Another suggestion is to have the hall totally dark
with the door ajar and no one in sight to welcome
the guests. As they step in they are surprised
to be greeted by some one dressed as a ghost who extends
his hand which is covered with wet salt.
The following games and tests of fate and fortune
will furnish entertainment for children small and
children of a larger growth. Of course, prying
into the future with these tests at any other time,
they may not prove infallible, but on the Eve of All
Saint’s Day, when all the elves, the fairies,
goblins and hobgoblins are at large playing pranks
and teasing and pleasing, why should they not “come
true.”
Open English walnuts, remove meat, and in each half
shell fasten short pieces of differently colored Christmas
candles, each of which is to be named for a member
of party and, after lighting, set afloat in large
pan or tub of water. The behavior of these tiny
boats reveals future of those for whom they are named.
If two glide on together, their owners have a similar
destiny; if they glide apart, so will their owners.
Sometimes candles will huddle together as if talking
to one another, while perchance one will be left alone,
out in the cold, as it were. Again, two will
start off and all the rest will closely follow.
The one whose candle first goes out is destined to
be old bachelor or maid. These nut-shell boats
may also be made by pouring melted wax into halves
of walnut-shells in which are short strings for wicks.
Each one places handful of wheat flour on sheet of
white paper and sprinkles it over with a pinch of
salt. Some one makes it into dough, being careful
not to use spring water. Each rolls up a piece
of dough, spreads it out thin and flat, and marks
initials on it with a new pin. The cakes are
placed before fire, and all take seats as far from
it as possible. This is done before eleven p.m.,
and between that time and midnight each one must turn
cake once. When clock strikes twelve future wife
or husband of one who is to be married first will enter
and lay hand on cake marked with name. Throughout
whole proceeding not a word is spoken. Hence
the name “Dumb Cake.” (If supper is served
before 11:30, “Dumb Cake” should be reserved
for one of the After-Supper Tests.)
Suspend apples by means of strings in doorway or from
ceiling at proper height to be caught between the
teeth. First successful player receives prize.
These prizes should be Hallow-e’en souvenirs,
such as emery cushions of silk representing tomatoes,
radishes, apples, pears, pickles; or pen-wipers representing
brooms, bats, cats, witches, etc.
A bowl is filled tightly with flour. During the
process of filling, a wedding ring is inserted vertically
in some part of it. The bowl, when full, is inverted
upon a dish and withdrawn, leaving the mound of flour
on the dish. Each guest cuts off with a knife
a thin slice which crumbles into dust. The guest
who cuts off the slice containing the ring will be
married first.
