The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-20
North carolina superstitions.
IFrom the New York SUM

TFrom the New York SUM
If one would learn the popular super
stitions of North Carolina he must go
into the rural districts. Below are some
of the common sayings:
IT, in washing the dishes or cleaning
the table before a meal. the cook
drops a dishrag, some one is coming in
hungry.
The growing of a rooster before the
front door early in the morning foTetells
the visit of a stranger.
If red bird fits about the front
yard and chirps merrily, young girl
gaily dressed and light hearted may
be expected soon.
- The Growing of a rooster early in the
night is sign of hasty news Thus
many a chicken rooster, by a single crow,
has cast a gloom over an entire fam
lily.
The bowling of dog at night fore
tells some dire calamity. such as a
tragic death.
If dog lies on his back with feet
extended upward. in the front yard.
some member of the family in Wkich he
belongs is sure to die soon
The screaming OF a 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 por-
tends bad luck. 1t certainly means a
death, for no good woman would per
init a growing hen to live longer than
it would take to bring an axe across its
neck.
In ironing a garment if the smooth
ing 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 viii not live to see it fin
ished.
If the individuals of hunting party.
in crossing a fence go over the same
section luck Will be good. but II sey-
eral sections are crossed the hunt VIII
be a failure.
If in strolling two persons go on op-
posite sides Of a tree, one or both OF
them will meet with disappointment5
before the day is over.
Looking at a new moon for the first
time through obstructed space. as
through a tree top, fOreteils misfor-
tunes during that moon. To seen ic
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 be-
fore you return; if going toward home,
there will be trouble in your family.
Ashes must not be taken from fire.
place in a sick room. The death Of the
patient would follow Nor must the
bed of a sick person be turned over
No one ever saw a negro meet a
corpse. The most couraEeous negro
would go out of his way to avoid such
a calamity. It is said that IL you meet
a corpse your time viii come next II
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 moon if it is to be sour.
1t is the height of folly to cut a
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 to look in a mir
rOr before it is a year old teething viii
be difficult
The tying Of a small sack. containing
the four feet Of a ground mole around
q baby's neck assures a fun set Of pret-
ty teeth If in teething the child's gums
are sore that may be cured 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 a piece Of meat, rub the Wart with
it and then bury it. Say nothing about
what you have done and the Wart viii
soon disappear.
A stray black cat in the backyard
foretells good luck.
If a woman is making SOAP and a
man comes up and stiI6 il, al viii be
well and the soap will be fine but IL a
woman comes, the soap viii spoil in
making.
If you sing in bed you viii cry next
day.
If a railroad engineer sees a black
sheep cross the track in front Of him he
expects trouble. That is an omen OF
i'll luck
If you want a cat to stay at your
home rub its paw on the stove.
To keep a new dog measure his tail
with a cornstalk and bury the latter
under the front steps.
If you sleep with your feet toward the
door you will soon be carried out q
corpse.
IRONQUILL 10 cent Cigars.