THE EVENING STAR — JANUARY 17, 1880
American Folk Lore
The following signs handed down by tradition are yet believed in in many parts of America:
White specks on the nails are luck.
Whoever reads epitaphs loses his memory.
To rock the cradle when empty is injurious to the child.
To eat while a bell is tolling for a funeral causes toothache.
The crowing of a hen indicates some approaching disaster.
When a mouse gnaws a hole some misfortune may be apprehended.
He who has teeth wide asunder must seek his fortune in a distant land.
Whoever finds a four-leaf trefoil—shamrock—should wear it for good luck.
Beggars’ bread should be given to children who are slow in learning to speak.
If a child less than twelve months old is brought into a cellar it will become timid.
When children play soldier on the roadside it forebodes the approach of war.
