The Portland daily press., 1884-11-12
Hackmen's superstitious.
Philadelphia Might Hawk. who Belle,
Firmly a Luck.
CFrOm the Philadelphia Times.

(From the Philadelphia Hmes)
After sailors and gamblers, the all-night
hack drivers are the most superstitious people
l know" said an old detective last night
Like the men who follow the water, they
cannot be talked out OF their queer ideas, and
they have certain customs which they follow
out as relieiously as the most methodical man
in town lives his daily life." The "pight
hawk" as he is called, is not as . ruls Of
savory reputation. He has generally had some
acquaintance with the police, and doe mo-
move in the society of the Jehu who 0.
for first-class livery stable.
Very early yesterday morning tive thin
horses hobbled down Chestnut, drawing n
hack. just before the horses got to Eighth
street white cat ran across the street and dis
appeared behind the iron grating. The might
hawk" saw the cat and ierked his half-star we'd
horses nearly off their feet as he brought them
to standstill; then with An old whip he
lashed them as he turned them around axS
ran then up Chestnut street at q gallon Tt
driver looked over his shoulder like q v,
Tam O'Shanter watching for the "
Wnen ne got TO Ninth street he turned
and kept up the run until Market stre,N
reached.
"outft" is considered bad enough luck
dwarf the nights business, but . white On
means utter Generalization for the night
Some "hawks" Immediately begin to drink,
in order that they may forget the apparition sf
the white cat, and when might hawk" Ia
visited with the delirum tremens he does NOS
see snakes, like the ordinary sufferer, but hun.
dTeds OF white cats crowd before his vision.
A driver OF an ail-night hack never puts his
lett foot on the wheel first on getting upop the
boz; he thinks il bad luck, and nothing can
induce him to open the door Of hts cab or car
riage with his left hand. II shoe becom
loose on one of his horses fest that's .
omen and causing the driver to believe IL
some bad luck is In store for him. When IL
moon is shining brightly, and q big cloud suo
denly hldesit from view, and causes dark.
ness to settle on the streets the "hawk" grows
suspicious he is great coward as q rule
more afraid, though, OF q shallow then ho lie 6
the substance. II the passenger happens tnI
drunken man with torn UMBRELLA, thatj
considered good luck aud a sign that raj
will DO plentiful and make business good.
Night hawks do not like to hear Of fires Tb
presence OF tre engine on Chestnut stree,
causes them to think Of calamity. Ssme OF
Lhsm won't eat during the night, for fear IL
will change their luck, but tbev never refuse =
orlnk. The lightsd stamp Of q cigar picked
up after 1t has been thrown away BY q vell-
dressed man aad quickly smoked Is taoEe
bring good luck.
All the Jehus who are only seen or
streets at night, are great policy PLAYERS.
they are lucky they may make Eve do,
bill, but by tha time the horses scant fesd
bought and the policy slips are paid for the
IS not much left, and the rag-tag nackmant
the wee small hours comes back under cover o.
darkness the next night just as poor as ever.
The majority of them will gladly carr
actor or an actress free, believing that the
iesslons are harbingers Of good fortune
gas lamp is blown out on a stormy night
Jehu will stop, get off his box and take
trouble to ignite the escaping gas belle,
that it is not good policy to pass ia the d.
ness. They have a great dread OF car h
without bells, aud never like to see q On
man with white hat on. Some OF tn,
lIeve that they have to turn their horses
tain number of times in q night before
will catch customer, and a great m.
them believe that If they are not luckyn .,
icy they will be unlucky on the street
night.