The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-05
CATSKIN MASCOTS.
PUSSY'S HIDE IN GREAT DEMAND WITH
THE SUPERSTlTIOUs.

!
go Dealer Who Knows All About 1t.
What in the world do YOU do with
all of those catskins?" inquired Il re-
porter of Il we'll known dealer in furs in
this city.
Sell EN-, sentcntiously replied the
furrior.
Yes, truo enough, if you can find
purchasers.
Don t fret yourself about that, my
son. Buyers are plentiful. All classes
of people call for 'cm, but they arc in
demand chiefly among gamblers-a
very SupcrstitiouS class-who wear 'em
for good luck. -
~ Are any colors declared Off"
Decidedly so. The greatest virtue
lies i'll those of Stygian blackness-na-
lures own dyeing. Art is deceiving rs
we'll as long. and we call in the DIVER
to meet this demand He transforms
tabbies, tortoise, gray, Maltese and all
other off shades into jet black. Still,
as you see. we carry all colors, because
tastes will vary. you know"
What use do the sporting gentry
find for the pelts?"
The orthodox and accepted fashion
is that of wearing the skin next to the
chest, the hair nesting against the
man S cpidcrmis. -
Must be charming in summer
weather."
Superstition and fashion take pref
ty strong hold on people. Seriously, l
am telling you the simple truth. l
know gamblers whose names arc famil-
lar to you who would sooner appear up
on the streets in the decollete garb of
an African dolo than divest themselves
of their precious catskin charm. WHY
should yOu be surprised:" added the
furricr, who is somewhat of an anti
quarian. The Egyptians worshiped
the cat, the animal from which oar fe-
line is descended, and embalmed it bv
tho million. 1t wasn't much of lean
from alteration of the creature to faith
that virtue lies i'll its intcguncnt. The
garments of departed saints, us we'll as
their bones, teeth and nail parings, are
| declared to have healing in them. and
millions of good souls devoutly believe
in these relics. ~
oh, Chicago, Chicago, with the
twentieth century SO near'-
What is the matter with You? Why,
the practice of wearing the skins is bv
no means local. On the contrary. wo
supply the trade at New Orleans, At
lanta, Galveston, San Francisco, Port
land. New York, Baltimore, Philadel-
phla and cultured Boston even. NV
father sold catskins 80 years ago.
Are their virtues restricted to the
realms of dice and cards alone?"
by no means. All classes of peo-
pie wear them. Only yesterday law
yer-a regular sober side of a fellow.
who is said to be in training for n
judgeship, bought tho finest skin in the
collection, paying me So for it. Yes,
he said he wanted it for friend, and
he did-his very dearest friend-him-
self "
What becomes of the old CUES, FOR
suppose they finally wear out?''
why, to be sure, like all things
earthly. Their owners wear out, de-
spite their reputed nine lives. Then
they sometimes lose their efficacy. Let
gambler have an uncommon run OF
i'll luck, and he makes Il scapegoat of
his fetch. With many lamentations he
conslgns 1T to the flames, for it would
never do in the world to let it fall into
the hands of another so long as he is
living. This would mean the fortune
OF tho new posscssor and the irretricv-
! able ruin Of the other fellow.
Many gamblers, continued the
furricr, possess several skins. One
know has one for each day OF the
week, and he is most careful to make
no mistake III the wearing of them His
Monday guard would not avail for
Tuesday. and his Saturday wear would
cripple his Friday plans. Such blum
ders could only be corrected by hoodoo
doctors Of skill"
You romance well. "
- maintain the truth of all / say.
You have your superstitions and have
mime Shall We torture those who diff
fer with Usf The cat has been mans
companion from the beginning. Away
back in the orient the cats presence
marks mans home. Its virtues are
strong enough TO win and hold the af-
| lection of woman, and that s moro than
many men can boast But do not de-
fend the superstition.
What are these black ones worth,
any way "'ih"hucu lHc reporter, 1eel-
ing in his pockets.
They range from S1.75 to So. rs.
The dyed ones are lower, and can pick
yon out good ono for about 1925 to
$3.50. Perhaps gray or spotted one
would suit yon. Here's one Il bit off
that I'd sell you for rs cents. While it
may not have the virtue of prime
black, it might do well as starter"
"You have no secondhand article?"
Haven't ( said that people guard