The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DEVIL'S NIGHT

WHEN I WAS YOUNG, THE NIGHT BEFORE HALLOWEEN, DEVIL'S
NIGHT, WE WOULD GO OUT AND PLAY TRICKS ON PEOPLE.
ONE TRICK WAS TO FILL A PAPER BAG UP WITH MANURE, THEN
PUT IT ON THE DOORSTEP OF SOMEONE'S HOUSE. THEN,
WE WOULD LIGHT THE BAG ON FIRE, AND RING THE DOORBELL.
WE'D RUN AND HIDE. WHEN THE PERSON WOULD ANSWER THE
DOOR AND SEE THE BURNING BAG, HE'D RUN OUT AND START
STAMPING IT. THEN HE'S START CUSSING AND YELLING
WHEN HE'D SEE HIS SHOE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 02-15-1972