Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-06
Signs and Omens.
WVdshington P0stJ

DO public men believe i'm signs and
omens? This Is a question which Is
often discussed, but no conclusive an
swer can be, or. at least has been. given
except that which may be drawn from
Individual cases On the occasion or MS
last visit to Washington ex-senator Kan
som. Of North Carolina, discussed noss
entertainngly upon IL, In the presence or
q few friends gathered In his old COM
mittee-room at the Capitol. and shed some
light upOn the subject The conversation
came about by his statement that ne IN
tended 70 start for his new post OF duty
as Minister to Mexico on a Friday
80. aren't YOU afraid exclaimed one
Of the party. "to begin such an important
and extended trip on that day. 80,
NO" the new minister answered. i
do not recognize any difference between
Friday and the other days OF the week /,
! don't believe that II can have the
slightest possible influence In determin-
iny the issue of an enterprise projected OF
begun on that day. In fact" he con
tinilea. in a contemplative mood, Il think
| am not given to guiding my actlOhs
by any sign or omen. Only to-day, com
Ing down TO the Capitol, my companion
avenue. evidently bound for Oak Hill
Cemetery, GEORGETOWN. said he; Sena,
tor. let's turn of here 50 as 10 a..
meeting It. You know rs dangerous.
7 said 70 him: Look up the avenue.
There are at least thousand people IN
sight. many OF whom must unavoldably
meet re procession. Before 1t reaches
GEORGETOWN IL will have met hundreds Oh
are 10 be afflicted with sudden death be
cause OF the presence Of this funeral pro-
cesslon In their way? ! dGh l. 9hl we
won't change our route. And we didn't.
"There are some Old saws, the eA-
Senator went on to say. mat nave a
basis Of sound reason, or had, tor their
existence which may not be- EenefaAy
known. That one which goes II Is IN
fortunate to meet a lady Wheh s.dltln5
on a tourney is based on very gool
reason. Ladies are so attractive that
tho would-br traveller is likely to be be
gulled into conversation WIN ule one
he may meet on his way TO the statloh,
which will prevent him from reaching
there I'm time to take his train or boat
and he IS thereby delayed. probably TO
his embarrassment or loss. Therefore II
may be unfortunate for Traveller 10
meet lady in those circumstances.
There is another that has a historic
and phllosophic basis-'tO put ones SOCK
on wrOngslde out Is sign or .goOd luck.
That had its origin IN the olden times,
before the modern cOnVenlenceS OF gas
and electric lighting were added TO the
appliances Of home and hotel life. There
fore. the man who rose early IN the
morning. before daylight. ana dressed
himself not stopping 10 discover whether
or not his hose was strictly IN order
because of the diligence implied in that
action, was often enabled 70 score tri-
umph over business ltFdI WIN "dlt'u
until he could determine that every ar
tlcle was I'm order Hence the proverb,
which simply means that hustler. as
we would term in these days, Is bound
to succeed.
THE same is true Of the saying that
1T Is unucky for a rabbit 10 cross your
path This has the responsibility OF age
as a warrant for Its circulation but II
has lor. lost it, force. or should have
done so. Rabbits haunt their warrens
generally until dusk, and then they begin
running about In search OF food. In oldch
times travelling was dangerous. even In
broad daylight. and TO have a rabbit
cross ones path meant that he was likely
to be caught out after dark, and bad
luck either in the shape Of injury from
rohbcrs or damages or delay through
bad roads. was almost. certain to befall
the traveller.
but that simple signs or omens In these
DAYS OF practical things can anect one
interests, either for good or bad, l don't
believe" concluded the Senator