-1027,482 IPo, I1. OF THE [t I IKi -AA55, \>- t\ MEMOIRS OF THE AMERICAN FOLK-LORE SOCIETY VOLUME XVIII I925 AM QI CP4ARIV PO L <- LOr~F &t O CI E Ty COLLECTED BY ANNIE WESTON WHITNEY AND CAROLINE CANFIELD BULLOCK NEW YORK PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOLK-LORE'SOCIETY G. E. STECHERT AND CO., NEW YORK, AGENTS 1925 PRINTED IN FRANCE PROTAT BROTHERS, MACON. - MCMXXVII 11- 7-x l ji-t- k TABLE OF CONTENTS I. OMENS: Good or Bad Luck...................... i. Cosmic Phenomena..................... 2. Plants.................................. 3. Animals................................ Mammals.............................. Insects................................. Arachnids............................. Birds................................... Poultry................................ 4. Dream s................................ Plants.................................. Animals................................ Various............................... 5. HumanBeings.......................... 6. Personal Appearance and Behavior.......... 7. Household............................ H ouse................................. Clothes............................... Fire.................................... Food.................................. Furniture and Utensils.................... Tools.................................. Sewing................................. 8. Names................................ 9. Numbers.............................. Io. Rings, Coins and Metals.................. II. Vessels................................ I2. Various................................ II. OMENS, DEFINITE.............................. I. Weather signs.......................... 2. Cosmic Phenomena..................... 3. Plants.................................. 4. Animals................................ Mammals............................. Reptiles and Worms.................... Amphibians............................ Arachnids............................. Insects................................. Birds.................................. Poultry................................ Oysters............................... 5. Dreams................................ Plants.................................. Animals................................ HumanBeings.......................... Various................................ I-371 I-I3 14-23 24-I22 24-79 8o-86 87-93A 94-122 II7-I22 I23-172 123-129 130-I36 137-172 173-I99 201-224 225-326 225-239 240-269 270-273 274-28I 282-312 3I3-3I6 317-326 327-332 333-337 338-345 346-351 351 A -371 372-1081 372-524 525-533 534-551 552-656 552-586 587-589 590-591 592-607 608-619 620-655 644-655 656 657-750B 657-659 660-684 685-693 694-75oB 2 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 6. Human Beings.......................... 751-761 7. Personal Appearance and Behavior........ 762-844 8. Household............................. 845-1029 House.............................. 845-860 Clothes.............................. 86-898 Fire.................................... 899-916 Food............................ 9I7-939 Furniture and Utensils.................. 940-1015 Tools................................. o06-1020 Sewing................................. 102I-I029 9. Names................................. I030-1032 o1. Numbergs.............................0.. 33-1035 iI. Rings, Stones, Money.................... I036-1042 12. Ship................................... I 43 13. Noises................................ I044-1052 14. Various................................ I 53-Io8I III. RURAL LIFE.................................. I082-I256 I. Planting............................... o82-1164 2. Roofing, Flooring and Fencing............ 165-1170 3. Animals............................... II7I-I208 4. Extermination of Animals................ I209-128 5. Kitchen-lore............................ I219-I246 6. Fishing................................. 247-I256 IV. MISCELLANEOUS BELIEFS......................... 1257-1332 V. COUNTERACTANTS................................. I333-I437 I. Saliva................................. I333-I345 2. Salt................................. I346-I36I 3. Incantations............................. I362-1370 4. Reversing.............................. I37-I384 5. Turning................................ I385-I389 6. Actions with Hand or Foot............... 390-I395 7. Counting......................... I396-1397 8. Destruction of Object................... I398-I407 9. Various................................ I4 8-I437 VI. CHARMS........................................ 438-I484 VII. W ISHING...................................... I485-I515 VIII. CARE OF BODY..5.......................... I516-1540 IX. DIVINATION..................................... 541-1598 X. GHOSTS............................. 1599-I632 XI. DEVIL.......................................... 633-1641 XII. WITCHES AND WITCHCRAFT..................... I642-I674A XIII. CONJURING.................................. I675-1704 XIV. FOLK-MEDICINE................................ I705-I895 I. Persons who can Cure..................... 1705-1713 2. Preventatives............................ I714-733 3. Cures.......................... I734-1895 Blood and Flesh...................... 1734-I746 Table of Contents. 3 Hair................................. 1747-I760 Nail Parings.......................... I76I Saliva.............................. 1762-1772 Breath................................. 773-1774 Urine.................................. 775 Animal skins........................... 776-178i Spider.................................. 782-1783 Crickets............................... 1784 Plants................................ I785-I8I3 Transference........................... 1814-1817 Finger of new-born..................... 818 Dead................................... I8I9-1822 Incantations............................ 823-I845 Rope, String, Thread.................... I846-I856 Beads, Rings, Stones.................... 1857-1870 Various................................ 1871-I895 XV. BIRTH AND BABYHOOD........................... I896-1964 XVI. MARRIAGE.................................... I965-2039 XVII. DEATH...................................... 2040-2108 I. Dead and Dying........................ 2040-2070 2. Funerals, Graves, etc.................... 207I-2I04 3. Death at Sea........................... 2105-2Io8 XVIII. MONTHS AND DAYS............................ 2I09-422 I. Months of the Year...................... 2I09-2126 2. Days of the Week....................... 2127-2218 General.............................. 2127-2134 Sunday................................. 2135-2150 Monday................................ 2151-265 Tuesday.............................. 2I66-2167 Wednesday............................ 2168-2170 Friday.............................. 2171-22II Saturday............................... 2212-2218 3. New Year's Day........................ 2219-2237 4. Twelfth Night.......................... 2238-2240 5. Ground Hog day........................ 2241-2245 6. February 4th.................... 2246 7. Valentine's Day....................... 2247 8. February 30 th.........................2248 9. Shrove Tuesday...................... 2249-2250 o0. Ash Wednesday........................ 2251-2253 II. Good Friday........................... 2254-2264 I2. Easter................................. 2265-2287 13. Ascension Day.......................... 2288-2296 14. Whitsunday...................2297-2300 I5. April Fool's Day........................ 2301-2305 16. May Day................ 2306-2319 17. May ioth.............................. 2320-232I I8. Midsummer Day................... 2322-2324 19. July 2nd.............................. 2325-2326 20. July 4th..............................2327 21. August Ist..........................2328 22. St. Bartholomew's Day.................. 2329-233I a 4 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 23. Peggy Stewart, October g9th............. 2332 24. November 22 (Sailing Day)............... 2333 25. Harvest Customs....................... 2334-2337 26. Halloween.............................. 2338-2381 27. Patron Saints' Days...................... 2382-2383 28. AllSaints' Day, Nov. Ist................. 2384 29. All Souls' Day, Nov. 2nd................. 2385 30. November 2st......................... 2386 3I. Christmas.............................. 2387-2419 31. Childmas................................ 2420-2422 XIX. RHYMES, GAMES, SONGS........................ 2423-2671 I. Street Cries............................ 2423-2440 2. Counting-out Rhymes................... 2441-2527 3. Games................................ 2528-258I 4. Nursery rhymes and Songs............... 2582-2640 5. Asserveradons.......................... 2641-2647 6. Songs................................... 2648-2671 XX. RIDDLES...................................... 2672-2690 XXI. TALES........................................ 2691-2770 I. Folk-tales.............................. 2691-27IO 2. Ghost Stories and Family Legends......... 27II-2749 3. Stories of Witchcraft, Devil's Babies, etc.... 27502770 XXII. DIALECT NOTES................................ 277I-2837 PREFACE The Maryland Folk-Lore Society was organized February 20, I895, at the suggestion of Annie Weston Whitney, who had long been interested in the purposes and work of the American Folk-Lore Society. Invitations to a meeting were responded to, and the objects of such an association were explained by Professor Henry Wood, of the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. J. H. McCormick, Secretary of the Washington Branch of the Society, spoke upon the methods usually followed in collecting material, and he dwelt upon the opportunities offered in this part of the country for getting valuable folk-lore. The society was formed with seventeen members, who elected Professor Henry Wood as president, Miss Elizabeth T. King, vice-president, Miss Whitney as secretary, and Dr. Henry M. Hurd, treasurer. The Council consisted of Dr. Hurd, Professor Maurice Bloomfield, Mr. Zecharias, Miss Mary W. Milnor, Mrs. John C. Wrenshall and Mrs. Waller R. Bullock. The Maryland Folk-Lore Society drew two classes of members: University men, whose work bore, here and there, upon folk-lore interests; many of the other members belonged to Maryland families, some deeply versed in the general superstitions and in the family legends of their respective neighborhoods. The meetings, being open to the public, brought occasional visitors, who often contributed to the value of our discussions. Branch societies were formed at Washington and at Annapolis. Miss Hagner sent us a good collection of folk-lore in her papers; Mrs. Ridout aided in Annapolis; also Professor C. C. Marden, formerly of the Johns Hopkins, now of Princeton University, and Mrs. Marden, both members of our Maryland Branch. Among other valuable contributors, I should mention Miss M. Winter, Emmittsburg; Miss Mary W. Speers, Anne Arundel Co.; Miss Marian V. Dorsey, Dorchester Co.; Miss Lizette W. Reese, Miss E. C. Seip, Mrs. John D. Early, Mrs. Wrenshall and others, of Baltimore. Some excellent papers presented at the meetings, I have not been able to include in this collection; as, " Traditions and Folk-Lore from Talbot Co., Md., " Charles E. Shanahan; "Witch Stories and Conjuring in Western Maryland, " C. W. R. Crum; "Satanic Possession in Plantation Life, " Mrs. Albert Sioussat; " Maryland Farm Names," Dr. Hurd; "Horse-shoe Games," from Emmittsburg; also many items given orally at the meetings. Prof. Wood told of variants of the Cinderella tale, not generally known, that are in circulation among Negroes. 6 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society To Professor Wood and to Dr. Hurd is due whatever success the Society met with, through their wise counsel, their visits to the teachers of the schools for help, and through their faithful attention in general to the interests of the society. Annie W. Whitney was well qualified to handle the collection we had undertaken to arrange together. She possessed in her memory, from early associations in her country home in Western Maryland, a vast store of folk-lore; she also understood its scientific value. Familiar with the beliefs of her locality, she also learned others from relatives of New England ancestry. In this way, and through correspondence, she was the largest contributor to this book. From I904 to I906 Miss Whitney was a member of the Council of the American Folk-Lore Society. It is hoped that this collection will arouse an interest in some of the many Marylanders whose memories are richly stored with lore of the folk. Old English customs, long since passed away elsewhere, linger still in Delaware and Southern Maryland, such as the celebration of Twelfth Night. In East New Market, on the Eastern Shore, on Hallowe'en Night, boys jump over bonfires or ride over them, as was done in Scotland. Old home ways continued late; a friend of my generation still uses in her family blankets woven at her home in Anne Arundel County when she was married. From the early settlers we have among our population descendants of Germans, Bohemians, French, Dutch, Swedes, Swiss, Irish, Sootch, English, and Africans. Beginning at St. Mary's, we have the first settlement by English Roman Catholics in 1634. At Annapolis, in 1649, was a settlement of English Protestants, refugees from Virginia. Frederick County, laid out in 1745, covered three fourths of the land area of the province, and was composed of German, Irish, and Scotch settlers. The German element has prevailed since the days when Thomas Schley, the schoolmaster, in I735, led the one hundred families of the Palatinate into permanent possession of this region. Frederick County is now rich in folk-lore faith and practice. As early as I68I, we learn of the erection in Cecil County of Bohemia Manor, bought by Augustine Herman, of Bohemia, the first man in the colonies to receive papers of naturalization. Later, he sold some of his land to Dutch and French Labadists, Protestant refugees from Europe, whose names exist to this day in Cecil. Thomas H. Bayard and other prominent men have sprung from these Labadists and Bohemians. Into Cecil County came Swedes, Norwegians, and Dutch across the Delaware, living at Swedestown. Quakers of Penn's settlement were thrown into Maryland by the new boundary of Mason and Dixon's line; while one fourth of the original Welsh tract is now in Cecil County. Into Carroll County came Scotch-Irish settlers; andTalbot imported between six and seven hundred Irish and British to the Eastern Shore. Lower down were Welsh again. Five shiploads of Acadians were landed in Maryland, helpless and Folk-Lore from Maryland 7 destitute. These were French Catholics, while those of Bohemia Manor were Protestant. Quakers came to Montgomery County, driven from other provinces, but finding home and honor here. Scattered through the two " Shores " are the negroes of Maryland. And lastly, in the islands of the Chesapeake we find a population of sailors and fishermen, descendants of a more prosperous stock; they offer a good collecting ground to the lover of folk-lore. Thus in the State of Maryland we find original names still surviving in each county, proving an uninterrupted descent through two hundred and fifty years. And we find abiding with us the sayings and beliefs of the earliest settlers. CAROLINE CANFIELD BULLOCK. NOTE The arrangement of the material contained on this volume follows on the whole the classification of Wuttke's " Deutscher Volksaberglanben. " The data was classified and arranged in order by Dr. Isabel Gordon and Dr. Ruth Benedict, who also prepared the index. Repetitions in the text have been avoided and cross references have been relegated to the index in which is also included a full index of Fanny D. Bergen's volumes of New England Folk-lore (Vol. IV and VII of the Memoirs of the American Folk-lore Society). OMENS (GOOD OR BAD LUCK) I. COSMIC PHENOMENA. i. The Aurora Borealis seen at sea foretells great disaster. 2. It is good luck to see a star shoot downward. 3. It is bad luck to point at a star. 5. It is good to see the first star that comes out in the evening. 6. It is good luck to see the moon with your full face turned towards it. 7. To see the new moon over the right shoulder is good luck. 8. Bad luck will attend the person who looks at the new moon over the left shoulder, and does not see the entire crescent at a glance. 9. It is unluckly to see the new moon through trees. o0. It is good luck to show a piece of silver to the new moon the first time you see it. ii. To shake some pieces of money when the moon is new is good luck. 12. It is good luck to show a new dime to the full moon. I3. When you look over your left shoulder at the new moon, you must have money in your pocket before you can have good luck. 2. PLANTS. I4. If your fruit trees blossom twice in a year you will have ill luck, and still worse luck if they bear fruit three times. This applies to vines also. I5. A madeira vine growing about the house is bad luck. i6. It is good luck to find a four-leaved clover, but a five-leaved clover is bad luck. I7. It is very bad luck to keep onions in the house. I8. It is bad luck for any one to give you parsley. I9. It is bad luck to plant sage seed. 20. It is bad luck to have a sassafras stick or bush brought to one's house. 21. It is bad luck to burn sassafras wood. 22. It is good luck to dig up thyme and take it with you when moving from one house to another. 23. Never break or trouble toadstools. 3. ANIMALS. Mammals. 24. To meet a black cat early in the morning is a sign of good luck. IO Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 25. A black cat crossing your path foretells disappointment. 26. It is bad luck if a black cat crosses your path from right to left; good luck if from left to right. 27. If a black cat crosses your path it is bad luck; worse luck if you are on a journey; worse luck still if she carries a kitten in her mouth. The same is true of a rabbit or a hare. Best go home and take food before starting again, or wait until another day. 28. It is bad luck for a gray cat to cross your path. 29. It is good luck to let a pure white cat go across your path. 30. A black cat brings luck to you; if it follows you or comes to your house never drive it away. 3I. It is good luck for a black cat to follow you. 32. You must never prevent a cat from following you home if it wishes to do so. 33. It is bad luck for a cat to follow a woman. 34. If a black cat runs in front of you, it is good luck. 35. If a white cat runs in front of you, it is bad luck. 36. A cat must not be allowed to enter the room where the dead lie. 37. If a black cat enters the house, it is bad luck. 38. If a black cat comes to your house and you take it in, it is good luck. 40. It is good luck for a strange cat to come into your house. 4I. If a cat comes into a house as you are moving in, it is good luck. 42. It is a sign of good luck for a black cat to enter a newly tenanted house. 43. If a black cat comes into a newly opened store, it is a sign of good luck. 44. It is bad luck for a cat to leave one's premises. 45. If you call a cat and it will not come to you unless you bring it, you will have bad luck; if it comes at once, you'll have good luck. 46. A sneezing cat is good luck to the hearer, especially to a bridegroom or a bride. 47. A black cat with a white breast, in a bed room, is a sign of bad luck. 48. A black cat looking in the window is a sign of bad luck. 49. If a black cat licks itself, it is a sign of good luck. 50. When you are on a voyage, it is bad luck to see a cat's hair stand up. 5I. It is bad luck to start on a long vogage without a cat on board. 52. A black cat on board a vessel will bring bad luck. 53. Kill the cat on the wedding day. 54. It is bad luck to kill a cat. 55. It is bad luck to drown kittens. 56. It is seven years' bad luck to kill a cat. 57. It is nine years' bad luck to kill a cat. 58. If a dog jumps over a cradle while a baby is in it, it is bad luck to the baby. Folk-Lore from Maryland II 59. It is good luck for a dog to follow anyone. 60. It is good luck to have a yellow dog follow you. 6i. It is good for children to play with dogs. 62. It is unlucky to meet a shaggy-haired dog. 63. It is bad luck for a dog to roll over and over on the ground. 64. If a dog howls it is a sigh of bad luck. 65. It is good luck to have a dog in the room with a dying person. 66. It is bad luck to own a seven-toed dog. 67. It is bad luck to meet a fox. 68. It is bad luck to meet a drove of hogs. 69. Spinning wheels and pigs are among the dreaded things on board ship. 70. When on a journey, if you count white horses and fail to reach fifty, it is bad luck. 7I. Four white feet on a horse is bad luck. 72. If you are driving and a rabbit should happen to jump across your path, you will have bad luck at your destination. 73. It is unlucky to meet a hare when on a journey. 74. It is bad luck to meet a hare, but meeting a wolf is the best luck. 75. To see a white rat is good luck. 77. It is bad luck to kill a white rat. 78. " Ef a squir'l runs cross de road in front of yo', yo's suah ter 'abe good luck." 79. It is good luck to see a wolf. Insects. 80. It is not well to eat honey from an enemy's hive, or to use the wax of his bees. 8I. Stray swarms of bees bring bad luck. 82. It is bad luck to kill a centipede. 83. It is lucky to have crickets in the house. 84. It is very bad luck to kill a house cricket. 85. It is unlucky to kill a cricket. 86. If a cricket gets on you, it is a sign of good luck. Arachnids. 87. It is good luck to have a spider crawl on you. 88. It is good luck for a spider to spin its web over you. 89. If a spider weaves down from the ceiling towards your head at night, it is a forerunner of joy; in the morning it betokens sorrow. 90. It is bad luck for a spider to weave its web above the place where you are sitting. 9I. It is bad luck for a spider to drop from the ceiling over your head. 12 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 92. It is good luck for a spider to drop down on a bride at her wedding. 93. It is bad luck to kill a spider. 93 A. Small spiders, especially black ones, are called money spiders and bring good luck if not disturbed or injured. Birds. 94. It means bad luck to rob a bird's nest. 95. It is bad luck to see two canary birds fighting. 96. A flock of crows over a house brings bad luck. 97. A cuckoo is considered a bird of ill omen. 98. It is an ill omen to see a flock of geese stop over your house in their flight. 99. It is good luck to discover a hawk flying over your head. Ioo. Peacock feathers in the house are bad luck. IoI. Rugs with peacocks on them are bad luck. I02. It is bad luck to see a single magpie. 103. When you see a magpie, cross yourself; if you do not, you will be unhappy. 104. " If yo's startin out to a dance and hyar a screech owl hoot, jest go back and stay with yo' door locked till momin' " IO5. If a peewee builds it nest on your house, it is good luck while it stays there; but if you pull it down, bad luck will attend you while you live in the house io6. It is unlucky to be sprinkled with pigeon blood. Io7. Pigeons near a house bring bad luck. io8. It is good luck to bring a dove into the house. Io9. It is bad luck to bring a dove into the house. IIo. It is bad luck to see a white dove sit in your window. III. When you see the first robin in the spring, notice whether it flies up or down; if it flies up, you will go up, that is, you will have good luck during the year; but if it flies down, you will have ill luck. 112. It is unlucky to destroy the nest of a wren or a robin, or to kill either bird. II3. It is bad luck to kill swallows. 114. It is bad luck to kill a chimney swallow. II5. It is good luck for a swallow to build about one's house, especially in the chimney. II6. It is bad luck for a whip-poor-will to perch on your house. II6 A. If in the spring, you hear a whip-poor-will over your left shoulder for the first time, you will have bad luck all that season. Poultry. II7. It is bad luck to bur egg shells. Folk-Lore from Maryland I3 II8. Rooster eggs, eggs with double yolks or no yolk at all, are unlucky to use. II9. If a strange rooster stands in your door and crows, it is an evil omen. I20. If a hen crows from a roost at night, something evil is going to happen. 