Milford chronicle., 1941-10-03
TRICK OR THREAT
sibxl Lelah Templeton

ClDJl LCldn GiuplGLOH
There had been a concentrated
effort ON the part of the community
to divert Halloween pranksters
from destructive activities. School
authorities and parents, assisted by
boy scouts, united in a campaign
to substitute harmless fun for un-
lawful acts. A leading newspaper
had offered tickets to a movie the
atre, with special attractions prom
ised, in return for pledges that
youngsters would refrain from an
nOying tricks. Unfortunately, this
resurrected the old Hallowe en-
game of Trick or Treat" House
wives filled their cOoky jars in read
mess to treat SO they might rest
assured that windows, gates and
clotheslines would remain unmo-
Tested.
The children did not wait for the
eventful eve when elves and hob
goblins are supposed to make their
appearance, but began festivities
several evenings earlier, ringing
doorbells and shouting, Trick or
Treat" All persons concerned, for |
the most part, were good-natured. |
The boys and girls were satisfied !
with a few apples or cookies, or
whatever might be handed them.
One little girl confided gleefully,
81 had so much that l took some
home" But by the time Halloween
arrived the patience of homemak-
ers was sorely tried, and cupboards
were as empty as Old Mother Hub
bard's.
On the morning of All Saints
Day, l was walking in the crisp
air. That hobgoblins and
elves had held sway the evening
before was apparent by gruesome
and markings on wind
Owpanes. By these markings one
could easily surmise where tricks
ters had been repulsed. Childish
voices interrupted my thoughts,
and my attention was drawn to the
of two boys, about
i've and three years of age. {
II wish / hadn't lost that dime" t
he elder of the two said pensive- t
y What dime?" Queried the small c
sr of the two boys indifferently. He {
Vas busily engrossed in manipu- e
ating a toy automobile. why don't \
you remember? The dime the dame G
handed us when we told her, Trick
" Treat If we had it we could Il
)uy some candy" The boys face 7
frightened with inspiration. "I'll II
ell you what" he exclaimed, lets
20 there again tonight an tell her {
Trick or Treat then she'll have O
o give us another dime" t
What were the processes Of S
hought going on in the active mind L
II, the five-year-old. boy, who by s
he simple device of warning, C
Trick or Treat" had received a S
Inning dime with all its purchas- a
ng power? His determination to Il
epeat the experience shows what "
eed had been planted in his fer Il
lie brain. A knock at the door, a g
to produce a dime or its 81
quail or suffer the consequence fC
nice beginning in blackmail-and
ur very young friend was on the Ii
Dad to an unhappy career. oi
WnCIC arc liC PlA SAho VI ShSoS
mall but active-minded youngs- d;
ers? The "Trick or Treat" way fe
ut seemed, to them, to solve the 4,
roblem. "The children must have F.
heir fun!" Perhaps Dad and Mo- S;
ler were entertaining at dinner 81
r were planning to go out for the A
vening. At any rate, five-year-old be
ohnnie had been permitted to go al
ut into the alluring darkness and ds
ad procured easy money. Elated
Y his success, he had conceived pI
lie idea of repeating the perform la
nee. tn
Wisdom and watchfulness are
acessary for the proper guidance da
little children. Their manner of Jo
linking begins to develop very te
lrly, and in this growth they are RI
UGH like the plant which must tn
eek food and water. Shall we let
e characters of boys and girls be- FRI
me stunted because of neglect? ST.
co