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Pour melted wax or colored candle paraffine into a glass of cold water.

A little ingenuity and imagination in the interpretation of the shapes formed in the water will make the future very clear.

If the glass with the wax in it is held between a Read the rest of this entry

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This is another way to find the name, or at least the initials of the future partner in life.

Attach a string to a ring, a wedding ring, if possible.

Hold the end of the string in the Read the rest of this entry

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Shall we have a party for Halloween? That is no question in the average school. It is a foregone conclu­sion. The one and only problem left is: "Just what kind of party shall we have?" Let us suggest a party for all the wise owls of the rising generation. The invitations might read as follows: Read the rest of this entry

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A Mock Seance as the Dramatic Climax to the Halloween Party

Remember when you were a young­ster how your hair rose on end and chills raced up and down your spine as, spellbound, you listened to the tale of the window that slowly opened and the door that wouldn't stay shut? Well, don't think, for one minute, that you've outgrown that hair-raising game of arctic spinal tag - as long as there is hair to rise, ghost stories will raise it.

As a dramatic climax to the Halloween party, stage a seance with grim visitors from beyond the grave; it's a thrill you can't forget. Explain to the guests that you have engaged the services of a professional medium - Madame Sostill, who will answer all questions about the past and future.

The seance, of course, is a fake. It is merely a blind to start the telling of an uncanny ghost story; but it adds a bit of plausible reality to the tale and brings the guests into the spirit of the thing.

The medium has two confederates (colleagues) that Read the rest of this entry

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One verse is to be attached to a straw of a witch's broom favor (like the one pictured here). The rhyme is to be attached to the broom handle.

From straws, you may know which way the winds blow.

So proverbs quite ancient have said;
Witch broomstraws will tell Life's breezes as well,
And so let the future be read!

The straw says,"Quite too long you've tarried,
But cheer upl You will soon get married!"

The straw sailed through the skies above,
And learned that you will fall in love!

A long, long journey you will take.
(Witch broomstraws never made mistake!)

Some day you will be very rich!
The broomstraw told this to the witch!

"Success will surely come to you,"
The straw said this, and straws speak true.

"A legacy will come your way,"
That's what the mystic broomstraws say!

Oh, you'll have happiness galore,
Get all you wish for and some more!

Oh, you will have joy and you'll also have strife,
Beware the evil person who comes into your life!

In your chosen profession, success you will win,
But you'll have to work hard, so you'd better begin.

You'll meet "blue eyes and yellow hair."
The broomstraw warns, "Beware! Beware!"

If you wed a tall brunette
Broomstraw says you'll not regret.

You'll fall in love over and over again,
But never get married, the broomstraw says plain.

This year you will prosper, your path will be sunny,
The broomstraw is sure you will make lots of money.

You'll travel far, you'll travel wide,
And have much happiness beside.

A very great change soon, is coming your way,
'Twill be for the better, that's what the straws say.

You'll often go flying, 'tis strange and 'tis true,
But the old witch's broomstick flies higher than you!

The future will hand you a handsome new car,
In which you will travel so fast and so far!

You want a new house? Well you'll get it so surely.
On the word of the broomstick, just bank real securely.

A brand new position, with pay that is better,
Now wait, and you'll see this comes true to he letter!

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Fortunes in verse form can be used in many fun-producing ways at a Halloween party. Here are a number that the hostess can use as best meets her requirements to foretell the destiny other guests.

Keep in mind, these "fortunes" were first published in the 1920's.  They reflect the views of the sexes at that time.

Fortunes for Boys

West Point you will take by storm-
You look so well in uniform!

Annapolis will be your fate-
You'll wear a middie at any rate!

You'll be a very modern sheik-
But do not let your knees get weak!

Some "Gentlemen prefer a blond"
Of them you, too, are very fond!

A man of business you will be­
You'll make a fortune eas~ily!

As engineer you'll climb to fame­
All the world will know your name!

You'll marrya girl bythe name of Kate-
For the wedding day it's hard to wait!

You'll be a preacher fearless and bold­
And put Billy Sunday out in the cold!

A chauffeur-that's the thing for you­
But be a careful driver, do!

A chain of stores is in your eyes-
Your profits will to mountains rise!

Athletics-that's where you will shine­
Another Babe Ruth may be in line!

