The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-20
LORE OF THE CLOVER.
Charming and Innocent Fsncies that Have
Sprung from the Tref0il.

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, saws a
writer in 81. James Gazette. But ac-
cording to j. B. Friedrich it was a
very ancient symbol, expressing re-
ligion among the ancient Germans as
setting forth the three grades of Druids.
Bards, Neophytes. And as one legend
OF myth OF 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 10 the belief that it would
bring good luck to the one who carried
it.
When sitting in the grass we see
little fourleaved clover
Tis luck tor thee and luck for me-
Oriuck for any lover.
1t is believed in the Tyrol that if
anyone has "a turn" for magic he can
acquire 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 that if a traveller
should at this time fall asleep, living
on his back by Il certain brook, there
will come flying white dove bearing
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 stranger superstition related in
Wallis sZeitscraft fur Deutsche Mvthol-
ogie" is to the effect that if, while a
priest is reading the service, any one
can, unknown to him, lay a four
leafed clover on his mass book, the un-
fortunate clergyman will not be able to
utter word; he will stand stock still
and sbewildered until the person who
has played the trick pulls his robe
Then he can proceed. When all is
over the man who regains his flour
leaf" will always have luck at all
kinds of gambling. If he has tend
ency to tenpins in America or to nine
pins, ifit be Germany, he makes a
'ten strike" or ale neatne every time
that he rolls ball.
1t would seem by this that though
the trtfotiuna is a religious symbol, the
four-leaf smacks of darker influence.
If the bearer or wearer of four-leafed
clover should come across witch work
or any uncanny performance, he can
detect and spoil it all unharmed.
If a man loves a woman (or 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, ac-
cording to very good gypsy authority,
even trin-patrini kas, or three-leaved
clover, will have this effect. More
over, it is advisable ON all occasions
when you make gift to anybody, no
matter what it is, to conceal in it a
clover. Since it will render the gift
doubly acceptable.
Also take Il four or rthree-leaved clover.
and, make a hollow in the end or top
of your alpenstock or cane. put the
leaf therein, taking care not to iniure
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.
A German proverb says of a lucky
man: ''Er hat ein vierblattriges .Klee-
blatt gefunden"-''He has found
four-leaved clover" On this test DIR.
Wilhelm Korte, in his "Sprichworter
der Deutschen," breaches the follow
ing homily: This is YOU say, "a
stupid superstition Did you ever
know a man who was ganz and gar,
utterly and entirely, devoid of super
stitiOn? For if you did, be sure there
was nothing in him."