VARIOUS

Entries

• #1464

  A stratum of warm air indicates the presence of the devil.

  Boston, Mass. (Irish).
• #1465

  If, when a newly-married couple go to housekeeping, she slyly takes her mother’s dish-cloth or dish-wiper, she will never be homesick. Old Mrs. —— told me that she believed that was the reason she was not homesick when they moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

  Ohio.
• #1466

  To have a sharp knife is a sign of a lazy man.

  Central Maine.
• #1467

  Passing anything through a ladder is a sign of a long passage.

  Conception Bay, N. F.
• #1468

  If a ship has a starboard list, it is a sign of a quick passage; if a port list, it is a sign of a long passage.

  Conception Bay and New Harbor, N. F.
• #1469

  Write the date of the first snowstorm, and you’ll gain a bet before the winter is through.

  Massachusetts.
• #1470

  To ascertain a girl’s age, pull a hair from her head, hang a finger-ring from this inside a tumbler or goblet, and it will strike the number of years.

  Boston, Mass.
• #1471

  Throw a strand of your hair in the fire; if it blazes you will live long and happily; if not, you will die soon.

  Alabama.
• #1472

  If a tree falls to the right while you are looking at it, you are going on a long trip before the end of the year, and will have some unexpected piece of good luck.

  Alabama.
• #1473

  A person born on Halloween is said to be possessed of evil spirits.

  Alabama.
• #1474

  Place a broom across the door, and if any of your departed friends wish to speak to you they are free to come and go at will while the broom remains there.

  Alabama.
• #1475

  If a person who raises fowls is bothered with hawks, he may prevent the trouble by throwing a handful of “rocks” into the fire while it is burning brightly.

  Alabama.