The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-01-31
Rural Superstitions.
POPULAR BELIEFS THAT HAVE NO
SCIENTIFIC BASIS.

That superstition exerts a powerful
influence over the affairs of mankind
may be ascertained by 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 South
ern negro.
1t is remarkable how generally super
stitous sayings have spread over the
country. No section may claim to be
above harboring such beliefs, or rather,
practices; for it may not be claimed
that all believe in the efficacy who prac-
tiCe and observe certain forms or take
cogniZance of defined circumstances.
Nevertheless, there are, as a matter OF
fact, few persons who care to pass a
pin lying on the ground if the point
chances to be toward them. Almost
invariably that pin will be picked up.
An experiment of this kind was made
in Chicago, in an otfice building, the
occupants of which and their visitors
should be as free from any touch of
superstition as any set OF men on earth.
But fifteen men out of twenty stopped
to pick up bright pin laid on dark
spot of the velvet carpet in the corridor.
How many persons will confess to
O
their right shoulder unobscured by any
bushy tree top? A, greater number will
deny belief in the efficacy who will at
the same time confess that they would
rather see the moon fright" This re-
markable superstition prevails in all
parts of the worli. Its very universal
ity almost cOmpelS belief in its potency.
Al 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 list of super
stitions prevailing IN any one place it is
possible that no person could recall or
make a list of them. They crop out
under suitable circumstances and as
occasion calls for their observance.
Below are some of the common say
ings in community made up of de-
scendants of Pennsylvania Dutch who
settled in the Keystone State shortly
after the colony was organized:
If in washing the dishes or in clean
ing the table before meal the cook
drops a dishrag some one is coming
hungry.
If the dishrag is dropped while wash
ing the dishes after meal ''Some slut
is coming, if she is not already there"
The growing of a rooster before the
front door early in the morning fore
tells the visit of stranger.
If a red bird fits about the yard and
chirps merrly a young girl, gayly
dressed and light hearted, may be ex-
pected soon.
The growing of rooster in the night
is sign of hasty news. Thus, many
rooster, by p single crow, has cast a
gloom over an entire family.
The bowling of a dog at night fore
tell some dire calamity, such as tragic
death.
The screaming of a screech owl three
nights in succession in or about the
front yard is sign that some one in
the house is in danger of death. To
cause the owl to leave, stick the shovel
i'll the fire.
The growing of a chicken hen por-
tends bad luck 1t always results in
the death of the hen without delay, for
no good women would allow a Growing
hen to live longer than it takes to cut
Off its head.
In ironing a garment if the smooth
ing iron is dropped the owner of The
garment will never live to wear it out
Friday is an unlucky day. If piece
of work is begun on that day it will not
prosper and possibly the one who be-
gins it will not live TO finish it. 1t
probably is true that not ten women
out of every hundred can be found who
would as willingly start garment on
Friday as on some other day.
Ii the individuals of hunting party,
in crossing a fence, 60 over the same
section luck will be good, but if several
sections be crossed the hunt will be d
failure.
If in Strolling two persons go on OPP
posite sides of a tree, one or both of
them will meet disappointment before
the day is over.
Looking at new moon for the first
time through distractions, as through
a tree top, foretellS misfortunes during
that moon. To see it over the right
shoulder and in a clear space brings
good luck.
The rabbit always carries omens of i'll
fortune. If you meet him going from
home you may look for trouble before
you return; if going toward home there
will be trouble in your family.
Ashes must not be taken from fire.
place in sick room. The death of the
patient would follow. Nor must the
bed of sick person be turned over. 1t
is actually true that this last provision
is believed and actually followed in
numberless homes where wealth and
culture abound.
No one ever saw a negro meet a corpse.
The most courageous darkey will go out
of his way or turn back on his path
rather than encounter such a calamity
1t is said that if you meet corpse your
turn will come next. If the corpse is
stopped on the way to the grave another
member of the family will soon follow.
Kraut must be made in the dark of
the moon if it is to be sour.
1t is the height of folly to cut child's
finger nails before it is year old, for
then it will pilfer and steal. The nails
must be broken and bitten off. Potatoes
and all roots must be planted in the
dark of the moon, when it is decreasing
or going down in size; likewise, crops
that grow above ground must be plant
ed in the light or increase of the moon.
HOGS mist he hlltcharad whan the