, 1888-09-13
CONCERNING CLOVER LORE.
The Charming Fancies That HaSe Sprung
from the TrefoiI.

from the TrefoiI.
1t is generally known that the three
leaved clover is an emblem of the Trinity,
the legend being that st. Patrick first
used it to illustrate how three separate
objects, such as its leaves, could yet form
one. But, according to j.. B.. Friedrich,
it was a very ancient symbol, expressing
religion among the ancient Germans as
setting forth the three grades of Druids,
Bards and Neophytes. And as one legend
or myth or superstition begets many, so
there grew from this a number; which,
however, all refer TO the, clover with four
leaves, the rarity of which gave rise to
the belief that it would bring good luck
to the one who carried it.
1t is believed in the Tyrol that if any
one has ga turn for magic he can ac-
quire the art of working wonders easily
enough if he only searches for and finds
the four leaved clover on st. Johns Eve.
In the Passierthal the peasants believe
hat if a raveler should at this time fall
asleep lying on his back, by a certain
brook, there will come flying a white
dove bearing q four leaved clover, which
it lets fall on the sleeper's breast. Should
he awake before it fades and at once put
it into his mouth, he will acquire the
power of becoming invisible at will.
A strange superstition related in VOLTS
"Zeitschrift fur Deutsche Hydrologic is
to the effect that if, while a priest is
reading the service, any n can, I'M
known to him, lay a four leafed clover
on his a book, the unfortunate clergy
man will not be able to utter a word; he
will stand stock still and bewildered until
the person who has played the trick pulls
his robe. Then he can proceed. When all
is over the man who regains his ''four
leaf" will always have luck at all kinds
of gambling. If he has a tendency to
tenpins in America, or to %ninepins, if it
be in Germany, he makes a "ten strike"
or ale neune every time he rolls q ball.
1t would seem by this that, though the
trifolium is a religious symbol, the four
leaf smacks of a darker influence. If the
bearer or wearer of a four leafed clover
should come across witch work or any
uncanny performance, he car detect and
spoil it all unframed.
If a man loves a woman Tor vice
versa, and can obtain two four leaved
~clovers, and induce her to eat one while
he himself swallows the other, mutual
love is sure to result. Nay, according
to very good Gypsy authority, even a
trim patrini kas, or three leaved clover,
will have this effect. Moreover, it is
advisable on all occasions when you
make a gift to anybody, nc matter what
it is, to conceal in it a clover, since it will
render the gift doubly acceptable.
Also: Take a four or three leaved
clover, and, making a hollow in the end
or top of your alpenstock or cane, put
the leaf therein, taking care not to in
jure it, and close the opening carefully.
Then, SO long as you walk with it, you
will be less weary than if it were want
ing, and will enjoy luck in many ways.
German proverb sayso of a lucky man,
"Er hat elm vierblattriges Kleeblatt ge-
funden'-"He has found a four leaved
clover" On this test DIR. William Kurte,
in his ''Sprichworter der Deutschen,"
breaches the following homily: This
is you say, "a stupid superstition Did
you ever Know a man who was GAM und
gar, utterly and entirely, devoid of super
stition2 For if you did, be sure there
was nothing in him."-St. James Ga
yntta