12I. Never set the eggs of a crowing hen under another hen. 122. It is good luck for a strange hen to come to your door and cackle. 4. DREAMS. Plants. 123. It is good luck to dream of white grapes. 124. To dream of fruit out of season is trouble without reason. 125. To dream of digging in the garden out of season is bad luck. I26. If you dream of flowers out of season, you will have trouble. I27. Iit s good luck to dream of flowers growing. I28. It is very good luck to dream of rosemary. I29. To dream of something green like grass or trees, is a sign of happiness. Animals. I30. It is bad luck to dream of headless animals. I3I. It is lucky to dream of cats, especially of cats catching mice. 132. To dream of a black horse is bad luck, of a white one is good. I33. To dream of a white horse is bad luck. I34. It is good luck to dream of a lamb. I35. It is bad luck to dream of frogs. I36. A dream of snakes foretells trouble. Various. I37. It is bad luck to dream you see a boat. 138. To dream of a candle burning brightly foretells happiness; dimly, misfortune. 139. It is bad luck to dream of white clothes. I4I. To dream of an organ is bad luck. I42. It is bad luck to dream of a scythe. I43. It is good luck to dream of a new set of teeth. 143 A. It is bad luck to dream of coffee. I44. It is good luck to dream of a white baby. I45. To dream of a baby is good luck, unless it cries. 146. It is bad luck to dream of a naked man or woman. 14 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore I47. It is an ill omen to dream of a woman. I48. It is bad luck to dream of a negro unless he is helping you with something. I49. It is a sure sign of trouble to dream of a colored person. 150. It is bad luck to dream that a policeman is after some one else. (Negro.) I5I. It is bad luck to dream of the dead. 152. It is good luck to dream of the dead. 153. To dream of one's dead mother is good. 154. It is luck to dream of heavenly things. 155. It is good luck to dream of a spirit. I56. It is a bad sign to seen an apparition of any kind in a dream. 157. To dream of murder presages trouble. 158. To dream of a large amount of money is good luck. 159. It is bad luck to dream of silver money. i60. It is good luck to dream of silver money, bad luck to dream of paper-money. i6I. It is bad luck to dream of large money. I62. To dream of a penny is bad luck. 163. If you dream of muddy water, it is a sign of trouble. I64. To dream of white gravel along the water is good luck. I65. It is a good sign to dream of blood. I66. It is bad luck to dream of fire. 167. It is said to be good luck to dream of falling down stairs. I68. It is bad luck to dream of kissing. 169. It is bad luck to dream of dancing with a young man. I70. It is good luck to dream of singing. 17I. It is good luck to hear music in your dream. I72. To dream the same thing three nights in succession, is bad luck. 5. HUMAN BEINGS. 173. Sailors see bad luck in having priests or black coats on board. I74. It is considered lucky to rub your shoulder against a hunchback. 175. It is bad luok to see two blind men playing marbles. 176. It is good luck for a child to take after its father. I77. It is bad luck for a child to take after its mother. I77 A. It is good luck for a girl to resemble her father, or for a boy to resemble his mother. 178. It is good luck to be the seventh son or daughter. 178 A. It is lucky to be the seventh son of a seventh son. I79. It is bad luck for a child to dig in the ground. I80. It is good luck to see children play with brooms. I8I. When starting on a journey, it is unlucky to meet an old woman, a shaggy dog, or to break a shoe string. Folk-Lore from Maryland 15 182. It is bad luck to meet a person with a lantern. 183. It is good luck, when starting on a journey, to meet a man with a gun. 184. It is bad luck to hear some one weeping when you are starting on a journey. 185. In starting on a journey, it is unlucky to meet a woman or a priest. i86. It is unlucky to meet a priest or a monk in the morning. I87. It is bad luck to meet cross-eyed people, if they look at you. i88. If you meet a cross-eyed girl at any cross roads, you will have bad luck. She may have the evil eye and cast a spell upon you. i89. To meet a cross-eyed woman the first thing in the morning is especially bad. I90. It is bad luck to meet one's double. I91. It is bad luck to meet a red-haired man. 192. It is good luck to meet a red-haired man. 193. Some people think it unlucky to meet a widow early in the morning. I94. When going on a journey, it is bad luck to meet a widow. I95. If the first person a man meets in the morning is a woman, he will have bad luck all day. I96. If a woman gets on a train first, it is unlucky for the other passengers. 197. It is good luck for a man to walk between two women. I98. It is good luck for a man to walk between a woman and the street. 199. It is good luck for a colored person to be the first to buy anything out of a store. 200. It is good luck to meet a person of whom you have just been speaking. 6. PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOR. 201. It is good luck to have large ears. 202. It is good luck for a bell to ring in your right ear. 203. It is bad luck for your eye to twitch. 204. " Ef yuh left eye itches, yus gwinter be crossed foe dat day's gone but ef yuh right eye itches, sumfins bound fer to please yo'. " 205. If you stub your right foot coming home, it is good luck, but it is bad luck if you stub your left foot going from home. 206. It is bad luck to stub the toe of your right foot. 207. To sit with one foot upon the other is bad luck. 208. It is bad luck to have your feet above your head. 209. It is bad luck to step over anyone's feet. 209. It is bad luck to step over anyone's feet. 210. Never walk between two poles. I6 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 211. It is good luck to have the palm of your hand itch. 212. It is bad luck to cross your hands over your head. 2I3. It is bad luck to sit with closed fingers. 214. Never shake hands over a fence, it is bad luck. 215. It is good luck for your upper lip to itch. 216. It is good luck for the right nostril to bleed. 217. It is bad luck to sneeze after you go to bed. 218. It is bad luck to sing a song after singing a hymn. 2I9. It is bad luck to sing wihle eating. 220. To whistle in the house is a sign of bad luck. 220. A. It is bad luck to pass anyone going up or down stairs. 221. It is bad luck to walk backwards, or against the sun. 222. It is bad luck to get into bed backwards. 223. It is lucky to rise from sleep on your right side. 224. It is bad luck to sleep with the light of the moon shining upon you. 224 A. It is not good luck to bid people farewell. 7. HOUSEHOLD. House. 225. It is bad luck to remodel a house when anyone is sick in it. 226. It is bad luck if the windows rattle. 227. It is bad luck to climb through a window. 228. It is bad luck to rap at your door when you are in the house. 229. It is good luck to throw old things after a person leaving a house. 230. It is bad luck if a visitor does not go out by the same door through which he entered. 231. It is bad luck to let a stranger come in your front door and go out the gate. 232. If you enter a person's house by the front door and go out the back, you take their luck away; or vice versa. 233. It is bad luck to come in one door and go out another, crossing the house. 234. One must leave a house by the same rooms or halls used to find the hostess. 235. It is said to be bad luck to go down stairs backwards. 236. To sit on your stairway is bad luck. 237. It is bad luck to hang anything on the door knob. 238. Never hang towels or cloths on the door knob; it is very bad luck. 239. It is bad luck to hang anything white or black on a door knob. Folk-Lore from Maryland I7 Clothes. 240. It is bad luck to hang a piece of clothing on the door knob. 24I. It is bad luck to make new clothes for a sick person. 242. It is bad luck to strike anyone with wet clothes. 243. It is bad luck to allow a piece of wet clothing to be taken from the house. 244. It is bad luck to carry damp clothes from one house to another. 245. It is bad luck to carry wet clothes into a house where you are moving. 246. You must never make an even number of articles of clothing of one kind; make seven, or even thirteen, but do not make six or a dozen. 247. It is good luck to burn old shoes. 248. If you step into your shoe when you first get up, it is good luck. 249. It is bad luck to put shoes in a high position. 250. Never put shoes on a chair or table; or you will be disappointed. i5I. It is bad luck to place your shoes on anything higher than your head. 252. If you put your shoes on the bed, you will have bad luck. 252 A. Never sit on the side of the bed and put your shoes and hose on, or lay them on the bed, for if you do, bad luck of some kind will befall you during the day. 253. It is bad luck to walk across the floor with one shoe off and one shoe on. 254. To walk up or down stairs with one shoe on is bad luck. 255. Never burn a woman's old shoe. |6. It is good luck to put your skirt on wrong side out, if you change it before twelve o'clook. 257. If you should accidently put your night dress on wrong side out, and sleep in it, you will have good luck the next day. 258. If you put on a petticoat wrong side out, by accident, do not change it all day, for good luck will come. 259. It is lucky to put your clothes on wrong side out, if entirely by accident, and if you do not change them all day. Stockings so worn, bring especially good luck. 260. It is bad luck to wear garments made from moth-eaten cloth, even if in cutting you avoid the holes. 26I. If a man wears his shirt out at collar and wrist-band, all is well; but he must not wear it out first at the armhole. (Buttons do not count.) 262. It is bad luck to pick up a black glove on the street. 263. It is unlucky to wear green. 264. A pair of yellow garters given you will bring you good luck. 2 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 265. It is bad luck to open an umbrella in the house. 266. It is bad luck to open an umbrella on a porch. 267. It is bad luck to lay an umbrella on the bed. 268. If you lay your umbrella on the bed when calling on a friend, it will cause "bad blood." 269. The gift of an umbrella is bad luck, especially if the umbrella is black. Fire. 270. If hot coals fall from the stove, it is bad luck. 27I. If a fire burns brightly, it is good luck to you. 272. It is bad luck if your fire makes much noise when burning. 273. In a sick room, the fire should not be stirred except by one living in the house. Many object to the stirring of the fire by anyone who has not known the housekeeper for seven years; some object under any circumstances. " Stir no man's fire until you have known him seven years." Food. 274. It is bad luck to count the articles to be cooked for dinner. 275. It is bad luck to have anything edible broken in your hand by another person. 276. It is bad luck to burn bread. 277. It is bad luck to cut hot bread. 278. Never throw crumbs out or doors; they belong to the fire. 279. It is bad luck to turn newly baked bread upside down. 280. It is bad luck to let anyone help to stir a cake you are making. 281. Never burn apple parings; you bum somebody's luck. Furniture and Utensils. 282. It is bad luck to burn up your old furniture. 283. It is bad luck to hear furniture crack. 284. It is ill luck to change the sheets of a bed when you expect any one. Wait until the guest has come. 285. It is bad luck to sleep at the loot of a bed. 286. It is bad luck to step across the foot of a bed. 287. It is bad luck to step over a broom. 288. To place a broom cross-wise of a door is bad luck. 289. It is bad luck to sweep a room after nightfall. 290. It is bad luck for a man to sit with his face to the back of a chair. 29I. It is bad luck for a guest to put his chair in place. 292. It is bad luck to rock an empty rocking chair. 293. It is bad luck to put four chairs in a row, side by side. 294. It is bad luck if the clock ceases to tick when a corpse is in the house. Folk-Lore from Maryland 19 295. It is bad luck to break the works of a clock. 296. It is bad luck to turn a knife around. 297. If a knife falls with the sharp end upwards, it is a sign of bad luck. 298. To find a knife or razor brings nisfortune. 299. It is bad luck to upset a teacup or goblet. 300. It is bad luck to sit on a fender. 301. It is bad luck to lie across an ironing board. 302. It is bad luck to lie on a table or ironing board. 303. It is bad luck to burn two lamps at the same time on the same table. 304. It is bad luck to put a lighted candle on the bed. 305. When two look into a mirror at the same time, it is a bad sign. 306. Breaking a mirror causes seven years of the worst luck. 307. Never look into the looking-glass over the shoulder of another, it will bring you trouble. 308. It is bad luck to hang a picture over the head of the bed. 309. It is bad luck to sit on the head of a sofa. 3I0. It is bad luck to sit on a table. 3II. It is good luck to be the last one to sit down at table. 312. It is bad luck to sit on a tub while it is upside down. Tools. 313. If you let a rake fall out of your hand while raking, it will bring you bad luck. This applies to any tool. 314. If a rake falls with its teeth upwards, it is bad luck. 315. It is bad luck to put shovel and tongs under shelter. 316. If you carry a shovel into the house, it is good luck, because you carry luck by the shovelful. Sewing. 3I7. Never hang up scissors.! 318. It is good luck for scissors to fall and stick in the floor. 3I9. A knife or scissors must not be given to a friend unless you give with it a penny or a small coin. 319 A. If one friend gives something pointed to another, it pins their love together. 320. It is bad luck to find a needle. 321. It is bad luck to pick up a needle. 322. It is good luck to pass a needle in the street. 323. A pin with its point towards you means good luck coming your way; with the point away from you, luck going away from you. 324. If you see a pin on the ground with its point towards you, you will have bad luck; if the head is towards you, it means good luck. A pin with its head towards you means luck coming your way. 20 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 324 A. If you thank anyone for a pin given you, it is bad luck to the giver. 325. If a new gown does not fit, the person who made it must alter it or one of those sewing on it will have trouble. 326. Do not mend a garment with black thread, unless the cloth is of that color. It is unlucky even if it does not show. 8. NAMES. 327. When a woman marries and does not change the initial of her surname, she will have bad luck. It is still worse luck if she retains her maiden name. 328. " Change your name and not your letter, Marry for worse and not for better." 329. It is good luck to have your initials spell a word. 330. It is bad luck for one's initials to spell a word. 33I. If you name a child so that the initials of its name spell something, the child will be lucky. 332. It is bad luck to have thirteen letters in your name. 9. NUMBERS. 333. It is good luck to begin a thing three times. 334. If two unsuccessful attempts are made at anything, the third is lucky. 335. Seven, or any number with seven in it, is considered lucky in taking chances. 336. It is bad luck to choose an odd number. 337. Thirteen is an unlucky number. I0. RINGS, COINS, AND METALS. 338. It is unlucky to have an opal ring given to one for a wedding present. 339. It is bad luck to try on an engagement ring. 340. Diamonds are unlucky for engagement rings. 34I. Finding a bent coin brings luck. 342. To handle or find a gold coin will bring you ill fortune. 343. Keep your last penny for luck. 344. Any piece of iron that you find is good luck. 345. It is good luck to pick up an old nail. Folk-Lore from Maryland 21 II. VESSELS. 346. It is umucky for a vessel to leave a port after three vessels have crossed the prow of the departing one. 347. A sailor will not start on a voyage unless there is a mascot on board. 348. Sea captains are tempted to go back to harbor if they see a bird fly across the ship. 349. If a swab or bucket is lost overboard, the sailor is filled with foreboding. The accidental tearing of a flag and mending it on the quarter-deck is most unlucky. 350. Sailors used to fear ill-luck to their vessel when anyone used a green carpet bag on board. 351. The old-fashioned black traveling bags are taboo for sailors, or they were in the past; the idea that black things on board ship are omens of ill has practically died out. I2. VARIOUS. 351 A. Stepping into a church with the right foot first brings good luck. 352. Never change your seat in church, it will bring you bad luck. 353. It is bad luck to dig into new clay. 354. It is unlucky to speak of the dead. 355. It is bad luck, when going to school, to watch a car disappear. 356. To throw hair combings out of the window is bad luck. 356. A. To thank a person for combing your hair is bad luck. 357. It is bad luck to drop a comb or brush while using it. 358. To untie a knot with your hands brings good luck. 359. It is bad luck for someone to strike a match when you are about to make a play at cards. 360. It is bad luck to make a star quilt. 36I. It is bad luck to break anything while you are holding it in your hand. 362. It is dangerous to waken a sleeper suddenly. 363. Never disturb anyone asleep, if it can be avoided. 364. It is bad luck to make a scrap-book. 365. It is bad luck to have a conch shell in the house or on the grounds. 366. It is bad luck to let water in which you have washed your feet stay in your room over night. 367. It is bad luck to swear while fishing. 368. It is bad luck to drink a person's health in water. 368 A. Never give a pocket-book to a friend unless you put some money in it. 369. If you receive a pocket-book from a friend, you will always ave money in it. 22 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 370. Do not go up and down the same street more than three times in one day, or you will be unfortunate. 371. It is bad luck to hear something make a noise if you do not know what it is. II. OMENS: DEFINITE I. WEAITHER SIGNS. Diurnal Weather Signs. 372. Between ten and two You'll see what the day will do. 373. Rainbow in the morning, Sailors take warning; Rainbow at night, Sailor's delight. 374. A rainbow in the morning, The shepherds' warning, A rainbow at night Is the shepherds' delight. 375. Thunder in the morning, All the day storming, Thunder at night Is the travelers' delight. 376. "If early morning set in storming, Tis apt to storm all day, But a storm at night, for lack of light, Is apt to lose its way." 377. Evening red and morning gray will set the traveler on his way; But evening gray and morning red will bring down rain upon his head. 378. Red sunset, clear weather; Red sunrise, rain. 379. If the sun sets like a big red ball, the next day will be hot. 380. Red in the morning Is a sailor's warning, But red in the evening Is a seaman's delight. 381. Rain before seven, Clear before eleven. 382. No dew on the grass at night is a sign of rain. 383. If it clears during the night, it will rain in two or three days. 384. If it rains when the sun is shining, it will rain the next day. Folk-Lore from Maryland 23 385. When the wind is in the east, 'Tis neither good for n an nor beast; When the wind is in tle north, The skillful fisher goes not forth; When the wind is in the south, It blows the bait in the fish's mouth; When the wind is in the west, Then 'tis at the very best. 386. When the wind is from the north, Sailors don't go forth; When the wind is from the east, 'Tis neither fair for man nor beast; When the wind is from the south, It blows the bait in the fish's mouth; When the wind is from the west, Then it's at its very best. 387. Little whirlwinds of dust indicate dry weather. 388. When the wind dies down at sunset, it will blow again next day. 391. A rainbow with much blue means clear weather. 392. If after a rain you can see enough blue sky to make a Dutchman a pair of pants, it will clear. 393. Clouds on the hill tops, if falling, promise rain; if rising, clear weather. 394. A mackerel sky brings rain. 395. The mackerel sky means three rainy days and three clear days. 396. Mackerel sky, three days wet and three days dry. 397. " Mare's tails" in the sky is a sign of dry weather. 399. A pale rising moon portends rain the next day. 400. The old moon in the arms of the new, evil weather. 401. The old moon in the arms of the new moon is reckoned a sign of fair weather. 402. The turning up of the horns of the new moon is a sign of fair weather. 403. When the horns of the moon are up, the weather will be dry because the water cannot fall out. 405. If there is a halo around the moon showing that rain is at hand, it is said that the number of stars in the halo indicates the number of clear days before the rain. 406. If the moon appears in a position that would make it possible to hang a hunter's horn on its lower point, the weather will be fine during the month. 407. When the stars seem to twinkle more than usual, bad weather will follow. (Washington County.) 24 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Animal Weather Signs. 408. If a cat lies on its head, it will rain. 409. If a cat lies with its back to the fire, there will be cold weather. 4Io. If a cat sits with her back to the stove, it is a sign of rain. 41. When a cat sits with its back to an open fire, it is a sign of rain. 4I2. A cat looking in the stove is looking for luck; some say it will bring contrary winds. 413. When a cat washes her face, it is a sign of rain. 414. It is a sign of rain when cats back their bodies and wash their faces. 415. When a cat, in washing her face, runs her paw up over her ear, it is a sign of rain. 416. If a cat passes its paw over its ear, it is a sign of rain or snow. 417. If a cat puts its paw over its ear, it foretells a storm. 418. If a cat scratches at a broom, the wind will change. 419. When a cat runs briskly up and down the floor, the wind is going to change. 420. When a frog goes into the water, we will have bad weather; when he comes out, we will have good weather. 421. When a frog croaks more than usual, it means bad weather. 422. When a frog croaks in the morning, it is a sign of rain. 423. The croaking of tree frogs is a sign of rain. 424. If you kill a toad it will bring rain. 425. If you kill a toad it will rain that day. 426. If you tread on a toad it will rain. 427. If you tread on a toad, it will rain the next day. 428. To make it rain tomorrow, kill a toad. 429. Cobwebs on the grass in the morning are a sign or clearing weather. 430. Spider webs on a fence in the morning indicate rain. 431. Spider webs over the grass in the morning mean rain. 432. If the grass is thick with cobwebs in the morning, the day will be clear. 433. If you kill a number of ants, it will bring rain. 434. If you step on an ant, it will bring rain the next day. 435. When ants come out of their holes and then go back at once, it is going to storm. 436. It is a sign of bad weather when ants are busier than usual. 437. It is a sign of rain when a dog eats grass. 438. When dogs wallow in the dust, it means bad weather. 439. If the dog comes into the house and puts his head under the mat, there will be a cold snap. 440. A horse turning his lips back and grinning foretells rain. Folk-Lore from Maryland 25 44I. Horses sweating in the stables is a sign that rain will come soon. 442. A pig with a straw in his mouth shows that a storm is at hand. 443. If hogs carry sticks and straws in their mouths, it is a sign of a wind storm. 