Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-03
Edith Smith - Halloween
in 1915

in 1915
The night was clear, cold, and still.
: which made every noise sound loud.
4 rms suited US children, for we could
have lots of fun. Four of us went out
together and we sure had fun.
We started with tick-tack, candles,
box OF safety matches, and JACKIE
lanterns. Also plenty of corn. First,
we made round to the neighbors.
Where shall we go now?" asked
one.
ITO Smiths. We will have fun. for
Mrs. Smith is scared at the drop of
. a pin," returned the other.
| SO l went up on the porch, put my
! tick-tack on the big window.
! oh! What is that" screamed Mrs.
/ Smith
| BY the time she turned around l put
/ my pumpkin up and she screamed
again So we left by giving her a
shower OF corn. We scudded around
the house because Mrs. Smith opened
! the door.
you kids just get out" she said,
half scared.
We almost fell running and we
! laughed so that she came very near
hearing us. Then Frederick spoke up
and said, Let's 90 to Kittermans.
Mr.. K. is home alone
We all agreed. Ada walked up and
knocked at the door. Foolish man.
came to the door, opened it. Gee! He
shut it just about as quick as lie
opened, for he received a shower of
corn.
w Wav ~ 4
when we hit one who was having
party.
MY! we shall have time" wa
said to each other.
We saw girl and boy standing on {,
the porch. Frederick slipped aroundS
the side of the house and threw corn
on them. The girl ran but the boy
laughed and said Turn your back"
Just as he opened his mouth Emer-
son gave him another taste of corn.
so he went in.
We went around to the back porch.
There we found basket Of some
thing, we did not know what, and said,
Lets just set 1t on the front door 80
when they open the screen door
how"
We all agreed. She took the basket
and went around in front and hid be.
hind big tree to see what might be.
fall Pretty soon girl and boy came
out They gave the door push.
which sent the fruit all over the
porch. Say, we did laugh. We went
soon. We spied some ghosts stand
Ing on the corner. stand. STAND
back" slipped up and threw some
corn on one. He followed, which
scared me, and ! fell. Now the chill.
dren had good joke on me-
I'll get it on you"
We then went home to see what
time 1t was. Just 2 o'clock We rested
up and away we went. Just as we
got on the porch. Crash went the
poor lady's fence. l said, Lets go
and see''
We got there. it was two boys.
IF you don't put it up We will
squeal on you" Frederick said
Come on, let's have fun" said one
boy.
mo. will help put up the fence"
answered Emerson.
No sooner said than done.
We went up to some lady's house.
where they were having some kind Of
a meeting and they were singing.
Each of us put our lanterns up at
window. The singing kept up so we
put tick.tacks up. Singing stopped
men came toward door. We ran back
and put them on back kitchen. The
cook screams. Someone, somebody
has come" she said. This delighted
us so we said Pumpkins" at once.
Emerson stepped up to the door and
knocked The cook grabbed cup Of
water and came to the door,
Can ! have drink" he asked.
Yes and as she said yes she
doused the water on him.
THAT is two. now two more" /
laughed
Now let's take up Peters house:
he says he never was fooled or
scared" suggested Ada.
So we went up and saw Mr.. P. sit.
ting half asleep at the table
81 know" said Frederick, Lets open
the door and set my lantern on the
! table. then watch and see what he
/, will do
So they opened the door and placed
the pumpkin on the table. He waited
until they were out; he raised up.
took some water, opened the door. and
soaked them. We laughed and went
home.
Your friend,
Edith Smith.
| General Delivery. Ottumwa, Iowa