Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-11-10

l I'LL dren to be enter |
N ~ tained-a guest |
for each of Octo- |
ber's golden days-and Halloween 10
be celebrated, There are easier Things
to do Such stunts" as mirror-gazing
at the silyery hour of midnight. as ioi-
lowing a thread through a dark ceiiar'
or pulling kalestocks: none OF tnem
could be called child's play some
thing had to be planned that was diI-
ferent, something entertaining anu
~Hallowe'eny."
The invitations, which were sent
out a week in advance. read as ioi-
lows:
Won't you come to my Halloween
party. from six to nine. October 81!
Please wear play clothes
SYLVIA HALL"
In the corner of each card was
tiny water-color sketch--a witch rid
ing a broom. a blinking owl. or u
broad winged bat
Every response was an acceptance
and stralghtway preparations for the
party began. From farm house we
drove home one day with load Oh
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 we're 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 we're stacked be-
side fireplace at safe distance from
the FIRE, and the house was Lit dim
Iy 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 a fat pumpkin was
perched a Halloween witch. holding a
handful OF rafia. which came from
, the mouth of grab-bag. In her black
, gown. peaked hat. and flying red cloak,
with veritable broomstick In her
hand, she was the star of indoors. On
the lawn, ready to offer welcome 10
J, every guest who arrived. was q great
er star. a iife-size witch. with a pair
Of winkiing 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 latn-like form for
shapeliness, while her garb was q
nightgown. The pumpkin head was oi
{ noble proportions, the hair was .
bunch of black rama. and over 4
perched lordly hat with peak near
ly a yard high. wide brim. and crisT
d scarf OF orange colored paper tied in q
magnificent bow at one side. The
K head was nailed securely to the frame
Q work. and inside the candles 1aret
d safely, for the witch's cap was lined
with asbestos That she made a hii
would be praising her mildly: II bel
II feet had not been securely planted N
II the earth she might have been tempt
y ed the curtsey from the attention shs
received
When Is small girls filed down
r stairs, led by their young hostess. the,
a were blindfolded one by one and eacl
q played q game of blindman's bun will
the boys in the hall. the one who wal
captured being her partner for sup
n per. II shattered in an instant thu
n ice which has always to be broken q
q a children's party The crowd watch
ing blindman's bun began to shriel
with laughter. which grew to ger
IA uine hilarity when the sixteenth CIR
.r chased the sixteenth boy into a col
ts ner. There was hungry rush for tn
dining-room and parlor. where eigh
small tables we're set, four children be
"A ing seated at each. The supper was
= simple one, consisting of tongue an
!. chicken sandwiches. with stuffed pc
tatoes, baked apples with whippe
cream. gingerbread men. chocolat
nuts and grapes.
i. When the evenings fun began.
.. Jolly young aunt was appointed re-
cree and recorder In the variou
games. The first part Of the pr
gram was held in the kitchen Will
= tables were being cleared and dishe
= carried 20 the buffers pantry. Their
- was, Of course. a tub filled with iuk'
y warm water lit was too chilly nigh
for cold plunge). and in ii floated
score OF rosy apples Bobbing &c
H. them was no end Of fun. and the fir'
- youngster clever enough to bring on
ne up in his or her teeth was given ii
IL g.. rlaca IN the Het of honor