Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-11-03
HALLOWEEN.

tuesday night was that night OF
nights on which, according to the st Dry
books, COLLINS and elves and otter
strange creatures disport over the earth
with pranks and wiles to victimize I'M
suspecting mortals who may venture
out, being also that mysterious time
when grown-up sisters may take advan-
tage of superstitious ceremonies Co find
out how they really stand in their love
affairs, or
when those tender little hearts
Not yet pierced by Cupid's darts
may catch glimpses of future husbands.
The 31st of October being Halloween,
the popular name for the eve of All Hal
lows, or festival of An Saints, is an occa-
sion noted for parties among young
people, and the spirit of the times, which
seems TO be growing year by year in a
revival of these old-time traditions and
superstitions, was evidenced i'm n charm
ing party on that evening at the elegant
home of Miss Carolyn Gunby in IT.
vington. There was no end to fun-mak-
ing from o p. m. till i a. m AS fast as
one mode of celebrating the occasion
was tried another was ready to engage
the fancies of the merry company.
There were decorations of autumn lea yes
and pumpkin lanterns, and other feat
ures of autumn and Halloween were
arranged. Fortune-telling, mystic sean
ces, apple holdings, searches for hidden
articles and other popular customs, were
tried, and in some instances played
havoc with the accepted order of things
even n maiden's undoubted sweetheart,
in one instance, being booked as the
future husband of her best girl-friend
and confdante. During Intervening vocal
music by Miss Mae Blakemore and a
recitation by Miss lnez Calls were highly
enjoyed. After the witching hour of
twelve, when fates and fortunes had all
been fixed and told, the company par
took of salad sandwiches and coffee.
The merry gathering dispersed with
many expressions of thanks to Miss
Gunby for so pleasant an evening.
The home of Capt. and Mrs George p
SQuires in Poplar Neck, being another
place where "spooks" delight to com
mune with wayfarers of that section,
the following unique invitation was is
sued to a number of friends to assemble
and go back in their imagination to
primitive. times with their daughter,
Miss Mamie Mae: "You are given leaf
(here was attached aweIl-tinted natural
leaf to attend a Halloween Party at the
Squires' home Tuesday, October 31st,
1905. Hours: s p. m. to a. m" Dur
ing the evening the guests were given
leave to do many things and join in
many amusing incidents while seeking a
clearer insight into what fate had in
store for them. Pretty colored oak
leaves with numbers or inscriptions on
them were used throughout the evening
as guides to lead from one thing to an.
other, and, in fact, the whole house was
decorated with these branches that ma
ture had so embellished. At eleven
o'clock the guests were invited to the
dining room where they found the table
laden with such dainties as appeal stimuli
taneously to the eye and appetite Al
twelve the witch gave all peep into
the future, and from the expressions o
many it was clear that they resolved
then and there to prove that destiny haC
made false statement. The remaindel
OF the time was spent in music and dane
ing, after which all said goodbye t.
their entertainers and thanked them TO
the enlightenment received.
Not the least among the Hallowe'el
parties, anyway not where the least ful
was had, was the one at Chesapeake,
Academy. Not less than seventy, com
posed of the faculty and students, spen
the evening in merriment, telling for
tunes and prophesying. During the even
ing homemade candies, which had bee
prepared by those in charge. were sprea
before the party, and from the unrulines
OF the taffy it was evident that the cor
juror had had hand in it.