Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27
Halloween.

!. On the gate posts In front of the Brain
erd homestead two fat jack-o'-lanterns
gr1nned cheerful welcome to the eight
happy young people who were so fortunate
as to receive Invitations for Halloween
froiic from Rose and Perry Brainerd.
Rose and Perry heard the eight come
laughirsgly through the gate and they ran
to the front door to welcome them. On
their side of the front door were lanterns
also. the light shining brightly through
their triangular teeth. The brother and
sister drew their friends into the wide old
fashioned hall. which was lighted only by
the large fireplace, In which the logs were
blazing. and more merry jack-o' lanterns
on mantel. table and post.
The boys all trooped off together to re-
adjust their necktles. and the girls to
smooth their curls and braids. When they
again met In the hall they had greatly
changed. All the boys wore monks peaked
hoods. which concealed their faces. and
long black cioaks. which completely dis
guised them. The girls wore jaunty black
witch hats. with round brim and very
high peaked crown. They wore capes of
bright red cambria When the girls en-
tered the boys were all crowded on set
tie. each in the same position, with head
bent and face completely covered with the
hood.
Now. girls" said Mrs. Brainerd. "see
if you know your own brothers; you may
select them from this group on the settle"
BE sure you settle on the right one"
said the boys in concert.
I'VE will begin with the tallest WITCH"
Mrs. Brainerd again began.
(which witch?' chorused from the set
tie.
1.-The tallest girl Mrs. Brainerd went on
serenely, may point to the brother she
thinks she recognizes. and she may have
three guesses. and if she guesses correctly
who he is he will take her to the dining
room. where supper is waiting"
The girls had great fun choosing. and
made many mistakes, to the great delight
of the boys. but at length they were all
seated round the large dining room table
which was gaily decorated with bright red
geraniums and yellow chrysanthemums.
The dining room also was lighted with
wonderful jack-o'-lanterns of all sizes and
expressions.
The supper was just such as would de-
light hungry girl and boy. Oyster
brother, with heart-shaped crackers for
hrSt course; hot cream potatoes, broiled
chicken: currant jelly and dainty little
rolls. then salad, and after the ice cream
and cake, fruit, nuts and raisins. with
motto candies more delectable to read than
to eat. There was great excitement over
the ring cake. which confined besides the
ring thimble, which. would destine the
receiver to marriage with a widower
After supper was trick time The girls.
one by one, trotted round outside of the
house, with the family broom, and each girl
met every one of the silent monkiSh broth
ers stationed at intervals along her path.
AS none of the girls would tell what she
had seen-sach one had to run the gauntlet.
Then each girl went down cellar backward
with looking glass to see her future
lover. This time the boys promised on
their honor not 20 leave the hall where
the rest of the girls were gathered They
kept their word, but each girl saw through
her looking glass. handsome effigy of a
man, with a green cabbage for a head,
which had been conveniently stationed in
the cellar
All together they roasted chestnuts
named apples and cut slices from a bowl
of flour. These are all old tricks. very old.
In the flour trek a dime is hidden in a
bowl Of -four. the flour Is carefully turned
the shape of the bowl, then each one clre-
fully cuts a slice of flour The one who
first strikes the dime has to find 1t and ex-
tract it from the flour with his nose. Each
one was blindfolded IN turn and dipped a
hand into one of three saucers, the saucers
being changed after each trial. The one
who put a finger into the empty slucer
was destined to a single blessedneSs; the
one who dipped IN inky water was des. ined
to a widow or widoWer and the one who
dipped in clear water to be the first choice
Fortunes were told in an improvised tent
Mrs. Brainerds sister was the gypsy who
revealed the future. Then came games and
ghost stories, and the delightful evening
was over.