444. If you kill a snake and hang it on a fence, it will bring rain. 445. If you hang a dead snake on a tree back downwards, it will bring rain. 446. When a snake is killed, hang its body on a fence or tree and rain will come within twenty-four hours. 447. If you kill a snake, there will be a terrible thunder storm. 448. You can break a drought if you kill a snake and hang it on a fence or a tree. 449. The presence of sea gulls inland indicates stormy weather, as a local paper informed us, when these birds were seen near the city. 450. A local paper mentioned the appearance of a large flock of seagulls on the river yesterday, causing much trepidation in the hearts of river men, for the birds are regarded as harbingers of evil; they never fly over a river except to precede a flood of unusual proportions. 451. It is a sign of rain to see poultry pulling out each feather singly. 452. If chickens fly on a fence and pick their feathers, it will be clear weather. 453. A rooster crowing continually is a sign of rain. 454. When a cock crows, it is a sign that there will be rain within twenty-four hours. 455. If a rooster crows on a rainy day, it will clear up. 456. If after a thunderstorm, a rooster gets up on the fence, flaps his wings and crows three times, it is a sign that it will soon clear. 457. A cock crowing on the fence foretells fine weather; but on the ground means rain. 458. Change of weather may be expected when crows gather in numbers on trees. 459. If a crow caws an uneven number of times, it forbodes bad weather, but the contrary, if even. 460. If crows caw more than usual, it means bad weather. 46I. If a crow flies high, it will rain, if low, it will clear. If crows fly in pairs, it is a sign of bad weather. 462. If crows fly high, fine weather is coming. 463. Look for rain when the crows fly low. 464. Birds fly high in fair weather, low in bad weather. 465. If a young bird flies a yard or two at a time and alights, it is a sign of rain. 466. When birds fly southward, it is a sign of colder weather. 467. If you hear a rain:row (cuckoo), rain will follow. 468. If a pea fowl spreads its tail out, it is a sign of bad weather 469. If a peacock screeches, it is a sign of rain. 26 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 470. Pigeons flying about excitedly a sign of wind, and possibly, storm. 47I. " More wet, more wet, " says the robin before rain. 472. If a robin chirps in a certain way, it will rain. 473. Ducks quacking at night prophesy rain. 474. If turkeys fly high and flap their wings, it is a sign of a storm. 475. The cackling of geese foretells rain. 476. When the locusts are noisy, it is a sign of hot weather. 477. The chirping of a locust is a sign of a drought. Various Weather Signs. 478. Tobacco becomes damp before rain. 479. Sea-weed hung up gets damp before rain comes. 480. A farmer's wife says when her cheese salt is soft, it will rain. When it grows dry, fair weather may be expected. 481. When floors, stones, and walls become damp, warm weather is coming. 482. Flowers are more fragrant before rain. 483. There is rain always when the dog-wood begins to bloom, called dog-wood rains, and another when the blackberries are ripening known in Maryland as blackberry rain. 484. The "poor rman's weather-glass" (scarlet pinpemel) closes in the day time before rain cones. 485. When the leaves of the trees show the under sides, it is a sign of rain. 486. The leaves of trees are darker before a storm. 487. If smoke rises from the chimney, it is a sign of fair weather; if it falls, it will be bad weather. 488. If the fire bums very brightly, it is a sign of colder weather. 489. The hissing of the fire indicates falling weather. 490. When a fire roars, it is a sign of snow. 49I. If fire makes a dull crunching sound, it is " treading snow. " Snow will come in a day or two. 492. To dream of wedding is a sign of rain. 492 A. If you hear the rumbling of a train very distinctly, it is a sign of clearing weather. 493. The aching of a broken bone or the paining of corns, predicts rain. 494. To dream of the dead is a sure sign of rain. 495. It always rains when the circus comes. 496. Whistle for a breeze. 497. Never a whistle at sea unless there i, a great calm and you want a wind. 498. Drop a penny into the sea to bring a wind. Folk-Lore from Maryland 27 Seasonal Weather Signs. 499. A cold winter is followed by a hot summer and vice versa. 500. If there are many snow storms in the winter, the crops next summer will be very fine. 5oi. The day of the month on which the first snow falls gives the number of snow storms for that winter. 502. Look for frost three weeks after you hear the first jay-bird cry. 503. There will be frost just three months after the first katydid is heard. 504. There will be frost in six weeks after the first katydid is heard. 505. If locusts are plentiful a cold winter is expected. 506. When hornets build their nests high in the trees, it is a sign of mild winter. 507. If a hornet's nest hangs high, it is a sign of a hard winter. 508. Hornets build low when a severe winter is to follow. 509. If a wasp closes up his cells, it will be a hard winter. 510. A hard winter is indicated by caterpillars' going into the house during the late summer. 5II. When a cold winter is coming, the muskrats build higher. 512. If wild geese fly early, it is a sign of a hard winter. 513. If they return early there will be an early spring. 5I4. If wild geese fly low, it will be a hard winter. 515. If wild geese fly in a ziz-zag or mixed condition, there will be storms in the winter. 516. If wild geese fly in the form of a V. or a horseshoe, there will be plenty of ice. 5I7. If the breast bone of goose is thick, it is a sign of a hard winter. 518. If the breast bone of a capon, goose or duck is white, it means mild weather and snow; if red, it means continued cold. 518 A. If the November goose bone be thick So will the winter weather be; If the November goose bone be thin, So will the winter weather be. 5I9. If corn husks are thick, the winter will be severe. 520. If weeds grow high in summer, there will follow a cold winter. 521. If acorns and nuts are plentiful, the winter will be severe. 522. The early maturity of chestnut burrs proves the near approach of autumn. 523. Plenty of hard berries foretell a hard winter; they are to feed the birds. 524. If husks of corn are tight, it means a severe winter; if loose, a mild winter. 28 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2. COSMIC PHENOMENA. 525. If you have money in your pocket and see the new moon over your left shoulder, you will have money until the next moon. 526. If you have money when seeing the new moon, you will have money all the month. 527. It is a sign of disappointment to see the new moon for the first time through glass. 528. If the moon shines on your face when you sleep, you will go crazy, or have paralysis, or die within a year. 529. If the moon shines on you, it will turn up the corer of your mouth. 530. If you see the moon through trees, you will go ragged. 531. If a maiden sees three successive new moons, she will have her heart's desire. 532. If you see a star shoot, it means that another soul has passed into eternity. 533. A comet betokens events fraught with peril, especially the death of a king. 3. PLANTS. 534. If a solitary tree left standing in a meadow dies, the death of the head of the family will follow. But if the tree is killed by plowing too close to the roots, no harm need follow. 535. If you see an old tree fall, it is a sign of death. 536. If a fir tree is struck by lightning, its owner will die. 537. If a leaf blows off a tree out of season into the neighbor's yard, there will be a death in that family. 538. If the leaves of a bean turn white, the owner will die. 539. If the leaves of a green vine turn white, it is a sign of death. 540. Trees or plants blossoming twice a year mean strange happenings, but not necessarily bad ones. 54I. If a fruit tree blossoms twice a year, the owner will lose a friend by death. 542. If an annual flower blooms out of season, it is a sure sign of death. 543. If flowers worn, wither quickly, the wearer will soon die. 544. If the locust bloom is heavy, there will be a good corn crop. 545. Two crops of fruit mean famine, or, at least, short crops the next year. 546. A plentiful crop of acorns denotes a poor crop of corn for the next year. 547. If a cabbage stalk grows two heads, it is a sign somebody will die soon. Folk-Lore from Maryland 29 548. If a briar gets caught in a girl's dress, it is a sign that a widower is after her. 549. A five-leaf clover is bad luck. Some say it means twins for your first children. 550. Kiss a black girl for every red ear of corn you find. 55I. A willow wand brought into the house foretells a death in that house. 4. ANIMALS. Mammals. 552. If a bat should fly in through a window of a house, some one in the house will shortly die. 553. If a cat washes its face, company may be expected. 554. If a cat sits in the window and washes its face, it is a sign that a stranger is coming to see you. 555. If a cat washes its face, visitors will come from the direction in which its tail points. 556. If a cat washes its face and puts its paw over its ear, a stranger is coming. 557. If four persons shake a cat in a new quilt, whoever is standing at the corner where the cat jumps out will be married within the year. 558. If cats fight and run towards your house, there will be a fight among the members of your family. 559. If a cat sneezes more than once, the whole family will have colds. 56o. If a black cat rubs against a woman, she will never marry. 56T. If a cat purrs and rubs against a woman constantly, she will be an old maid. 562. When starting on a journey, it is unlucky for a black cat to cross your path, and you will be unsuccessful in anything you undertake while on the journey. 563. If any kind of a cat except a black one follows you, it is a sign of an enemy. 564. If a black cat follows you, it is a sign of marriage. 565. If a black cat follows you, it is a sign of a death. 566. When a black cat enters a house once, it is a sign or health, when it enters it three times, it is a sign of death. 567. If a black cat comes to your house in the morning, you will have some money to pay. 568. Where the cat of the house is black, Of lovers there'll be no lack; Where the cat of the house is gray, There the lover will stay away. 569. A black cat around the house will keep the beaux away. 30 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 570. If one cow licks another, it is a sign of death. 571. Dogs howl to tell you that they have seen death enter the house. 572. When a dog howls it is a sign of a death in the family. 573. If a dog howls in the night, it is a sign of death. 574. A dog howling in the night means death to a sick person in the house. 575. If a dog howls three times in the night, you will hear of a death the next day. 576. If you hear a dog howling on a moonlight night, there will be a death in the family. 577. When a dog is stretching himself on the ground, he is measuring someone's grave. 578. If a dog digs a hole in the ground, someone will die in the family. 579. " Ef dare's somebody a-comun' dat yo' ain't don seen fu a long time, de dog he'll be goin' all day wif his years turned wrongside out'ards." 580. If you meet a fox, it is a sign that someone will impose on you. 58I. If a horse neighs in the street, it is a sign of death in the direction the horse's head is turned. 582. If a horse neighs, it is a sign of death. 583. If a horse paws before the door, someone will die. 584. If a rat gnaws linen, it is a sign of death. 585. When rats leave a ship the sailors will follow, for it means that the vessel will sink. 586. Mice in a bureau drawer mean that you will lose a friend. Reptiles and worms. 587. If you kill the first snake you see in the spring, you will have no enemies that year. 588. If you see a serpent and kill it, you will conquer your enemies. If you do not kill it, they will conquer you. 589. If a measuring worm is a on person, it is measuring him for a new suit of clothes. Amphibians. 590. If you kill a toad, your cow will give bloody milk. 59I. To see a frog is a sign of gold. Arachnids. 592. If a " daddy long legs" crawls upon an article of clothing, you will get a new garment of the same kind. Folk-Lore from Maryland 3I 593. If you see a spider in the morning, you are going to mourn; in the afternoon, you will receive a present; and in the evening, you will be inspired with hope. 594. A spider on your shoulder means new clothes. 595. If a spider crawls up your sleeve, it is a sign that you are to be measured for a new suit. 596. If you find a spider on your clothes, you are going to have something new' to wear. 597. If a spider swings between the ceiling and floor, it is a sign that a stranger is coming. 598. A spider coming down the wall foretells a death. 599. If a spider comes down in front of you, a iriend will call. The color of the spider indicates the color of the clothes your friend will wear. 600. To take down all the cobwebs keeps riches from the house. 6oI. If you kill a spider, you will be drowned the next time you go out on the water. 602. If a spider web rushes across your face in the day time, it is a sign that a stranger is following you and wishes to see you. 603. If, when walking at night, a spider web brushes your face, you are being followed by a ghost. 604. If a large black spider weaves its web in your house, let it alone, since it is a sign that you will soon receive money. 605. It is unlucky to kill a red spider, for it brings money. 606. If you run your face against a cobweb, you will get a letter. 607. It is a sign of news if you walk into a spider's web. Insects. 608. If a bee buzzes around your head, someone is trying to tell you something. 609. If you are stung by a bumblebee, while you are picking blackberries, the next time you are picking them, you will be bitten by a snake. 6Io. If the first butterfly you see in the summer is white, you will get a white dress during the summer. 6II. The color of the first butterfly you see in the summer is the color of the first new dress you will have. 612. The color of the first butterfly you see in the spring will be the color of the next dress you will have. 613. If you kill a cricket, it will come in the night and eat holes in your clothes. 614. If you kill a fly, more will come to its funeral. 615. If there are few flies, the season will be sickly. 616. If a fly bothers you, it is a sign that someone wants to see you. 617. It is unlucky to kill a lady-bug, as it brings money. 32 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 618. The seven year locust is supposed to have the letter W on its back if there is to be war before it again appears. 6I9. If you let a mosquito bite you while you are sick, you will not recover. 62I. If the birds get your hair combings, your hair will fall out. 622. If birds build a nest from the combings of your hair, you will have a headache. 623. If you throw away your combings, the birds may use them in their nest and you will go crazy. 624. If a bird gets one of your hairs and puts it into its nest, you will be absent-minded or you'll grow forgetful. " Hit's bound to give yer a wand'rin mind." 625. When you are combing your hair and some of it flies out of the window, if a bird gets it, and uses it to build her nest, you will have headache as long as the bird sits on the nest or, perhaps, as long as the nest lasts. 626. The bird that sings before breakfast, the cat will catch before night. 627. If a bird flies against the window and flutters to get in, it is a sign of death. 628. For a bird to fly into one of the windows or port-holes of a vessel foretells death. 629. It is bad luck for an albatross to sit on the mast of a ship; it means death, the visit of a sailor's ghost. 630. If buzzards sit on the top of a house someone in that house will die. 631. A buzzard flying near the house is a death warning. 632. When one crow flies over a steeple, a wedding is indicated; if two fly over, there will be a birth; if three there will be a death. 633. If you shoot a fish hawk, a bug will fly in your ear and make you deaf. 635. To see an owl means news. 636. The hooting of an owl is a sign of death. 637. An owl flying over a house foretells death there. 638. The hooting of an owl near the house means a death in the family. 639. A pigeon flying into a house is a sign of death. 640. If a white pigeon settles on a chimmey of a house, an inmate will die. 641. " How badly you write, " someone said to a school-boy, who answered: " My hand always shakes; I once had a robin die in my hand; they say it'll always make your hand shake." 642. To see swallows flying by a window indicates death. 643. What you are doing when you hear the first whip-poor-will, that you will do most of the year. Folk-Lore from Maryland 33 Poultry. 644. If a rooster crows before nine o'clock at night, you will have hasty news. 645. It is bad luck to let a chicken die in your hand, for it will give you the palsy. 646. To see eggs is a sign of a quarrel. 647. " If a hen crows, someone will die." 648. A rooster crowing in the day time brings company. 648 A. When a rooster crows at night, it is a sign that a stranger is coming. 649. " Ef dare's somebody a-comin' dat yo' want t' see mighty bad, de rooster he'll strut up an' down de paf, a-crowing. Bymeby dat ere somebody walkes in, and you' says t' yo' sef, " Lawd! rooster; he knowed." 650. If a rooster crows three times in the same place, a stranger is coming. 650 A. If a rooster crows in the front door, a carriage full of visitors will arrive. 65I. A rooster crowing near one's door is a sign of visitors that day. 652. If a rooster crows at twelve o'clock at night, it is a sign of a fire. 653. If a rooster crows on the threshold, a stranger is coming. 654. " Ef yer see a rooster come stan' in de door an' crow inter de house, hit's er sign o' death, sure! " 655. If a rooster comes into a room and turns his back and crows, it is sure sign of death. Oysters. 656. The oystermen say it is bad luck, a sign of death, to swallow an oyster whole. 5. DREAMS. Plants. 657. Dream of plucking fruit out of season and you'll quarrel without reason. 658. To dream that a tree falls is the sign of a death. 659. " If you dream of white flowers, it is a sign of a wedding." 659 A. If you dream of white flowers, you will hear of a death. Animals. 660. If you dream of a small white animal, a child will die. 34 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 66I. To dream of cats is a sign of thieves; if they are catching mice, they are only plain cats, and not impersonations of evil beings, such as witches. 662. If you dream of a bull, you will get a beau. 662 A. If you dream of steers, you will have a beau. 663. To dream that you hear a dog barking is a sign of death. 664. To dream of an elephant means riches. 665. If you dream of horses, it is a sign of death. 666. If you dream of a horse, you will have hasty news. 667. It is good luck to dream of fat horses. To dream of lean horses means poverty. 668. If you dream of a white horse, you will get a letter. 669. To dream of a rat gnawing your clothes indicates that you will find apot of gold. Many negroes will plough carefully watching the upturned sod to find such a treasure. 670. To dream of mice is a sign of theft. 67I. If you dream of eggs you will get a letter. 672. A woman always dreams of birds, especially canaries, before a death. 673. To dream of chickens means the loss of a friend. 674. If you dream of a parrot, a thief will try to rob you. 675. To dream of a mud-turtle in clear water means that some of the plantation stock will perish in the swamp-bog. 676. To dream of snakes means anger, some say, a matrimonial quarrel. 677. If you dream of a snake, it is an enemy. If you kill it, you will conquer your enemy. 678. It is bad luck to dream of fire, snake or eggs. If all seem to resist you, it is a sign that your enemy will slander you. 679. If you dream of fish, it is a sign of sickness. 680. To dream of honey-bees is a sign of death. 68I. To dream of a bowl of clabber with a fly in the center means that before the year is out, you will be badly cut with a sharp instrument. 682. If you dream of lice, it is a sign of sickness. 683. To dream that you have vermin on, or after you, means that you have enemies. 684. To dream of lice is a sign of money. Human Beings. 685. If you dream of a baby, you will be disappointed. 686. To dream of a white-haired man, especially a negro, means the death of a friend. 687. To dream of a black man is disappointment. Folk-Lore from Maryland 35 688. "I seen a naked 'ooman in my sleep last night, that means a man is gwine ter die." 689. To dream that a person is ill is a sign the individual is in good health. 690. If you dream of seeing a young man drink, it is a sign that you are very much loved by your gentleman friend. 69I. If you dream that you are in love, you will soon wed. 692. If you are in love and dream of your lover when your face is swollen, your lover will be true to you. 693. To dream you are deserted by your lover is a certain sign of his affection and fidelity. Various. 694. To dream of your own wedding is a bad or doubtful sign; you will either die or be ill, unless the man in the dream is a stranger. 695. If anyone in the house dreams of moving, or of a wedding, it is a sign of death. 696. To dream of a wedding dress means a shroud, and to see a shroud in a dream means a wedding. If the shroud is empty, it is your own wedding. 697. To dream of marriage is bad luck. 698. To dream of a wedding is a sign of a funeral. 699. To dream of death is a sign of marriage. To dream of marriage is a sign of death. 700. Dream of your own funeral, you will surely be married if you choose; and to the person with you in your dream. 701. If you dream of a person as dead, it is the sign that the person will live to be very old. 702. Dream of the dead and you'll have news of the living. 705. If one dreams of a new house, it is a sign of death. 706. If you dream in a strange house, your dream will come true. 707. To dream of a house on fire is a sign that the head of the house will die. 709. Dreaming of fire is a sign of death. 7I0. To dream of fire is hasty news. 712. To dream about fire is the sign of a quarrel. 713-714. To dream of lost keys is a sign you will quarrel with a friend. 715. If you dream of money, you will lose some. 716. To dream of gold and silver is good luck, but to dream of papermoney is bad. The one indicates loss, the other gain. 717. To dream of money is a sign of death. 718. It is a sign of death to dream of small silver coin. 719. If you dream of singing, you will be disappointed in things of importance. 36 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 720. If you hear music in a dream, some friend will come to see you, but do not tell him your dream, or trouble comes to one of you. 721. To dream of music denotes joy and happiness. 722. Near Smith's there once lived a man who always knew by his dreams when a friend would die. He dreamed the hymns that would be sung at the funeral. (Emmittsburg.) 723. Dreaming of having a tooth drawn, you will lose a friend by death. 724. Dream about teeth falling out, and you lose a friend. 725. To dream of a tooth falling out means that you will lose a friend. 726. To dream of one's teeth falling out is a sign of sickness. 727. To dream of blood is a sign that someone will " scandalize" you. 728. To dream of seeing blood is a sign of disgrace to the dreamer. 729. It is a sign of war to dream of blood. 730. Dreaming of running water is a sign of death in the family. 73I. If you dream of rain it is a sign of a marriage. 731 A. If you dream of rain, it is a sign of a funeral. 732. To dream of clear water is a sign of pleasure coming. 732 A. To dream of clear water is good news. 733. A dream of muddy water means death or misfortune. 734. If you dream of a little boat on smooth water, you will prosper in your next undertaking. 