A Logan neigborhood reader who always calls and reports her Halloween headcount left me a phone message.

She had 50 trick-or-treaters last night, up slightly from the last few years but nothing like the costumed tsunamis of the '70s.

The kids were well-behaved and all. And she had enjoyed the night.

Except for one incident.

At one point, three kids in costumes approached the porch and one of them started to chant "Doubles for the homeless!"

Another explained that they were homeless and that other candy dispensers had been kind enough to double their allotments.

Meantime, two adults my caller assumed to be their parents stood back and looked on without comment.

My caller didn't say what she decided about how much candy to give them. But apparently she didn't care for the social guilt-trip extortion.

"It left a bad taste," she said.   

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