The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-10-16
TRICK OR TREAT
By SIBYL LELAH TEMPLETON

There had been a concentrated ef-
fort on the part Of the community to
divert Halloween pranksters from de-
structive activities. School authorities
and parents, assisted by boy scouts
united in a campaign to substitute
harmless fun for unlawful acts. A
leading newspaper had offered tickets
to movie theater, with special at
fractions promised, in return fol
pledges that youngsters would refrain
from annoying tricks. Unfortunately
this resurrected the old Halloween
game of "Trick or Treat" House
wives filled their cooky jars in readi
ness to treat so they might rest as
sured that windows, gates and clothes
lines would remain unmolested.
The children did not wait for tht
eventful eve when elves and hobgob
Inns are supposed to make their ap
pearance, but began festivities severa
evenings earlier, ringing doorbells anc
shouting, "Trick or Treat" All per
sons concerned, for the most part
were good-natured. The boys ane
girls were satisfied with few apple:
or cookies, or whatever might bt
handed them. One little girl confdet
gleefu!iy, 81 had so much that tool
some home" But by the time Hal
loween arrived the patience of home
makers was sorely tried, and cup
boards were as empty as Old Mother
Hubbard's.
On the morning Of All Saints Day
was walking in the crisp November
air. That hobgoblins and elves hat
held sway the evening before was ap
parent by gruesome warnings ane
markings on windowpanes. By thest
markings one could easily surmist
where tricksters had been repulsed
Child h voices interrupted my
thoughts, and my attention was
drawn to the conversation Of two
boys, about five and three years OF
age.
81 wish I hadn't lost that dime,
the elder Of the two said pensively
"What dime?" queried the smaller o1
the two boys indifferently. He wa:
busily engrossed in manipulating {
toy automobile. "W'y, don't you re-
member? The dime the dame handed
us when we told he, Trick or Treat.
If we had it we could buy somt
candy" The boys face frightened
with inspiration. "I'll tell you what,
he exclaimed, "let's go there agar
tonight an tell her Trick or Treat,
then she'll have to give US another
dime"
What were the processes of thought
going on in the active mind Of the
five-year- boy, who by the simple
device of warning, "Trick or Treat, ,
had received a shining dime with al
it's purchasing power? His determi-
nation to repeat the experience shows
what seed had been planted in his
fertile brain. A knock at the door, .
challenge to produce a dime or It's
equal or suffer the consequence
nice beginning in blackmail-and oul
very young friend was on the road tc
an unhappy career
Where are the parents of these
small but active-minded youngsters
The "Trick or Treat" way out seemed
to them, to solve the problem. "The
children must have their fun" Per
haps Dad and Mother were entertain
ing at dinner or were planning to &c
out for the evening. At any rate
five-year-old Johnnie had been per.
mitted to go out into the allurine
darkness and had procured easy
money. Elated by his success, he hac
conceived the idea of repeating the
performance.
Wisdom and watchfulness are
necessary for the proper guidance OF
little children. Their manner Of
thinking begins to develop very early
and in this growth they are much like
the plant which must seek food ant
water. Shall we let the characters 0.
boys and girls become stunted be
cause of neglect?