Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1893 — QUEER THINGS PEOPLE BELIEVE [ARTICLE]

QUEER THINGS PEOPLE BELIEVE

Here are some of the superstitions which are still believed by thousands in one part of the country or another: That crystal is congealed ice. That elephants have no joints. That the sun dances on Easter Day. That a dead man weighs more than when he was alive. That a kingfisher suspended by the beak indicates the direction of the wind. That a diamond is softened or broken by goat’s blood. That a man has one rib less than a woman. That the tenth wave at sea is the greatest and most dangerous. That purslane in a bed prevents visions. That a coffin nail on the threshhold of a chamber keeps away phantoms. That to tread on moonwart loosens horse’s shoes. That rue prevents witchcraft. That a bay leaf is a preservative against thunder. Thatahandful ofasmart causes ahorse to carry his rider easily if put under the saddle. That docks boiled with the toughest meat would make it tender. That if it rains on St. Swith in's day it will rain more or less for forty succeeding days. That when one of a family dies, the bees will undergo some calamity if not informed of the death. That some remedies ought to be applied three, seven or nine times. That the seventh son of a seventh son is a genius, or that he can heal scrofulous persons by the touch. That the head of a malefactor exposed on the highway renders the person before whom it is held unable to move if it is duly prepared. That sheep should be shorn and pigs killed when the moon is at the full. That peas and beans should be sown when it is on tho wane. That an artery goes from the wedding ring finger to the heart. That spirits are detected by candles burning with a bluish light. That a piece of tallow near the flame betokens death to one of a family. That the howling of dogs portends a death. That to kill a spider, or to kill a snake, is unlucky.—[Yankee Biade.