Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-18


ner at the White House, at which he
explained the peace conference stu
alton to the members of the foreign
relations committee of Congress, has
resolved itself in a new flag Of hope
and confidence for the thousands of
conjurers. That the President of the
United States would stoop over, while
at the head of state banquet table,
as he did, to retrieve little piece of
dyed wool, which he publicly pro-
claimed to be his "conjurer," has
revived faith in charms
and talismen. The luck that has fol-
lowed President Wilson is cited as
evidence by the more devoted follow
ers of magic as it relates to human
activities.
Those who have no confidence in
charms merely point out that the
President reverted to type when he
evinced faith in red flannel. Others
declare that the President was only
having his little joke at the expense
Of his distinguished company. But
there has been no official denial that
he did drop the piece Of red flannel
from his pocket and that he did stoop
to the floor and pick it up. sacrificing
no presidential dignity in doing so.
X X X X
Pieces of red flannel are the moro
common Of the charms carried by
many persons in many communities
in this country. In sections OF Vir-
ginia, Maryland, the mountains OF
Kentucky and as far west as Ohio red
flannel has been the approved con-
jurer of many of the more common
ailments for more than q hundred
years. It is regarded by devotees as
the absolute foe of rheumatism.
It shares equal honors with small
bags Of asafetida as the enemy OF
whooping cough. measles and small
pox. In Ohio. Kentuck and Indiana
at one time many Of the rural resi-
dents wore asafetida bags on their
chests from strings around their
necks
The foot of rabbit-particularly
the left hind foot Of rabbit killed In
4 graveyard at midnight-is probably
the most popular of American lucky
pieces. A United States senator who
died within the last ten years was
strong supporter of the rabbits foot
for many years. He was fairly fortu-
nate at the race tracks. but never sue
ceeded in making any big killings"
The time came when in q three-horse
race the favorite was so obviously
"sure thing" that the senator caressed
his rabbits foot and staked years
salary. When, within five lengths OF
the wire, with the other two horses
three lengths behind. the favorite
stumbled and was beaten by length
.. the senator hurled his rabbits foot
away and thereafter trusted solely tt
fate.
The rabbits foot has greatly dete'
. riorated as a charm since Connecti
cut firm started to manufacture then
and place them on sale at ridiculousl!
low prices.
, Faith in talismen is as old as thu
world. Solomon. with all his wisdom
!, chung to the belief that a certain herl
, worn In the seal of a ring would cur
l fits.
l King Nechopus of Egypt. $50 year
before the Christian era, cut greer
/ Jasper in small squares and wore then
v as a cure for troubled stomach. 1
3 was Theophratus. however. who pro
. nounced Pericles to be insane TO
t wearing an amulet about his neck.
X X X X
Theophratus views were entirel
n disregarded by Lord Bacon. who sal
that II a man wore bone ring o
planet seal 1t would preserve hir
- in battle or at sea also. that tn
s wearer of either the bone ring
Q planet seal could conquer weake
y minds. The fact that modern soldier
a relied upon steel helmets to save thei
q in battle, and that twentieth cen
Il fury seafarers stick to lifebelts ami
storm and undersea boat perils ind
Gates that one Baconian theory,
least. has not survived.
!. History pictures Lord Veruiam
quite q lady's man, but his iordsnl