New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-07-19
NEW U1,M REVIEW, WEDNESDAY,, JuLY1e, 1882
Superstitions About Oats.

supsrstitions About Oats.
III Ireland it is considered highly an
lucky for d family to- take with them
cat when they are moving, more espe-
cially, too, when they have to cross q
river. Mr.. Gregor also tells us that, in
the northeast O1 Scotland, if a COW or
other domestic animal was seized with
disease, one mode of cure was to twists
rope of straw the contrary way, join the
two ends. and put the diseased animal
through the loop along with cat. BY
this means the disease was supposed to
be transferred to the cat, and the ami s.
mails life was so saved by the cat dying.
This, of course, was only one OF the ex-
tensive charms of which the leading
idea was that of substitution. "A REM
edy for erysipelas, lately practiced in
the parish of Locharron, in the North
west Highlands, consisted in cutting off
one-half of the ear of q cat, and letting
the blood drop on the part affected. Al
luding, moreover, to the numerous 9TH
er items Of folklore in connection with
the cat, there is a popular notion that a
May cat-a cat born in the month of
Mays Of no use for catching rats and
mice, but exerts an injurious influence
on the house through bringing into it
disagrceable reptiles of various kinds.
Mrs. Latham, in her ''West Sussex SUI
perstitions,'' says that a May cat is sup
posed s'to be inclined to melancholy,
and to be much addicted to catching
snakes and bringing them into the
house. had heard that this West
country belief existed in our village;
and, very lately, observing q most de-
.jected- looking cat by the fire in a cot
TAGS, said, in jest, II should think that
cas- was born in May ooh, yes"
said the owner of it, ..that she was, and
so was her mother; and she was just us
sad-looking, and was always bringing
snakes and vipers within doors.'' In
Huntingdonshire there is common say
ing that ga May kitten makes dirty
cat.'' This supposed ill-luck attaching
to a cat born in the month of May is no
doubt founded on the old notion that
Nav was an unfortunate season for
births of any kind, in allusion to which
there is an old proverb, which says
| Bad luck begets
According to 4 curious notion. still ex-
tensively credited by our North-coun-
try peasantry, black cats are supposed
to bring not only good luck, but also
lovers-in illustration of which we may
quote well-known rhyme on the sub
ject:
Whenever the cat O. the house is black,
The lasses O. lovers will have no lack.
/. Mr.. Henderson, speaking of this SUI
perstition, tells us that an old North
country woman on one occasion said to
lady, '.It's ma wonder Jock rs
lasses marry off so fast, ye ken what a
Draw black cat they've g0t.'' 1t is con-
sidered unlucky to dream of cat, a
piece of folklore prevalent in Germany,
where if one dreams of black cat al
Christmas, it is an omen of some alarm.
ing illness during the following year.
Equally unfortunate, too, is it for a cal
to sneeze, this act being supposed to ip'
dictate that the family will have colds
Thus we are informed by Mrs. Latham
that in Sussex, 'seven the most favored
cat, if heard to sneeze, is instantly shut
out of doors; for should she stay to re-
peat the sneezc three times indoors, the
whole family will have. colds ant
coughs
, Lastly, there are many quaint traul
> tons in which the cat holds a promi
nent place; and an amusing one curren
in the north Of England, we may quot
in conclusion: A gentleman was on
evening sitting costly in his parlor, read
ing or meditating, when he was inter
rupted by the appearance of cat, whicl
!. came down the chimney and cried out
: ''Tell Dildrum Doldrum's dead?' H
was not unnaturally startled by thi
strange occurrence; and when. shortl
after, his wife entered, and he relate
to her what had happened, her own cal
Q which accompanied her, exclaimed, II
b Dollrum dead?'' and Immediately rush
8 cd up the chimney, and was heard 9
r no more. OF the numberless connect
b lures stated to account for this extrao1
o binary event, the most reasonable on
Y appears to be that Doldrum had bee
r King of Catland, and that Dildrum wa
Y the next eir.-Gcntleneda1' 1M0gazia,