Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1889-01-24
THE TRAVELLERS LUCK.
sUPERSTITIONS CONCERNING THOSE
WHO START ON A JOURNEY.

"Good Luck" at the Parting-People Whom
1t Is Lucky to Meet-A Negro supersti-
I tion-A Chinese Notion The Hump
backed Person.
There is an old superstition which says,
"You must never watch traveller out Of
sight," and still another, "You maun
bid him godspeed thrice and good luck
ance, and no turn your back to the bow Of
the boat while speaking the words" Only
few weeks ago. while making one of a
throng of people who were bidding adieu
to friends bound across the Atlantic,
noticed that the words good luck" were
oftener used in one form or another than
any other expression of farewell; it was
"Good luck 60 with you" Good luck to
you, Luck to you" "Goodby and good
luck; and one old Irish grandmother,
after devoutly crossing herself. called out
to her daughter, 1.-The blessed Virgin
bring you and good luck back to me, 4"
while among the rest found myself say
ing, "a lucky trip to you, captain" as
that monarch of all he surveyed stepped
on board his kingdom, big ocean steamer,
although | am afraid | was tempted to
say it not so much in my belief of the
good it would bring him as in fore
knowledge that he was not only honestly
superstitious, but firmly believed in such
a wish bringing the safe, quick voyage he
hoped for and | am glad to say that in
this case the omen proved good
With some sailing masters, however,
such an expression would foreteu any
thing but good luck, and in fact many
people dislike to have luck given them in
this way, believing that it is i'll luck to
speak of luck at all; and there are others
who, whether they believe in it or not,
like to have pleasant things prophesied to
them, or, in other words, ''they are not
superstitious, but they do like to have
the signs on the right side"
STARTING ON A JOURNEY.
There are plenty of wise men and women
who will on no account turn back after
starting on a journey; if compelled to,
they must sit down or change some gar
ment before going out again; others who
think,it the luckiest thing in the world
to have left something that they really
need, for then they say, 1--WE are sure to
60 back" especially pair of slippers or
an undergarment. Scotch people are very
superstitious about the first person they
meet in the morning on going out for the
day or starting on journey. II it is
woman, and she is well dressed and pleas
ant looking, then it is good; beautiful
child is rare good luck. especially if you
can get the little one to notice you; q
business man with quick, brisk walk,
or q workman with his tools and filed
lunch pail is also lucky to meet; while
the postman, policeman, doctor and priest
are all forerunners of anxiety, and you
''need be uncO canny and uncO wary, for
there's muckle depends on your prudence
that day."
universal negro superstition-and l
have found it existing among the Israel
ties of New York city-is to ask aquestion
of any stranger who strikes their fancy,
and If answered satisfactorily, they be-
lieve they have taken that persons luck.
once asked an old colored aunty who
had been eying me for some time, and
who ! saw was about to make some in
quiry, why she wanted my luck. She
looked at me moment, and seeing was
in earnest, said, well, honey, don't
want all your luck, but you's young and
kin get more, and rs gwine to see my
daughter, who am expecting little baby
girl and l wants her to look just like
you" The compliment was appreciated,
and so when she left the cars | carefully
dropped silver dollar where she would
see it. Picking it up and holding it out
for me to see, she exclaimed, 81 knowed
you'd bring me luck"
A German superstition, and one said to
alter your luck if it does not please you,
Is to change or remove some article of
clothing, such as the right cuff to the
left arm. or your earrings or finger rings,
or take off your hat, being careful to put
it on straight.
A CHINESE NOTION.
The Chinese believe that when starting
on journey it is great good luck to have
an insect or reptile 60 out before you, or,
better still, to cross your path coming
from the left side.
If you are not thinking Of taking
journey and find key. you may expect
very shortly to have to pack your trunk.
Is by far the luckiest thing one can do.
finger of either hand is said to foreten
Journey, the old saying, "a gift, friend,
Q foe, q lover to come, and journey to
Co." being firmly believed in by more
than one wise woman. Cut your nails on
Saturday if you wish to travel. for to cut
them on Monday is to cut them for health,
on Tuesday for wealth. on Wednesday for
. letter, on Thursday for better, on Friday
for woe, on Saturday journey to go.
It is considered very lucky by some to
meet q humpbacked person when starting
On journey, and if you would have rare
good luck be sure to touch his hump.
When starting on q journey remember
to put your right stocking on first and
your right foot out Of the house first. and
do not look back at the house after the
front door is closed.-Harper's Bazaar.