Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-07
A HALLOWEEN HooDo0
A NAN WHO HAS INCURRED THE
ENMITY OF THE aoDLINs.

II guess it's true that every one Is more
or less supeestitious, said gentleman
from New York to a Star reporter. IT al
ways thought I was immune. but I am
ready now to include myself with the rest
Of humanity.
You know" he continued. according to
old Irish traditions. on All Halloween
the little elves or gobiins which inhabit the
bowels OF the Garth, come nightly among
human beings and play their pranks. and
can thus carry out revenge upon any NOR
tails who have incurred their enmity. You
know In my younger days / was q mining
engineer and was compelled to spend q
good deal Of time down deep in the mines
OF the far west. In some Of my tunnelings
must have disturbed or annoyed one Of
got 1t In for me. Four times have suf-
fered from very peculiar accidents. each
October"
take notice. but simply said: Go on"
over three years ago, on the 31st Of Oc-
tober. returned home-you know I live In
e little town about an hours ride from
ly after shutdown. As I entered my gate 1
saw my daughters just disappearing
around the corner Of the house. evidently
intending to go out the side entrance. I
across the lawn. The grass was dry and
slippery and had on a new pair of shoes
also slippery. Result-my heels few In the
air and I went sprawling. tried to get up
and 1t was found on a surgeons examina-
ton that I had badly torn the ligaments
OF my right leg below the knee. Bed,
clutches, cane and limp. Couldn't walk
Accident No 2. Two years ago. on Oc-
tober 81. got 1t again. had forgotten all
about the accident of the previous year,
and also that 1t was All Halloween. When
barn in process of building. Workmen had
been laying the floor that day and wanted
to see what progress had been made since
I left in the morning. AS stepped over a
pile Of boards 1 felt sharp sting on the
calf OF my leg. I made q quick grab and
crushed whatever 1t was that had bitten
me. I found when I undressed that I had
been bitten In three places. The next day
my leg was twice its size and OF crushed
strawberry color. One of the doctors who
treated me recognized the bite of . cent?
pede and Of particular kind which is
found only In tropical countries. When 1
explained about the stable floor and spoke
Of the lumber probably having been brought
from South American country In a sailing
vessel. the mystery was explained. But it
was many weeks before I recovered from
the effects of that centipedes attack.
Accident No. 3. l began to take notice
of October 81. and when that date rolled
around in 1866 concluded would be very
careful OF myself that day, and particular
ly after shutdown. I lodged electric cars
and automobiles very successfully and
reached home in the evening safe and
sound. My wife was glad It was SO and
referred to my annual troubles. She
warned me to be very careful and advised
me not to leave the house, but to go to bed
O'Clock. considering my little trundle the
safest place for me. But thought I would
read lying in bed until I got sleepy. I was
much interested in my book when the tele-
thinking I hurriedly jumped out of bed.
and in doing SO my leg twisted, and I was
laid up for weeks with a bad knee. The
membrane which forms the little oil sack
was stiff legged for a long time.
Accident No. 4. I didn't forget the date
last October, and when the last day Of the
month came even the boys in the Office
that day as II were treading on eggs so
careful was not to step or stumble 1 got
through the day all right, and in the bosom
Of my family I began to. feel quite secure.
after dinner. The servants went out to
spend the evening and the children went
to bed early. My wife urged me to retire
also. 1 promised to go as soon as I fin
went upstairs, and said would be along
in ten minutes. Suddenly the door bell
rang. I had forgotten all about my Hal
loween fears, and as I was the only per-
son on the ground floor went to the front
door to answer the summons. AS I opened
the door I was met with volley of -four
right in the face from = bunch Of neigh
borhood boys who were celebrating the
evening. 1 took a step to grab one of my
assailants, when I either slipped or was
tripped up. and fell on my face. When I
got up blood was streaming from my
mouth three teeth were knocked out and
my nose lay over on the side of my face
1t was a pretty bad fall and it was some
time before was in shape again.
Now there you are-four accidents, every
one on the 31st of October, and every one
happening after shutdown. Have 1 any
right to be a trifie superstitious? I would
like to get into communication with the
goblin whose enmity 1 have unwittingly in
CURED and see If we can't have amicable
relations restored once more. GAS I recall
the tradition an elf can only play FRANKS
on his victim, and cripple him, perhaps, but
cannot take his life-uniess the victim be-
comes afraid, then there is real danger
I'm not scared-not a bit of it-yet. Still I
can't say I anticipate the celebration Of
next Halloween with feelings of unalloyed
joy."