DOMESTIC LIFE

Entries

• #1438

  It is supposed that a broom placed behind the door will keep off witches.

  Bruynswick, N. Y.
• #1439

  To burn the stub of a broom or break a sugar-bowl, means a quarrel.

  Westport, Mass.
• #1440

  A spark seen on a candle or lamp when the light is extinguished means the receipt of a letter.

  St. John, N. B., and Salem, Mass.
• #1441

  Wet the finger and touch the “letter” on the candle. If it come off on the finger, it means a letter for you.

  Maine.
• #1442

  The letter in the candle will face the one for whom the letter is to be. If the little snuff bud is bright, it means a letter.

  Northern Ohio.
• #1443

  If the candle is sooty, or shows a spark in the wick on blowing out, it is a sign that a letter is on its way.

• #1444

  If chairs become entangled (legs interlaced, etc.), it means a quarrel.

  Bathurst, N. B.
• #1445

  If you choke (food gets in the windpipe), it means some one has told lies about you.

  Cape Breton.
• #1446

  It is a sign of good old-fashioned economy to use up a dish-cloth until it can be put into your mouth.

  Massachusetts.
• #1447

  If a door opens of itself, it is supposed to indicate the presence of a spirit, usually one of the family.

  Massachusetts.
• #1448

  It is unlucky to name a child after a dead child of the family.

  Newfoundland.
• #1449

  If you begin keeping house with many in the family, it is a sign that you will always have a large family or houseful.

  Ohio.
• #1450

  If a wood fire snaps and sparkles, each time it does indicates the receipt of a letter.

  Peabody, Mass.
• #1451

  One of the negro superstitions was that when the fire burned with a blue flame, it was the devil seeking to speak to them. A handful of salt would make him go away.

  Alabama.
• #1452

  Sweep the floor after dark, you’ll see sickness before morning.

• #1453

  If while eating you drop food on the floor, it is a sign that some one is telling lies about you.

  Cape Breton.
• #1454

  Food dropped on the floor by one signifies that some one grudges you it.

  Common in the United States.
• #1455

  Do not change your place at table; it is very unlucky.

  New York, N. Y.
• #1456

  If you keep changing your furniture to different places, you’ll be poor.

  Massachusetts.
• #1457

  Not drinking the whole contents of a glass or cup means disappointment.

  Westport, Mass.
• #1458

  If sooty bubbles form and blacken on the wick in a lamp burning whale oil, each bubble indicates the receipt of a letter.

  Peabody, Mass.
• #1459

  When sparks are seen on the bottom of the tea-kettle, it is a sign that folks are going home from meeting.

  New Hampshire and Boxford, Mass.
• #1460

  Sparks flying from a fire mean letters; the number of the sparks is the number of the letters.

  Boston, Mass.
• #1461

  If a spark or sparks jump out of the fire and hit you or come towards you, it is a sign some one has a spite or grudge against you.

  Bathurst, N. B.
• #1462

  Two spoons given to one person denotes that that person will have two homes before the year is out.

  Chestertown, Md.
• #1463

  The tea-kettle suddenly singing means news.

  Patten, Me.