St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-03-11
THE RING OF DEATH.
n Belonxs to Srain and Has 4 Grew.
some History-Shnh Of Persta's
Cube or Amber.


| 5 Z belief dating back to the ancients.
The gift OF eloquence is bestowed by
the sardonyx, and DisraeI were =
ring set with this jewel upon ali occa-
sions when he wished 10 elect:fy his
auditors and win new adherents to his
cause.
| That this belief in the stone goes
back into the centuries is eyinced by
the fact that Pliny tells Story Of an
limpecunious lawyer who hired sar
Gonyx with which to defend the cause
of certain fair widow, possessed of
great wealth, and be succeeded in win
lining both his cause and the widow 1t
one and the same time.
| Princess Louise uf Lorne wears
: ring set with sparkling jet as
one Of her talismans. whica is supposed
to have singular efficacy in preserving
health. So very superstitious is the
royal lady that sometimes she will not
attend public functions as agreed upon
on the plea that she knows il will be
one Of her bad ways. Quite as much as
she treasures her jet ring does she
also value and consult the cards which
are regularly sent to her from Paris.
These cards are issued at the begin
ming of each year, and give a list ct the
days and hours to be avoided" during
the coming twelvemcnth.
The ancient theory regaI ding jet was
that, il powdered and mixed with wine.
it was sovereign remedy against
4 toothache. 1t was also marvellous
ciscoverer Of unfai:nfulness.
The skah OF Persia is never withou;
his cube of amber, which he wears
around his neck. 1t is reported to have
fallen from Heaven in the time Of Ma
homet. Among other properties it has
also the power of rendering its wearer
Iinyulnerable. Domitius' hero used to
wear lock Of his wife's hair about his
neck, thinking it was beneficial because
it was amber-colored.
Although many people believe that
pearls mean tears, the Rothschild fam
lily refuse to believe that their fate
may be Influenced by precious stones.
Upon the birth Of every girl Rothschi!d
baby six pearls are purchased, each
costing $500; upon each birthday six
more pearls are added, SO that when
the young woman makes Der debut she
possesses casket OF magnificent
gems.
NJ. Zola is embarrassed in the trivia
details of his daily life by host Of su-
perstitious fears and belief in good
and evil omens. His fancy takes the
form Of numbers, and II he abhors;
and he carries bit of coral as tails
man against the perils OF flood and
field and thunder, and 4 bloodstons i
because it means courage and wisdom.
Agate, which insures long life, health
and prosperity, is the good omen worn
by the German emperor. The young
car of Russia wears ring In which he
believes is imbedded bit Of the true
cross. Once while travelling from ST.
Petersburg to Moscow lie suddenly
found that he had forgotten his ring.
The train was stopped and messenger
sent flying back in an express engine
for it.
That "the ring OF death" belongs in
Spain is ominous. 1t is rare and beau-
tiful ring, but it is never worn nor KEEP!
| in anyone's possession, as it is con-
sidered worse than the evil eye. This
fatal ring hangs about the neck Of the
patron saint OF Madrid in one of the
most beautiful parks Of the Spanish
capital. 1t is of pearls aud diamonds.
but there is no special provision made
for watching it, as superstitious peo-
pie like the Spanish prefer to give it 4
| wide berth. and there is no fear or hope
Of its being stolen.
The story OF the ring is tragic one.
II was made for the father Of the pres
ent boy king, and he presented II t.
Mercedes upon the day cf their be
| trothal.
| Her married life was short. Queen
Christina, the kings grandmother. next
wore the ring, but shortly after died,
and the king gave it to his sister. In
fanta del Pillar, who died within the
month following. The ring then passed
TO a daughter Of Due de Montpen-
sier. and in less than three months she,
too, died.
The king, fearing its influence, put
the Jewel in his own treasure box; be-
fore the year was out he died. anc j!
was thought best to put the ring away
from the living. hence 1t was hung
about the neck of the statue, where, its
history being 50 well known, it is
deemed to be as safe as .hough sur
rounded by Gordon Of police.-Boston
Globe.