The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-10-20


I for each of Octo-
ber's golden days--and Halloween 10
be celebrated. There are easier things
to do. Such stunts" as mirror'sazlns
! at the silvery hour of midnight. as fol-
lowing a thread through dark CELLAR
or pulling kalestocks; none OF then'
could be called child's play. some
thing had to be planned that was ol''
ferent, something entertaining anu
"Hallowe'eny"
The invitations, which were SEM
out week in advance, read as lo''
lows:
Won't you come to my Halloween
party. from six to nine. OCTOBER SA'
Please wear play clothes.
SYLVIA HALL"
In the corner of each card was
tiny water.cOlor sketch-a witch r'a'
ing broom, blinking owl. or
broad winged bat.
Every response was an acceptance
and straightway preparations for the
party began. From farm house we
drove home one day with a load OF
cornstalks, pumpkins. and carrots:
Everybody in the house who couio
use a iack.knife was pressed into serv'
ice. Biz pumpkins and little were
transformed into lanterns. with races
upon which black or white paint had
. sketched queer eyebrows or herce
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 DE-
side a fireplace at safe distance from
the fire, and the house was lit dim
" by pumpkin-heads or candles sci
in followed carrots
The dining table was set with a
group of carrot candlesticks and bowl
fuls of apples. nuts. grapes anc
I candy. Upon a fat pumpkin was
+. perched Halloween witch. holding
handful Of rafia. which came from
the mouth of grab-bag In her blacI
X gown, peaked hat. and flying red cloak
% with a veritable broomstick In be
hand. she was the star of indoors o.
the lawn, ready to offer welcome I
N every guest who arrived. was grea'
~ er star, a life-size witch. with pal
" of winkling red eyes which could b
seen two blocks distant. Her frame
work was a rough wooden cross wit
=. =. one end hewn to a sharp stake whic
~ was driven into the ground. Pillow
were tied about her lath.like form Il
shapeliness, while her garb was
=. nightgown. The pumpkin head was
- noble proportions. the hair was
H. bunch of black rafIia. and over
perched a lordly hat with peak nea
e " a yard high. wide brim, and a Girls
:. ~ scarf Of orange colored paper tied IN
80 magnificent bow at one side. IN
head was nailed securely to the fran
ck work and inside the candles dare
SO safely, for the witch's cap was line
I'd with asbestos. That she made a b
would be praising her mildly: II 81
feet had not been securely planted
OF the earth she might have been temp
er ed the curtsey from the attention ST
~ received
When Is small girls filed dow
stairs, led by their young hostess. thu
ur were blindfolded one by one and eat
played game Of blindman's bun vii
Ise the boys in the hall. the one who vi
CAPTURED being her partner for gu
ner. It shattered in an instant Il
IAN ice which has always to be broken
tin children's party The crowd watc
re- Ing blindmans buff began to shri'
with laughter. which grew to &c
uine hilarity when the sixteenth g
The chased the sixteenth boy into a CT
ter ner. There was hungry rush for Il
nts dining-room and parlor, where Gig
small tables were set, four children
ine seated at each. The supper was
nod simple one, consisting Of tongue a
IN chicken sandwiches, with stunned
20. tatoes. baked apples with whipp
cream, gingerbread men. chocols
nuts and grapes
at When the evenings fun began,
~. FOLLY young aunt was appointed
d,s. cree and recorder In the var'o
games. The first part OF the p
gram was held in the kitchen WI
:. tables were being cleared and dist
~ carried to the buffers pantry. I'M
~ was, Of course. tub filled with III
, ~ warm water lit was too chilly oil
''S for cold plunge). and In 1t f1oatet
score of rosy apples. Bobbins
Them was no end of fun. and the u
AMI youngster clever enough to bring
ces' up in his or her teeth was given
sne first place on the list Of honor
/ 1t