The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-01
DO YOU BELIEVE in The "JINxr1

Are you superstitious? Do you be.
lieye In signs. auguries, mascots and
omens, and that one event Is often
prognosticated by another? Do you
believe in the logical sequence Of
events, in coincidents, and that one
thing is often presaged by another?
Are you followed and harrassed by
the ling? Do you believe that the
breaking Of mirror an omen Of bad
luck, or that II you start to 60 any
place and turn back 1t portends i'll
luck? Do you feel badly II you go
In one door and out at the other?
Are You overcome with fear and trem.
bling II black cat runs across your
pathway? Do you believe in dreams!
Do YOU believe in the efficacy OF tho
left hind foot of a rabbit killed In a
grave yard at midnight, and that II
It Is carried upon the person it is a
shield from all harm? Do you always
stop to pick up a pin II 1t is pointing
towards you and leave 1t alone IL 1t
points the other way? Do you believe
in ghosts, and that the spirits Of the
dead may be communicated with?
You don't? Well. there are hundreds
of thousands who are Influenced by
their belief in many of these things.
David Belasco, the great theatrical
genius, confesses his belief in the
sequence OF events, and In the story
Of his life. In commenting upon
strange occurrence, he says:i II have
seen. so many occurrences THAT are
stranger than fiction that ~, cannot
doubt the working Of coincidence any
longer. a: 81. s.s4
When he was manager. OF 1.-the Bald.
win theatre at San Francisco Adelaide
Nelson, the famous actress, played a
long engagement there, and during
her stay became somewhat fatigued
and nervous over her work. In one
scene she had to cross high bridge
on the stage, and Mr.. Belasco, know.
ing her nervousness, warned her OF
her danger and told her on account
Of her condition she should not at.
tempt the feat one night. She would
not consent. however, to: leave out
this thrilling part of her work, SO Mr..
Belasco carefully concealed number
OF mattresses under painted cover.
Ing on the floor In anticipation Of any
accident that might happen. Miss
Nelson started across the perilous
passageway. and amidst the applause
Of the audience fell to the floor, many
feet below. The curtain was quickly
lowered, but she was picked up un.
hurt. having fallen upon the mat.
tresses. But the audience did not
know but what the accident was an
added thriller to tho play. Upon leav.
Ing for the east Miss Nelson called
upon Mr.. Betasco 10 come to her
dressing room, where she had small
fortune in valuable stones displayed
upon her dresser-diamonds pearls,
rubies, and all the beautiful gems
were placed before him with the re.
quest that he take his choice In re.
membrance Of his kindness. Attempt.
ing to be modest in his choice, he
picked out a black pearl, and his Sc.
lection caused q shudder Of fear to at
once come over the actress and she
protested against his taking the pearl,
She stated that she had been told
that II she lost the pearl she would
die within short time, and she be.
lieved 1t. The pearl was returned and
another inexpensiev stone was chosen.
On reaching Reno Miss Nelson mail.
ed the pearl back to Mr.. Belasco. stat.
ing in her letter that she could not
get the sound Of his voice of her
mind. She went to France to take
short rest, and upon returning one
day in the summer from q long walk
she drank q glass OF cold milk and
died suddenly and within SIX months
after parting with her mascot, the
black pearl. This circumstance was
responsible for Mr.. Belasco saying
II have seen so many occurrences that
are stranger than fiction that I cannot
doubt the working Of coincidence any
longer"
What do you think about 1T