The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-31
FOLKLORE RELICS.
Glance Through the SuperstitiOus L
periences of the Poet.


A Glance Through the SuperstitiOus Ex-
periences of the Poet.
To THE Howard CLUB-For the student
Of folklore the study of traditions and
superstitions is not only profitable but
very interesting. Many of the ideas con-
corning signs and omens held by the ig
norant and superstitious may be traced
far back into the misty regions of the past
and very often the same idea but altered
in a few particulars is found current
among widely separated people. This
leads one to think that there must have
been some common ground between the
members of mankind. else why this simi
larity of tradition handed down by word
of mouth.
Very many of the readers of the Howard
literary club are, no doubt, acquainted
with persons who are filed with dread and
alarm when an empty cradle Is rocked, or
when some garden tool is carried through
the house by careless person. Or have
been told that to dream of death is a sign
that you will hear OF a wedding. That if
you drop a dishcloth stranger is coming;
if You raise an umbrella in the house il
foretells death that it is unlucky TO turn
back when once started on journey; and
for a rabbit to cross ones path some mis-
fortune is sure to follow.
These are but a few OF the many super
stitious ideas held by those who believe
in omens and signs. Here are few waits
and strays collected by the writer
In FornRnder's "Polynesian Race" may
be found a version of the suDerstitions
concerning the spider. If the long legged
spider drops down from above or in front
of you, II lie good sign foreboding either
presents or strangers ifhe drops on either
side, or behind you. the sign is ominous.
In England for spider to descend upon
you from above is an omen that you arc
to receive a gift from a friend. In the
Emerald Isle il spider be found running
over the dress or shawl of a woman the
sign is a good one and the woman conf
IDENTIFY expects that she will soon receive
a new dress or shawl as the case may be.
The Polynesians think a ringing sound
in the ears portends that some one is
speaking i'll of YOU if in the right ear, by
a man, il in the left, by a woman; some
times it foretells coming sickness. The
English version is somewhat different. II
the right ear burns some one is speaking
we'll Of you; il the left ear, some one is
speaking i'll of you
If on leaving his cottage a York fisher
man happens to meet a woman he will
not put to sea; and a Hindoo considers
the meeting of Brahmin widow as a very
evil omen for journey.
Ia India, when leaving a house, for one
TO see or meet a hare, il is an evil omen.
This same idea is found 10 exist among
the Arabs. the Laplanders and other peo-
pie. Even the Namaquas. south African
tribe, have the same superstition. An
Irish woman with whom the writer is &C
quainted includes the rat as an unlucky
omen 10 be met with. In Scotland and
among the Cornish miners of England,
and in almost all parts of Great Britain,
it is regarded a. a most unfortunate event
TO either meet 9 hare or to have one cross
your path.
In Tyler's early History of Mankind"
the iron age man is said to hold 10 the SUI
perstition that he must not put q knife
near the fire. and that to give il to friend