People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1894 — Spilling the Salt. [ARTICLE]

Spilling the Salt.

Spilling the salt is usually held to be a very unlucky omen. Something evil, | it is believed, will happen to the family or the person spilling it. According to a general supposition this sign date* back to the time of the last supper, when one of the disciples—perhaps Judas—overturned the saltcellar. An old English paper contains the follow- ' ing lines: •• We’ll tell you the reason Why spilling of salt Is esteemed such a fault: Because it does everything season. The antiques did opine 'Twas of friendship a sign To serve it to guests in decorum; And thought love decayed When the negligent maid Let the saltcellar tumble before them.” It is generally believed that, the evil I consequences of an accident of this i sort may be averted by eating a pinch of what was spilled or throwing it in the fire or over the left shoulder. Many persons will not be helped to salt because they keep in mind the old ! saw: "Help to salt, help to sorrow.” A gentleman renting a house in Wales, i and purchasing part of the furniture of the former occupant, was advised te buy the salt box, which he did. no ons ; bidding against him. He was after ward told that ill-luck would have fol lowed him if he had not ko-ygUt ts. Waahiagtoa Peat