The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1910-07-22
SIGNS, SYMBOLS AND sUPERsT1TIoNs.

''There is scarcely a superstition Of the past three
centuries which has not at this time less hold
upon individual minds among us, said Whittier some
years ago. and the times have not greatly changed since
then Human credulity may be on the Wane but 1t YET
exists All of the pamiss clarvoyants and fortune tell
ers make living and tWothirds OF them can afford TO
nav pretty steep office rent Sprituaism and table rap
pings still attract their pro rata OF hangerson and the
men who can convince the public at large that they repre-
sent miraculous cures are rapidly buying property and
erecting elegant homes thereon Back of it all lies the
one word "impatience Many there are who have not
enough faith in the Supreme Being to trust their future
to Him. and would open the gates of the distant future
and themselves shape up what there awaits them In the
minds of many there lies the belief that the great unseen
force even if kindly disposed has it's actions counter
acted by menacing force dark and threatening which
is ever watchful for opportunity to SOW dscord 10
do one of the thousand and things which said
TO bring bad luck is to lay ones self liable to this
kindly force AS preventive, seek to keep the spell
away by finding out what their lucky numbers are and
bv wearing charms carrying talsmans and adopting mas
cots Modern inventions and applications have done much
to dspe superstition among the better informed and yet
the names Of those in bondage is legion.
Certain classes and professions Of men, such as sail
or soldiers miners gamblers and actors have their own
pet supersions and for the most part said to be
firmly fixed in them Out of every hundred persons
there are but few who do believe in at least sign
of good or bad luck They not unlike the old woman
who said I do believe in all those foolish signs but
do know going to cry before nighttall II spill the
salt before breakfast The manager of apartment
house recently said cit surprising how many persons
will remain day longer move day sooner rather
than begin living in new quarters on Friday" What
introduced the subject the appearance of petite
madam who smiling said: 81 wish to pay our rent to-
day. The Doth comes Friday this month and
pay our bills that day. These superstons are like
family heirlooms Sons avoid those things which their
fathers avoided and daughters believe in those things
which their mothers believed n and they live and
on There is some excuse for the ignorant and simple
nursing supersttons They know not the laws OF cause
and effect but recognize that there powers.
These powers being and not understood naturally
create fear and their conclusion is that if good
some may also be bad and it becomes of 1.-THE
bogy man will git you if you don't watch out Even
where have reached high state OF development there
are those who believe that the controls us more
than we know and that the little which mankind has
wrested from the great spheres of the unknown is too
small play controlling part in the affairs of men, In
other words we are controlled whether will not
by unseen forces and it up to keep the bad
away much possible.
Among the supersttons prevalent in day, that
of Friday being baduck day seemingly takes the lead
The number of persons who refuse to have papers drawn
up the 18th and to sit at table where there twelve
other persons many while the old adherence Of
rooms hotels births in sleeping cars and seats in the
aters bearing that number is well known. Many persons
call the left hind foot of rabbit which they carry in
their pockets fad while in reality they believe wear
ing it brings them good luck surprisingly large
Der wear money their shoes with the weto-do FIVE
dollar gold pieces predominant, the brethren in cir
cumstances silver twenty fve-cent pieces
Following few superstons current in the states
four-eafed clover will bring good luck to the finder
A lump on the tongue-you have told lie Three times
a bridesmad-never a bride. You will be unhappy if
you lose your wedding ring Happy is the bride that the
sun shines upon Wish on load of hay and turn away
and your wish will true. When you falling
star wish To dream of catching fish is good luck To
dream of teeth is unucky. Relate your dream before
breakfast and it will come true. To find a horseshoe
is good luck Splitting salt is unlucy unless you throw