Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 110, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1919 — Railroad Men Outrank the Men of the Sea for Their Various Odd Superstitions [ARTICLE]

Railroad Men Outrank the Men of the Sea for Their Various Odd Superstitions

The superstitions of railway men are so numerous that even the sailor, who is generally credited with being the most superstitious man in. the world, must needs take second place, London Tit-Bits states. -r — In Russia, when a woman is the first to enter a train, bad luck Is sure to com<? unless the next two persons to enter the same compartment are men. Friday, the 13th day of the month, black cats, cross-eyes, mirror breaking, lightning, coach numbers and their variations, and the weather are a few of the fantastic superstitions of railpway workers. Many drivers will not ctmunence a journey without a flower In the buttonhole, usually a white one, or a white ribbon. Others wear a peculiar button, the insignia of their fraternal orders, and even a piece of red string, often almost invisible A left-handed fireman or driver Is looked askance at by some railway men and as a lucky companion to others. In some cases transfers to other runs have been asked because sucs an individual is given a berth, while others request to be given a place by a lefthanded or ambidextrous person. As’for travelers, burning coffee after breakfast is better than an accident policy, while winding one’s watch on the train means a safe journey. Putting a wisp of straw in. one’s trunk or bag protects it from injury and insures safety. If dust blows in one’s eyes while in the train it means good health for a year; if it blows while going to the train It Is a sign of accident. A general superstition among railway men is that when one leaves his go to work he must not return and go indoors for something he has forgotten. Should he have to do so, the bad luck to follow will be nullified if he sits for even a second in a chair and lifts his feet from the floor.