The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-15
BELIEFS
 ABOUT PLAIN ACTS Supposed to Exercise Myste-
 rieus Influences AFFECT HUMAN BEINGS In Ancient Egypt Was Sacred To the Goddess Isis-Amusing supersti-
 ton of People In Differ
 ent Countries.
From the Kansas City Star.

alone an air of mystery. This is doubt
 less due to the animals weird looking eyes, it's peculiar habits, stealthy move
 ments, night proving and It's strange. vocal accomplishments, ranging from
 soft, musical "mewing" to the .wailing
 shriek" described by Poe, half of hor- TOT and half of triumph; such as might
 have arisen only out of hell, conjointly from the throats of the damned in their
 agony, and of the demons that exult in
 the damnatons
 Upon this atmosphere of mystery which attaches to the cat and the widespread belief that the animal exercises a mys- terious influence over the lives and des-
 tinies of human beings, the poet Poe
 founded his grewsome tale, "The Black Cat" These curious beliefs and super- stitions attaching to the cat existed in very early times. In ancient Egypt the cat was sacred to the Goddess Isis and
 was held in the highest reverence. Tenn pies were erected in it's honor and sac
 rifces and devotions offered up to it.
 When the family cat of an Egyptian family died, the members of the house. hold were required to shave off their eyebrows. And in the city of Cairo there was within very recent years an insti- tuition for the care of destitute cats. when the M1ddle Ages are reached IL
 is found that old Father Time has trans muted the Egyptian veneration for the
 cat into something quite the opposite. By this time cats had come to be regarded as the familiars of witches. The favorite shape of Satan was said to be that of a black cat and the animal was an object of dread, instead of veneration. Their superstitious connection with witches and the foolish belief that cat has nine lives hoxy lad fn f1o nnfr raf ffnr of cities upon these harmless and useful do- mestic animals.
 There Is still current in America and in these days of education and enlighten- l ment great mass of folklore and curi- | ous beliefs about cats. Many of these | have been collected by the American l Folklore society. The multiplicity of 1 these human documents'' shows that en- l lightenment and education naver have been able to run fast enough to escape I from the company of the black cat. l In eastern Kansas is found somewhat | prevalent the belief that if one kills a | black cat some member of the household l will die soon.
 | In New England and eastern Kansas 1 it is an omen of good fortune to be fol- | lowed by a black cat. But to be followed | by black cat at night is unlucky in Cape l Breton and New Hampshire. In the last l named localities it also is unlucky if a
 black cat come to ones house, while in l eastern Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. l it is an omen of good luck.
 In Massachusetts it brings good luck'' 1 to throw dead black cat over the left 1 shoulder and turn around twice. 1 In Alabama the spirit of an old maid l after death takes possession of some l black cat. In the same state to cut off l the end of black cats tail and bury it
 under the doorstep is to keep sickness l out of the family
 1 The belief that it is bad luck to kill a 1 cat Is general, and in Pennsylvania and I Iowa is found the superstition that if a. 1 farmer kill a cat some of his stock will l die.
 The black cat also makes good medi- l cine" Here are some specimens of "cat- l cure'' lore:
 | The blood of a black cat will cure a 1 spavined horse.
 l Blood from the tip of the tail of a black l cat without single white hair will cure l sty.
 1 Apply the freshly removed skin of a 1 cat as a remedy for shingles. l The heart of black cat, applied as | soon as killed will stop bleeding from 1 a wound.
 | The skin of a black cat worn in ones :! clothing will cure rheumatism. l Here are a few specimens of the omens | which are associated with the feline: | If you dream of a cat it signifies that l you have an enemy.
 | In Canada, Michigan and Eastern Kan- sas a cat of three colors brings luck and in the last named place Is regard ed as a protection against fires. A "smuttyn nosed cat brings wealth to it's owner.
 up in Maine it means poverty to own a white cat.
  will be disappointed if you do not inn mediately turn back. The possession of black cat or a. black and white one brings sickness to the family.
 spotted cat coming to your house is double-pawed cat 1oretels good luck.
 That you will break friendship with a person to whom you give cat is be- lieved in New England. In Ohio if neighbours cat comes ls- tening around your home 1t means news carrying, and you may know that the neighbors are gossiping about you. In Massachusetts a cat putting its paw over its head means company. And when
 the cat lcks its paws that also means company, and the company will come from the direction to which its tail points, In Labrador it means visitors when the
 cat scratches the door post.
 When the cat washes its face it is a
 sign of visitors in Massachusetts, New
 York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
 In Eastern Kansas 1t is a favorable
 omen when the cat sits before the fire
 and washes its face.
 After washing its face visitors will come from the direction in which the cat looks.
 If cat washes it's face in the presence of several persons the first 1t looks at will be the first to get married and will be the first of those present to die.
 If a cast washing it's face before gre. pauses in its ablutions and looks directly at anyone, that one will receive letter, i5 Kansas belief, as also is the super stition that if the cat follow one who is leaving home it presages harm. Also, that it is unucky to move into house where former occupants have left their cats and dogs.
 Tn some localities 1t is bad luck not to move the cat when the family moves; in other localities it is an i'll omen to move the cat.
 The cat also runs weather bureau:
 A cat "bawling' is a sign of rain in Newfoundland.
 A cat eating grass indicates rain in | Maine, Michigan and Massachusetts.
 If a cats fur shines and looks glossy l next day will be pleasant
 In Alabama a cat washing it's face ! means rain. In New England this state | me Is ad fo abI y,or rt