Page:Hallowe'en festivities (1903).djvu/40

36 line on table. Testers are blindfolded, turned about three times, and led to table. A hand is put out and prophecy made by bowl touched. Water shows happy, peaceful life; wine promises rich, eventful, noble career; vinegar, misery and poverty; an empty bowl is a symbol of bachelor or spinster life.

7. PUMPKIN ALPHABET.

Hostess enters with small round pumpkin on old pewter platter. On pumpkin are carved all letters of alphabet. One guest is blindfolded and given a hat-pin, then led to pumpkin, where she is expected to stick pin into one of the letters on the pumpkin, thus indicating the initial of future life-partner.

8. FEATHER TESTS. To foretell complexion of future mate, select three soft, fluffy feathers. (If none is handy, ask for a pillow and rip open and take out feathers.) On bottom end of each feather fasten a small piece of paper; a drop of paste or mucillage will hold all three in place. Write "blonde" on one paper; "brunette," on another, and "medium" on the third. Label papers before gluing them on feathers. Hold up one feather by its top and send it flying with a puff of breath. Do same with the other two; the feather landing nearest you denotes complexion of your true love. To make test sure, try three times, not using too much force in blowing feathers, which should land on table, not on floor.

9. TOUCHSTONE. If you wish something very pleasant to happen, try "touch-stone" charm. Place on a platter seven small, clean stones of same shape and size—six of common grayish color, the seventh white. After being blindfolded and changing position of stones on platter, describe a circle in air three times with left hand, at last bringing forefinger down on one of the stones. Should you touch white one, good fortune is yours.