The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-07
popular Superstitions.
LUCKY oMENs.

W nat an exhibition OF human weakness
is made in the petty superstitions regard
ing so-called omens, and lucky and un-
lucky days Let US run over few of
these follies, not yet exploded in certain
sections Of the population.
Odd understanding the ever fatal
thirteen-are thought to be lucky The
shrill piping of the household cricket is
prophetic of happiness to the hearth it
haunts, as surely as the settling Of stork
upon Dntchman's roof-tree bodies pleas
ant times to the dwellers beneath it. The
forlornest Of animals, the masterless dog.
that follows close upon the heels Of night
walker, and will not be baked of compan
ionship, is a certain luck-bringer. Black
cats should be at premium, considering
a stray puss Of that hue who takes fancy
to establishing himself in house, intro.
duces good fortune with him; while cat
Of any color, whether an unlimited visitor
or an acknowledged member of the family,
ought never to be restrained from sharpen
ing his talons at the expense of the tables
legs, since, when he thus scratches, he
scratches for luck. Pat kindly the head
CT the first lamb of spring, If you have the
chance-it will bring prosperity to you and
yours but avoid the innocent creature if
it presents its tail to view. Hail the first
hearing Of the cuckoo's voice with thank
fulness, if he salutes you upon your right
hand-and then his greeting is an assur-
ance you will make your way in the world,
and attain the highest object of your am
bition; and begrudge not sip Of good
liquor to the busy, curious, thirsty Ay,
dropping into your glass, but welcome the
intruder as heartily, If not as POLITICALLY as
Oldys did he brings good luck to the
glass, and the drinker, too.
To come suddenly upon couple Of mag.
pics, to pick up pin lying with its head
towards you, to fnd-of course without
seeking four-leaved clover, or bit of
old iron, is a matter for rejoicing; If the
iron take the shape of rusty nail or an
old horseshoe, the omen is much the more
fortunate. Absent-minded and careless
dresscrs are likely to be often in luck's
way. To put on any garment wrong side
out, provided We are not neat enough to
spoil the charm, is an infallible prognostic
that something is about to happen which
will profit the sloven greatly. Mr.. Village
tells us, In the Connoisseur, how his pretty
cousin came down to breakfast one morn
ing with her cap on wrong side out,
Whereupon her mother solemnly charged
he needless lassie not to alter her head
gear all the day, for fear she should change
he luck. When the Conquerer was ar
aging himself on the morning Of Hastings, |
'ome one limited he would get the worst of |
he coming bout, because, in his haste, he |
had donned his mail-shirt hind part before;
,ut the ready-wltted and confident Nor |
nan declared Il to be token that he was |
bout to be transformed from duke into
king; an Interpretation, at any rate, not
o be disputed few hours LATER
Trouble win never come near folks
whose eyebrows meet. Ladies with over
much down, gentlemen with overmuch
lair upon their arms and hands, carry about
hem natures own guarantee that they are
'orn to be rich some day, as rich as those
'appy individuals whose front teeth are set
ride apart Steel belongings, such as
'eys and knives, get rusty BY instinct,
pite of all pains to keep them clean and
right, when some kind-hearted soul Is
lying up riches for their owners benefit.
% lind spider upon ones clothes indi-
ates some money is coming to us. The
moral Of which, Fuller says, Is this: aSuch
Tho initiate the industry Of that contempt
bic creature may, by Gods blessing, weave
themselves into wealth, and procure
leutlfal estate" The appearance of
'hite speck upon Hngcr-nail warns the
wner Of the finger gift d on lis way
nd the same pleasant notification Is made
y the itching Of the palm Of the right
and but In that case Il Is best 10 make
'surance doubly sure, and rub the said
aim against wood then at Is sure to be
ood.n
Il Is not pleasant 70 stumble up stairs,
ut there Is some corseIatis4l for sore shins
! knowing that wedding win come of
! the house ere twelve months have passed
J, even II the stumbler have no hope Of II
cling party concerned In the event.
hould spinster or bachelor DO mad
srtensly placed between q married pair
} the dinner-table, he or she win taste the
reefs Of connubial bliss before the rear Is
ut A maiden who has constant ill-luck