The Springdale news., 1889-07-12

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 Superstition is closely allied to witchcraft, and so extends to persons. Every one has heard the expressions: That fellow is regular Jonah,' or He's hoodoo,' or Il never have bit of luck when I see so and so. - This is especially so with theatrical people, racing men and gamblers "Monkey Charley.' successful steeplechase jockey, rents his spurs out. when he hasn't got mount, at five dollars a race to jockeys who think they can absorb some Of his luck by wearing them. Another jockey Kelly, who rode good deal at Guttenburg, believes that if he can touch or pass near or ride near certain race-track habitues he will win, and resorts to all sorts of maneuvers to come in contact with his hoodoo. An other recent superstition of racing-men is that if a jockey dismounts at the post before the start for any reason what ever he will win, and when one is seen dismounting for cause, or one is thrown, there is an immediate rush for the bookmakers, and his mount is backed A mascot" is an in- dispcnsable member of P base- ball club, and whcN militia go a visiting they carry one a1so. If you can "cross the hump of q lunch back with fingers crossed you will have good luck. This must be done without the knowledge of the hunch backed person, and if it is a darky the charm Is so much more ef1icaclous If you can make the cross with money in your hand it is a sure thing that you will win any bet you make with that money. A dwarf is also masc for gamb CTS. They are often applauded for their generosity by those who don, know that they believe that giv- ing to a cripple or beggar brings luck. 1t is considered a sign of coming dis appointment if the first person you meet when starting out has red hair. To catch the eye Of cross-eyed per- son Is an omen of misfortune which can be escaped from by turning all the way round three times. It can be passed on by touching some one else with fingers crossed then the mis- fortune falls on the person touched.
 The influence of the evil eye is known and dreaded the world over. and even the most practical can not avoid d shudder on finding an eye an- swering it's descri ption fixed on him.
 The harblnger5 of death are many. The banshee of the Irish is a fixity in the Celtic mind, and many weird tales are told of its visits and grow some warnings. The bowling of a dog under the window of a sick room is an appalling sound to hear at the dead of night, and is enough to fright en nervous person into the belief that it is warning of death. Dogs have been known to go a long dista nee to howl under the window where some one was lying ill. Cats are also sup posed by the credulous to have the power of foretelling death. If bird flies into a room some one will die in that room before year is passed, and if a spade is carried through a house there will be grave dug for some one in the house within year. If one eye of corpse remains open near and dear relative of the dead person will follow within a year. If 3 sick person takes medicine willingly and without complaint, or plays with the cover of the bed, it fills the mind of nervous person with apprehension of death.
 The shamrock, or four leaf clover, is prized as one of the greatest of luck bringing charms. Girls will hunt