The herald., 1893-06-02
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL JONAH?
People Who Believe in Hoodoos
and Mascots.
Little Superstitions That Haunt the
Rich and Poor.
The Irishman That Broke His Pledge
and Aiso His Arm-BIsck Cats
Regarded as Omens of
III Luck.
'Do you believe in Jonahs p

''Do you believe in Jonshs?'
"What'H Jonahs?'
"Why, hoodoos, mascots, or anything
that brings good or bad luck to a
person."
The above dialogue was INDUCED in a
few evenings ago by party of gentle-
men in the hearing of the writer.
swell, I'll tell you," said Dan, a
jovial son of the Emereld isle, "Jonah
or no Jonah, there are such things as
being pursued by i'll luck as punishment
for something done contrary to estab-
lished rules or customs. l have been
in my time negro minstrel, and have
not only been unlucky myself, but
brought bad luck TO Others
''You have all heard the old chest
nuts about walking under a ladder,
crossing the street in front of a funeral
and others that could name. Well,
I would no more think OF violating one
of those little pet superstitions than
flying. But will tell you of an acci-
dent that befell friend of mine some
years ago in New Hampshire for violat
ing pledge he had taken the day before
from the priest to abstain from liquor,
and just because | happened to be with
him.
ut was in my old home town that
visited with the company was playing
with. after having been absent from
home for some 10 or IL years.
"Shortly after arriving in the town
we prepared for street parade. OF
course, spruced up bit, expecting to
be recognized by some OF my old school
mates; and, sure enough, | was. One
Jerry s., among others, picked me out,
and after the parade came to the hotel
to see me.
"We had good talk over old times,
and Jerry remarked that he had taken a
pledge not to drink, but would have to
take small drap wild Dsnny if it broke
an arm.' We had several small draps, ;
and Jerry got a comfortable drunk on, ,
and finally we had to prevail on Jerry to
go home, which he didn't want to do.
II consented to get a hack and go
home with him, which he agreed to.
Just es we were putting him in the hack,
along came the priest, and, recognizing
Jerry, the father came forward and aaid
Jerry, my boy, Pm surprised ta
see that you have so soon violated your
PLEDGE"
sJerry started at the sound of the
priests voice, and, strengthening up, ne
Piled:
"'Molnd yer own business, and, bar
rim yer priestly callin', I've moind to
! Ahu n6 uIu rnuEe an attempt I,
| smash. He raised his arm to strike
made lunga, fell to the sidewalk ane
broke his right arm at the wrist"
xH#
'Thaps all well enough for story. .
remarked one of the company, 'sbut we
were talking about hoodoos and mascots.
Pll tell you about little charm that
worked well for one man and i'll fol
another.
"a friend OF mine was made q present
of a very handsome piece of gold quartz.
by an old miner from Australia, and
told that it WIS lucky stone. This
friend had the stone mounted and wor g
it as q watch-charm.
"a short time after the mounting OF
. the stone he went on prospecting trim
and discovered ledge OF gold bearing
rock, of which he sold one-fcurth in
terest for $25, ,000.. This was not the end
OF his good luck, for he has since located
other Lodges, sold them, and now has q
fortune to his credit.
Last summer this prosperous indi-
vidual came to this city, and while here
met friend who took fancy to the
quartz watch charm, and one evening.
after considerable cosxing, the mining
man gave the charm to his friend. at
the same time remarking, keep good
care of it, as it is lucky stone--a verit-
able mascot
well, If there is such a thing as a
Jonah, that watch charm proved one to
its new owner. A. series of misfortunes
befell him, until he was reduced from
comfortable circumstances down to bed
rock, as miners say. He never attrib-
uted his ill fortune to the charm, how
ever, until one night rather late, as he
was vending his way home. and when
within about three blocks of his house,
black cat ran across the road right in
front of him.
''This startled him. He had horror
OF black cats. He was Of the opinion
that to have cat, and especially black
cat, cross the road in front of him was
bad luck. To break the spell ne con-
cluded not to go home that way. and
walked back three blocks and down an
other street, taking in all walk OF over
a mile to reach his bed.
1.-THE next day, while at the breakfast
table, he heard something fall to the
floor, and before he knew what it, was
he got his No. 8 shoe ON it, and upon
arising from the table smashed to pieces
the watch charm he had carried for q
mascot.
''He mourned his loss, OF course; but
that afternoon when he came up town
he made deal that netted him $40G
cash, and since then he has recuperated
to large extent his fortune, the loss of
which he now attributes to having worn
the charm, and the regaining of the
same to not having passed acSoss the
track of the black cat, and the mashing
of the alleged mascot"
~.
Speaking Of black cats" said we'll
known writer, ''I'll tell you a true Irish
'banshee' story. You are all aware that
'banahee' is the Irish or Celtic name for
fairy. Well, my people always claimed
that the banshees we're partial to our
family, and we'll do 1 remember my
father remarking: I tell ye we have a
banshee looking out for us.' And among
other things he tells this story, which
is vouched for by others at my birth
place in Ireland.