The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-12-11
4uusehola asuras.
SUPERSTITION.

GUEGhO1444UAs
That looks like a very long word for the
Little Folks column, but am only going
to tell some little stories l know, to show
how foolish it is for people to believe in
ghosts and signs, and dreams, and haunted
houses. Perhaps you viii say, good people
do not; but 1 know Of many who will not
start on a journey, or have new garment
cut, or begin any piece of work on Friday,
because they say it is an unlucky day, and
you cannot prosper if you do so; and if
looking glass breaks, they look solemn, and
say there is going to be death in the
family; or if you drop a fork, company is
coming; if dog bowls, death is sure to
follow; if you see the moon over your left
shoulder, bad luck for that month, and soon,
making themselves uncomfortable by imagin
ing thousand things which never come true,
or if they do, have nothing to do with the
sign they have connected with it. One
evening, a good many years ago, my father
took me upon his knee to tell me story
for which l had teazed him, and looking at
me with droll expression on his face, said :;
"Nellie, did you ever see a ghost 2
"Why, no sir, said at once, "did your
''NO," he answered, "but 1 almost did, "
and went on to tell me this story:
zone beautiful moonlight evening, when
was about thirteen years old, my father
said to me, My sou, l want you to put the
saddle on the black horse aud go over to
Hadley and do some errauds for me, and
told me what they were.
"Well when he told me this, my heart
almost stood still for a moment, for my
road lay through very dark, heavy pine
woods, which had often heard were haunt
ed; as very strange noises were often heard
in them. But my father was man who
had no faith in such stories, and would not
have allowed me to wait till daylight, even
if the erraRds had not been urgent, because
he would have thought it best for me to so,
aud if heard strange noise to trace 1t
and fnd out what it was. So l put the sad
die on the horse, and started on my way,
aud sure enough, when was about half way
through the first woods heard strange
sort of hoo ou-ou- ou-ou, which seemed
right opposite me, though far in the woods.
| tried to be brave; l stopped my horse and
listened; but the sound became more and
more distinct as listened, and with great
effort made up mind to ride into the woods
and see if ! could find what was causing it.
So in 1 rode to the thickest part, where,
after resting moment, l heard just the
same sound, several times repeated, only IN
stead of being beside me as had expected,
it was out by the road which l had just left.
"WelI, had found out that it was some
thing that could move, so after it l went
again, and as soon as l reached the road,
there it was back in the wood. Well, nOw l
earned that it did not wish to stay by me,
and the thought occurred to me that l might
frighten a, instead of being frightened by
it. so l rode in again, but with just the same
effect. So / made up my mind that this
time would watch, and not allow anybody
or thing to pass without my seeing 1t, but
this time 1 looked up, instead of on the
ground, and what should see but large
white owl, which few over my head and
rested on a tall tree. So this proved the
great wonder which had frightened the whole
neigbborhood; and | smiled all to myself,
aad went on to do my errands, and then went
home and told the boys who haunted old
Hadiey's woods, and that they need not fear
to 20 through them, let it be ever so dark,
and if they would Ike to We would make up
a party and see if We could not catch the
ghost and bring it home with us -
So think the best way is when we hear
strange noises not to run away from them,
but try and trace them out and we are pretty
sure to find some simple cause; but if we lay
up al the signs and omens we hear, and put
faith in them, they are sure to make US I'M
happy.
OIy few days ago friend called to
see me, and I spoke about moving, as l was
expecting to do so il a few days, and said,
81 am afraid old Kitty will not stay with
US, as she is so attached to this place.
When looked at her saw she looked
very sober; and she said to me, "Oh, don't
think Of moving your cat. Don't you know
it is a very bad omen: should expect one
of the children would die.
said, IS You know don't believe in such
things, and if they should all die should
believe it was because Gods time had come
for them, and not because I moved my cat. "
knew a woman once who thought her
husband had died because be looked into the
fave Of his own dear pastor, aud she said,
" You notice it, and you will find if any one
looks q. the coffin after it is lowered into the