Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-05

much they had to do with it il not clear.
| That he had little faith In them is shown by
the fact that he refused to have q body
guard, or to take measures to protect him.
self against the threats of assassins.
| The fact of the matter Is that signs and
omens and dreams are but little thought Of
unless something really happens, or some
portentous divination can be supported by
them to suit the superstitious notions con-
| cerning their effect 'Do you believe in
dreams? Why, yes and no. When they
come true, then believe in them; when
| they come false, don't believe in them, "
expresses the sentiment of many people
| upon the subject. Dreams may occasionally
| come true. but the testimony generally
comes after the fact presaged has been an
nounced.
How Children Get supsrstirious.
We live in the midst of mysteries, and
the intelligence of these latter days has not,
as yet, much weakened the pow er of some
OF the old superstitions. The ignorance Of
women is largely responsible for impressing
the minds Of children with belief in omens,
| In ghosts, in dreams, in luck and evil por-
tents founded on the simplest things. The
i'll luck set down to the number Is survives
to this day among even some of the most
intelligent people. Objection is made to 13
at table by some who know almost there is
nothing in it, but are afraid to risk it.
Some people there are with intelligence
beyond the common who have yet had the
Ill luck of Friday 80 impressed upon them
in childhood that they will not start upon a
journey on that day, or begin any undertak-
ing whatever. Not that they believe much
| n io inc or 70 fho
chances. Dreams of evil portent make some
people wretched with thoughts of coming
i'll, when 9 times out of 10 nothing unusual
happens whatever. Tea grounds may give
token OF marriage, or death, or letter
with bad news, or journey. Any of these
things are likely to happen and the tea have
nothing to do with 1t. But though the tea
grounds sign is proved liar the most of the
time, silly women are ever to be found gaz.
ing into their tea cups to find out what the
future has in store.
A Family Leaning to Dreams
According to accounts it runs in some
families to have dreams that come true.
Goethe tells how his grandfather was often
informed of events that were to happen in
the future by way of dreams. Ambitious
of civic honors, he dreamed of soon receiT-
ing promotion to the Board of Aldermen
So sure was he it would come true that he
gave orders for the refreshments of the
guests who would appear to congratulate
him. Other such testimony is given.
Goethe himself, it Is said, saw his own
ghost.
Still, while it may be admitted thar
dreams do occasionally come true, it ap-
pears to be SO seldom that very little conf
dence can be put In them until the proof is
positive. Many stories are told and exam
Piles given of wonderful dreamings and pre-
monitory warnings which skeptics receive
as delusions and doctors pronounce the re-
suits of mince pie, lobster salad and pork
chops at bed time.
Dreams and omens would be yery useful
sometimes if they could be gotten up to
suit and coming events should prove them
true. For instance, if Mr.. Blaine could
consult soothsayer who could tell him
whether he would be elected next Novem-
Der, and whether ne would live through
Presidential term, it would be money in his
pocket. Or if Mrs. Blaine could dream out
the problem of how the cat was going to
jump it would be very useful information.
If Mrs. Cleveland could dream of o calf it
would mean that Grover would be sure of
success and she herself assured of luck in
her ambition.
Science Is Prying Into 1t.
A. much interest is being taken in this
subject by men of science, and the societies
for the study of the mysterious with q view
to psvchical discoveries, it is likely we
shall soon obtain some satisfactory knowl-
edge upon the subject. One man has al
ready discovered how to produce optical
ghosts and phantas:nal illusions. The
doctors are also discovering by practical ex-
periments some of the predsposing causes
of dreams, so it is likely that some light
may be obtained upon the subject.
Bacon, in his day, thought Something
might be made OF it." With the added
wisdom OF to-day, it would seem even more
probable. Some real tangible ghosts are
wanted that hare some common sense about
them, and we need to find out "what art is
required to sort and understand Dreams" if
it be true, as Montague Gays: "They are
the true interpreters of our inclinations,"
or perhaps nothing more than fantastic
exercise of Imagination.
BESSIE BRAMBLE