The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-01-25
North Carolina superstitions.
An Aeheyille letter to the New York

perstitions of North Carolina he mus
10 into the rural districts. Below are
some of the common sayings:
If, in waehing the dishes or clean
ing the table before a meal, the cool
drops dish rag, scme one is coming
in hungry.
The growing OF a rooster before th'
front door early in the morning fore
tells the visit of stranger.
Ifa red bird fits about the from
yard and chirps merrily, young CIR
gaiIy dressed and light-hearted ma,
be expected soon.
The growing of a rooster early In tht
night is a sign of hasty news. Thus
many a chicken rooster by single
crow, has cast a gloom over an entire
family.
The bowling OF dog at night fore
tells some dire calamity, such as tragic
death.
If dog lies on his back, with feet
extended 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
trout 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 chicken hen por.
tends bad luck. It certainly means q
death, Tor no good woman would per-
NIT Growing hen to live longer than
1t 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 1t out.
Friday is an unlucky day. If piece
of work is begun on that day the one
who begins 1t will not live to see it
finished.
If the individuals OF hunting party
in crossing fence, 60 over the same
section luck will be good, but if sever
al sections are crossed the hunt will be
q failure.
If in strolling two persons 60 on op-
~ h)t \, r~(
them will meet disappointments be-
fore the day is over.
Looking at new moon for the first
time through obstructed space, as
through = tree top, foretells misfor-
tunes during that moon. To see 1t over
the right shoulder and in the 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 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 q
corpse. The most courageous negro
would go out of his way to avoid such
q calamity. It is said that if you meet
Z 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 room il it is to be sour.
1t Is the height OF folly to cut
chlld's finger nails before it Is year
old for then it would steal. The nails
must be broken of.
II child is allowed to look in a mir
ror before it is year old teething will
be difficult.
The tying of small sack contain
ing the four feet OF a ground mole
around baby's neck assures full set
OF pretty 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 prac-
liced.
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 doue aud the
wart will soon disappear.
A stray black cat in the backyard
ForetelIs good luck.
II a woman is making soap and
man comes up and stlrs it, all will be
we'll and the soap Will be fine, but if
4 woman comes, the soap will spoil
IN making.
If you sing in bed you will cry next
lay.
If railroad engineer sees a black
sheep cross the track in front OF him
he expect trouble. That is an omen
Of Ill luck.
FRIGHTFUL BLUNDER
Will often cause q horrible Burn,