The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15
sUpERsTITIoNs OF THE DAY.
How Credulous Old People Interpret Com
mOnplace Events.

mOnplace Events.
Baltimore Herald.
Scat-whack!
There was sudden howl as If fog-horn had
been seized with nightmare, and a something
that bore decided resemblance to a cats tail
disappeared ever the back fence of st. Paul
street residence like streak of yellow light
ming.
February" said the old gentleman. as he slammed
down the window and resumed his chair by the
fireplace.
.Whygr asked an incredulous visitor.
E sit forbodes stormy March, was the re-
sponse 'Why, that's proverb I've heard since
1 was child, and I've never known 1t to fail.
But here in the city, and particularly here in ST.
Paul street, they laugh at a fellow when he
hauls out his country saws. That shows their
ignorance, for goodness knows a farmer knows
more about the weather in week than they do
in the city for a month. There's another true
saying, that when the north wind does not blow
in February it will have its revenge in March.
And for every thunder with rain in this month,
there will be cold spell in May. The old
proverb says that when snow lies in the bitches
it is waiting for more, and when it falls in the
mud it remains all winter. Look out for rain
when the fakes grow larger as they fall Of
course you remember the time honored remark
about the white Christmas and the lean grave
yard. You people never pay any attention to
these signs. but the farmers, the truckers, the
milkIaen-people whom you brush past every
day OH the streets or in the markets-believe in
them, because their fathers taught them to
do So
II suppose every month has its own signs27
asked the ncreduous visitor, as he gazed in
creduleusy at nickel plated horseshoe sus-
pended over the mantel
Every one of them,' was the reply. land a
few of the most ancient and least known 1 viii!
recite for your benefit 1t is said that if grass
grows in January, ii will grow badly during the
rest of the year. The original saw for March
says that if the month comes in with an aGder's
head it goes out with peacock's tail 1t was be-
ieved, too, that 'bushel of March dust was
worth a kings ransom though this was rather
poetical adaptation. Of April it is said that "a
cold, moist April fills the cellar and fattens the
cow dry may brings nothing.
swarm of bees in May
Is worth q load of hay.
swarm of bees in June
Is worth silver spoon;
But swarm of bees in July
Is notworth fly.
"A pretty rhyme, is it rot9' he interrupted,
with q laugh. "a dripping June sets all things
to tune When it rains in August it rains honey
| and wine IL the first day of September be fair
the month will be good one A warm October
brings a cold February. Ice in November
fore ts plenty Of aho sest ;n.. and bad
warm Christmas indicates cold Easter The
first three days of any season rule its weather.
When it clears on Sunday it will be clear until
Wednesday, and if it rains on the first dog day
there viii be flood for forty days thereafter.
In spring a tub of rain makes teaspoonful of
mud, but il autumn teaspoonfnl of rain makes
tub of mud. We heard thunder peal two
weeks ago.. That was prophecy of poor year
for maple sugar but good year for fruit
do you know how to toretell rain with GER
tainty," he asked land without going out Of
doorss Just watch the cockroaches When
they fly get out your umbrella. Criekets chirp
lively and spiders come out of their nests also
before rain. III tell you a curious old saw about
frost The first frost, so runs the saw, comes
exactly six weeks after we hear the first katy
did There will be as many frosts in June as
there are fogs in February. 1 forgot to tell you
also thai rats and mice make much noise before
q rain, and horses snuff the air noticeably Most
of the signs of which | have spoken have their
origin in experience aud observation, and there
is in them much of truth"