River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-05-02
Highest Of all il
SIGNS AND oMENS.
One American Statesman Who Does Not
Believe In Them.

One American Statesman Who Does Not
Believe In Them.
Do public men believe in signs and
omens? This is a question which is
often discussed, but no conclusive an
swer can be, or, at least, has been Civ
en-, except that which may be drawn
from individual cases. On the occa-
sion of his last visit to Washington,
ex-senator Ransom, of North Carolina,
discussed most entertainingly upon II,
in the presence of a few friends gath
cred in his old committee-room at the
capitol, and shed some light upon the
subject. The conversation came about
by his statement that he intended TO
start for his new post of duty as minis
ter to Mexico on a Friday.
20, aren't you afraid" exclaimed
one of the party. Ito begin such an
important and extended trip on that
dayP"
No" the new minister answered.
81 do not recognize any difference be-
tween Friday and the other days of the
week; don't believe that il can have
the slightest possible influence in de-
termining the issue of an enterprise
projected or begun on that day. In
fact" he continued in a contemplative
mood, ~ think am not given to guild
ing my actions by any sign or omen.
Only to-day, coming down to the cap
itol, my companion saw funeral pro-
cession coming up the avenue, evident
ly bound for Oak Hill cemetery,
Georgetown. Said he: Senator. let s
turn off here so as to avoid meeting it.
You know it's dangerous said TO
him; Look up the avenue. There are
at least thousand people in sight,
many of whom must unavoida bly, meet
the procession. Before itreaches George
town it will have met hundreds of
people. Do you believe that all of
them are to be afflicted with sudden
death because of the presence of this
funeral procession in their way? l
don't, and we won't change our route
And we didn't
There are some old saws" the ex-
senator went on to say, that have a
basis of sound reason, or had, for their
existence, which may not be generally
known. That one which goes, 1t is
unfortunate TO meet a lady when start
ing on Journey is based on a very
good reason. Ladies are SO attractive
that the would-be traveller is likely 10
be beguiled into a conversation with
one he may meet on his way to the
station, which will prevent him from
reaching there in time to take his train
or boat. and he is thereby delayed,
probably to his embarrassment or loss.
Therefore, il may be unf, rtunate to
meet lady in those circumstances.
There is another that has historic
and philosophic basis-'to put ones
sock on wrongside ont is sign of good
luck. That had its origin in the olden
times, before the lodern conveniences
of gas and electric iirhting were added
TO the appliances of home and hotel
life. Therefore, the man who rose
early in the morn, before daylight, and
dressed himself, not stopping to dis
cover whether or not his hose was
strictly in order, because of the dill
gence implied in that action was often
enabled to score :. triumph over bus
mess rival who waited until he could
determine that every article was in or
der Hence the proverb, which simply
means that a hustler, as we would term
him in these days, is bound to succeed.
THE same is true of the saying that
1T is unlucisy for a rabbit to cross your
path This has the responsibility of
age as warrant for its circulation.
but it has long lost its force, or should
have done so. Rabbits haunt their
warrens, generally until dusk, and
then they begin running about in
search of food. In olden tines travel
ing was dangerous, even in broad day
light, and to have rabbit cross ones
path meant that he was likely TO be
caught after dark, and bad luck, either
in the shape of injury from robbers. or
damages or delay through bad roads,
was almost certain to befall the trav-
elcr.
But that simple signs or omens in
these days of practical things can af-
feet ones interests, either for good or
bad, I don't believe" concluded the
senator Washington Post.
'I'APA gave me two pennies TO put in the