Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-24

Mexicans enjoy the well-earned rep
utation Of being one Of the most super
stittous races of the world. Super
stition exists wherever there is a hui
man being, but Mexico seems to be the
place where all human superstitiOns
are centered. To such an extent is
this true that superstition has become
almost kind of religion. governing
every act and thought OF the people
Here, of course, is not included the
better classes, whose education, instruc-
tion and knowledge Of the world have
enabled them to do away with the
thousand and one ridiculous beliefs of
their forefathers. But take the average
Mexican of the poorer classes. and
you may hear from his lips hair-rais-
Ing stories of ghosts and fairies and
devils. He will tell you Of the rare
qualities of many animals, plants and
stones; of the things you can do and
those you canot do on certain days of
the week or the month; and finally, he
VIII invite you to make the sign of the
cross to drive away the devils and the
ghosts that may hive been attracted
by the conversation you have had.
From their earliest childhood the
poems are taught to make the sign Of
the cross before going to sleep at
night and before touching the floor
with their toes in the morning. Maid
ems, until they become brides, are
urged by their mothers to put their
shoes point against point under their
bed at night to bring hapy dreams and
will even enable them to converse with
the Virgin during their sleep.
When dressing the right shoe (never
the left is put on first. The buttons
of the suit. buttoned upward; that is,
starting with the lowest and ending at
the top. This is to signify that we are
very low here in this earthly planet,
but thai during the day we will try to
go upward. Furthermore, this prac-
tice, if faithfully and constantly OBJ
served, will lead us very high, to heav-
en-, when we die. The contrary will
take us down, to Inferno.
After one is ready to go out of his
room, one must always move the right
foot first. If it happens that you find
at the door of your home a bunch of
hair or hemp, it is proof that a witch
is after you with some i'll purpose, and
you must bring at once some salt and
throw four handfuls as far as you
can, one to the east, another to the
west, the third to the north, and the
last one to the south at he same time
saying, Ave Maria Purisima del Re-
fugio." Then you have nothing to
fear from witches in the course of the
you must take two very fine sticks,
make a cross with them and nail it to
your door. No witches, ghosts or dew
lis will bother you thereafter.
The ominous Black Cat
If before taking breakfast you hap
pen to seen a black cat, three lame fell
lows on one and the same street, or a
corpse it would be better for you to go
!, ali Indoors hn
day, because something wrong is in
store for you.
If on the contrary, you meet a
it would be good for you to
shake hands with him. pat his hump
and give him some money If he is a
beggar; that will bring you good luck.
Humpbacks are exceptionally good
omens for those who buy lottery tick
cts. If you buy one, do not see it's
number until you have rubbed it
against somebody's hump; then you
are sure to win a prize.
Numbers z, Is, and 27 are lucky; 3, 13
and Al are unlucky. No. 13 especially
is one that never fails to bring trouble
so never live in a house or room num-
bered 13; be very careful when you as
cend a staircase with thirteen steps;
never ride on car No. 13, and, under no
eat, drink or wear any
or dollars, or that you have bought on
the thirteenth of the month.
Tuesday and Friday are very bad
omen days, and there is q common
saying that goes:
En- Viernes Y Martes
Nj te casas nj tie embarques.
Which means "do not marry or
start on any business on Tuesday or
Friday"
To pass under a scaffold is also some
thing that you should never do. This
is very well founded superstition, be-
cause, if a painter is working on top,
you are in danger of passing through
a rain of paint.
Woes That Friday Brings
Many animals, plants and stones are
the possessors of very queer qualities.
Are you suffering from rheumatism?
Have a hairless dog sleep under your
bed one night; next morning you will