The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-02-12
SOME QUEER BELIEFS
sUPERsTITloNS THAT LlNGER w
THIS MOVING WORLD.


Peculiar Notions or quaint Ideas
Regarding signs and Omens.
Though many Of the old omens and
supersttions have passed, there still
remain among every race hundreds
and thousands of popular beliefs.
Early religions teachings, fanatical be-
nefs, worship Of idols, sorcery, necro-
nancy and the like perhaps laid the
foundation for the superstitions found
among the peoples OF the globe. 1t
may be interesting TO specify few
particularly. by comparing them with
those which have come under his own
observation In the United States the
reader will he astonished at the SINH
larlty Of a number aud set TO wonder
ing how they became so widespread.
Did they in some form exist before
the confusion OF languages, or were
they carried from country 10 country
by restless individuals In their travels
and explorations during the centuriesf
How is II that the most important and
degraded tribes on the other side Of the
world have some superstitions in com
mon with the most civilized and pro
gressIve countries on this side?
The Esklmos believe in ghosts. To
change the wind they drum, chant and
howl, shoot against II. build fires and
as a last resort fire the graves OF the
dead. When a child dies in Greenland
the natives bury live dog with II to
be used by the child as guide to the
other world. When asked about this
superstition they answer that "a dog
can find his way anywhere" Similar
10 this custom ls the pathetic one pre-
yaillng in some parts OF France, where
a mother buRes her dead child with its
favorite toy or her own hair, that 1t
may not feel quite alone"
Speaking OF France, the belief Is
popular that the position Of drowned
body may be discovered by n floating
loaf OF bread possibly the only scien-
tlfic basis being that the loaf Is apt to
be carried 10y current just ns body
is. In Java live sheep is thrown into
the water TO locate drowned body by
sinking near IL. In certain sections OF
the United States n shirt belonging TO
the deceased or some near relative Is
thrown In to float on its grewsome mis-
sion, but In Norway those In search OF
a drowned body row to and fro with n
cock in the boat, fully believing that
the bird will crow when the boat reach
es the spot where the corpse lies.
The cock and certain ouens have
long been connected In various coun-
tries. IL II crows at n particular time
In Persia II IL the sign Of some event
affecting the family. and the master Of
the house rushes out TO feel the birds
feet: II they are cold, II is forerunner
OF death, but II warm, the sign is propi.
tious. In West Virginia the growing OF
a cock before the door tells of n com
Ing company" while 1t is believed
in other portions OF the south-if not by
the rural populations of other sections
of the Union-that the shrill clarion aft
or sunset indicates early weather
changes or the announcement Of un-
welcome news.
The natives of Cuba have one belief
at least In common with Americans
they regard the hooting Of an owl as a
very bad sign. II they can succeed in
killing the owl they believe this will
break the spell involving the life of
some member of the family. There is
something weird In its hooting, and |
have known persons TO get out Of bed
at midnight to drive It from tie tree
or corner of the dwelling, believing
Il a harbinger Of Ills. Perhaps the bird
is held in awe In other countries. 9th.
ers OF the feathercl tribe are so held
or regarded with reverence. The peo-
pie I'm the south Of Ireland are particu-
.larly fearful Of the robin entering their
houses; II Is prognostic Of severe SHOWS
and frosts. The crow and pigeon are
looked upon as unlucky In Poland
where the goat is harbinger of good
luck! In Sweden II one kill wren he
will break u bone before the year is
out.
The animals and insects that IN
friendliness live near the abodes of
man ought TO have outlived the super.
stitiops surrounding them long ago but
AAbAs III DhAAE'llalll IL u
huntsman going out in the morning
sees a fox cross his path or meets an
old woman he turns back home. The
first means no game, the second that
he Will shoot man hidden In the
leaves or do some other irreparable
mischief. In America II IL the rabbit
crossing ones path which brings some
sort Of bad luck. In Hull. England. II
Is unlucky 10 XIII crickets. In Lanca.
shire II Is thought they cut holes IN the
stockings OF those who kill them In
portions Of England also Il Is Gus,
tomary ~ announce 10 the bees a des th
in the family, especially that Of the
master, while II swarm settle on the
dead branch Of a tree a death viii oc
cur in the family within a year. In
rural America IL one kills the first
snake he sees I'm the spring II prcsages
that he will overcome his enemies dur
Ing that year. On the other hand. the