The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1883-02-08
PINS.



The Fofh Lere Connected With Them.
One would scarcely imagine that the
pin, this insignificant little article in
dress, should be the subject of folk
lore. Curious to say, however, it is the
object of many superstition, and has
been very largely used for purposes OF
enchantincnt. Indeed, the magical uses
OF pins ere Incst extensive, and under q
variety Of forms are found in our own
md other countries. Although most of
rs IL daily Lie know the intrinsic value
of pin-wilicil in variety OF ways is
st ail times in request, and often a more
than welcome friend when an accident.
it may be OF some l>i:ld, or faulty work.
manslnp has nocessitated its assistance
IN temporarily mending our clothes
yet, nevertheless, few people would
have imagined that under certain condi-
tons it is regarded as ominous as salt
spilling, the breaking of u looking glass,
or the bowling of dog. not to mention
that host Of common superstitions which
are common among us. Thus, for ex-
ample, in some localities it is said that
on seeing pin one should always pick
it up for the sake of good luck, las by
emitting to do SO misfortune will as
suredly evertake those who are needless
of this admonition. The following
rhyme embodying this fanciful notion is
still in Use:
See pin aud pick it up,
AL the dsyyou' have good luck;
See pin and let it lie,
All the day you'll have to cry.
Why, however, north country people are
SO persistent in their refusal to give one
another apin it is not easy to discover,
as even they themselves cannot give the
origin and reason Of this superstition.
When asked for pin they invariably
say, "You may take one, but mind I do
not give it." 1t may perhaps have some
connection with the vulgar prejudice
against giving knife or other sharp in
strument, as mentioned by Gay, in his
"Shepherd's Week."
But woe is me! such presents luckless prove,
For knives they tell me always sever love-
a superstition as popular now as in days
gone by. Another fact associated with
pins will doubtless interest those of the
fair sex about to enter on the happy
state of matrimony. Thus it is still
prevalent belief ia certain places that
the bride, in removing her bridal robes
and chaplet at the completion of the
marriage ceremonies, must take special
care to throw away every pin. worn on
this eventful day. Evil fortune, it is
affirmed, will sooner or later inevitably
overtake the bride who keeps even one
pin used in the marriage toilet. Woe
also to the bridesmaids if they retain any
Of them, as their chances Of marriage
will thereby be materially lcssened, and
anyhow they must give up all hope of
being welded before the following
Whitsuntide. On the other hand, in
Sussex, a bride on her return home from
church is often at once robbed Of all the
pins about her dress by her single
friends present, from the belief that
whoever possesses one ct them will be
married in the course Of year. Much
excitement and amusement are occa-
sionally caused BY the youthful eompet-
itors for this charm, and the bride her
self is not infrequently the victim Of
rather rough treatment.
AWFUL CONDUCT OF 4 CIGAR
A young man who was riding on the
New Haven railroad was Boosting that
ne never smoked any other cigars than
TT