Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-07
SOME COMMON sUPERsTITloNs.

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SOME COMMON sUPERsTITIoNs.
Thousands of Persons Influenced by
Various Forms of Superstition.
That superstition exerts a powerful
influence over the affairs Of mankind
may be ascertained by a residence In
almost any rural community in the
country. 1t cannot be said that only
the ignorant and uncouth classes give
credence to dark sayings. There are
thousands Of persons who do unac-
knowledged service to the mysterious
and unknown whose training and edu-
cation have not succeeded In entirely
destroying the effect Of potencies and
charms learned and believed In YOUTH
Especially is this true If the individual
be southern born, for the association
and influence of darkies may not be
dismissed at a word, and there Is no
more superstitious class than the
southern negro.
It Is remarkable how generally say
ings Of superstition have spread over
the country. No section may claim to
be above harboring any such beliefs, or
rather, practices; for 1t may not be
claimed that all believe in the efficacy
who practice and observe certain forms
or take cognizance Of defined circum-
stances. Nevertheless, there are, as q
matter of fact, few persons who care
to pass a pin lying on the ground II the
point chance to be toward them. AL
most invariably that pin will be picked
up. An experiment of this kind was
made in Chicago, in an office building,
the occupants Of which and their vis-
itors should be as free from any touch
of superstition as any set of men on
earth. But fifteen men out Of twenty
who passed stopped to pick up bright
pin laid on a dark spot Of the velvet
carpet in the corridor.
How many persons will confess to
weakness for seeing the new moon
over their right shoulder unobscured
by any bushy tree top? A greater
number will deny the belief in the
efficacy who will at the same time con-
fess that they would rather see the
moon right" This remarkable super
stition prevails in all parts Of the
world It's universally almost compels
belief in its potency.
If one would learn the popular super
stitions of any community he must
have been reared among the people,
for If a stranger were to ask for a list
Of superstitions prevailing In any one
place it is possible no person could re-
call or make a list of them. They
crop out under suitable circumstances
and as occasion calls for their OBJ
servance.
Below are some Of the common say
ings in a community made up OF de-
scendants of Pennsylvania Dutch, who
settled in the keystone state shortly
after the colony was organized:
II in washing the dishes, or in clean
ing the teole before meal, the COOK
drops a dish rag, some one is coming
hungry.
If the dish rag Is dropped while
washing the dishes after meal, "some
slut is coming. If she is not already
there"
The Growing Of rooster before the
front door early in the morning fore
tells the visit Of a stranger.
If a red bird fits about the yard and
chirps merrily, young girl gayly
dressed and lighthearted may be ex-
pected soon.
| The growing of a rooster In the night
is a sign of hasty news. Thus many q
rooster, by single crow, has cast
gloom over an entire family.
The bowling of dog at night fore
tells some dire calamity such as ira
gic death.
If dog lies on his back in the front
yard with feet extended upward, some
member of the family to which he be-
longs Is sure to die soon.
The screaming of a screech owl three
nights in succession in or about the
front yard is a sign that some one ir
the house is in danger of death. TIC
cause the owl to leave, stick the shove
in the fire.
The growing of chicken hen por-
tends bad luck. 1t always results ir
the death Of the hen without delay. fol
no good women would allow a Growing
hen to live longer than it takes to cut
off it's head.
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 1t will
not prosper and possibly the one wht
begins it will not live to finish 1t. /
probably is true that not ten womer
out of every hundred can be found wht
would as willingly start a garment OF
Friday as on some other day.
If the individuals Of hunting par
ty, in crossing a fence, go over th'
same section luck will be good, but i
several sections be crossed the hun
will be failure.
If in strolling two persons go on op
posite side of a tree, one or both o
them will meet disappointment before
the day is over.
Looking at a new moon for the frs
time through Instructions, as through
a tree top, foretells misfortunes dur
ing that moon. To see 1t over th'
right shoulder and in a clear space
brings good luck.
The rabbit always carries omens o.
i'll fortune. If you meet him on goint
from home you may look for trouble
before you return; If going toward
home there will be trouble in you
family.
Ashes must not be taken from a fire
place in n sick room. The death o.
the patient would follow Nor mus
the bed of a sick person be turned