The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-07-09

lwo",o !hat l might leave as rich heritage
-Nrs. Helen c. Smith. in Youth. Companion.
sUPERsTITlOUs CREDULITY.
T he follies of superstition and creduli.
ty, instead of dying out with advancing
knowledge, seem of late to have received
an impetus and to be pervading all class
cs of people. The notions ridiculed by
Addison century and half ago are
still prevalent. A screech-owl hooting
at night alarms the nearer as the roar of
lion would do. A rusty nail or a
crooked pin is invested with prodigious
powers. The ticking of the death
watch is prognostic of the death of
some one dear 10 us. The loud cracking
of furniture in room or the breaking of
looking glass-bot of which accidents
are often caused by q sudden change of
temperatures horrifying, and causes
us to expect the death of a
near relative. Sudden chills com.
ing over us signify that an enemy is ut
that moment moving on the place where
our grave will be some time.
The practice of seeking for water by
means of magic applications is very com.
mon in all parts of the world. The
process employed by these practitioners
usually reverendloOking old men,
whose appearance is calculated to allay
mistrust is to take in their hands in pc.
culiar manner triangular branch of
witch-hazel or willow, with which they
pass over the ground until the wand
turns in their grasp, with the angle point
downward, under which exact spot
they promise that water will be
found. These water.witches assure
you that when they come to
the right places they cannot con-
troll the wand, the strength of the in
tluence on it being various, and accord
ing to the depth Of the water from the
surface operated on. In many mining
regions the same methods are applied to
find mineral deposits, the wand employed
being usually made of a thin and flexible
which magical virtues are claimed.
To discover lost articles it is usual to
spit on the palm of the left hand, and
strike the deposit a sharp blow with the
fore-tinger of the right hand. Then by
following the direction in which the
farthest particle of the spittle has been
splashed we shall find the thing sought.
This means, however, can be used only
within the circumscribed limits of q
room or playground.
With regard to charms, here are some
which are still in common use: If when
walking you get pain in your side, lift
a stone, spit where it lay, replace it and
go on, neither speaking nor looking back,
and the pain will leave you. Are you
afraid of spook;s or any supernatural hob
COLLINS, press your thumbs into the
palms of your hands and the ghosts will
not come near you. To make your vine
gar sour write on piece of paper the
names of the three most vixenish women
you know, throw the paper into the cask
and the vinegar will become as acid as
you can desire. Purslain placed in your
bed will prevent visions, especially of ill.,
omen or discomfort. Sew four-leaved
clover in any portion of your wearing
apparel and good luck will follow you
wherever you 60.
Our farmers SOW their fax on the one
hundredth day of the year; their clover
seed in March, when the almanac sign is
in the Crab SO that the roots may spread
and hold fast, and the frosts of winter
cannot draw them out. Fences must be
made when the sign is up, else they will
be shingled in the down sign to keep the
fine old woman, believer in signs
for planting garden-truck, who once
planted her potatoes in down sign, and
when she came to dig them declared that
she would never plant them SO again, fol
they got down SO deep that she could
scarcely find them. Timber must be cut
in certain signs to keep it from rotting
Cattle and hogs must be slaughtered
when the sign is up, SO that the meat
may swell when cooked Potatoes must
be planted in Libra, so that they will
weigh heavy or grow large. They car
, also be planted in the Lion, to make
them grow strong and large. Peas and
beans must have their poles stuck wher
the sign is. So with hops, or they will
never climb. Cucumbers must be planted
on the LIST of May for the first crop
for the second crop plant on Whitsuntide
when there will be q tremendous Weld
because there is always large crowd O
people keeping that holiday.
The belief in lucky and unlucky day
and numbers is equally widespread
Whoever happens to have been born o.
any of the unlucky days, unless provides
with talisman to ward of the evil, mus
take pot luck" and play . grab gam
all the days of his life. No business Q
importance must We commenced ON Fr
day, save that of hanging, trimming tn
nails or cutting the hair. Do mot NOV
on Saturday. for if you do you will NO
stay long. Saturday is also an especial
unfucky day to be married ON.
These superstitious beliefs are kept u
in the same manner in which they wer
transmitted to US from our Scandinavia
ancestors-by teaching them to childre
too young to question their truth. Oh
people sit by nresides and tell gho
stories until every listening child's eyt
grow large and glistening with fea
Thus impressions are made on the plast
mind which years Of study and intel
gent reasoning do not always eradicat
How many persons are afraid to 60 IN
the dark alone or to pass graveyard
the night! How many neighboFhoo'
on this continent, Is well o ~ Europ