Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-26
SOME STRANGE syPERSTlTIoNS.
theatrical Folk, Gamblers and Crimi-
nais and Their Luck"

SPECIAL COrrespondenceI
New YORK, Dec. 20-Very few people are
free from superstition, even in these days OF
enlightenment and it Is curious fact that
many of ths most advanced thinkers of the
day are among thoss who shape their actions
ACCORDING to signs aud omens Of different
sorts.
Dramatic folk are slmost always slaves OF
superstition, and this Is true OF many Of the
most eminent artists Of the stage well -
Of the lesser lights of the stage
Clara Morris believes that good fortune il
sure to follow the finding Of an odd number
of nails lying about the stage at rehearsal.
Sarah Bernhardt feels ill at ease whenever
it Is necessary to use a yellow curtain in .
stage setting yellow is an unlucky color
with many other stage people.
Nat Goodwin was once put in an extremely
good humor by the rushing Of a black cat
across the stage during performance in New
Orleans, though 1t naturally embarrassed the
people on the stage, and he says the appear
ance Of a cat, especially black one even at
rehearsal, is always accounted q good omen
in a theater.
Augustin DAILY was almost frightened out
Of his wits by the cracking of a mirror on
the occasion OF the opening Of the Fifth
Avenue theatre in New York, some fifteen
years ago. And his enterprise proved most
unlucky. The superstition that thirteen is an
unlucky number is So strong among theatri-
cal people that when Hazel Kirke COMPANY
started out with Just that number Of actors .
few years ago young Sidney Couldock wa,
engaged, though there was nothing for him
TO do, Just to break the spell
Unlucky actors and actresses are called
Jonahs by members Of the '.psrfGsh," and il q
performer is 40 unfortunate as to receive that
title at the hands Of his fellows every piece Of
Ill luck that may strike the company is laid
at his door and his discharge is sure to follow
Hardly less superstitious than dramatic
people are the brokers, though we have not
at hand any instances Of special superstitions
INDUCED in by prominent financial people.
There is hardly a broker in New York who
will not shudder If he meet a cross eyed per-
son, especially if it be a negro, and some of
the more superStitious will refuse point blank
TO do any business on the day they meet an
oblique eye.
Newspaper reporters are, as a class, quite
free from superstitions, though the writer has
in mind several bright reporters who firmly
believe in presentiments and declare that they
Cdn tell 6iiupSt Wien u
going to happen.
But, barring sailors, whose superstitions
have been the theme of story ever since
stories were written almost, professional gam
blers are the most superstitious people in eI-
istence. Cross eyed persons always terrify
gamblers, and coal black cats arc eagerly
sought after. A Nashville gambler, a few
years ago, paid s5 for a black kitten not more
than twelve hours old, IN the firm belief that
its possession would bring him luck; and his
fellow gamblers shared his belief 10 such an
extent that he WAS barred from all the
games in the town 1t is the custom OF
certain gamblers, ESPECIALLY in New Orleans,
to forbear playing until some player who is
seedy and well known 10 be unluCky comes
in. Then the man who would be lucky
studies the uniucky mans system" and
plays directly against it, on the theory that
the poor fellows i'll luck Is sure to follow him
TO the end
Criminals generally are superstitious
RED" Lnsry, a notorious bank robber, would
follow every funeral procession lie could run
acrres, confident that this would bring him
luck in his next nefarious enterprise.
n J. DEXTER