The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-07-18
QUEER sUPERsTIrioNs..
Come Of the Odd Notions That Ruls
Our Mexican Nslahhoes.

oAoAASAao SAJNy S "~
reputation of being one Of the most
superstitious races of the world
Superstition exists wherever there
is human being, but Mexico seems
to be the place where all human su-
perstitions are centered. To such
an extent is this true that supersti-
ton has become almost kind of re-
ligion, governing every act OF the
people.
Maidens until they become brides
are urged by their mothers to put
their shoes point against point un-
der their bed at night to bring hap
py dreams, and this will even en-
able them to converse with the Viz
gin during their sleep.
When dressing the right shoe
(never the left) is put or first. The
buttons of the suit are bnttoned up
ward-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, bat that
during the day We will try to 60 up
ward. Furthermore, this practice,
if faithfully and constantly observ-
ed, will lead us, very high, to heaven
when we die. The contrary will
take us down to inferno.
After one is ready to 60 out OF
his room one must always move the
right foot first. If it happens that
you find at the door of your house
bunch of hair or hemp it is a
proof that witch is after you with
some ill purpose, and you must at
once bring 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. Then you have moth
ing to fear from witches in the
course of the day. But at night
when you retire you must take two
very fine sticks, make cross with
them and nail it to your door. No
witches, ghosts or devils will bother
you thereafter.
If before taking breakfast you
happen to see a blaal cat, three
lame fellows on one aid the same
street or corpse it would be better
for you to 60 back home and stay
indoors for the day, because some
thing wrong is in store for you.
If, on the contrary, you meet a
humpback it would be good for you
to shake hands with him, pat his
hump and give him some money.
If he is beggar, that will bring you
good luck. Humpbacks are e1cep-
tionally good omens for those who
have lottery tickets. If you buy
one,do not see its number until you
have rubbed it against somebody's
hump. Then you are sure to win a
prize.
Nos. Z, Is and ~ are lucky;
8, 73 and Al are unlucky. No.
13 especially is one that never fails
to bring trouble, so never live In q
house or room numbered 13. Be
very careful when you ascend a
staircase with thirteen steps, inever
ride on a car No. 13, and under no
circumstances eat, drink or wear
anything that has cost you 13 cents
or dollars or that you have bought
on the 18th of the month.
Tuesday and Friday are very bad
omen days, and there is common
saying that means do not marry or
start on any business on Tuesday or
Friday.
Black cats, spiders and owls are
very bad omen creatures. Never
keep a black cat at home, be sure
to kill all spiders you see crawling
about your bed and always close
tight your ears when you hear an
owlet hoot. Indians abhor owlets.
They say: "When an owlet sings an
Indian dies. 1t may be untrue, yet
it always happens"
Butterflies are good or bad
omens, according to their color.
White ones bring happiness. Yel-
low ones advise us to maintain
alive our hopes of love or fortune,
and black ones announce that death
is stalking around US or our rela-
tives.
The dog is the greatest friend OF
man. No doubt about that, as he is
endowed with the power OF seeing
ghosts, devils and death. When
you hear your dog bowling it is
proof that he is warning you against
some evil event.
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