The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1911-12-23

ber's golden days-and Halloween to
be celebrated! There are easier things
to do. Such stunts" as mirrorgazlns
at the silvery hour of midnight. as fol-
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 oil.
ferent. something entertaining ana
"Hallowe'eny."
The Invitations, which were sent
out q week in advance. read as Ioi-
lows:
Wont you come to my Halloween
party, from six to nine. October Sl1
Please wear play clothes.
SYLVIA HALL"
In the corner Of each card was
tiny water-color sketch-a witch nd
ing q broom, 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 load OF
cornstalks, pumpkins. and carrots.
Everybody in the house who could
use jack-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
russell 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 safe distance from
the fire, and the house was lit dim
~ by pumpkin-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 fat pumpkin was
perched a Halloween witch, holding
handful of raffia. 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 great
or star, a life-size witch. with a 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 lathlike form for
shapeliness, while her garb was q
nightgown. The pumpkin head was Of
noble proportions. the hair was
bunch of black raffla, and over 1t
perched lordly hat with a peak near
ly 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 Jared
safely. for the witch's cap was lined
with asbestos. That she made a hit
would be praising her mildly; II 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 filed down
stairs, led by their young hostess. they
were blindfolded one by one and each
played q game of blindman's buff with
the boys in the hall. the one who was
captured being her partner for sup
per- 1t shattered in an instant the
ice which has always to be broken at
a childrens party. The crowd watch
ing blindman's buff began to shrek
with laughter, which grew to gen.
uine hilarity when the sixteenth girl
chased the sixteenth boy into a cor
ner There was hungry rush for the
dining-room and parlor, where eight
small tables were 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 the 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 were being cleared and dishes
carried to the buffers pantry. There
was. Of course, tub filled with luke
warm water ut was too chilly a night
for cold plunge). and in it foated a
score Of rosy apples. Bobbine for
them was NJ end Of fun. and the first
youngster clever enough to bring one
up In his or her teeth was given the
1rSt place on the list Of honor.