The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-10-15

1s &Uz1Ous - <1c<i<T 4x14 ~- -
nznuIe& Of some Hpd And this isnot
because tka h1ys Ia blre Are supcstl-
fi0us or awed By the prospects of dan-
ger they arp Al too busy, too exrited
and interested and pntriotically eager
to hzre time for such thoughts
The women who are sending these
charms to the soldiers disciaim any be-
lief In supernatural protecfion- of
course they say. 1--WE do. mot believe
our charm will really save the wearcr
from danger Oh, no, nor are We the
least bit superxtitious- but II Is just the
satisfaction Of the thing
And such II is-a satisfaction OF the
same kind as when girl after splitting
the salt invariably throws some over
her left shoulder. She does not believe
in bad lnck, but people say that pinch
Of the spilled article thrown to the left
makes it impossible for danger TO over
take her, and 50 the girl who is not sll-
perstftious casts the SILT over her left
shoulder
There Is no set form or size or shape
for soldiers amulets- Everything is
ased, from a tiny watch charm trinket
to dried potato; the only requisite Is
that Il must have been thrice blessed
by the person sending it. Esthetic taste
fayors some article of jewelry, anG
manufacturers and retailers are kept
busy these days supplying the demand
One Of the most popular amulets Is
combination flag and four-leaf-clover
watch-chain charm. 1t is dainty lit
tie conceit, made of circular piece OF
cardboard, covered in white corded silk,
ON one side of which Is mounted flag
and on the other a natural pressed
four-leaf clover. Over these is placed
glass, which is held together by a gold
or silver band, with . ring attachment.
These are of various sizes, both the
fiat, narrow designs and the round ones
with magnifying glasses being popular.
Then there is the neyer-failing and
all-powerfuI rabbits foot and turkeys
claw. The virtue of these charms, es-
pecially the rabbits foot, which is
guaranteed to be the left hind foot of a
bunny shot in graveyard at night by
g cross-eyed negro, is widely admitted
| in all classes Of society. from the dusky.
bare-toed, ragged newsboys who shoot
craps at cent pass to the rich busi-
ness men who play poker with five-doi-
lar chips. 1t makes no difference that
it is generally known that the manu-
| facturers who prepare these charms
buy the rabbits feet by the hundred
| from South Water street commission
firms, or pick them up at the restau-
rants, there is not girl in Chicago who
wouldn't spend the last penny of her
allowance in buying one for her absent
soldier. boy. As for the turkey claw,
mystery surrounds its merits 1t is
popular as an amulet, but nobody
knows why.
Dewey mascots are also In great
l demand. These are made in various
forms. One is small picture of Dewey
| mounted on the shank of a rabbit s
foot; another is picture placed on
small metal flag.
But the girl that desires to be origi-
nal and individual plans her own
amulet, making it personal. and there
fore OF double protective value The
most popular form of these is gold
bangle about the size of a half-dOllar
but as thin as it can be made. This Is
engraved with the initials of giver and
recipient, and some appropriate de
sign, quotation, or sentiment 1t mus
| be attached to gold chain and worr
continually.
| The sailor boy is not forgotten, and
4 has his own particular amulets, as wei
as the soldier. The most conspicuous
of these is the "Union Jack" the sail
ors' flag of blue, profusely dotted will
| As stars, each signifying state. These
are placed on all kinds of jewelry, em
broidered on handkerchiefs, and en-
4 graved on bangles
4 1t is mostly the sweethearts and sis
tiers of the soldiers who haunt the jew
elry stores in search Of pretty amulets
The mothers and aunts and wives picl
ND theirs in radically different places
Theselatter think first of the miasmati'
climate into which the soldier boy
have gone, and the amulets they sens
take the shape Of medicated flannel
abdominal bandages, or bracelets to
arms and wrists.
..You must wear these constantly,
these mothers, aunts, and wives writ
| to their soldier relatives. $50 as y
guard your health against chilIs an
fever and similar ills. Some of then