735. If you dream of a boat sailing in muddy water, you will hear of the death of your friend. 736. If you dream of a ship, you are going to receive some news. 737. If you dream you are in a boat without oars, you are going to have a pleasant surprise, unless you are in company with an enemy; in that case, your surprise may be the reverse. 738. If in your dream you are in a boat and the water becomes suddenly rough, you must use caution, and change your plans. 739. To dream of anything white is a sign of death. 740. To dream of anything red is a sign that something dreadful is about to happen. 74I. To dream of salt means hasty news. 742. To dream of fresh meat is a sign of death. 743. To dream of a successful negotiation means failure. 744. To dream of the absent signifies their speedy return. 745. To dream of traveling is a sign you will become poor. 746. To dream of being in a strange place is a sign that you will have a message from one that has been long absent from you. 747. If you dream of someone riding rapidly, it is the sign that you are going to hear some news. (Told by a gentleman from Virginia). 748. To dream of fresh earth is a sign of death. 748 A. To dream of a heavy fall means dancing long. (Negro.) 749. If you dream of washing, you will change your home. Folk-Lore from Maryland 37 749 A. To dream of fodder burning is a sign of death il the family. 750. To dream of diamonds is a sign of a long journey. 750 A. Dreams go by contraries. 750 B. To dream of the same thing thrice in succession is a sure sign the dream will true. 6. HUMAN BEINGS. 751. To meet a preacher after sundown betokens a death in the family. 752. If a preacher marries twice, a death will occur in his family. 753. For a minister or any one of his family to put two spoons in his cup of coffee or tea is a sign of a wedding. 754. If you meet a cross-eyed person, particularly in the morning, you will meet with a disappointment. 755. To meet a woman with a glass eye indicates a speedy marriage. 756. " If a blue gum negro bites you, it will surely cause your death." 757. A red haired person has a white horse always in sight. 758. Meet a red haired woman, and you will soon see a white horse. 759. If two persons are walking together and they let anything come between them, (a person or a post, for example) it is a sign of disappointment. 760. Twins are unlucky. One will probably injure the other or " cut him out," or be a burden on him hereafter. 761. If when starting on a journey, you meet a widow dressed in mourning, you will have an accident. 7. PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOR. Appearance. 762. A mole on the cheek is a sign that you will never be rich or poor. 763. Two crowns on your head, you will live on two continents. 764. To have two crowns on your head means you will live under two Governments. 765. Gray eye, greedgut, Eat the whole world up. 766. If the eyebrows meet, it is a sign of dishonesty. The English say such eyebrows mean wealth to the person. 767. "Trust no man though he be your brother, Whose hair is one color, and his beard another." 768. A very short lock of hair on either side of a girl's forehead, is a sign she will be a widow. 769. If a man's hair grows so, he will be a widower. 770. In clasping your hands, it your left thumb goes over your right, 38 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society your heart will rule your head. If your right thumb goes over your left, your head will rule your heart. 771. If when you shut your hand, your thumb goes naturally inside your fingers, it is a sign of timidity of disposition. 772. In closing your hands, if your thumbs naturally go inside of your fingers, you will be ruled by your husband. 773. A single white spot on your finger nails shows you have a friend. 774. One white spot on your finger nail is a sign you will receive a present. 775. A white spot on the first finger means a friend; the second finger, a foe; the third, a present; the fourth, a beau; the fifth, a journey to go. 776. It is a bad sign when your finger nails curve over the ends of your fingers. You will die of consumption. 777. A blue vein across your nose, You'll never wear your wedding clothes. 778. Parted teeth are a sign of deceit. Behavior of Parts of Body. 779. If your chin itches, you will hear of a death. 779 A. If your right ear whistles, someone is speaking good of you, but if your left ear whistles, someone is speaking ill of you. 780. If you left ear burns, a woman is coming; if your right ear, a man is coming. 780 A. To hear bells ringing in the ear is a sign of death. 78I. If your left elbow itches, somebody is coming to sleep at your house. 782. If your right elbow itches, you are going away to sleep. If your left elbow itches, somebody is coming to sleep. 783. If your lower eyelid jumps, you will cross water. 784. If your right eye itches, you will laugh; if your left eye, you will cry, or have a surprise. 785. If your right eye itches or quivers, it is a sign that you are going to laugh. If your left eye itches, it foretells a quarrel. 786. If your fingers crack, someone is doing you a kindness. 787. If you stub your left foot on the way to a house, you will not be welcome. 788. When you knock your right foot, you will be surprised; but when you knock your left foot, you will be disappointed. 789. If your right foot itches, you will walk on strange ground; if your left foot, you will walk in a graveyard. 79I. If your feet ache it is a sign of rain and bad luck. 792. If the palm of your hand itches, it is a sign that you will have money. Folk-Lore from Maryland 39 793. If the palm of your right hand itches, you will shake hands with a stranger or a friend you have not seen for some time. 794. If your righthand itches, you will shake hands with a stranger; if the left hand, you will get money. Rub it on wood to make it good, or put it in your pocket. 795. If your left hand itches, you will receive money; then you must " rub your hand on wood to make it come good, and rub it on brick to make it come quick." 796. If the palm of your left hand itches, you will get money, provided you spit upon it, rub it on wood, and at once put it in your pocket. 797. Negroes believe that when the hands of the aged among them shake continually, it is because they have wrung necks of a great many chickens. 798. A fever blister on the mouth is a sign that one has been kissed. 799. If your nose itches, it is a sign that some one is coming; the left side, a man; right side, a woman; and the middle, a fool. 800. Itching on the right side of the noses signifies a man visitor. Itching on the left sides is the sign of a woman visitor. 80o. If your nose itches, good news is coming. 802. If the tip of your nose itches, a conceited person will come soon to see you. 803. If your nose itches on top, you will have visitors who will come riding. 804. If one drop of blood falls from your nose, it is a sign of death. 805. If your nose bleeds three drops of blood, you will hear of the death of a friend. 806. If your great toe pains, it is the sign of death. 807. If you stub your left toe, you will not marry. 808. If you lose a tooth, particularly a front one, you lose a friend. 809. To have a lump on the tongue is a sign that one has told alie. Miscellaneous Activities. 8Io. If you shudder suddenly, it is a sign that a rabbit is running across, or a goose eating grass from your grave, or someone is stepping over it. 81I. It is said to be lucky to sneeze to the right, but unlucky to sneeze to the left. 812. It is bad luck to sneeze once, a wish is granted; if you sneeze. twice, it's for a kiss; if you sneeze thrice, a disappointment awaits you. 813. Sneeze once, a wish; sneeze twice a kiss; sneeze thrice, a disappointment. 813 A. Once a kiss, Twice a wish, 40 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Three's a letter, Four's something better, Five's going away, Six's coming back, Seven's a wedding, Eight's a cake, Nine, marry a black mug. 814. If you sneeze once in the morning before breakfast, a child will die; twice before breakfast, a middle-aged person; three times before breakfast, an aged person. 815. Sneeze three times, no need of a doctor. 816. To sneeze nine times is a sign of death. 8I7. To sneeze while at table eating is a sign of death, either more or fewer being at the table next meal. 818. If you sneeze at the breakfast table it is a sign of death. 8I9. To sneeze three times before breakfast means bad news. 820. Sneezing at the supper table is a sign that the sneezer will hear of the death of an old person within a few days. 82i. To sneeze while reading is a sign of death. 822. Sneeze before you eat, see a stranger before you sleep. 823. If you fall upstairs you'll not be married thatyear. - 824. To fall up the steps is a sign that you will live a year longer. 825. To fall up the steps is a sign of riches, but if you fall down, you will never be rich, and will have poor chances of going to heaven. 826. If you bump against someone backwards, you will lose something. 826 A. If you walk backwards, you are cursing your parents. 827. You will shed a tear for every time you laugh. 828. Laugh before breakfast, cry before supper. 829. If a person sleeps on his face, it is a sign that he will be drowned 830. If you sleep with your hands over your head, it is a sign that you will dream something bad about your mother. 831. Sleep in a bean field and it will make you crazy. 832. It is good luck to fall out of bed. It is a sign that you will live another year. 833. If you get out of bed on the left side, you will be cross all day. 834. If you sing before breakfast, the devil will cross your path before night. 835. To sing before breakfast brings bad luck, a quarrel before day is over. 836. Sing before breakfast and you'll cry before night. 837. If you sing before you're dressed, You'll cry before you rest. 838. If you swear while it thunders, you will never get home safe. 839. A blasted field shows a swearer. Folk-Lore from Maryland 4I 840. Whistling girls and crowing hens, Always come to some bad ends. 84I. A whistling girl and a crowing hen Will never come to a good end. 8. HOUSEHOLD. House. 845. If you cannot unlock a door in a strange house, it is a sign that you did not say your prayers in the morning. 846. To lose your keys means anger with a friend. 847. When floors, stones, and walls become damp, warm wealther is coming. 848. If a man commits a murder or a suicide in a house, he makes it unlucky. 849. If a sick person is moved from one room or from one bed to another, he will not recover. 850. Never cut a door or a window in a house. Death is sure to enter that house. 85I. If you break through a wall for the purpose of making a window, you are digging a grave for one of your family. 852. Do not cut a door in an old house; one of your family is sure to die before the year is out. 853. Do not cut a window, you will lose a friend from that direction. If the window looks east, your friend's home is that way. 854. If an old man builds a new house, he will not live long after it is finished. 855. If plaster falls off the wall, it is a sign of death. 856. To hang anything on the front door knob or doorbell foreshadows a death. 857. If you put a towel on a knob, a death will follow. 858. Nothing must ever be hung over a door knob, for that brings death to the house. If it be something white, the dying one will be a child; if black, a grown person. 859. Do not turn the foot of a bed towards the door, or those who sleep in it will be carried out foot-foremost, i. e. dead. 860. If the wind blows the shutters into an arched position, it is a sign of approaching death in the family. Clothes. 86I. Wearing a dead relative's clothes encourages the person to come back and "hunt" the house. Even the poorest families are likely to give away or make over the belongings of their dead relatives. 42 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 862. To wear the garments belonging to a dead relative, unless they are changed or made over, means death in the near future for the wearer. 863. Never put on anyone's mourning garments for fun, or you may soon have to wear them in earnest. 865. Borrowed black clothes foretell death. 866. If a maid splashes her clothing in washing, she will marry a drunken husband. 867. Clothes should not be ironed in the back, as it makes the back weak and brings bad luck. 868. Clothes torn in the wash mean losses. 869. To sew on a piece of clothing you are wearing is bad luck; someone will tell a story on you. 870. If a garment of your own is placed upon a dead person, it is a sign that you will be the next to die. 87I. To find a garment belonging to another, in the street, or elsewhere, means an advantage to yourself at the expense of someone, not necessarily of the one owning the garment. 87i A. If you count one hundred polka dots, you will find something. 872. If you lose your apron, someone is thinking of you. 873. If your apron comes off, someone is thinking of you. 874. A knot in an apron string means a bad pain under the apron. 875. When you get a new gown, take out all the basting threads, or you may have to pay for it twice over. 876. To tear your gown on a chair, means a stranger to sit in it. 877. If you tear your gown on a bed, a stranger will spend the night. 878. To tear your gown on a door knob,means ill luckfrom a newcomer. 879. If your dress turns up at the bottom, you will get a new one. Some say you must spit on it get a new one. 880. When your dress is turned up at the bottom, you will receive a letter. 88I. If your dress turns up at the hem, you will take a buggy ride. 882. In walking, if an article attaches itself to your skirt, it is a sign that you have a beau. 883. A knot in the string of a petticoat means worry of mind. 884. If you lose your garter, your beau is thinking of you. 885. Wear yellow garters, and you will always have a sweet-heart. 886. If you borrow the garter of a newly married woman, you will soon be married yourself. 887. A torn, not worn, stocking or glove, means a breach of friendship. 887 A. In putting on stockings, never think of a fox or a bird of prey, or you will lose money or a friend. Never dress one foot completely before beginning to dress the other. 887 B. If you lose a hairpin, you lose a friend. 888. If you put on your put hat backwards, it means you will go in a different direction from the one in which you wanted to go. Folk-Lore from Maryland 43 889. If you eat with your hat on, you do not give the Lord thanks for what you eat. 890. Never throw a black bonnet on the bed of a sick person, or any clothing, or the patient will have a turn for the worse. 891. If you tie your bonnet strings without looking in the glass, you are to be disappointed. 892. A knot in the shoe string means trouble in the day's work. 893. To give away shoes or slippers divides friends. Give to strangers, or to those for whom you care little. 894. If you wear your shoes out at the toe, you are a spendthrift; to wear the right foot out before the left, is natural; the reverse shows bad management, or want of thrift. Worn out at the heel, shows a miser; in the middle of the shoe, is good luck. 895. If you wear your shoe out between the heel and toe, you will become rich. 896. To put up an umbrella in a house is a sign that the youngest in the house will die. 897. Do not open an umbrella in the house, it brings a storm. 898. Stand an umbrella outside of a bedroom, to take it in would give misfortune to the sleeper, especially if it is wet. Fire. 899. If, when a fire is made, a stove makes a loud noise as if it had cracked, it is a sure sign that you will hear bad news. 9oo. Fire must always be borrowed, never given; for you would give away the family life. 90o. To find sparks unexpectedly in the ashes in the morning is a sign of death. 902. If you are burning corn stalks and the fire follows you, it is a sign of death in the family. gog. If you push burning logs together and sparks fly out quickly, someone will be angry with you. 9I0. If you make a fire burn quickly, you have a quick temper. Amiable people are not good fire builders. 9I1. If you make a fire and it smokes or burns badly, your lover is angry with you, or you will have a bad husband. 912. If a log of wood in burning falls with one piece on each side of the andirons, it is a sign that two people are coming to see you separately, but if they fall on the same side, they are coming together. 913. If sparks fly from a stove, you are going to be involved in a quarrel. 914. You have an enemy if fire spits out at you. 915. It is bad luck to carry coals from one fire to another; the one that does so, will have a quarrel with someone. 44 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 916. If a kitchen fire went out, the negro cook would borrow from another fire, thus trying to keep up a continuous flame. Food. 917. If while eating you drop your food, it is a sign that someone is coming hungry. 918. If a morsel drops from your fork or spoon to the ground, it is a sign of death. 919. It is a sign of company if you serve yourself to what you have already on your plate. 920. If you help yourself at the table to what you already have, someone will come to the house hungry. 922. If your bread sinks in the middle during baking, you will hear of a death. 923. Never allow a loaf to be turned upside down on a table, as it is a sign of a fuss in the family; or traitors are present. 924. If you break bread in any one's hand, it is a sign that you will cause the other person a great deal of trouble. 925. If anyone breaks a piece of bread and puts it upon a plate which someone else is holding, one of them will die before a year. 926. If you throw away a crust of bread, you will live to want it. 927. If a loaf of bread or cake comes from the oven with a great hollow on the underside of it, it is a sign of death. 928. If bread falls out of your mouth, a hungry person is coming. 929. If you take the last piece of bread on the plate, you will be an old maid. 930. If you shake bread crumbs out of doors after supper, you shake them in the Savior's eyes. 93I. It is bad luck to allow your salt box to become empty, as then money gets scarce. 933. When about to put a piece of meat into your mouth, if you drop it on the floor you will hear of the death of a man-friend; if it be a piece of bread, you will hear of a woman's death. 934. You will shed a tear for every grain of salt you spill. 935. If you spill salt, you will have an enemy. 936. If there is no salt in the house, the devil is there. 937. If you help anyone to salt at the table, you are helping that person to sorrow. 938. It is bad luck to waste salt, and it is a sign that you will get into a quarrel. 939. If you spill salt on someone's steps, it is bad luck to the first person who crosses them. Folk-Lore from Maryland 45 Furniture and Accessories. 940. Never put a sheet on a bed wrong side up. If so used, it will cause the occupant to be sleepless, or his health to suffer. 94I. If you open a sheet and its folds have taken the form of a coffin, a death will soon follow. 942. If you sheet the bed for unexpected company, they will not come. 943. Never make an odd sheet or it will soon be used as a winding sheet. 944. You must never take an old broom to a new house. 945. If anyone hits you with a broom, you will be put in prison. 946. If you are struck with a broom, you will soon be summoned to court. 947. In order to get married, you must jump over the broom-stick. 948. If you step over a mop handle, you will never be married. 949. To sweep after sunset sweeps you out of house and home. 950. Sweeping after sunset brings death. 9_g. If you sweep the house after sun-down, you will sweep away all your wealth; also, if you brush the sweepings over the door sill after sun-down. 95:. To turn or twist a chair round means a quarrel. Out of doors, this is reversed. 953. If you are sitting in a chair and someone sweeps under it, you will be an old maid. 954. When a person comes to see you, and in going, pushes back his chair-, it is a sign that he is not coming any more. 956. If you knock a chair over backwards, it is a sign that you won't get married that year. 957. Three chairs side by side indicate the coming of a coffin into the house. 958. When accidently you put two chairs back to back, company is coming. 959. If a clock misses striking one hour and strikes the next, you may take it as a warning about what has occupied your last thought or the last plan you have formed. 960. If a clock strikes out of time when a person is ill, there is small hope of recovery. If it strikes wrong (unless it has been out of order before he was taken ill) the patient will have a turn for the worse. 96I. If a clock strikes suddenly, after having been silent, it is a sign of death. 962. If the town-clock, the house dock, and the door-bell, all ring at the same time, there will be a death in the family. 964. If you sit at dinner and hear the clock strike twelve, there will be a death before the week is out. 46 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 965. When a door bell rings and a clock strikes at the same time, it is a sign of parting. 966. Should the clock strike thirteen, the head of the house will soon die. 967. To hear a watch tick in a quiet room, and three knocks at the bed's head, and the howling of a dog, at the same time, is a sign of death. 968. If you let knives, spoons, forks or the dish cloth fall, you will have company. 969. If you drop a dish cloth, a slovenly person will call; if a knife, a woman; if a fork, a man; and if a spoon, someone will come in a carriage. 970. If two forks, knives, or spoons are placed at table instead of one, it is the sign of a wedding to the one receiving them. 97I. Never cross the knife and fork on the plate after you have finished eating. You will meet with trouble if you do. 972. Two forks on a plate means an unexpected guest. 973. To stir coffee with a fork means that you will yourself stir up strife or foment a quarrel. 974. If you drop your fork while eating, a man is coming. 975. If you drop a knife while eating, is is a sign that someone is coming hungry. 976. If you have two knives placed by your plate, you will have two husbands. 977. To place a knife and fork cross-wise will cause a quarrel. 978. Knives crossed bring angry words, forks crossed, a quarrel about money. 979. Two knives on a plate means sharp luck before morning. 980. To stick a knife in a dinner pot is a sign of a quarrel. 98I. If scissors or knife fall so that the point sticks into the floor, it means that a visitor is coming, and usually an important visitor. 982. To drop a knife at the table is a sign that one is not hungry. 983. Spoons crossed are a sign of unknown trouble; to find out what it is, you must sprinkle sugar on them and take them up. 984. Two spoons in a cup mean marriage. 985. Two spoons in a cup a sign of death. 986. More than one spoon in any vessel is a sign of death. 987. Two spoons in your cup are a sign of grief. 988. It is a sign of a disappointment to drop a spoon. 989. If you drop a spoon, a child will come to see you. 990. If you wash dishes on the stove, you will never get married. 99g. To upset your teacup is a sign that a stranger is coming to call. 992. If you collect thirteen cups and saucers, it is the sign of a wedding. 994. To have three lamps burning at the same time in one room, is the sign of a marriage in the house. Folk-Lore from Maryland 47 995. Never burn three lamps in any room; in fact, never have three of anything in a row; it is an omen of death in the family. 996. To have three lights burning in a room is a sign of death. 