The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-18
The MODEST CLOVER.
Quaint and interesting Legends
Of the LowIy Little Plant.
CALVARY GLOVER ODDITIES.
The Common Red Clover Was Ono.
a Favorite Charm Asains. Witch
Spells = The Belief In Luck That
cIinss About the Four Leavsd Plant.

spells - he Belief In Luck That
clinss About the Four Leaved Plant.
The most probable origin of the name
clover is that which derives 1t from
the Latin clava-clubs-as the clover
leaf slightly resembles the three prong
ed club of Hercules. 1t is said, too,
that the clubs of our playing cards are
In imitation of the same leaf. There
are many varieties Of this common but
favorite plant, and, notwithstanding its
practical uses in agriculture, about II
superstition has woven many quaint
and interesting legends.
The common red clover was once re-
puted to be baneful to witches, and
people of high and low degree wore
the leaf, considering it a powerful
charm against their spells. 1t is sup
posed to have been introduced into
England from the Netherlands during
the reign Of Queen Elizabeth.
The thorny clover (Medicago eclumlsj
is called Calvary clover on account of
some Of its peculiaritles. In the first
place, 1t must be sowed in the spring,
and some say on Good Friday. AS the
leaves appear above ground they have
deep red spot, resembling fresh spilled
blood, on each of their three divisions,
which will remain for some time before
dying away. The three leaflets stand
erect during the day with arms ex-
tended, but at sunset the arms are
brought together, and the upper leaflet
Is bowed over them as II in prayer.
After a time small yellow flower
appears and later spiral pod covered
with sharp thorns. These thorns inter
lace with one another as they ripen
and form globular head, which when
fully matured may be removed from
Its spiral coils. and the striking re-
semblance to a crown Of thorns is
plainly seen. Thus its blood stained
leaves, its extended arms and bowed
head and the day when the seed was
first planted to await its resurrection
have caused it to be christened Cal.
vary clover. 1t is fitting, too, that
Palestine should be claimed as its ma
tive land.
Legend says that the three leaved
clover, generally regarded as an en-
blem of the Trinity. was first used by
St Patrick to illustrate how three sep
arate objects, such as leaves, could vet
form one. Those deeply versed in leg
endary lore. however claim that ST.
Patrick borrowed rather than origi-
mated the sanctity of the shamrock
(Medicago lupulina), held in the hand
Of Hope among the Greeks, when he
thus illustrated the Trinity in its three
or found the cross in its four leaves.
In the east also the trefoil is sacred.
as the holy books OF Persia and Arabia
tell and the legend of st. Patrick driv-
In! the snakes out Of Ireland has a
more ancient root, for the Latins be-
lieved that snakes were never seen
near the trefoil. So If st. Patrick wore
Il he was invested with additional
power TO Danish these invaders. DR..
Prior says that this plant is regarded
in ireland as the true shamrock. 1t has
been asserted that it was a still more
ancient religious symbol and expressed
among the ancient Teutonic race the
three grades Of druids, bards and neo-
phytes. The druids held the clover in
great honor as charm. Hope was de-
picted By the ancients as child stand.
Ing on tiptoe and holding q clover
bloom In its hand.
But It is in connection with the. four
leayed clover that manifold, myths
have been developed. Owing to its
scarcity, It has generally been believed
that it would bring luck to the finder.
This superstition Is referred to in this
old stanza:
When sitting IN the grass we see
little four leaved clover.
It's luck for thee and luck for me
And lick for any lover.
II a lover can and two four leaved
elOvers ana induce the object Of his
lore to eat one while be swallows the