Boxing-that's the thing for you-
But I wouldn't tryDempseyif I were you!

Fortunes for Girls

A handsome prince with eyes of blue
Is coming straight from France to you!

I see what is in store for you-
A pretty tea room comes in view!

A beauty parlor you will run-
Making curls is lots of fun!

You'll be happy, I surely know­
With hubby in a bungalow!

You'll have a husband you can rule­
But do not let him know-the fool!

You'll have a husband you adore-
And he will love you more and more!

Just act dumb and cry and whine-
For husbands love a "clinging vine"!

You'll marry a man with eyes of brown,
And he is right within this town!

"Stay,stay at home, dear heart, and rest," Longfellow said-
and he knows best!

You'll find your happiness right at home,
No need around the world to roam!

A few old maids the world still needs­
You'll find your happiness in good deeds!

A masculine girl the men alarm-
So keep your own sweet feminine charm!

Fortunes for Both Boys & Girls

In the movies you will go-
I trust you will not find it slow!

You'll be a student somber and sad­
Cheer up-the world is not so bad!

You'll be a leader in your gang-
One does not hear a thing but slang!

A fortune will be left to you-
Take care of it whate'er you do!

You'll be an aviator bold-
Your stunts will make one's blood run cold!

I think you'll be an acrobat-
Unless you take on too much fat!

Around the world your voice will go,
Announcing for the radio!

A singer-your voice is like a bird­
And over the radio will be heard!

As an editor you will shine-
So much money for every line!

Your married Iife will happy be-
With handsome children, one, two, three!

A pair of twins will be your joy-
A little girl and a little boy!

You only like to spoon and spoon­
Sitting out beneath the moon!

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A twelve-year-old girl planned this party for her friends, a group of boys and girls, so that the novel theme was a surprise even to her mother.

In each invitation she asked the guests to bring oranges, apples, candies and canned goods for a mysterious purpose.

The children spent an enjoyable evening playing games, giving stunts, and telling ghost stories. Finally Jane asked their approval of this plan :

Would they like to proceed with masks and Jack-o'lanterns to the home of a needy family and leave their boxes of food on the porch as a new kind of Hallowe'en prank? The boys and girls were delighted, and with Jane's father as helper brought the food to the house, knocked on the door, and ran to hiding places to watch.
They saw the door open and the mother step out to look at the boxes. Soon the little children gathered around to exclaim over the good things left' for them. When
the family was safely inside, Jane and her band of goblins turned happily homeward, ready for refreshments and certain that this was the best Hallowe'en fun they had ever had.

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Ghost Party Invitation:

We've had a message from a ghost
Who says he'd like to be our host
On Saturday that's Hallowe'en.
He says the spooks will lay a trail
That we're to follow - if we fail
Never more shall we be seen.
We'll meet at at _____

Ghost Party Game:

When all have gathered, perhaps in someone's back yard, announce that the first message is tacked on a tree. When the crowd has found it, they will read at the
top the place where they are to go next, perhaps go to the back of the house at 23 Barrow Street," and underneath write this verse:

Spooks always carry some extra teeth.
They dropped a few just beneath
The biggest tree in the yard.
Who finds the most
May lay the ghost.
So look hard, my friends, look hard!

The spook's teeth are candy corn, a few grains tied together in twists of paper and scattered about by the trail layers within a radius of 20 yards around a designated tree.

And on the tree itself they have placed this message:

There's a reward for the one who brings in the most.
So don't eat your loot, says our ghost host.
Now: Go to the nearest schoolyard"
(or wherever):

In the Northeast corner
You may hear some moans.
Look around there for
Ten sets of bones.

In the school yard the trail blazers will have scattered ten sets of dice (you know, they're often called 'bones') or you could even have saved real bones from fried
chicken, etc.! Lying under one set of bones will be the next message:

Go to the alley behind the nearest grocery store."

What else do witches travel with
Besides their brooms and bats?
If you'll just hunt hard enough
You'll find the eyes of their cats!

The cat's eyes are marbles, which ought to show up well in the flashlight's gleams.

And the next message will be placed under a couple of Cats' eyes."

Go to the hedge by the vacant lot.."
The witches' bats got themselves caught,
Trying to clear the brush.
There are 30 of them there - but beware!
They may fly off in a rush!