997. It is a sign of a wedding to have two lamps burning in one room. 999. If two lamps are burning on the same table, it is a sign of death, "Three lights burning, no ship at sea. " Iooo. It is a sign ot Ialling out if a man gives a mirror or a pointed article to a woman. IooI. If you look into a mirror at night with a dim light, you will see a face. Ioo2. If a looking glass falls and breaks, it means long bad luck. If you break it yourself, you will have seven years of trouble. If it falls and does not break, you escape threatened calamity. Ioo2 A. Breaking a looking glass means seven years trouble; nothing can reverse the luck. oo003. If you look' into a looking glass over another person's shoulder, you will quarrel. I004. If two look in a glass together, the younger dies first. I00oo5. The falling of a picture is a sign of death in a family. If the picture is a portrait of a living person, that person will be the one to die. Ioo6. If a picture falls from the wall, it is a sign of misfortune; if the portrait of a living person, death or great trouble to the original will follow; if of one dead, he is warning you of calamity. I007. At the first meal after moving into a house, be sure to have an even number at the table. Ioo8. If thirteen are at table, the last one to rise will live longest. Ioo9. If thirteen sit down at table, the last one to sit down will die before the year is out. o1Io. If thirteen are at the table, one will die within the year. ioII. Thirteen at table, one will either die or marry before the year is out. Io12. A table cloth shaken out of doors after sunset will cause a death in the family before the end of the year. IOI3. Sit on a table, get married when you're able. 1014. If you ever sit on a table, you will die an old maid. IOI5. If you sit on a table, you will not be married for seven years. Tools. Ioi6. To carry an axe through the house, especially on one's shoulder, means a quarrel and great trouble, 1017. It is a sign of death for anyone to carry a hoe or any gardening implement into the house. ioI8. If you take a hoe or an axe into the house, you will bury the oldest member of your family. 48 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society IOI9. To pick up knife, axe or hatchet with the left hand, or to drop either blade-downwards, means an accident. Io2o. To carry your hammer in the same hand with the nails you intend to use, means a quarrel with your wife or your husband. Sewing. Io02. To lose your scissors means to lose a friend unless you find them before night. 1022. To break your scissors is to break off with a friend; and if you make up the quarrel, you will regret it. Io23. If you break three needles while making a dress, you will not live to wear it out. 1024. If you sew a garment while it is upon you, you will be disappointed. 1025. Think about your sweetheart when your cotton knots, and the knot will come out. 1026. If your thread knots or tangles, you will die before the garment as worn out, or you will wear the dress at a wedding. 1027. If cotton knots when a dress is being made it is a sign that the dress is to be worn at a wedding. 1028. If your thread knots in sewing it is a sign of a wedding. Io29. A needle lying in your path means a decision of some kind, " and be careful how you take it. " It is well to pick it up, first noting carefully how it lies. If the point is toward you, " Sharp luck; but if the eye, good luck. " If the needle is threaded, take it and use the thread as soon as you can. It is also said that if you use the thread, you bring the former owner's bad luck upon yourself. 9. NAMES. Io30. If you speak about anyone you will soon see him: another version is " talk of an angel and you'll hear the rustle of his wings." (Emmittsburg, Md.) 103I. If you mention a person's name without meaning to, it is a sign that person is thinking of you. 1032. Change the name and not the letter. You change for worse and not for better. (Said of a woman taking her husband's surname.) IO. NUMBERS. Io33. Odd numbers are considered by some to be lucky in spiritual matters, while even numbers are lucky in temporal matters. Folk-Lore from Maryland 49 1034. If you break two things, you will break a third. 1035. Two happenings of a similar character will be followed by a third. Two changes in a family will bring a third, and so on. II. RINGS, STONES, MONEY. 1036. Those engaged with an emerald ring will not be married. I037. Emeralds mean success in love. 1038. If you get a mirror moon stone, you will be engaged before the year is out. If you receive it in the morning, your luck will come in the morning; in the evening, you luck will come in the evening. Or, you will be married wichin three years; or receive some good position. I039. Pearls bring misfortune to the possessor, being the emblem of tears. 1040. To find a stone in the shape of a coffin is a sign of death. 104I. To see a cinder shaped like a coffin is a sign of death. I042. To find money is a sign of danger. 12. SHIP. I043. A. sea-captain declares that nothing so disturbs some captains as to find the hatch turned up-side down; for this they believe presages the capsizing of the ship. I3. NOISES. I044.A mysterious noise, as the cracking of a house, furniture, stove, glass, or china is a sign of death. Io45. "The death watch, " a series of sharp tick-tacking sounds as though on wood is often heard just before a death, in the wall, or on the bed where the invalid lies. Some people say it is made in rotten wood by a small wood tick called the " death watch, " They say it is made in wood cut for the house, and brings misfortune in its wake. I046. Some people say, if they hear a strange sound and don't know where it comes from, they will hear of a death soon. I047. To hear three loud knocks at the head of your bed, is the sign of your death. I048. If you hear three distinct taps at the head of your bed, some one is going to die soon in the house. I049. To hear three raps is a sure sign of death. People hear the raps, then open the door, or make an investigation; and not finding anyone or anything which may account for the noise, they decide that the knocks were made through some spiritual agency. 4 50 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Io5o. If you hear a sound like some one sawing wood in the cellar, it is a death token. I05I. Queer sounds, like a clock ticking where there is no clock mean death in that house. 1052. Strange hammering is always heard in an undertaker's shop before an order comes. I4. VARIOUS. I053. When a number of people are together, and a silence longer than usual occurs, it will be found, on looking at a clock, that it is twenty minutes to the hour. I054. In shaking hands, if four people cross hands, it is a sign of a wedding for one of them. I055. If four persons cross their hands at table, a wedding will follow. Io56. If hands are crossed at table while passing a dish, the person whose hand is on top will be married soon. I057. Never wash your hands in the same basin and at the same time with a friend; if you do, you will soon become enemies. I058. If you fail to recognize an acquaintance on the street, it is a sign of the person's marriage. I058 A. If some one meets you and does not recognize you, you will live long. I059. If you-watch a friend out of sight, he will never return; or, the next news you have of him will be of his funeral. I059 A. It is bad luck to watch a ship sail away. It will never return. Io60. Do not say good-bye twice to anyone. You will never meet again if you do. o06I. If you break arms when you pass anyone, it is the sign of a quarrel. 1062. If two persons do a personal office for a third, as brushing the hair, the younger will die first. Io63. If at a meal, an unmarried person is-placed between a man and wife, the individual so,seated will be married within the year. Io64. Of you step on a single person's foot, you will dance at his wedding. Io65. It is bad luck to make game of old or deformed people, because evil will fall upon your children. Io66. If, after the church bell has rung for service, it gives a toll or afterclap, it is a sign of death. Some say that death will come to a member of the congregation of the church where the bell tolled. o067. A Bible upon the floor brings sorrow upon the owner. Io68. If you never try to loosen and untie knots, you will not become rich. Do not cut the string. Folk-Lore from Maryland 5I o069. If you tie your hair with a white string, you will not marry. o070. If you feel very well and speak of it, you are sure to get sick afterwards. 107I. Never shave a sick man; if you do, he will surely die. I072. If you make your will you will soon die. 1073. Don't write a letter on two kinds of paper; it may not reach its destination, or the answer may bring bad news. o076. If you're lucky at cards, you'll be unlucky in love. o077. If agirl washes her hands under a pump, she will be a widow. I078. If you move in the increase of the moon, your wealth will increase. Io79. If you begin the week badly, you will have bad luck all the week. Io8o. If you wear green and red at the same time, you are in mourning for the devil. Io8I. To walk under a ladder means that you will miss your lessons. III. RURAL LIFE I. PLANTING. Io82. Whatever you plant in the sign of the Bowman becomes rooty or shoots roots. Io83. Plant in the sign of the Bowman to make things shoot up into seed. o084. If you plant anything in the sign of the Bull, it will be strong, also in the signs of the Ram and the Lion. I085. If you plant anything in the sign of the Crab, it will get full of roots. io86. If you plant anything in the sign of the Crab, it will grow backwards. I087. Plant in the sign of the Lion or the Ram to get strength. Io88. If you plant anything in the sign of the Scorpion, it will get roots. o089. If you plant anything in the sign of the " posy girl" (Virgo), it will go to blossom. o090. Anything planted in the sign or the Waterman becomes watery. o091. Everything must be planted in its right sign; some in the up and some in the down of the moon. Io92. Anything that grows below the earth must be planted on the wane of the moon, and what grows above the ground must be planted on the increase of the moon. I093. Seeds planted in the dark of the moon will not sprout readily. 52 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1o94. If you miss a row in planting seed, there will be a death in the family. 1095. If a farmer puts out manure or fertilizer when the little moon points up, it will stay; but if the little moon points down, it will leak out. I096. Do not give away garden seeds of a year's raising in the fall, but wait until spring, or bad luck will follow. 1097. When seeds are given you, it is bad luck to carry them home yourself. They must be sent home by another, or they will not come up. o098. If anyone gives you seeds or plants, do not thank them or the things will not grow. o199. If you steal a slip, it will die. IIOO. If you steal a cutting of a flower, it will grow. IIoI. Flower seed is best sown in the sign of the Virgin to make it blossom plentifully. 1102. Plant flowers in the same sign. II03. To sow grain during the increase of the moon will bring good crops.. II04. The farmer always plants five grains of corn. The reason for this is given in a planting rhyme. II05. " One for the cut-worm, One for the crow, One for the blackbird And three to grow." II07. If corn is planted when the little moon turns up, the ears will grow too near the top. The ear gets better nourishment near the ground. IIo8. If corn is planted on the wane of the moon, it will all go to roots. IIO9. Sow clover in the sign of the Crab to keep it from freezing. IIIo. Sow wheat on the increase of the moon. IIII. Wheat always ripens in the light of the moon, never in the dark. 1113. A growing child should plant a tree, for if an old person plants it, the tree will die sooner. III4. In a certain sign of your Zodiac pull off the twigs from the apple trees and you will have a good crop. 1115. Gather apples in the dark of the moon. ii16. If you pick apples in the dark of the moon, they will keep better than if they were picked in the light of the moon. 1117. Stones placed in the fork or split part of the root prevent the tendency of apples to drop from the tree too soon. One sometimes finds stones put in the forks of the branches. IIi8. The farmer will not trim his fruit trees by a waning moon, or by the hands of an old man, for obvious reasons. 119. If you trim apple trees in the dark of the moon they will turn black and get rotten. II20. Never plant a cedar tree, as it is a sign that there will be death in the family, or among one's relations. Folk-Lore from Maryland 53 This is probably because of the fact that cedar trees are often planted in graveyards. 1121. If you plant a peach tree on the third day of the new moon, you will get peaches from it in the third year. 1122. Vegetables that run along the ground, like canteloupes, cucumbers and watermelons are planted in the " down" sign. The Hagerstown Almanac has this illustration to show the influences of the Zodiac upon the human body, which explains the four following sayings: II24. Round vegetables, like cabbage, potatoes, beets, should be planted in the sign of the head. (Allegheny, Md.) II25. All roots, like parsnips, carrots, radishes, turnips, should be planted in the sign of the legs. (Allegheny County, Md.) II26. Flowering vegetables, like peas and beans, are to be planted in the up signs; never in the sign of the flower, which would result in all flowers, no fruit-. II27. Peas, beans and any vines are planted on the increase of the moon that they may wind up on their poles. If you plant them on the wane of the moon, they will creep on the ground. 1128. Lima beans will not climb if planted in the down sign. II29. Plant bunch-beans and radishes in the sign of the Fish to make them tender and crisp. 1130. If you plant peas and beans in the sign of the Twins, you will get two blossoms for one. 1131. If a frosty night comes, stretch a yarn string over your beans; the frost will collect on the string and not touch the beans. 1132. Plant beets in the sign of the Virgin to make them red, or in the sign of the Bull. They will become a dark red if planted in the sign of the Lion. II33. Plant beets in the sign of the Bull or the Lion to make them a very dark red; some say in the sign of the Virgin. II34. If you want red beets, plant them between eleven and twelve o'clock. II35. If you plant a beet or a parsnip in the sign of the Goat, it will grow smooth and straight. 1136. If you plant a beet or a parsnip in the sign of the Goat, it will get roots. II37. Sow cabbage seed on March I7th before dawn, in your night clothes, if you wish it to grow. 1138. Plant cucumbers in the sign of the Crab to make them spread. II39. Plant cucumbers in the sign of the Twins. II40. Plant cucumbers on the longest day to make then long. 1142. Plant cucumbers in the middle of the summer to make them grow long. II43. Plant cucumbers after the sun goes down. 54 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society II44. If you plant cucumbers with your mouth open, the bugs will not bother them. II45. If you plant a stalk of parsley and it dies, there will be a death in the family. I146. If you sow parsley seed there will be a death in the family within the year. 1I47. Never sow parsley; it must be blown from a Bible if you do, or it may be blown from a gate post. I148. When you plant parsley seed, think ot the three crossest women you know. II49. In moving from one house to another, do not take up parsley plants fiom your garden; if you want them, get them elsewhere. II50. Plant peanuts in che dark of the moon or the vines will grow too fast and there will be few nuts. (Negro). nI5I. Plant onions in the sign of the Lion to make them strong. II52. If onions are planted on the increase of the moon, they will go to seed. I153. Onions, beets, radishes and potatoes should be planted on the wane of the moon. I154. Never plant potatoes in the light of the moon, or they will be all vines. Plant them in the dark of the moon so that they will not see how to run up (to vine), and while struggling to get out of the ground, roots will form that will give a fine crop. I155. Potatoes should be planted in the new moon. II56. Potatoes should be planted in the full moon. II57. To make potatoes grow large and fine, plant fish or crabs at the beginning of each row. II58. Never plant potatoes in the sign of the Crab or they'll be scaly; nor in the sign of the Water-bearer or they'll be watery. I159. Plant potatoes in the sign of the Lion. ii6o. Plant potatoes in the sign of the Lion to make them strong. ii6o A. In some sections potatoes are planted when the horns stand downward lest all of the strength grow into the vines; in other sections they are planted in the opposite sign lest they grow so far down as to be unproductive. It is said that a potato when planted should look with longing eyes after the planter as he leaves the field. (Negro.) ii6i. Plant potatoes in the sign of the Scales to make them large, or more correctly, heavy, which means there are so many on the plants as to weigh them down. It is best to plant potatoes in the full moon and in the sign of the Scales. Then they will be large and plentiful too. (Emmittsburg, Penna.) ii62. If you plant tansy seed, there will be death in the family. ii63. If a woman steps over a watermelon vine, it will stop its growth. 164. The best time to pick a strange watermelon is in the dark of the moon. Folk-Lore from Maryland 55 2. ROOFING, FLOORING AND FENCING. II65. Lay your floor in the " down" sign. II66. Put on your roof in the " down sign" or the shingles will turn up every time." II67. Shingles should be laid when the horns of the moon point downward, otherwise they will draw up so strongly as to pull the nails out and cause the shingles to turn up and rot. II68. When the horns of the moon stand upward is the time to plant beans and fence posts, lest they draw out of the ground and fall over. II69. Before building a worm fence, the farmer watches the moon; it must be right or the fence will sink into the ground. The bottom rail must be put down when the little moon is turned up, so that it will not sink into the ground. To prove that this is the right sort of doctrine, let a person make an experiment with two bricks; the one laid when the moon was down will go into the ground, the other will remain as it was placed when the little moon was up. 3. ANIMALS. II7I. If you wish to remove a cat from its old home, butter its paws in the new home, and it will be contented to stay there. 1172. If a cat is put on a table, it becomes a sneak. II73. To keep a dog or a cat from straying, nail some hairs from the tail to the door sill. II74. If a dog will not stay at home, saw a small piece off the tail and give it to him to eat. This will keep him home. II75. If when you get a new dog, he will not stay with you, cut the hair off the tail, and bury it under the front-steps, and then he will never stray. No one can entice him away. II76. Some folks say to measure a dog with a stick, and bury it under the steps, to keep the dog at home. II77. If you want your dog to love you better than he does anyone else, wear a bit of meat in the heel of your shoe for a day, and then give it to him to eat. II78. You can stop a dog's howling at night by placing your shoes upside down on the floor with the toes pointing toward a graveyard; and you must stand on them a few minutes. Pull off the left shoe and turn it over an he won't howl three times afterwards. If in bed at the time, turn the shoe upside down at the bedside. II79. A dog may be stopped from howling by turning a shoe upside down. II80. If you want to take a calf from a cow to sell, always back the 56 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society calf out of the stable; otherwise the cow will fret over its loss for a long time. II8I. Slit a cow's tail and pack the wound with pepper and salt, to drive out the " wolf. " II82. If you milk a cow so that milk falls on the ground, the cow will go dry. 1183. When you move, take a stone from your old house, and put it under the cow stalls, so that your cows do not get homesick. II84. A guide for horse buying: "One white foot, buy him; Two white feet, try him; Four white feet and a white nose, Cut off his head and throw him to the crows." II85. Cut off the tails of delicate pigs to make them thrive. II86. If you move bees, they will not prosper. 187. Give your bees clover. Strange clover brings bad luck. II88. If, when bees swarm, you take an old pan and beat on it, or ring a big bell they will stop without going farther. Il90. If the owner of a beehive dies, the bees must be told about it before sun-up the next morning or they will weaken and die. II19. After the death of the owner of bees, the bees must be shaken awake. II92. When the master of the house dies the bees must be told. If they are not informed, they will go away and bad luck will follow. II93. It is bad luck to sell bees; if you part with them, they must be bartered away to prevent misfortune. II94. Bees will not thrive if you quarrel about them. 1195. If you carry eggs out in a hat, you will get speckled chickens. 1196. Set a hen in the middle of the day to have speckled- chickens. II97. Always set a hen on an odd number of eggs. II98. A thunder storm ain't good for eggs that are under a hen hatching. The chickens are apt to be crazy. 1199. Never set the eggs of a crowing hen under another hen. i2oo. If you set your hen on big eggs, they will all be roosters. I2OI. If you set your hen in the morning, the result will be all roosters; if you set your hen in the afternoon, the result will be hens. 1202. If you want cocks, put the eggs under the hen at ebb tide. If you want pullets, place the eggs at high tide. (Negro.) 1203. If you place the eggs under the hen with all the points to the center, they will all hatch gobblers. 1204. Put a horse shoe under each hen's nest to make the eggs hatch and to prevent the lightning from striking. I205. Put a horse shoe under eggs and they will hatch. Izo6. A horse shoe on the hearth will prevent the hawk from getting the chickens. Folk-Lore from Maryland 57 i206 A. To keep a hen from straying, draw a ring with a piece of chalk and put the hen in the center. Press her head down till her beak touches the mark of the ring in some place and let her stand up. She can not get out. (Negro.) 1207. Never count your broods of young chickens or poultry, or they will decrease at each counting. 2zo8. A thunder storms kills young chickens in the egg. Do not count your eggs before they are hatched. 4. EXTERMINATION OF ANIMALS. I209. To get rid of rats and mice, write a nice letter and stuff their hole with it. I2io. If you catch a rat and scorch him, all the other rats will run away. I211. If you want to get rid of rats in your house, catch one and tar and feather it and let go, and no more will come. 12I2. If you burn old shoes, you will not have snakes. 1213. If you have fish geraniums, you will not have snakes. 1214. If you have little red ants and catch one or two black ants and put them with the others, the red ones will disappear. 1215. To drive away red ants, make a chalk mark over which they must cross. Red ants will not cross a chalk mark. I2x6. To be rid of roaches, tie up a roach and a copper cent in a neat package and drop it on the road. Whoever finds and opens it will get all your roaches; they will leave at once. I2I7. Some people write letters to the roaches and they go away. I2I8. Sometimes three roaches are put in an envelope with a penny and laid on the road side; whoever picks them up, buys the roaches. 5. KITCHEN-LORE. 12I9. Cooks will not give away yeast or any of the things they use in the kitchen. They will lend them, but giving them would be giving away their luck. In Pennsylvania, a penny is often given in return for a loan of this kind. I2I9 A. A new cook who was directed to make the sponge for the bread and to be careful to take all the eyes out of the potatoes, said, " De eyes out ub de taters, Miss; w'y, yo' tekes all de good away frum dem, hit takes all de rizen outen dem." 1220. Stir cake anddo all such things sun-wise and never reverse in making anything, or you will undo your work. 122I. Crabbers and fishermen of Maryland assert that hard crabs have more meat in their shells during the increase rather than during the decrease of the moon. 58 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1222. Some old-fashioned housekeepers were careful to buy crabs in the market only in the increase of the moon. 1223. The moon affects the price of meat as it affects the tides. (Emmittsburg.) 