The Washington herald., 1917-10-29
MERRY FROLICS FOR
OLD HALLOWEEN

Halloween occurs on the night of
October 81. and is being celebrated
more widely every year. This despite
the fact that its origin is hardly
known, though many suppose IT to be
reminiscent OF the pagan bonfire
lighted by the Druid priests of olden
time as a prayer to the sun that the
crops might be safely harvested
From this fire the people carried
brands to their homes These glow
ing embers, they claimed. turned
aside evil spirits.
The festival is throughout the re-
vival and survival of ancient customs
and traditions. superstitions. in short,
which nobody any longer fears and
everybody enjoys making merry with.
Therefore 1t would not be possible to
make Hollowe'en party wholly novel
and still have it Halloween.
A Patriotic Note.
One new twist, however, may be
given to the occasion this year in that
it may be held with the keynote pa
triotism. This Is evolved, not in the
color scheme, but in the idea of in
some way providing for the welfare
of the soldiers, or sailors or perhaps
for just one man among them.
This may be done by making favors
for the evening of such a character
that the guests may leave them with
the hostess to be sent to the army or
navy. or by having a prize for some
special game of an article suitable
for "Our Boys" use.
Another way in which those "Over
There" could receive gifts through the
assemblage of the event. that is, each
guest would bring some small Of
ferIng to be marked with their name
and packed together for the camps.
The invitations may or may not in
dicate a patriotic thought behind the
party; that is Of course optional with
the hostess, but whatever decision Is
reached let the invitations be inform
al and in some way gay. Muchh of the
hue Of an evenings frolic is derived
fro mthe invitation, and IL a Hal
loween party is not informal It is un-
successful and dull
One might add to the note or card
"W. o. c." These mystic letters will
arouse curiosity and probably the
hostess will be busy for several days
explaining what they mean: Wear
Old Clothes"
When a ghost party is given the
guests drape themselves in sheets and
wear masks which are not removed
till midnight.
Supper need never be a costly af-
fair. It may consist merely Of an
ample amount of cake and cider,
though hearty appetites usually fol-
low games and much merriment, and
it is better where possible to provide
some simple foods Of satisfying quail
ty
Here is one suggested menu: Cream
ed chicken, olives, fruit, salad. small
unsalted crackers, nuts. raisins, fruit.
seed cakes, cider (hot or cold) served
throughout, Halloween cake.
The Halloween cake is full of ma
gic. II is a most potent feature OF the
occasion. Lots are drawn to decide
who shall cut the first slice. When
all are helped tiny mirrors (Which
may be had for a few cents) are pass
ed to each. The cake is then eater
in silence while holding the mirror in
the felt hand. and Immediately after
the face OF ones beloved will appear
in the mirror.
The cake should contain a ring and
may also nave IN IL Olher aIuCles
significant Of fate, such as a dime Tor
wealth. The ring, of course. denotes
that the one receiving it will marry
within the year. For the benefit OF
those who do not wish TO so TO the
expense of a specially made cake ii
may be said that bakers cake car
be used by piercing small holes ir
which the articles are inserted and
frostins the cake after.
Where a large number OF guests
are expected the diningroom can b,