The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-10-27

Il " = tained--a guest
for each Of Octo-
ber's golden days--and Halloween to
be celebrated! There are easier things
to do. Such stunts" as mirror-gazlng
at the silvery hour Of midnight, as lot
lowing a thread through dark cellar
or pulling kalestocks; none OF them
could be called child's play some
thing had to be planned that was dii,
ferent, something entertaining ana
'Hallowe'eny"
The invitations, which were sent
out a week in advance read as fol-
lows:
Won't you come to my Halloween
party, from six to nine, October SlE
Please wear play clothes
SYLVIA HALL"
In the corner of each card was
tiny water-color sketch--a witch rid
ing broom, a blinking owl, or
broad winged bat
Every response was an acceptance
and straightway preparations for the
party began. From a farm house we
drove home one day with a load of
cornstalks, pumpkins, and carrots,
Everybody in the house who could
use a iack-knife was pressed into serV-
ice. Big pumpkins and little were
transformed into lanterns, with faces
upon which black or white paint had
sketched queer eyebrows or fierce
mustachios. They were distributed
about the house; tucked among
russet oak leaves and green pine
boughs on each mantel, set lantern
fashion on a newell post in the hall, or
hung here and there from overhead
grilles. Cornstalks were stacked be-
side fireplace at a safe distance from
the fire, and the house was lit dim
ly by pumpkn-heads or candles set
in followed carrots
The dining table was set with a
group of carrot candlesticks and bowl
fuls of apples. nuts, grapes and
candy Upon a fat pumpkin was
perched a Halloween witch. holding a
handful of rafia. which came from
the mouth of a grab-bag In her black
gown, peaked hat. and flying red cloak,
with a Veritable broomstick in her
hand, she was The star of indoors On
the lawn, ready to offer welcome to
every guest who arrived. was 9 great
er star, a life-size witch, with pair
of winkling red eyes which could be
seen two blocks distant Her frame
work was a rough wooden cross with
one end hewn to a sharp stake which
was driven into the ground Pillows
were tied about her lath-Hie form for
shapeliness, while her garb was a
nightgown. The pumpkin head was of
noble proportions, the hair was a
bunch of black raffia. and over II
perched a lordly hat with a peak near
ly a yard high. wide brim, and a crisp
scarf Of orange colored paper tied in a
magnificent bow at one side The
head was nailed securely to the frame
work. and inside the candles fiared
safely. for the witch's cap was lined
with asbestos That she made a bit
would be praising her mildly, If her
feet had not been securely planted IN
the earth she might have been tempt
ed the curtsey from the attention she
received
When IS small girls fled down
stairs, led by their young hostess. they
were blindfoided one by one and each
played a game OF blindmans buff with
the boys in the hail. the one who was
captured being her partner for sup.
per 1t shattered in an instant the
ice winch has always TO be broken at
chidrens party The crowd watch,
ing blindmans buff began to shrek
With laughter, which grew to gen
uine hilarity when the sixteenth girl
chased the sixteenth boy into cor
ner. There was a hungry rush for The
dining-room and parior, where eight
small tables we're set, four children be.
ing seated at each The supper was a
simple one, consisting Of tongue and
chicken sandwiches, with stuffed po
tatoes. baked apples with whipped
cream, gingerbread men, chocolate
nuts and grapes
When he evenings fun began.
Jolly young aunt was appointed ref
cree and recorder in the various
games The first part of the pro
gram was held in the kitchen while
tables we're being cleared and dishes
carried to the buffers pantry There
was. Of course. a tub filled with luke
warm water dt was too chilly a night
for cold plungel and in Il foated a
score ct ROSY apples Bobbine for
them was no end OF fun. and the frsl
younester clever enough to bring one
up IN his or her epth was gwen ne
frs place on he list Of honor