1224. If animals are killed on the decrease of the moon, the meat when oooked will shrink. 1225. Black hogs give the sweetest meat. 1226. Hogs killed when the little moon is on the decrease the meat will shrink; but killed when the moon is on the increase, it will swell. 1228. Don't kill a hog on the wane of the moon, or the meat will spoil. I229. Never plant in the dark of the moon. Do not kill in the dark of the moon, the meat will spoil. 1230. Never kill a hog at any time but in the full moon. 1232. Butcher your hogs when the moon is on the increase, or the meat will shrink. A large ham will come out of the pot half its original size. 1233. A lady living in Frostburg, Md. says her mother always threw away any peeled onions she had in the house, especially if strangers had been seen hanging about the premises; for she knew of the power of the onion to absorb poisons. I234. When cutting onions, hold a pin in your mouth and they will not cause tears in your eyes. 1235. In making soap a man must stir it, and not a woman. Some say no stranger must touch it. (Maryland Mountains.) 1236. When making soap, if a woman comes into the room before a man it is bad luck. (Cumberland, Md.) 1237. If you make soap in the sign of the Crab, it will go back. 1238. Make soap in the sign of the Lion to make it strong. I239. While making soup, never allow your breath to blow on it or it will not " make ". 1240. Make sourkrout when the sign of the moon is " up" so that the pickle may rise. I24I. Make sourkrout on the increase of the moon, or the brine will not rise on it. I242. When the man of the house dies, shake your vinegar barrel to keep the mother from spoiling. 1243. When the man of the house dies, the mother in the vinegar spoils. I244. " Sometimes, if a woman passes near the vinegar cask, the vinegar will spoil. " (Maryland Mountains.) 1245. Draw off vinegar in the sign of the Lion to make it strong. 1246. Drain off your vinegar in the first quarter of the moon. 6. FISHING. I247. Do not go fishing in the sign of the Crab, for the fish won't bite then. Folk-Lore from Maryland 59 1248. If you would catch oysters, sing; if fish, be still. This is an article of faith to the Chesapeake oysterman, who is said always to sing at his work. I249. Set your hooks for eels fn the dark of the moon, as eels run in the light of the moon. I250. Spit on your bait for luck. 125I. An old colored man said putting the bait in his mouth gave him luck in fishing. I252. Do not go fishing in the sign of the Crab as then the fish will not bite. 1253. The fish begin to bite when the dog-wood is in blossom. I254. " Don't cut a twig to string your fish on until you ketch your first fish. If you do, you won't ketch any. " I255. Do not count fish until you get home; or your eggs before they are hatched. Count no game before it is brought home. 1256. Fishermen, in order to stir up a breeze during a dead calm will try to count up fourteen white horses they can remember, and if they succeed in remembering that many, they stick something sharp, like a knife blade, into the mast, and tish is expected to bring a breeze. Counting certain numbers of white horses is a Maryland charm for obtaining a wish. The fishermen have adopted it for wishing for a wind. IV. BELIEFS I257. The Harvest Moon rises for three nights just at the same time. I258. Lightning never strikes in the same place twice. I259. The streaks of light seen through clouds are pipes drawing water to the sun. 1259 A. If the sun shines while it is raining, the devil is beating his wife. If at chis time you stick a pin into the earth, and hold you ear down to the ground, you will hear him beating her. I260. No ear of corn ever had odd rows on it. 1261. If the " Jimsy Weed " is dipped in honey, and used at the proper times and seasons, it will unlock any door. 1262. A cat has nine lives. 1263. Do not sleep with a cat, because it will suck your breath away. I264. If you pass a kitten or a puppy through the handle of a flat iron, it will not grow any larger. 1265. Kittens and puppies first open their eyes when they are nine days old. 1266. Cows bawl at twelve o'clock at night. I267. Mad dogs are supposed to be more frequent in dog-days than at other times. 60 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1268. Mad dogs will not cross water, wfll not drink water, and cannot jump fences. I269. Horse hairs placed in water " turn into snakes". I270. Beware of a horse with a Roman nose. 1271. If you put a horse hair in running water or pump water, a brood of snakes will appear. The hair must be fastened firmly so that it may not be carried away. 1272. Place a horse hair in a bottle of whiskey and it will soon turn to a snake and " wriggle ". I273. Horses can see death in the distance. I273 A. Pigs see the wind. I274. Goats bleat frequently when thunder storms are gathering on the horizon, and the little boys who have them harnessed to wagons find it utterly impossible to drive them away from the immediate vicinity of the home. This is explained by the fact that they can see thunder because their eyes are " set sideways" in their heads. I275. A rat's bite is poisonous. I276. Music will charm mice. 1277. The saliva of a rat is poisonous. I278. Mice are young rats. 1279. It is generally believed that the whale is a fish. 1280. The first thunderstorm of spring awakens all the snakes. 1281. If you throw a snake in the fire, it will come out with thirty feet; fifteen on each side. 1282. If you put a snake in the fire, four feet will appear. 1283. It is believed that snakes have feet like a worm, little feet to every ring. 1283 A. If you once kill a snake, you cannot charm others. 1284. Music will charm snakes. I285. A snake's tail never dies till sunset. I286. Snakes charm birds, animals and people sometimes. 1287. A snake will drink all the cream off milk without touching the milk. A woman who had missed her cream found one day near the crocks a perfectly cream-colored snake. I288. A black snake can stand on its tail. 1289. The first thunderstorm of the new year wakes up the black snake, whfch is the first sign of spring. I290. If you cut off the head of a black snake and throw the snake in the fire, four feet will come out. 1291. Black snakes come out of colored people's graves. They are the hair of the dead; and for every hair of a colored person a snake appears. I292. Hoop snakes kfll anything they strike. 1293. Milk snakes suck cows, their skins turning partly milk color. I294. Every rattle on a snake denotes one year. I295. A rattlesnake rattles three times before it bites. Folk-Lore from Maryland 6I I296. A boa constrictor eats only twice a year. I296 A. You'll get warts if you touch a toad. I297. Before the bees swarm a few bees go first, select a place, and clear it up before the queen comes. I298. Bees will not harm people who have good dispositions. I299. Perspiration is disagreable to bees. If they smell it, they will sting. I300. Bees like some colors and others they dislike. I30I. If you have never killed a honey-bee, bees will not sting you. I302. Bees never sting idiots, they are too discerning and generous. I303. If a young bee is too weak to fly when the bees swarm, they will return where he is. I304. If a fly is drowning, put it in salt and it will revive. I305. Flies bite more sharply before rain. 1306. If a katydid sings on a tree, and you touch the tree, the katydid will stop singing. I307. Every roach that crawls makes a letter. I307 A. The seven-year locust is supposed to call out " Pharoah ". I308. Crabs make their appearance when the locust trees bloom. I309. Put salt on a snail and it will melt away. I3I0. To salt snails, kills them. 1311. To catch a bird, sprinkle salt on its tail. 1312. To catch a bird, put fresh salt on its tail. I313. Saturday flit, Short to sit. Friday flit, short sit, Saturday flit, shorter yet. I315. A crow will talk if you split its tongue. 1316. Wild geese fly after a storm. I3I7. To stop the cry of an owl, throw salt on the fire. 1318. After an owl hoots, he says: " Chicken meat too good for nigger! Chicken meat too good for nigger." I319. A peacock will desert a small house for a larger one. I320. The swan with thirteen little ones must send the last out into the world. 1321. If a chicken is drowning, and is taken out of the water and put in salt, it will revive. 1322. The spurs of a rooster are said to be poisonous. 1323. You never see a bald-headed fool. I324. Crazy people are always worse for three days at full moon. I325. The saliva of an angry man is thought to be poisonous. 1326. The saliva of men and animals who are angry is poisonous. 62 Memoirs o/ the American Folk-Lore Society 1327. Spitting on the hands helps one in any kind of mechanical work. I328. When a person talks while asleep, put his hand in cold water, and you will hear all his secrets. I329. Finger nails are supposed to be poisonous. I330. Harp strings shorten before rain. I332. If you travel at night, follow along the stream; it is safer than the roads. (Negro.) V. COUNTERACTANTS I. SALIVA. I333. Bad luck is counteracted by spitting according to directions given to suit each case. I334. If the hem of a school girl's dress turns up as she goes down stairs, she must spit on it or she will miss her lessons that day. 1335. If you put a piece of clothing on wrong side out, it will bring you luck, if done unintentionally and you will wear it so. If obliged to change it, you must always spit on it. I336. Spit in your hat if you see a cross-eyed person. I337. If you meet a cross-eyed person or one with a cast in the eye, be sure to spit and turn round three times, or something very unlucky will happen. 1338. A school-mate always used to spit if she passed a bad-smelling place to avoid any possible contamination. I339. If you have had luck in playing cards, get up and spit into your chair for good luck. 1340. To change your luck at cards, spit into your hat. I34I. If two persons use the same towel, bad luck follows unless they spit on it. I342. If you start on an errand and come back before it is accomplished, you must sit down in order to start over again, then you must stop and count ten before retracing your steps, or else you must spit in a crossmark made in the road. I343. To avert bad luck, take up a stone, spit on it and throw it over the left shoulder. I344. It is bad luck to walk under a ladder. You must spit three times on or through the ladder. I345. Do not pass under a ladder unless you spit between the rungs. 2. SALT. I346. If you spill salt at table, it is a sign that you will quarrel with the person sitting next to you; but this can be averted by throwing a pinch of the salt over your left shoulder. Folk-Lore from Maryland 63 I347. If you spill salt, throw some over your left shoulder to chase away the wicked imps. 1348. If you spill salt, burn it or you will get a beating. I349. When salt is spilled, throw a little of it on the fire to prevent bad luck. I350. Salt spilled between friends is a dreadful omen. Take all that you can gather and burn it up at once. I35I. If you spill salt and do not burn some of it, you will be whipped before the day is out. 1352. If you spill salt, throw it into the fire, or you will quarrel with someone before the day is over. I353. If you have an enemy, throw salt into the fire for peace. I354. Negro cooks throw salt on the new made fire in the morning that there may be no quarrels in the kitchen during the day. 1355. To throw salt after a person prevents him from quarreling with you. 1356. If visitors come to your house against your will, throw salt behind them and they will not stay, or throw salt after them when they are leaving, and they will not return. I357. If anyone follows you, throw some salt at him, and he will never come back. I359. If anyone lends you salt, don't return it, as it is bad luck to the lender. I360. If you borrow salt, you must not return it, or you will make an enemy. I36I. An unexplained smell of sulphur needs no explanation. "Put salt on your head at once, or he's got you, sure. " (Negro.) 3. INCANTATIONS. I362. To sleep well at night, after putting out your light, get out of bed, and walk round it three times the reverse way, saying the old rhyme, " Matthew, Mark, Luke and John bless the bed that I sleep on." Then get into bed, and don't open your eyes again whatever happens. I363. After any boast or rash speech, knock three times on wood and say, "bread and butter. " I364. If you are walking along the street with a friend, and she walks on one side of a pole and you on the other, it will be bad luck if you do not say "bread and butter." I365. It is bad luck to be separated from a companion by a person walking between you, if you do not say " bread and butter, " or " milk and cheese." 1366. If a church has two entrances, do not go to your pew through 64 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society the one by which the corpse is brought in. If there is but one, say a verse, preferably a Psalm, against death, as Psalm I3:3, " Consider and hear me, 0 Lord, my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death." I367. To avoid seeing ghosts in a haunted house, say your prayers three times, and keep three candles burning, or three other lights. 1368. After a bad dream, cross your feet in bed, and say your prayers, the oftener the better. The cross and the prayer are counteractants. 1368 A. Do not walk over white flag-stones if you can help it; if there is no other way to go, you must say your prayers twice over that night. (Negro.) I369. Say to your sneezing friend, " God bless you, " before he has sneezed the third time. I370. If you are playing a game of ball, like croquet, and do not wish your ball hit, you may say, " See the devil as round as a full, moon, " and draw a circle around your ball, Then it is said that no other ball can hit that circumference. 4. REVERSING. 1371. If you dream and do not turn over, your dream will come true. I372. A dream of torn clothes usually means trouble; but if on wakening, the dreamer will get out of bed and lie down carefully on the other side, the trouble will fall on someone else. I373. If you go out by a window, and don't go back the same way you will have bad luck for seven years. I374. If you walk over somebody's foot, for seven years you will have bad luck; but this may be prevented by walking over it again in, the opposite direction. 1375. It is bad luck for a rabbit to cross your path. Be sure to turn back if one does so. To " cross the luck " in such a case, you must tu'n roun' an' walk back'ards till you's passed whar de rabbit done cross de road." (Negro.) I377. When a cat crosses your path, go back and start afresh. I378. It is bad luck to cross knives and forks, and bad luck can only be averted by their being uncrossed by the person who crossed them. 1379. If you meet a funeral, turn round and go part of the way with it, at least to the next corer. You will in any case attend one soon, but this will guard against its being your own. 1380. It is very bad luck to turn a chair round on one leg. The bad luck can only be averted by turning it back again. 1383. In playing cards, if you have bad luck, get up and walk round your chair three times. I384. Change your seat if you have continued bad luck at cards. Folk-Lore from Maryland 65 5. TURNING. 1385. If you have bad luck at cards, get up and turn round three times (the old meaning is sun-wise always) to change the luck. I387. Should you see a cross-eyed person, turn around three times to avoid bad luck. 1388. If a black cat crosses you path, it will bring bad luck unless you turn around three times, or make the sign of the cross in front of you with your toe or a stick. 1389. Never let a black cat cross your path; and if you are so unfortunate, you can change the luck by turning around three times. 6. ACTIONS WITH HAND OR FOOT. I390. Three knocks on wood is a charm against disappointment or ill luck. I39I. If you congratulate yourself upon any good luck, rap on wood or evil luck follows. 1392. Count the carriages in a funeral train, and you lose a friend, unless you cross your fingers. I393. It is bad luck to stub your toes unless you suck your thumbs. 1393 A. If you start on an errand and have to turn back, you should cross your legs to prevent bad luck. I394. If while combing your hair, you drop the comb, put your foot on it, or you will have bad luck. I395. If you drop a school book, you will miss your lesson, unless you put your foot on the book before you pick it up; or else get someone to pick it up for you. 7. COUNTING. I396. You will have bad luck unless you sit down and count seven if you return to get anything you forgot. I397. If you return for anything, count ten, or you will have bad luck. 8. DESTRUCTION OF OBJECT. I398. If a single corn stalk is allowed to grow in the garden, all the men in the family will die but one, unless it is cut down. I399. If a hen crows, she must be killed and eaten by her mistress, or her mistress will die before she does. In some parts of the South, the crowing hen has all the large feathers plucked from her neck and head and the pin feathers burned off. 5 66 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I400. To see a snake is a sign of an enemy; to kill the snake rids you of the enemy. I40I. The appearance of " the Devil's Carriage House, " or " Praying Aunty, " signifies death or misfortune; but the impending evil may be averted, if one possess sufficient presence of mind to kill the insect. I402. To avoid trouble, never lay an umbrella on the bed of a sick person, or a black garment or a pair of gloves. In the last case trouble may be prevented by instantly throwing the gloves into the fire. I403. If you are making a garment and the fire sends out sparks, draw back, for if a spark burns it, the one for whom it is meant will not live long; or, not live to wear it out. Throw it in the fire at once if a spark touches it. A negro way of preventing trouble is to give the garment to someone else, and I have never yet seen one of them unwilling to accept such a gift. 1403 A. If your baking fails, burn a loaf. 1404. To tear a night dress in putting it on, means the worst of luck. An unmarried woman must give it away without mending it; a married woman may use it for dust cloths, or cut it up into handerchiefs, for if she goes on wearing it, she will certainly be a widow. I405. It is bad luck to enter the house you are going to occupy by the back door. If you must do so, throw away the key with which you entered, and have a new one made. 1406-I407. When a hen lays a very small egg, it is bad luck to take it into the house; it should be thrown over the house for luck. 9. VARIOUS. 1408. If you have left the house without your walking stick, or umbrella, or any article you require, get a friend to hand it to you out of the window, or you will carry ill luck. The walking stick especially causes a quarrel, some say a fatal accident. I409-I4II. Peeling peaches, pears or apples alone, gives bad luck. If you wish your sweetmeats to turn out wvell, get a friend to help you. 1412. The wearing of a birth-stone counteracts the evil influence of a life. 1413. If you take a handful of earth from a fresh-made grave and sprinkle it on the floor of an enemy's house, he can do you no harm. 1416. If you sell your horse shoes you sell your present good luck, which may be redeemed by finding more horse shoes. 1422. If you go out and have to turn back again, you should make a round ring' and pour water in. I423. If you are out and meet a flat-footed person, go right home, eat a square meal and drink some water, or something dreadful will happen. It is believed that evil spirits enter through the soles of flatfooted people. Folk-Lore from Maryland 67 I424. Dream of being frightened, you will meet with trouble, but not if you remember to drink three sips of water when you get out of bed. 1426. If you wash in the same water with another, you must wipe on the same towel, or you will quarrel. 1427. Two people must not wipe their hands on the same towel, unless they have washed in the same water, when it is right to do so, as otherwise trouble will come. 1428. If you put on any clothing wrong side out, keep it that way until twelve o'clock, as it will bring you good luck. I429. If you tear your gown on starting on a journey, it is a bad omen, unless you pin the rent together instead of using a needle. You must use a pin from some part of your own dress, as the one lending you the pin (and so giving you a pointed implement) may cause trouble. I430. A two-dollar note is a bringer of ill luck if kept long enough. Pass it at once. I43I. A two-dollar note is thought to be unlucky. A prominent business man in Baltimore tears off a little corner of such notes to prevent the ill luck. I432. Some sailors say blue is the most lucky color to paint a boat; others, that blue is bad luck, unless you put on white, as in stripes which averts the evil. I433. If you break three pieces of china, you will have to break three other articles in that week before you regain good luck. 1434. After dreaming of a dead infant (still-born), you must be sure to stay indoors for three days. I435. When you accidently touch anything and set it to ringing, you must stop the sound before it dies out naturally. I436. If you go where cross dogs are and you put your thumbs under your fingers, the dogs will not bite you. I437. If you buy or trade for a horse, never ask its name. Give it a name yourself and avoid bad luck. (Emmittsburg, Md.) VI. CHARMS I438. It is good luck to carry a horse chestnut. I439. A bone of a frog is said to be lucky; if it has a crook in it, it is probably the breast bone. I440. A frog put into the cellar of a new house will bring it good luck. I44I. A frog put into a new house will bring good luck to it. I442. A horse shoe in a house is good luck. I443. Hang a horse shoe over a door that luck may come in that way. 1444. A broken horse shoe brings good luck. I445. Each horse shoe or piece of a horse shoe that you find will bring you better luck. 68 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I446. Hang a horse shoe with the ends up so as to keep the luck from running out. I447. Hang a horse shoe with the ends down, for when a horse lifts his foot, the ends point downward. I448. If you have horse shoes and pieces of them made into a chain, the luck is continuous. I449. Horse shoe magnets are good luck. 1450. It is good luck to wear a horse shoe nail in your hat. I451. If a bridegroom carries a miniature horse shoe in his pocket he will always have good luck. I452. A horse shoe nail worn as a charm brings good luck. I453. You give your luck away if you give your horse shoe away. I454. You must not disturb a horse shoe which you have placed anywhere for luck, as then you disturb your luck. I455. A rabbit's foot and a movey-bone bring good luck. 1455 A. The rabbit's foot is a charm that will bring luck in almost any direction. It is a favorite mascot in card playing. We have heard it said that an evening's losses at cards were due to the fact that the rabbit's foot had been forgotten. Always take it on a journey or when starting on any special undertaking. I456.Driving with friends, I saw a black cat run across the road just in front of us. " Oh! what bad luck for us! " " Dat's nuffin, " said the negro coachman, " I'se got my rabbit's foot in my pocket. " 1456 A. Some engine drivers rub the track with a rabbit's foot before they start a train. I457."A rabbit foot is considered a good luck charm, but it must be the left foot of a wild hare, shot with a silver bullet in a graveyard in the dark of the moon, on Friday, the thirteenth of the month, by a red haired, cross-eyed, bowlegged man riding a white horse. 