Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1900 — Friday Superstition. [ARTICLE]

Friday Superstition.

A row of paupers’ houses, very neatly designed, lias Just been erected at Ahnaracle, Mr. Rudd, of Ardnamureltan, having advanced a considerable sum for building purposes to the parish council on easy terms. Accommodation is provided for ten persons. A few days ago H. Mael’herson, Inspector of poor, visited Altarade in order to superintend the removal of the ten selected female paupers to the new cottages. They all occupied houses which wore iu a wretched stateof disrepair, yet each of them resolutely and peremptorily refused to “flit.” Iu vain did the inspector dilate on the Increased comfort and conveniences to be iujoyed iu the new dwellings. The aged dames were invincibly proof against all argument—nor did threats of compulsion and sheriff’s warrants have any terror for them. At length it was elicited that the disinclination to remove was based simply on superstition. The day of the week happened to be Friday; and it appears that to change quarters on that particular day constitutes a gross and wanton violation of all the canons governing highland “flittfcig.” On discovering that the perversity manifested by the ohl women was mainly attributable to “conscientious scruples,” the Inspector at once agreed to humor them, and the removals were postponed until the following d*y. when they were accomplished without any opposition or demur.—tEdl 11 burgh Fcofaman. Frozen Ammunition. Ships can now go to sea with frozen ammunition. A method of utilizing liquefied air on warships has been discovered which will render the explosion of a magazine, even .when the ship Is in 'notion, almost Impossible. The method Is so to place the liquid air that It will freeze the ammunition to several hundred dogtve* below zero. In that condition It could not explode, even if a shell should burst hr the magazine.