The Alaska citizen., 1916-10-30
Witcheries of Halloween

cen tide Is associated with memories Of frolic and iun. and always has been. But let us go back I little into the dim md super=t!tious p;s'. at once dark and fesrsome spectrcs loom out to ieer and frighten us. Halloween or Holy Eve. the night the dead.) as it Is called in France. or All Saints Day. as we call 1t here. was originally religious ob. servance. A day set apart for fast. ing and prayer for the rest of the souls Of those departed. On Hal. lowe'en. according to superstition. the graveyards yawned while restless spir- It's sallied forth to wall mourning or wreak vengeance So strong and deep rooted was this superstition that few were the hearts brave enough to disregard the custom of fasting and prayer. while many can dles burned. As will always happen among deeply religious. yet ignorant. people. witchcraft and the power of the evil eye became hopelesaly mix. ed up with the laying of wraiths and ghosts, while many en auld guid. wife's reputation was blasted on ac- 1 count of the mutteringS Of age and the brewing of herbs. However. as time moved on. Halloween assumed more the characteristics of d merry of charms and the casting of spells continued.
 By the Scotch in particular 1t was thought to be the most propitious l time for the answering of all ques-
 tions concerning marriage. thus it 1 became the custom on thls night for ! the lads and lassiea to consult old I women who had acquired the dis tinction of having familiar spirit
 usually identified as black cat, 1 These old crones must be propitiat ] ed with a trifling gift of some sort. 1 besides the usual piece of silver with which their palms were crossed. lest
 they cast the evil eye Instead of l prophes yins the desired speedy mar
 riage with the beloved swain.
 : 4 Halloween party Is the greatest
 fun in the world for young and old l The presence of comparative strang-
 CTS at such gathers compels more or less restraint and ceremony; hence l il Is customary to have but limited
 number of guests. and those such as are on terms of intimacy with the ] hostess and her household
 : Have your invitations and menu
 cards odd to suit thls occasion. if you use them at all. and they should
 portray pictures of witches on broom l sticks, owls. black kittens, brownies or Scotch thistles.
 Decorations may be elaborate and { artistic, or they may be weird. Au-
 ,umn colors, mainly yellow and brown, 1 should prevail; Jack-o'lantern faces
 should peer out of unexpected cor
 ners. Use large. yellow turnips hol
 lowed out for 1srdinieres. Outside. Of 1 course. pumpkins form one of the
 principal articles on Halloween. but
 our big Northern yellow turnip an
 swers excellently.
 The following are a few sugses-
 tions for Halloween supper dishes: { Potted Meat Sandwiches.
 Very tasty and quickly made sand wicheA can be made from all the
 potted meats sold in little cans and
 jars The paste may be spread on
 buttered crackers, or little rolls. ac-
 cording To fancy. and some thinly
 sliced cucumber. tomato. watercress.
 or other salad may be added If the
 paste Is highly seasoned It must be
 used sparinsly. or it may be toned 1 down by being mixed with hard cook
 ed eggs, or a little good. thick sauce.
 or whipped cream. Cream some but
 ter on plate with an equal Quan- 1 tity of some tasty potted meat. The
 mixture must be delicate in flavor.
 and of nice. smooth consistency.
 Spread between thinly sliced and but.
 tered bread. roll up. and fasten with
 little wooden skewer; wrap all i the sandwiches In towel until time
 to serve refreshments. then remove
 the skewer and the sandwiches will
 keep their shape.
 Mvlied Cider.
 I An old English recipe for mulled cider calls for one quart of good
 cider. heated quickly to the boiling point While It is heating beat three eggs until light. add very gradually
 one-half cupful of sugar. more if /, the cider Is quite acid. When the
 cider reaches the boiling point pour .I