Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1885 — Jehu Superstitions. [ARTICLE]

Jehu Superstitions.

After sailors and gamblers, the allnight hack-drivers are the most superstitions people I know, says an old detective. A cat crossing in front of a “night-hawk’s” “outfit” is considered bad enough luck to dwarf the night’s business, but a white cat means utter demoralization for the night. Some “hawks” immediately begin to drink, in order that they may forget the apparatiou of the white cat, and when a “night-hawk” is visited with the delirium tremens he does not see snakes, like the ordinary sufferer, but hundreds of white cats crowd before his vision. A driver of an all-night hack never puts his left foot on the wheel first upon getting upon the box; he thinks it bad luck, and nothing can induce him to open the door of his cab or carriage with his left hand. If a shoe becomes loose on one of the horse’s feet that’s a bad omen, and causes the driver to believe that some bad luck is in store for him. When the moon is shining brightly and a big cloud suddenly hides it from view and causes darkness to settle on the streets the “hawk” grows suspicious. If the passenger happens to be a drunken man, with a torn umbrella, that is considered good luck, a sign that rain will be plentiful and make business good. Some of them won’t eat during the night, for fear it will change their luck, but they never refuse a drink. The lighted stump of a cigar picked up after it has been thrown away by a well-dressed man and quickly smoked is thought to bring good luck. All the jehus who are only seen on the streets at night are great policy players. If they are lucky they may make a $5 bill, but by the time the horses’ scant feed is bought and the policy slips are paid for there is not much left, and the rag-tag hackman of the wee small hours comes back under, cover of darkness the next night just as poor as ever.— Philadelphia Times.