnished by the witch candles
the wicks of which have been sprinl1led
with salt. An appropriate menu
would be:
Deviled oysters or fish in she'll.
Chicken croquettes Nut sandwiches.
Tomatoes stuffed with celery mayonnaise
Salted nuts. PIN olas.
Prophecy cookies. Halloween cake.
Bavarian cream.
Coffee.
With the BaVarian cream serve the
prophecy cakes, specially dedicated to
the night. Use any good cookie dough,
cutting rather thick and allowing one
for each guest. Press into each from