1458. If you carry in your pocket-book the left hind leg of a rabbit, caught in a graveyard at twelve o'clock at night by a red-headed negro riding a white horse, you will never be without money. I459. Catch a rabbit at the full moon at midnight in a graveyard, and cut off his right front paw, wear it round your waist, and you will always have good luck. I460. The fluff of a rattlesnake carried on the person will bring general good luck. I46I. Put a red spider in your pocket, and you will always have money there. Some say the spider must crawl there himself. I462. Carry a fish bone for luck. 1463. If the ear of a drum fish is given to you, it will bring you great good luck. I464. To spit in your hands, increases your luck. I465. Spitting on money brings good luck. Folk-Lore from Maryland 69 1465 A. If you rub the palm on wood, It will make it come good, Rub it on a brick, It makes it come quick. 1466. See a dog and hook fingers for good luck. 1467. When you move, do not take the old broom, but leave it for luck. I468. When you move into a new house, the first things you should take in are some salt, a new broom, and an old Bible, and take them to the top of the house for good luck. 1468 A. It is good luck to carry salt before you in moving into a new house. I469. In moving into a new house, go carrying a Bible and sprinkling salt, or you will not prosper. I469 A. When you move, you must take a Bible and a loaf of bread in first for luck. I470. Put salt on the doorsill and it will bring good luck to the first person that passes over it. I47I. It is good luck to carry salt in your pocket. 1472. It is good luck to put salt in your shoes every day. 1472 A. If you wish to see your sweetheart, you must eat salt at supper. In your dreams he will come and offer you water to drink. If you would see him in the flesh, you must tell three lies about him. 1472 B. Swallow a thimbleful of salt, and don't speak until the next morning; in the night your intended will bring you a glass of water. 1472 C. To dream of your sweetheart, go to bed thirsty, and she will bring you water; or hungry, and she will bring you meat. I473. If you see small bubbles rise on your coffee cup, drink those bubbles before they disappear, and you will get some money. I474. A man in Maryland always takes the bubbles off his coffee, wraps them up, and puts them in his pocket to bring him money. I475. To take a ginger cake to school with you on examination day brings luck. I476. Burn onion parings and you will always have money. If you throw them away, you will die poor. I477. Burning dirt or sweepings brings luck. 1478. To turn round a chair on which you are sitting, will bring you good luck. I479. Always sell something to the first customer. 1480. Good luck to break a bottle of wine on a vessel when at sea. I48I. If you find a white stone and throw it over a fence, you will have good luck. 1482. In going to a far country, always take with you a stone from your own house. I483. If you sleep with a school book under your pillow, you will know your lesson the next day. 70 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1483 A. Sometimes negroes would carry into a house they wished to rob, the finger of a dead person, believing the immates could not awaken while they had this magical object about them. I484. Throw an old shoe after a person for good luck in his business. I484 A. A silver dollar tied around a baby's neck with red thread will keep anyone from harming it. VII. WISHING I485. It, when you first see a star, you make a wish it will come true. I486. When you see the first star in the evening, make a wish and say. Star bright, star bright, First star I've seen tonight, I wish you may, I wish you might, Give me the wish, I wish tonight. I487. When you see the first star of the evening, look over your right shoulder, make a wish, and throw a kiss at the star. Your wish will come true if someone calls your name before you speak. I488. If you count seven stars for seven nights and make a wish it will come true. I489. If you count ten stars for ten successive nights and make a wish, it will come true. I490. Wish while a star is falling, it will come true if you believe that it will. Try not to look at it again or your luck will go by contraries. I49I. It was a common thing for Baltimore school girls to make wishes when they first saw the new moon, and they looked forward with some expectations to realizing their fulfilment. I492. It is lucky to see the new moon over the right shoulder and without any obstruction to the view. A wish made under such circumstances will come true. I493. If you see a load of hay, wish on it and then follow it, and when the driver is not looking, spit into it and walk away, taking care not to look back at it, and your wish will come true. I494. Wish when you see a load of empty barrels, and your wish will come true. 1495. Make a wish when you see a load of hay. I496. See a hay wagon and make a wish, but the wish will not come true if you look at the wagon after you have wished. I497. It is good luck to meet a load of hay; follow it a square and make a wish. It will come true. 1498. It is good luck to make a wish when eating the first fruit of the season. I499. Count ninety-seven white horses and make a wish, and it will come true. Folk-Lore from Maryland 7I 1500. If you count twenty-seven white horses and make a wish, it will come true. I50I. Wish while bees are swarming. 1502. Wish when you see the first butterfly of spring, and it will come true. I503. If you look at a baby before you look at the mother, and make a wish, it will come true. I504. The first time you look at a baby, make a wish. I505. If you find an eyelash, make a wish and throw it away. It will come true. I5o6. If two people say the same thing at the same time, let them join their little lingers and make a wish, taking care not to tell their wishes to each other, nor to part fingers until someone speaks. If by luck you wish the same thing, it will be sure to come true, and may do so anyway. I507. A wish made on entering a room for the first time will come true. I508. If you enter a house for the first time, make a wish, and it will bring you in a cent. (Negro-child.) 1509. If you want to know whether or not a wish will come true, open the Bible at random three time; if the words " Come to pass," are found each time on the open pages, the wish will come true. 1510. Say a prayer and make a wish when you enter any church for the first time. 15II. If you make a wish in a strange place, you will get what you wished. I512. Wish while crossing a stile and do not look back until it is out of sight, and the wish will come true. I513. Take an iron ring and twist it three times on your finger and say the name of the friend you wish to see each time, and you will see him within three days, if he is true. I514. If you want to know if you will get something you wish for, name one side of a penny, toss up the penny; if the named side comes upward, you will have your wish. VIII. CARE OF BODY I5I6. Eat a chicken gizzard to be pretty. (It may be cooked.) ISI7. If you eat a cooked chicken's heart, it will make you pretty. 1518. Swallow a whole goose gizzard and it will make you pretty. I5I9. If you can get into a drum fish, you will be ground over and made young and beautiful. I520. In the decrease of the moon is the time to pare corns; or to do anything the decrease or extermination of which is desired, such as weeding, extermination of vermin and the like. 72 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 152I. For Freckles: If you have freckles, rub them with a penny and then throw it away, and whoever picks up the penny will get your freckles. 1522. To cure freckles, go to a cross-roads and, kneeling down, wash your face three times in the dust that lies exactly in the middle of the roads, and then go to a creek and wash your face. I523. The first snow will take away your freckles if you wash in it. 1524. Wash your face in a baby's wet diaper to remove freckles. 1525. You will grow forgetful if you comb and plait your hair late at night. (Negro.) 1526. To comb your hair at night makes you forgetful. 1527. To make your hair grow put some of it down the sink. 1528. Always burn the combings of your hair. I529. If you pull out a white hair, others will come in its place. I530. If you put grape vine sap on your head, it will make your hair grow. I53I. In the increase of the moon is the time to pull hair if you desire it to grow again. I532. Never cut your hair on the wane of the moon. 1533. Cutting the hair on the increase of the moon makes it grow. I534. A French hair-dresser in Baltimore carefully observes the custom of cutting the hair only at the time of the new moon. I535. If you cut the ends of your hair in the full of the moon, your hair will grow thick. I536. It is good luck to cut you hair by the light of the moon. I537. Cut hair in the down of the moon. 1538. Cut the hair on the third day after the full moon in three sucessive months. If cut at any other time, it will not grow. I539. If you cut your nails on the wane of the moon, you will have ingrowing nails. 1540. If you pick your teeth in company, they will decay. 1540 A. If you have a tooth extracted, place it down a rat hole in order that another may grow. I540 B. If you throw your tooth in a rat hole, you will have a rat's tooth. I540 C. Never throw your tooth away; a dog might get it and you would have a dog's tooth. I540 D. If a pig gets your tooth, you will have a pig's tooth. I540 E. If you throw your tooth in the fire, you will be subject to tooth-ache all your life. i. Cp. Folk-Lore, Volume 23, 345, Folk-Lore from Maryland 73 IX. DIVINATION I54I. Count nine stars for nine nights; the first man you see after that will be your husband, if you care for him. I542. To find out if you love butter, hold a buttercup under your chin; if the light casts a yellow reflection on your chin, you love butter. I543. To tell fortunes by daisies, pull off the leaves, and repeat this rhyme: One I love, two I love, three 1 love I say, Four 1 love with all my heart, And five I cast away. Six he loves, seven she loves, eight they both love. Nine he comes, ten he tarries, Eleven he courts, and twelve he marries. 1544. A shorter way to tell fortunes by daisies is, He loves me, he loves me not. I545. The daisy charm may be performed by naming the alphabet until the last petal is reached. This will give the first name of the girl's lover. I546. Name some leaves of boxwood and lay them on a hot hearth; the one that swells and whirls towards you will be your future husband or wife. If one turns in the opposite direction, he or she will shun you. I547. If you stick two pieces of house-leek in a wall naming them after a man and a girl, the couple will love if the plants grow towards each other; but if they grow in opposite directions, the couple will not love. I548. Before starting on a journey, throw a laurel leaf on the coals in the fire. If it should crackle, you will have good luck; but if it does not even crackle once, you will meet with some mishap. I549. If a forked witch-hazel twig is carried in the hand, it will point downward where water flows under the ground. I550. To find water when you want to dig a well, hold perpendicularly a forked peach limb of the year's growth; when it turns, it points in the direction of water. I551. To find water for your pump, hold a forked apple twig. I552. To find water for your well, hold an apple twig by the forked ends, with palms of the hand upwards, and it turns when you come to the right spot. I553. Cut your dowsing-rod from a one-year shoot. 1554. The dowsing-rod does not turn over running water. I555. Count sixty white horses and one white mule, then you will marry the first man with whom you shake hands. I556. If you count one hundred white horses, you will marry the next man you meet. 74 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1557. After counting a hundred white horses, the first man that shakes hands with you, you will marry. 1558. Certain old time negroes of the Eastern Shore of Maryland practised divination as it was performed in Scotland formerly, lying in the hide of a recently slain animal; in the highlands of Scotland this was known as the Taghairm ceremony. 1562. Boil an egg hard; open it and take out the yolk, filling the hollow with salt, and then eat it. Go to bed backwards without speaking, and in your dreams, your future husband will bring you a drink of water. I563. If you wish to know whom you will marry, eat a hard-boiled egg with the yolk taken out, and salt put in its place. Go to bed without drinking any water and without speaking to anyone, and your future husband will bring you water. The value of the cup in which he bears the draught decides whether you will be rich or poor. 1564. Go upstairs backwards, say your prayers and undress backwards and go to bed backwards with a piece of stale wedding cake under your head. You will dream of your marriage with your future husband. 1565. In dreaming on wedding cake, a girl should put under her pillow a piece of paper with names of male acquaintances on it. If she will do this for three nights, and if, in her dreams, the owner of the name on the paper appears more frequently than any other, he will be her -future husband. I566. Wrap up a piece of bride's cake and put it under your pillow with a list of men's names, and you will dream of the man you are going to marry. 1567. At bed-time, "Point your shoes toward the street, Tie your garters around your feet, Put your stockings under your head, And you'll dream of the one you're going to wed." I568. Put an egg on the fire and sit an hour. The wind will howl and the dogs will bark, and the man you are going to marry will come in and turn the egg around. If the egg bursts you will die, or possibly you will never marry. I569. Walk down stairs backwards, looking in a mirror, and counting each step as you go. When you come to the thirteenth step you will see your future lover. 1570. An infants's hand, as soon after birth as possible, should be placed on a map, and should it touch the lines of one state only, it will always remain poor, but if its hand covers several states, it will travel and be rich. I57I. When a child reaches its first year, the following experiment may be tried. Take a book, a dollar and a bottle and place them before the child. Whichever he chooses he will become most fond of. 1572. If you wish to employ a house maid, place a broom in her path. Folk-Lore from Maryland 75 If she picks it up, it is safe to employ her, but if she steps over it, do not employ her. I573. Pull a hair from someone's head; draw it sharply between two finger nails, and if it curls, the one from whose head it was taken has a bad temper. If it remains straight, he is sweet-tempered. I574. To read character and thoughts from locks of hair, place them in the palm of the left hand, hold them tightly a few seconds, then place them on the forehead just above the root of the nose. Then " the person must give up to the spirit-forces that will operate upon him. " I575. If you want to find something you have lost, spit on the palm of one hand, strike the spot a. smart blow with the forefinger of the other hand; the direction of the largest drop of saliva shows you where to look. I576. "Spit, spat! Wherever this flies, I'll find it. " These words are used when spitting on the hand to help find lost things. Blowing on the spittle will give the direction in which to search. I577. The most common survival of the magical power of the " name' is seen in the numerous projects still in use among us: the naming of apple seeds placed on the eyelids, the temples, the fire-grate, the result dependent upon their behavior; and when first sleeping in a room or a bed, the naming of the bed-posts, the corners of the room; or the placing slips of paper under the pillow, having names of men written on them. I578. The first time you sleep in a bed, name the four posts for men you like; the post or corner you see first the next morning bears the name of the man you will marry. I579. Take twenty pieces of paper and write a letter of the alphabet on each and put them under the head of your bed. The letters that are turned up in the norning will be the initials of your future husband's name. I58o. If you listen at a window, whatever man's name you hear mentioned will be the name of your future husband. (I do not know if this must be tried on Hallowe'en.) Emmittsburg, Md. I58I. In breaking a wish-bone with another person the one who gets the long end will live longer, and the one who gets the shorter end will be married first. I582. If you pull the wish-bone of a chicken and make a wish, the person getting the longer part of the bone gains the wish. If you put the short part over the door, the first man who walks under it will be the one you will marry. If you put the long part over the door, the first widower who walks under it, you will marry. I583. To tell fortunes by a cup with coffee grounds in it, turn the cup three times, then turn it upside down in the saucer three times. Ii any drops remain in the cup, it is for tears. Money is a grain with other grains around it, a letter is a dot, a cross is a 76 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society death; and little squares marked off are lots of ground that belong to you. Whatever you imagine you see in the cup is in the fortune. The nearer a shape is to the rim of the cup, the sooner it wil come to pass. 1584. Bubbles on your coffee mean money. If they collect and run to the side of the cup, you will have to pay out money; if they collect toward the middle, and you can pick them up in your spoon and swallow them, it will mean money coming to you. I585. It is lucky to hang a horse shoe over a door; the first young man who passes under it will be your husband. I586. Put a horse shoe against a door panel or a window pane; if the horse shoe falls to the ground and lies in the position that it has when on a horse's foot, you have a beau. 1587. lt it fails in the wrong position three times, you will never have a beau. 1588. To find out if your lover is true, hang the horse shoe on a nail over the door. Jar the wall, and it the horse shoe moves back to the wall, your lover is true and will return; if it moves away from the wall, he will wander away from home. I589. If you fasten a key securely in a Bible, and pass a cord through the hole in the handle of the key, so as to keep it in equilibrium, repeating a certain verse in the Bible and calling off the names of some men you know, when you call the name of your future husband, the Bible will suddenly turn on the key, but without moving it. I590. Crystal gazing is practiced in Baltimore, the object being to see what is happening elsewhere, or to find out where lost things are. I59I. Always cross the palm of a fortune teller's hand with silver. I592. A few years ago it was not uncommon in Baltimore for persons of intelligence and good social position to visit professional astrologers and fortune-tellers to recover lost or stolen valuables and to inquire about future happenings. I593. Count the teeth of a comb; this year, next year, now, or never, and you will find out when you will be married. I594. Walk nine ties of a railroad and the first man you kiss you will marry. I595. Make a rhyme before getting out of bed in the morning, and you will see your future husband or wife before night. I596. Burning salt will let you know other people's affairs. If they work against you, the fire will blaze up. I597. It is said that a loaf of bread thrown into water will locate the body of a drowned person. I598. Throw an apple on the roof of your house, and if it falls off you will be happy. Folk-Lore from Maryland 77 X. GHOSTS I599. Dogs with seven toes see ghosts. 600o. Dogs can see " spirits ", and foresee danger, such as a wreck, a fire, or treachery in a friend. I6oi. A horse can see ghosts. I602. People born at night never see ghosts. I603. A spirit hovers near its home for some time. I604. A spirit often returns to the former home because it wishes to say something that was left unsaid at the time of death. 16o5. Spit on the curbstone, look down an alley and you will see a ghost. i606. If you count nine stars and nine bricks, and then look into a dark room, you will see a ghost. I607. If you count seven stars, and then count seven alleys, in the seventh alley you will see a ghost. I6o8. If you look over the left shoulder of a person who sees ghosts, you will see one too. i6o8 A. A single sleeper sees ghosts. (Negro.) I609. If you ever do see a ghost and wish to continue to see it, do not take your eyes off it; if you do, it will vanish. I6Io. It is bad luck to stand between a lamp and a looking glass. Never stand before a mirror at night in an almost dark room. If you do, you will see the face of a ghost looking over your left shoulder. I6II. Some people say that if you keep a flower in memory of the dead, his ghost will visit you. 1612. Ghosts vanish at cock crow. I6I3. " You cannot hit a ghost except with a ailver bullet. Jim fired at a ghost that followed him, but it hit back into his own face. " (Negro.) I614. " Ano'er man I know was followed by a ball of fire. (Negro.) I6I5. A haunted house must have the steps turned or the door changed so that the ghost may not be able to find its way back. I6i6. A haunted house must have new steps, for a ghost cannot step over new wood. I6I7. In a haunted house, if the ghost looks in through the window, there will soon be a death in the family. I6I9. If the spirit of a dead person comes back, it is a sign of death. 1620. A woman whose funeral had just taken place was seen sitting in a rocking chair in front of her mirror when the family returned from the cemetery. (Emmittsburg.) I62I. When a man dies, his spirit comes back to his former home. I622. Currents of hot air and the little whirlwinds of dust in the road 78 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society have been looked upon as denoting the presence of ghosts or of witches having a dance. 1623. A whiff of warm air that passes over you intraveling is the breath of a ghost. 1624. Ghosts travel in a mantle of hot air. You sometimes feel a sudden warmth in the temperature while riding or driving in the country on a cool summer evening. (Cumberland.) 1625. There is a ghost that comes like a puff of wind. One woman said she was not afraid of it, so she went where it was to be found. It struck her on the face, and after that the left side of her face was paralyzed. I626. If you are walking alone at night and hear a stick crack, it means that two spirits have been having a " contradiction ". One has been calling you by name and saying that you were coming, while the other insisted that it was not you. Then one of them says that when you get up there, it will crack a stick and if it is you, you will be sure to look round. When you do come up, they make the stick crack, " and cose you looks roun ", es you would comin' through de woods of a dark night; n' den dy is satisfied an' eben git out o' yo' road. " (Negro.) 1627. If a ghost takes hold of you, it will burn your clothes. 1628. If son waking you find your hand looking red, it is a sign that you have haken hands with a ghost. I629. People who leave money, come back after death and haunt those who use it differently from the way in which then intended it to be used. I630. If you owe anyone money, and he dies, his ghost will come back and haunt you. I631. When anybody dies who has hidden money in a house, his spirit will come back to tell where it is. I632. A ghost is never seen without mittens. I633. A black cat is supposed to be associated with the devil. I634. The devil dances at cross-roads. I635. The devil plays a fiddle at cross-roads. I636. If before sunrise for five mornings, you take a fiddle and go into the country till you come to the end of one of the main roads or to a cross-roads, on the fifth morning you will meet a man also carrying a fiddle. He will teach you to play. He is the devil. 