Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1881 — Ulster Folk Lore. [ARTICLE]

Ulster Folk Lore.

All the Year Round. Most old and middle-aged people of t the cottier class in Ulster have strong ideas on the subject of luck. To enter a house where churning is iu progress without washing your hands, taking the churn-staff in them, and “giving the churn a brash,” is thought the acme of ignorance; and on leaving the house it is de rigueur that you should say, “God bless your churn, an’ gie you the good of your milk and butter.” - If a neighbor comes in to borrow a coal or turf, and neglects this formula, he lays himself open to the worst suspicions, and the people of (he house will be sure to throw a pinch of salt into the (hum as sopn as his back is turned. To receive alms without blessing both giver and gift is considered very wrong. The writer was in her kitchen lately when a beggar was helped by the servants, and she was surprised to see the cook run after the woman and bring her back.. The cook explained the proceeding thus: “She took we’er meal and praties, ma’am, an’ she didna bid God bless we’er house au’place. Sbe’lijust bless tne house an’ place belorc I let her go,” .