The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-08-17
Folk Lore-Engllsh and German.
coNrRIBUrED BY SEVERAL PERSONS


Polodore Wright, colored, one of the best
gar leuers in EIkton, Cecil county, in the sos
would never plant potatoes Sin the light of the
MOON as they would be all vines, but "by
planting in the dark of the moon they could
not see how to run up to vlnes), and while
struggling TO get out Of the ground roots would
be forming that would give the marster mana
fine CROP" In many sections that rule holds
good to this day.
Some of the best housekeepers in Carroll
county will not put up either beef or pork
when the moon is in the decline as it will
positively shrink. If sailed on the increase of
the moon the meat always retains its original
fine condition, and when brought to the table
presents AN attractive appearance.
Shingles should he laid when the horns of
the moon point down, otherwise they will draw
up so strongly MS to pull the nails out and
cause the Shingles TO turn up aud rot. In
building fences the reverse follows, as fences
have been known TO sink fully one rail and
sometimes more.
If you want to take calf from COW TO sell,
always back the calf out of the stable, other
wise the COW will fret over its loss for long
time.
Never raise calf that is born on Wedues-
day, Friday or Sunday, as it will either be
If you spill salt always put some in a fire,
otherwise dire results will follow.
Shingles can he cured by killing chicken
that hasn't white feather on it, splitting it
open, and applying to the parts affected, or by
the blood from black cats tail
The ancient Greeks and Romans had an
idea that the oak belonged to Jupiter, the
king of the gods. They read answers in the
whispers of the winds to their questions con-
corning the performance of his will. The
ancient Britons held the same belief. Groves
of oaks were their temples. Under the oak
trees they offered their sacrifices and tried
their prisoners. The Yule log was introduced
there. They burned oak Yule logs at all their
feasts They would lay 1ule log on their
Christmas fire, then take it off half burnt to
light the next Christmas fire. The Yule log
with some change still exists In other coun-
tries The habit was so changed that The Yuie
log sometimes of soaked gum, would determine
for servant the length of their Christmas
holiday. As long rs it burned his time was
his own.
The Britons considered any growth upon the
oak sacred If mistletoe grew upon it, they
believed their god had chosen it for himself
The Druids who found a tree with mistletOe
upon it said it had been shown them in a
vision They formed solemn procession,
being dressed in white garments, and led two
white bulls to the tree, which they tied to it
by the horns, and with golden knife cut off
the mistletoe and dropped it into white cloth
that was held to catch it. The bulls were then
sacrificed and the mistletoe given to the people,
who made medicine Of it. The Germans, like
the Britons, thought the oak belonged to the
| god of thunder.
There is also Morse story of the ash tree,
Il curious old myth handed down by the Scan
| dinavions, in which they assert Chat as ash
twigs are generally fat their god, Odin, made
the first man from one of those fiattened twigs.
They contend that the ash is the great tree of
the universe, and the gods hold their councils
under it. 1t has three roots, one III Heaven,
| one in the Frost land and one IN the under
world; at each root is sacred fountain OF
wisdom and knowledge, with which three
maidens water the tree, and its leaves drip
dew of honey upon the world. An eagle has
| a look out from the topmost branches; a ser
pent knaws the root, and a squirrel moves
| back and forth between them, telling tales and
making mischief.
Very much can be said and written with
reference to legends, superstitious signs aud
tokens, which may all be comprised under the
| head of folk lore, but will Just relate legend
|
are conversant. The time and place | will not
give, and the names of the parties need not be
mentioned A bashful lover, enamored OF a
beautiful maiden who received his attention
without The consent of parental guardianship,
selected position close to the paternal eye,
but not where its vision could fall upon them
while busiIy engaged in the rehearsal OF the
Ito them) dear old story. Near their TRUSTING
place grew large rose bush, whose pure white
bloom, ever embIematical of the pure one who
nursed and cherished it, had also an important
part to play in the approaching drama soon to
be enacted there. When the parent approach
ed the fair one, little idea had he that the
beautiful rose concealed the object OF his ire.
1t was only too true. Just how often cannot
be told, suffice il to say that, upon one occa
sion, the angry papa discovered his hiding
place. He rushed upon him and with cold
steel pierced his breast and caused his heart 5
warm blood to flow The white, pure rose
drenched with the blood Of her lover, b!ushing
under the fearful curse of the drama enacted
there, refused to ever assume its modest purity
and was thus transformed TO the beautiful
scarlet "Gen Jacquiminotf rose that blooms
in so many of Westminster's flower gardens
| today.