The bats are licorice drops, each one tied in a twist of black crepe paper to resemble a body with wings. These are tied on strings and hung from bush branches or if
the hedge or bush border is thick enough, they can just be laid on the bushes.

The next message will also hang from the bushes:

Go to_______________.

The witches are having the glooms.
All on account of their brooms.
They were flying high but had a wreck,
Now they've a chance the remains to collect!

The "remains" are tiny bundles of broom straws (cut from old and no longer usable brooms) perhaps three or four straws in a bundle, tied with a string. Around one
of them the next message is wrapped:

Go to__________________.

The spooks had trouble, Caught their chains in a tree.
Better hurry or they
May finally get free. ~
(Be sure to collect every bit of debris.)

At this spot will be scattered sections of paper chains (yes, the kind you made
in Kindergarten). Attached to one of the chains is the final message:

Now if you all
Will face the east coast
And stand in silence,
YOU MAY MEET YOUR HOST!

When they've collected their chains, and are standing in the silence as ordered, one of you, dressed as a ghost, will come running toward them, moaning and wailing
as ghosts do.
(P. S. Don't scare them to death.)

The ghost, in hollow tones, will say 'Follow me' and lead them back to the spot (someone's back yard or a park) where the open fire is blazing and an appetizing stew (in a big witches kettle) is bubbling and wafting a mighty tasty perfume.

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You can find Vintage Halloween Games from Beistle in the themes of chance, fortune, skill and stunts.  One of the best place to find these vintage Halloween games is on eBay. Take a look at one's that are currently available:

Vintage Beistle Whirl-O Halloween Fortune & Stunt Game    US $55.00

Vintage 1950s Whirl-O Halloween Game Beistle USA ExCond    US $24.99

Vintage BEISTLE Halloween FORTUNE Crystal GAME No. 2 NM    US $9.99

Vintage BEISTLE Halloween FORTUNE Crystal GAME No. 3    US $9.99

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Assign to each of eight people one of the following characters. Whenever one's character is mentioned in the story, he is supposed to repeat the sounds here given.

The story-teller should pause a moment after the mention of a character in the reading.

At the end of the story, all perform in unison.

1. Sweet Young Thing: "Tee-hee-hee."

2. Strong Young Chap: Sings a bar of "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life."

3. Canary in the Cage: "T w i t t e r. twitter."

4. Cat on the Hearth: "Prrow."

5. Dark and Stormy Night: "Hoo-oo-oo."

6. Dying Dog: "Ki-yi."

7. Cruel Old Father: "Gr-humph."

8. Gray Ghost: "O-o-oh."

Once upon a time a sweet young thing was in love with a strong young chap. But she had a cruel old father who opposed their marriage.

One Hallowe'en night the sweet young thing was sitting in her parlor, with the canary warbling in the cage and the cat dozing on the hearth. It was a dark and stormy night. Hearing a strange noise outside, the sweet young thing went to the door. There in the yard lay a. poor, dying dog.

"Oh," said the sweet young thing, "I will bring him in where it is warm and will give him something to eat."

"No, you don't," growled her cruel, old father, appearing at just that moment. "Let dying dogs lie." And he compelled the sweet young thing to return to the parlor with the canary in ,the cage and the cat on the hearth. Through the chimney she could hear the howl of the wind on this dark and stormy night. Suddenly there came a knock at the door, and the strong young chap entered.

"I have come to take you to marry me," cried the strong young chap.

"Goody-goody," laughed the sweet young thing.

"No, you don't," growled her cruel old father. "You can't marry my daughter. Get out."

And the sweet young thing began to weep. And so did the canary in the cage, and the cat on the hearth, and the dying
dog outside.

"Oh, what shall I do?" cried the sweet young thing. At that instant the lights went out, and down the chimney came the gray ghost.

"I'm going to get you," the gray ghost whispered, Hoating toward the cruel old father.

"Help-oh, don't-" screamed the cruel old father as the gray ghost touched him, and he sat down and behaved himself.

"At last you're mine," the strong young chap cried joyfully.

And then the sweet young thing, and the strong young chap, and the cruel old father, and the canary in the cage, and the cat on the hearth, and the dark and stormy night, and the dying dog, and the gray ghost, all of them together laughed and laughed and laughed.

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