Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1919 — ALL INFLUENCED BY OMENS [ARTICLE]

ALL INFLUENCED BY OMENS

Notorious Criminals, as a Class, Are Remarkable for Their Many Superstitious Beliefs. Some of the most notorious criminals who, It might have been thought, would not pay the slightest attention to omens, good or bad, have a profound belief In superstitions. Curiously enough, the burglar will often relinquish a big burgling feat if a dream the night before has warned him that he will be In danger. But should It happqgyhat he sees a rainbow during theTlay he will consider It to portend that, however reckless he may be, he Is not likely to fall into the hands of the police for a space of three months. Many burglars carry donkey shoes In their pockets before setting out, believing that this will protect them from danger, while others pin their faith to a piece of coal, whicn they will carry In their pockets throughout their career. The pickpocket Is equally superstitious. He win not rob a person who squints, this being accounted a certain sign of disaster, and If It happens that the purse he steals contains foreign money It Is believed to augur that he will travel in the Immediate future. Weddings and funerals are pregnant with meaning for the professional thief. To pick a pocket at a funeral would be to court Immediate disaster, whereas If a purse stolen at a wedding contains gold It portends the best of luck for the thief. Some pickpockets have a favorite pair of boots that they wear as long as they can keep them on their feet, and If they are not arrested while wearing them they cut the boots up Into little square pieces and give them away as “lucky tokens” to -Confederates.