The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-06-13
THB BLACK CAT.
Inspires Superstition.
RAILROAD MEMS SCARE.


Richmond Dispatch.
In almost every person there is a
vein OF superstition, the vein in some
cases being SO prominent as to inHu-
ence materially the action and thought
OF the man. Such person, dominated
by beiicf IN signs and oEens OF III
luck, is usually dencminated supersti-
tious,> and it sometimes occurs that
persons otherwise very Intelligent
mako themselves almost ridiculous.
One Of the most widely prevalent su-
perstitions is that which makes the
number Il an i'll omen.
This superstition is especially preya-
lent among theatrical people, and is
frequently observed among travelling
men, as we'll. So general Is the objec-
ton to tho mum Der that lew hotels can
be found with room numbered l3,
and if by chance theatrical man or
woman is put in a room thus number
ed, or On Which the number has been
changed from 13 to some Other, the
probability is that he or she will de-
mand another room.
AN INSTANCE ON RECORD.
An instance is on record in one Of
the smaller towns Of the State wherein
two young women who had been as
signed to room 81 discovered that the
number was fjrmerly l3, and at once
demanded to be given another room.
There was no other room vacant at the
time, and though this was desirable
room in every other respect than the
number, the pair gave it up in the
middle OF the night and went cut to
seek quarters at another hostelry. The
number 3l3 is especially avoided by
some, Le.ng regarded as doubly ur-
lucky.
Among the popular signs and omens
OF Iii luck is the black cat, an animal
that has long teen regarded by many
as a creature OF i'll portent. The black
cat figures prominently in fiction, and
is classified among the >uncanny things
OF earth. The superstitions OF the ne
gro havas Ieen frequently laughed at,
o..s syi7Fe1i whit persons, AID iutelil-
sent ones, are very shy OF felines oI
such scmbre hue. Like the raven, OF
poetic fame, the cat has become known
as an omen OF i'll luck. When black
cat appears at house and takes up its
abode there it is regarded as good luck
| but when the cat crosses ones path
in the night time IL is supposed by
many to bode no good for the unfor
tunats person.
| IN TIE DANvILLE YARDS.
In the city of Danvilleln the railroad
yards Of the Southern the black cal
recently inspired such wholesome
dread that its appea, ance was viewet
with trepidation by many Of the yare
employees. Among the yard crew there
is sa:d to be belief that whenever ,
black cat is seen to cross tie tracks Q
the railroad at night 1t is ominous Q
the death en- the rail G; some one 0
the employees. A few years ago ser
eral fatal accidents to tra;nEnen occur
red in, OR near, tie yard, and it be
came runcred that whenever one 0
thsse casualties occurred a black ca
had been seen to cross the track il
front CT the locomotive OR train Of
whie:, the victim o. the omen was rid
ing. Such an impression did this sc
perstition make~On some~of The mei
that at times they have been known t
ask to be relieved from duty on th
night VIXEN tho prophetic feline wit
fiery eyes blazIng had been Observed t
cross The yard. just why black ca
; should inspire any more terror than
cat OF another color no one attempts t
explain. But it is u'ldeniable tha
the appearance Of this prophet OF evl
especially when the sight is unexpected
causes no little fear to many people.
Possibly the weird story Of Edga
|lAllan Poe's hes had something to
with the black cat superstition, bu
] whatever the origin there is no dout
OF tlla existence OF the prejudice to TIL
particular color ct eat. Like the igur
Is, ard the <gruesome contents OF th
! witches caidrcn, 1t has come 10 be n
garded rs uncanuy and ominous o! il
: DEAFNESS CANNOT BE CUREl
!, by lacal applications, as they canne
!, reach the diseased portion Of the ca
!, There is only one way to cure Dea
. ness, and that is by constitutions;
remedies. Deafness Is caused by a
stInGamed condition OF the mucous lir
: my Of the Eustach!an Tube. Whe
this tube gets lnnamed you have
> runabiing sound or imperfect hearin,
ana when it is entirely closed Heafne'
Is the result, and unless the inflamms
). tlon can be- taken out and this tube r.
: stored 10 lis normal condition, hearin
! will be destroyed forever; nine cast