The National tribune., 1899-12-28
NORTH CAROLINA SUPERSTlTIONS.
Significance Attached to Little Events OF
Life in the Country

If one would learn the popular supersti-
tons OF North Carolina he must so into the
rural districts Below are some of the
common sayings:
If, in washing the dishes or cleaning the
table before meal, the cook drops dish
| rag, someone is coming in hungry.
The growing of rooster before the front
door early in the morning foretells the visit
| of "A stranger.
If redbrd fits about the front yard and
| chirps merrily, young girl gaily dressed
and llght-hearted may be expected soon.
The growing of a rooster early in the
night is sign of hasty news. Thus many
chicken rooster, by single crow, has
| cast gloom over an entire family.
The bowling of a dog at night foretells
some dire calamity, such as tragic death.
If a dog lies on his back, with feet ex-
tended upward, in the front yard, some
member Of the family in which he belongs
IS sure to die soon.
The screaming of screech owl three
nights in succession in or about the front
yard is the sign that some one in the house
is in danger of death. To drive the owl
| away stick the shovel in the fire.
The growing of a chicken hen portends
no good woman would permit a growing
hen to live longer than it would take to
bring an AK across its neck.
In ironing a garment if the smoothing
iron is dropped the owner of the garment
will never live to wear it out.
Friday is an unlucky day. If a piece of
work is begun on that day, the one who
begins it will not live to see it finished.
If the individuals of a hunting party. in
crossing fence, go over the same section
luck will be good, but if several sections are
crossed the hunt will be failure.
If in strolling two persons go on opposite
sides of tree. one or both of them will meet
iii inf &c, lAfy low
Looking at new moon for the first time
through obstructed space, as through tree
top, foretells misfortune during that moon.
To see it over the right shoulder and In
clear space brings good luck.
The rabbit always carries omenS OF i'll
fortune. If you meet him on going from
home you may look for trouble before YOU
return; if going toward home, there will be
trouble in your family.
Ashes must not be taken from a fireplace
in a sick-room. The death of the patient
would follow. Nor must the bed OF sick
person be turned over.
No one ever saw a negro meet corpse.
The most courageous negro would go out of
his way to avoid such calamity. 1t is
said that if you meet a corpse your time
will come next. If a corpse is stopped on
the way to the grave, another member of
the family will soon follow.
Kraut must be made in the dark of the
1t is the hight of folly to cut child's
finger nails before it is a year old. for then it
will steal. The nails must be broken off.
If a child is allowed 10 look in mirror be-
fore it is year old teething will be difficult.
The tying Of small sack containing the
fore feet of ground mole around a baby'S
neck assures a full set of pretty teeth. If in
teething the child's gums are sore they may
be cure1 by rubbing them with rabbit brains
hot from the head. The writer has seen
both Of these remedies practiced.
To remove a wart from the body steal
piece of meat, rub the wart with it and then
bury it. Say nothing about what you
have done. and the wart will soon disappear.
A stray black cat in the backyard foretells
good luck.
. If a woman is making soap and man
comes no and stirs it. all will be well and the |
soap will be fine. but if woman comes, the |
SOAP will spoil in making.
If you sing in bed you will cry next day. |
If a railroad engineer sees black sheen
cross the track in front of him he expects |
trouble. That is an omen of ill-luck.
If you want cat to stay at your home, |
rub its paw on the stove.
To keep new dog. measure his tail with |
a cornst"lk and bury the latter under the |
front steps.
If you sleep with your feet toward the
door you will soon be carried out corpse.