Games for Hallow-een | Page 9

paper, on the reverse side write a bit of "fortune." Place the folded papers in empty peanut or English walnut shells; the shells may be slightly glued together or tied with colored ribbons or string, or a narrow band of paper pasted at the ends will hold the two halves together. If the paper band is used, the numbers may be written on them and partners drawn before the nuts are cracked and fortunes read.
There should be two portions of nuts and two sets of numbers, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. The lady and gentleman drawing corresponding numbers are partners.
A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR FORTUNES.
You will meet your future husband (or wife) to-night. Prosperity and love await you. A lap full of money and a lap full of children. Change your mind before it is too late. You have made the right choice. Your love is not returned. She is tired of Taffy, try chocolates. Thee does not love him as much the(e)auto. You have too many beaux to your string. Your face is your fortune, but poverty is no crime. Fate has deceived you; you will be left in the lurch, waiting at the Church. Your mate is true blue; what color are you? Press your suit again; it needs it. A kiss in time may save nine others taking a chance. Dame Fortune says, "A good wife, Happy days, a long life." You are well bred, but doomed to travel in single harness. Your better half will be a silver one. Your heart is like a street car--carries many passengers and always room for one more.
The fates decree You shall married be In the year of 1923.
Ask her--two can live as cheap as one, in fact cheaper, on the same salary.
BLIND NUT SEEKERS
Let several guests be blindfolded. Then hide nuts or apples in various parts of room or house. One finding most nuts or apples wins prize.
TO TRY ONE'S LUCK
In a dish of mashed potatoes place a ring, a dime, and a thimble. Each guest is provided with a spoon with which to eat the potatoes; whoever gets the ring is to be married within a year; the thimble signifies single blessedness, while the dime prophesies riches or a legacy.
Some canny lassies have been known to get the ring into one of their very first spoonfuls, and have kept it for fun in their mouths, tucked snugly beneath the tongue, until the dish was emptied. Such a lass was believed to possess the rare accomplishment of being able to hold her tongue, but nevertheless tricky.
THE LOAF CAKE
A loaf cake is often made, and in it are placed a ring and a key. The former signifies marriage, and the latter a journey, and the person who cuts the slice containing either must accept the inevitable.
CYNIVER
Each girl and boy seeks an even-leaved sprig of ash; first of either sex that finds one calls out cyniver, and is answered by first of opposite sex that succeeds; and these two, if omen fails not, will be joined in wedlock.
NAMING CHESTNUTS
Roast three chestnuts before the fire, one of which is named for some lady (or gentleman); the other two, for gentlemen (or ladies). If they separate, so will those for whom they are named; those jumping toward the fire are going to a warmer climate; those jumping from the fire, to a colder climate; if two gentlemen jump toward one another, it means rivalry.
THE MIRROR
Walk backward several feet out of doors in moonlight with mirror in your hand, or within doors with candle in one hand and mirror in the other, repeating following rhyme, and face of your future companion will appear in glass:
"Round and round, O stars so fair! Ye travel and search out everywhere; I pray you, sweet stars, now show to me This night who my future husband (wife) shall be."
BARREL-HOOP
Suspend horizontally from ceiling a barrel-hoop on which are fastened alternately at regular intervals apples, cakes, candies, candle-ends. Players gather in circle and, as it revolves, each in turn tries to bite one of the edibles; the one who seizes candle pays forfeit.
JUMPING LIGHTED CANDLE
Place a lighted candle in middle of floor, not too securely placed; each one jumps over it. Whoever succeeds in clearing candle is guaranteed a happy year, free of trouble or anxiety. He who knocks candle over will have a twelve-month of woe.
RING AND GOBLET
Tie wedding-ring or key to silken thread or horsehair, and hold it suspended within a glass; then say the alphabet slowly; whenever ring strikes glass, begin over again and in this way spell name of future mate.
MIRROR AND APPLE
Stand in front of mirror in dimly lighted room and eat an apple. If your lover reciprocates your love he will appear behind you and look over your right shoulder and