Current Superstitions Part 50

_Stratham, N.H._

1416. After sneezing, it is customary to say, "G.o.d bless you."

_General in the United States._

1417. A bit of steel, such as a needle, protects one from witches.

_Brookline, Ma.s.s._

1418. A thief may be detected by a key turning in the Bible to Psalm i.

18-21, when the name of the guilty person is mentioned.

_Labrador._

DAYS.

1419. What you do on your birthday, you will do all the year.

_Salem, Ma.s.s._

1420. On cutting the finger-nails:--

Cut them on Monday, cut them for news, Cut them on Tuesday, a pair of new shoes, Cut them on Wednesday, cut them for health, Cut them on Thursday, cut them for wealth, Cut them on Friday, cut them for sorrow, Cut them on Sat.u.r.day, see your sweetheart to-morrow, Cut them on Sunday, cut them for evil, All the whole week you'll be ruled by the devil.

_Baldwinsville, N.Y._

1421. If you wear a garment for the first time on Sat.u.r.day, you will have another one before it is worn out.

_Bedford, Ma.s.s._

1422. Study on Sunday, forget it through the week.

_Nashua, N.H._

1423. If, of your own accord, you leave home for Sunday visiting, you will be forced to leave for two Sundays following.

_Labrador._

1424. Get a letter on Monday, and you'll get six during that week.

_New York, N.Y._

1425. If you break anything on Monday, you will break something every day in the week.

_Somerville, Ma.s.s._

1426. If you break anything Sunday, you will continue to do so every day of the week, or as you commence Sunday, so you will go through the week.

_Eastern Ma.s.sachusetts._

1427. If you begin anything Sat.u.r.day, it must be finished that day or it will not get finished.

_Boston, Ma.s.s._

1428. Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for a letter, Sneeze on Tuesday, sneeze for something better, Sneeze on Wednesday, sneeze for news, Sneeze on Thursday, sneeze for a new pair of shoes, Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow, Sneeze on Sat.u.r.day, see him to-morrow.

_Niagara Falls, Ont._

1429. Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger, Sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger, Sneeze on Wednesday, receive a letter, Sneeze on Thursday, something better, Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow, Sneeze on Sat.u.r.day, see your true love to-morrow.

Sneeze on Sunday, your safety seek, Or the devil will have you the rest of the week.

_Crown Point, N.Y._

1430. Sneeze before twelve and one, and you will hear news.

_Brighton, Ma.s.s._

1431. Sneeze at the table, there will be one more or one less at the next meal.

_Alabama._

1432. Sneeze before your breakfast, See your beau before the day is past.

_Brighton, Ma.s.s._

1433. If you sneeze once, a girl is thinking of you; twice, she is wis.h.i.+ng for you; thrice, it is a sign of a cold.

_Alabama._

1434. Sneeze before seven, Sneeze before eleven.

_Boston, Ma.s.s._

1435. What you sew on Sunday, you'll take out on Monday.

What you sew on Sunday, you'll rip out in heaven.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

1436. Never cut your toe-nails Sunday, or you will do something to be ashamed of before the week is out.

_Granville, Ma.s.s._

1437. Cut your nails Monday morning, without speaking (?), and you will get a present before the week is out; some have it, "without thinking of a red fox's tail," instead of "without speaking."

_Westport, Ma.s.s._

DOMESTIC LIFE.

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, Ma.s.s._

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, Ma.s.s._

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.