1637. The devil pieces together all the bits of cotton you waste in sewing, and makes a rope to hang you. Be careful where you throw them unless you burn them at once. I638. It is a wide-spread belief that the devil always rides a black horse. I639. On your twentieth birthday you will see a black cat or a black dog. In other words, the evil one will appear to you in one of his favorite forms. I64r. A somewhat mutilated survival of " Dr. Faustus" is to be Folk-Lore from Maryland 79 found among the negroes in Baltimore County. They tell of a " Dr. Foster " who sold his soul to Satan, and was carried off to hell. XII. WITCHES AND WITCHCRAFT I642. If a cat mews at the moon, she is a witch. I643. A black cat without any spot of color on it is a witch. I644. Cross-roads are meeting places for witches at mid-night. I645. A witch cannot cross running water. I645 A. Witches' bullets of pith or of hair are often found in the bodies of animals that have fallen victims to witches' spells. I646. Persons may object to having their pictures taken, for if these came into the possession of a witch, she could conjure the originals with them. 1647. Witches come either through the keyhole or down the chimney; they always go out through the chimney. I648. Witches change their form before they are able to pass through the keyhole. I649. A witch once slipped out of her skin, and some one threw salt over it. She could never get back into it. I650. A negro who wakes up in the morning very tired or exhausted, explains the fact by saying that he has been ridden by a witch. I65I. If a horse should, in the morning, be found with its tail or mane plaited or tangled, the witches have ridden it during the night. I652. A negro told me that he and his father had seen a witch sitting on the horse's back very early one morning; it looked like a little woman with wings. His father caught her in his hands, but she got away. He and a girl he knew" were the only ones that could untie witch knots. " I653. A frog was coming along the road at a tremendous pace, pursued probably by a snake. " Give it de road, give it de road, it mought be a witch, " cried the negro who was walking by my side at the time. I654. If you draw a'witch's likeness or " picture " and fire at it with a silver bullet, and you find out afterwards thatshe has been hurt, it is sure proof she is a witch. If you can't get her photograph, just draw her profile on the end of the barn and shoot at that. Your silver bullet is easily made by beating up a silver quarter or a ten-cent piece. I654 A. If a horse is so badly bewitched that it dies, cut a cross in a tree and drive a nail through the cross. Put the dead horse by the side of the tree and set fire to the carcass. Then with a rifle loaded with a silver bullet, take a position that puts the fire between you and the tree and shoot over the fire at the nail. When the nail is struck, the witch will lose her power wherever she may be. It is impossible to miss the nail if the bullet is silver. 80 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I655. A horse-shoe over a house door or a stable door will keep the witches out, because the witch must travel every road the horse-shoe has traveled, and by that time it will be daylight. Or, the witch must count every mile the horse-shoe has traveled; and witches can only count three. Negros will tell you they have heard them outside the house counting " One, two, three, oh pshaw! - One, two, three, oh pshaw! and so on. I656. To keep away witches, hang up a cow's tail. A witch must count the hairs in the tail before she can pass it. I657. A sieve is good to keep witches out of a barn, for they count the holes before they can get past it. 1657 A. A sieve witch is one who can go through the sieve before dawn. (Negro.) I658. If you strew sand on the door step, it will keep the witches from the house. 1659. A broom laid at the door cross-wise prevents a witch from entering; she must count the straws first and does not get through. I660. A witch cannot cross a broomstick unless she does it backward. I66I. A broom left by the side of the door may be taken by a witch for her riding horse. I662. To keep from being ridden by a witch, put a fork under your pillow. The witch will be impaled on the fork. I663. If you sprinkle salt behind a witch, she will leave the house. 1664. " If you are in the habit of being ridden by a witch, " sprinkle all the chairs in your room with salt, and you can " catch the witch," which means that when she tries to get back into her skin, the salt will make her " holler, " and you can hear her. I665. If you put salt petre in your shoes, you cannot be bewitched. I666. To keep witches out of a house, burn gunpowder in a pan. 1667. A new silk hat put in your doorway keeps out evil spirits. I668. To keep witches away, turn your pockets inside out. I669. In sewing a garment which you have on, cross your legs and put a straw in your mouth, or the witches will worry you. I670. If you make a certain mark with chalk at the cross-roads, you will keep a witch from crossing it. I67I. To break the charm of a witch, make a mark with chalk on the ground and sprinkle salt on it. I672. A twig of mountain ash carried about one will act as a charm against witches. I673. If you hold your hand before your mouth when you gape, you will keep out witches. I674. If the cow gives bloody milk she is bewitched. To cure her, take milk, throw it on straw, and burn the straw; then whip the fire with a thorn bush. 1674 A. If the cow's milk isn't good, throw the milk into the fire, or Folk-Lore from Maryland heat stones and drop them into the milk, or cut and slash the milk with knives. If this does not bring the witch to terms, she will at least be severely cut or bruised. XIII. CONJURING 1675. In the Maryland Mountains, the diviner, conjurer, or healer of the sick must impart the gift to one of the opposite sex. 1676. The " conjurer " of Maryland differs from the witch; he is more like the sorcerer in that he is a doctor, sometimes called the " conjur doctor. " For a consideration he will supply the means for laying a spell on some on you wish to injure, or for removing a spell. He does less harm to cattle than the witch does, but more to human beings. The witch and the conjurer are, however, often confounded. 1677. Doctor's medicine is unavailing in cases of spells or " conjuring. " It " works against the poison. " 1678. A common expression in regard to " conjur doctors " is " no better going. " I679. If questioned as to the means by which a " cure" has been effected by a pow-wow doctor, the cured person will simply say, " She said words. " I680. If a child is " Liver Grown " or "Heart Bound, " go to the hoodoo-man and " be tried for. " I68I. " You may be bewitched by having an animal of some kind take possession of you. When this happens you'll have spells of barking like a dog, or you'll imitate the voice and ways of whatever animal's in you. " I682. The "hoodoo doctor, " "conjurer, " or witch always asked for something belonging to the one to be " spelled, " to " conjur" with. A hoodoo doctor is not always needed to effect spells. I683. If an enemy can get some of your hair and put it into running water, you will be running forever. 1684. If you get a lock of a person's hair and plug it up in a maple or hickory tree with salt and pepper, as the hair rots the person will sicken and die. i685. The negro bewitches his enemy with a hard boiled cuckoo egg which he mixed with the food of the person he wishes to harm. I686. Another method is to sift the powdered shell of the cuckoo egg into the hair of the enemy. 1687. A childless negro woman declared her foe-woman had dosed her with " rain-crow aiggs. " This belief may have its origin in the refusal of the cuckoo to build a nest of its own, and its success in dispossessing other birds of the homes they have constructed. The cuckoo wantonly destroys all eggs it may find in a captured nest, thus producing barrenness in that bird family. 6 82 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I688. To bring back a person, blow the contents of an egg from its shell, and into the shell insert a lock of the man's hair, letting it protrude at each end. Then bury the shell in a path which the man frequents. I689. If a man's eyes are closed and hearts-ease put on them, he will fall in love with the first woman he sees. 1690. If you hook something into a man's clothes without knowing it, he will fall in love with you. 1691. Earth from a graveyard sprinkled on the boots of a faithless lover will recall him. 1692. If you take some earth from a grave and put it under the head of a person sleeping, he can't wake up while the earth is there. 1693. A witch or conjurer may hoodoo a house by laying hands on the door hinges. A negro woman in Baltimore told of the way her own house was thus hoodooed. I694. Nails are put into footprints of an enemy; sharp pieces of quartz or of glass are buried in them, or in marks made in the ground by his body. He feels the pain as if they had been pressed into his own body. 1695. Take a little bag of fresh clay and salt, and tie it on your door. This will not injure anyone but the person who has offended you. 1695 A. To make a hoodoo, take a Rumford bottle half-filled with small shot, and put it by the kitchen door. If the person sees the bottle and picks it up, the spell is broken. If the knocks it over, the spell works. (Negro.) 1696. Some years back no negro would pick up a bundle of any kind that stood in his path on his way to work in the morning. It was always supposed to have been put there to " conjure him ". Burying bottles with certain things in them is a favorite method of conjuring; the bottles being buried where the one to be conjured will step over them. This special method is called " plantin' bottles fur'em. " These bottles contain a great variety of articles, and must be prepared by a hoodoo witch or "conjur" doctor. But an essential ingredient is something belonging to the person to be conjured, a bit of hair or finger nail or even a bit of clothing. I697. Take snakes and scorpions and dry their heads and reduce them to powder; put this into whiskey. Drink it, and snakes and animals will appear in your veins and become very painful. They can be seen moving from place to place, often in arms and legs. The " conjur " doctor removes them by beating the arm or leg, then bandaging the limb so they cannot get away. Then he cuts them out. I698. A snake is killed and dried and beaten into powder, and the powder is sprinkled over food or drink. When this is swallowed, the snake comes to life. Sometimes doctors can get it out. Sometimes, if milk is put near the patient, the snake will come out. I699. If you put salt in your shoes, people cannot conjure you. I700. A solution of salt and ashes thrown over anyone that has been "conjured " will destroy the spell. Folk-Lore from Maryland 83 I701. It is believed that a piece of silver held in the mouth will absorb poison put in the food for purposes of conjuring, and that it will become discolored. I702. A colored man went to a pow-wow doctor to be cured, and she called him back once or twice, and then hung something on his neck. I703. When something has been laid or buried in order to " conjur you, if you can find the bottle or. whatever is buried, and put it into running water, it will turn the spell from you to the one who buried it. 1704. As an antidote for the evil eye, pass a handful of salt round the the head of the child that is bewitched and throw a little into each corner of the room and on the threshold. XIV. FOLK-MEDICINE I. PERSONS WHO CAN CURE. 1705. Magic words or formulas used as cures, can only be transferred to the opposite sex. 1706. To perform cures with your hand, you must let something die in it. (It has been suggested that this is especially applicable to physicians.) 1707. To cure a felon, let a mole die in your hands by pressing on it. Then if a person comes to you with a felon, squeeze it as hard as you can, and it will be cured. 1708. One person says that a mole must be killed by the hand of a child under two years of age. Another says that three moles must be killed by a child under seven years. I709. Whooping cough is cured by a piece of bread and butter given the child by a woman who married a man with the same name as her own. 1710. To cure a child of whooping cough, a person who has never seen his father must blow into the child's mouth. This is also a remedy for croup. I711. A woman who has married without changing her name " has the power" to cure whooping cough. The child with the cough must go to her for a piece of bread-and-butter; and if she spreads the butter on the bread herself, and the child takes it without thanking her, " there will be no more 'whoop' to that cough. " (Maryland Mountains.) I712. If you see a man riding or driving a piebald horse, ask him for a cure for whoopng cough, and no matter what he tells you, it will be a sure cure. 1713. In every part of Maryland one hears of women, usually old women who act the part of healers, using words of secret meaning sometimes, measuring the patient and performing rites with the fire or trees, together with invocations to the Trinity. 84 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2. PREVENTATIVES. I714. Sleep wth your head to the north for health. I715. A little bag of asafoetida worn around the neck protects the child from contagious diseases. I716. Onions hung at the door-way absorb all disease from anyone entering, but the onions must be thrown away. I717. Red pepper in the shoes prevents chills. 1718. To keep your teeth from decaying, pick your teeth with a tooth pick made from a tree that was struck by lightning. I7I9. A splinter from a tree struck by lightning will prevent you from ever getting toothache. 1720. Spitting into a live snake keeps your teeth from decaying. 1721. If you kill a spider, you will never have sore fingers. I722. If you boast of your good health, pound wood immediately with your fist, or you will become sick. 1723. A leather shoe string worn around a child's neck will prevent whooping cough. I724. Letter paper or newspaper worn on the chest will prevent sea-sickness. I725. If you are bitten by a dog, whether the dog is mad or not, it must be killed, for if the dog ever goes mad, you will have hydrophobia. 1726. To protect oneself from quinzy, wear a leather string knotted in seven places around the neck until it wears away and drops off. I727. The wife of a specialist in throat diseases ties a leather string with five knots in it around her children's necks to ward off croup, whooping cough, etc. She gives no explanation except that " it is the charm. " Sometimes the string is knotted nine times. 1728. A pebble with the figure of the cross in it was worn, to keep off disease, by an old man "who hadn't never been sick in his life till the Lord took him. " Such relics of " lucky people " are much valued. 1729. Camphor bags are worn round the neck to ward off infectious diseases. I730. Red flannel worn next the skin wards off rheumatism. 1731. A pin in the top of your stocking will keep away nightmare. 1732. The best preventive of cramp is a ring made of the handle of an old coffin. Wear it constantly. If you feel a cramp in the night, cross your feet and spit on your finger, and with it rub the foot affected. It has probably been the work of the Evil Eye. Another preventive is always to put your shoes and stockings in the shape of a cross when you go to bed. 1733. Always place your shoes at night with the heels under the bed to prevent cramps in the legs at night. Folk-Lore from Maryland 85 3. CURES. Blood and flesh. I734. It a person afflicted with St. Vitus dance, or Chorea, can induce a person of the same name to take a drop of his blood and work it into a loaf of bread, the sufferer, by eating that bread, will recover. An Irish woman who had married a Cahill told me this: if her maiden name had only been Cahill she could have helped me when I was a sufferer with St. Vitus Dance. No money must be taken in such a case. 1 have found that certain cures must not be paid for. 1735. Make a wart bleed, put some of the blood on bread and give it to a dog. He will get your warts. I736. The blood of a black cat will cure fits. 1737. The blood of a black cat will cure erysipelas. 1738. For shingles, an immediate cure is to rub the skin with the bloody end of a black cat's tail recently amputated. I739. To cure warts, cut off a chicken's head, rub the blood on the wart and let it remain until it wears off. Throw the head over your own bead. I740. To cure typhoid fever, cut a black chicken while alive into two pieces and bind a half to each of the patient's feet. When the chicken turns green, the desired effects have been secured; this shows the fever has been " drawn out ". I742. Roast mouse is a specific for whooping-cough. 1743. Roast mouse is a cure for ague. I744. A fried mouse cures ague. 1745. Steal a piece of beef and bury it under the eaves of the house after rubbing the wart with it. As the beef decays, the warts will drop away. r746. To cure warts, steal a piece of bacon, rub it on the warts, then bury it in the ground, and when the bacon has disappeared the warts will have disappeared also. Hair. I747. Wrap a pencil in the hair of one's head and make a traction upon it to " eaise the palate " when it is " down. " 1748. Negro women and girls have not entirely given up the once general custom of tying the hair in little wads or cues all over the head, each cue being twisted round and round its full length with white cord. Some of those who do it say that it is done " to straighten out the kinks. " One single cue falling over the forehead will prevent toothache on the 86 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society side where it falls. I have been told by the wearer of a single cue that she had never had toothache since wearing her cue that way. I749. Twist a bunch of hair on the crown of your head for nose bleed. I750. " Ef yo's har lies out en bleaches in de sun en de moon, yo's suah ter 'ab better health. " 1751. An old nurse, to cure toothache, would measure the tooth with a string, then take a hair from her head and bury string and hair where they would rot. The toothache was gone. 1752. For Croup: Stand the child with its back to a door, and with a gimlet bore a hole right over the child's head. Then cut off a little piece of its hair and stuff it in the hole and put a plug of wood in the hole. As the child grows up above the hole, it will gradually be cured of the croup. 1754. For Asthma: Cut a lock of the child's hair off and drive a hole in a tree; put the lock in it and plug it up. 1755. If a child has convulsions, bore an augur hole into a piece of wood on a level exactly with the top of the child's head; stuff into the hole some of the child's hairs and plug it up. 1756. If you have a sty and rub the tail of a cat over it three times, the sty will go away. I757. Three hairs of a black cat will stop the flow of blood. 1758. Seven hairs of a black cat will cure whooping cough; cut fine and administer in honey. The cat will die. 1759. If bitten by a dog, apply three hairs of the same dog to the wound. If this cannot be done, you must burn the place with a red hot knitting needle, and quench it afterwards in holy water. (Told by an ardent Methodist.) 1760. The hair of a dog will cure its bite. Nail Parings. i761. A cure for ague is to take the patient's nail-parings, all you can obtain, put in a bag, and tie about the neck of a live eel, which you then put back into the water. The eel dies and the patient recovers. I was told it in Annapolis, with the addition, " it is surely true, for it is in a book." Saliva. i762. To remove a sty, put spittle on every morning. 1763. Fasting spittle used on warts every morning as soon as you wake, and let dry, will cure them. 1764. Use spittle to cure a sty. 1765. Use fasting spittle on a sty to cure it. 1766. Suck an injured finger to cure it, and use spittle on sore eyes. Folk-Lore from Maryland 87 I767. Hurts, burns, and stings may be cured by using saliva on them. I768. If you have a growth and see a flint stone you never saw before, pick it up, spit on it, and touch your growth. Do this three times, turn away, and do not look any more at the stone. I769. If you are walking along and have backache, pick up a stone, spit under it, lay the stone down and walk on without looking back, and your backache will disappear. I770. To cure corns, go to a cross-roads, pick up a pebble and spit on it. Then bury it, and the first rain that washes the stone away will wash the corn away. I771. The foam or saliva of a horse was believed to have strong curative powers, especially for consumptive cough, of which the patient is cured in three days, but the horse dies. I772. If a dog licks a hurt, it will soon heal. Breath. I773. When you get burnt, blow back and forth upon the burn. I774. To cure whooping cough, get a man to ride his horse so hard that it foams at the mouth; and then hold the child where it can breathe the horse's breath Urine. 1775. Urine is frequently prescribed in folk-medicine on account of its curative properties. Animal Skins. I776. " Ef yer cotch an eel on de full ub de moon, skin hit an' dry de skin, an' tie hit round yous waist; on de fust day ub de fust quarter ub de moon, you'll be cure suah ub de chill an' fever; hits boun'ter cure weak eyes, too. " 1777. Wrap an eel skin around your wrist for a sprain. I778. Wear eel skin on your legs, or chestnuts or potatoes in your pockets, to cure rheumatism. 1779. Wear a rabbit skin for phthisic. 1780. A snake skin knotted three times and worn around the leg just below the knee will cure rheumatism. I781. " Skin a black snake en put de skin 'round yo's waist en yo'll neber habe no more backache, en ez Ion' ez yo' has dat dar', no one kin t'row yo'. " Spiders. 1782. Red spider tea is good for almost any ailment. Use only three spiders for three doses. Be sure to take no more. 88 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1783. A spider in pills cures ague the world over. Crickets. I784. Crickets are put on the chest with other charms for marasmus. Plants. I785. Asafoetida is good for hysteria. I786. To cure warts rub them with a bean, or a coffee bean, or allspice, or pepper, or corn, or puncture them with a pin. I787. To cure whooping cough, pass a child three times under a blackberry bush, and then three times the reverse way. Give it a tea made of the roots of the same bush and it will surely get well. 1788. Find a blackberry or rasberry bush whose top has turned over and taken root, and crawl under it three times. This will cure whooping cough. I789. For Whooping Cough: Let the patient be dragged through a gooseberry bush or a bramble, both ends of which are growing in the ground. I790. There used to be people around Emmittsburg who always opened a sty with a gooseberry thorn. I791. Another cure for rheumatism is celery seed worn in a bag tied around the neck. If you can obtain it, tie up a wedding ring in the bag. I792. A chestnut carried about one is good for rheumatism. I793. Hearts-ease will cure heart disease. I794. Heart weed (one spot on each leaf) is good for heart trouble; dry the leaves and make tea, adding red clover. 1795. Cut a lemon in two and rub it over a wart. Throw the lemon away; do not tell anyone, and the wart will disappear. I796. Wear a nutmeg for asthma. 1797. A raw onion pinned to the wall of a room where there is a fever patient will absorb the fever. It will shrivel and prevent the fever from spreading. I798. Rub your wart with a piece of onion or potato and bury it under the eaves of your house, and you will be cured. I799. A stolen potato cures rheumatism. I8oo. Two potatoes must be carried for rheumatism, one for each pocket. i80o. A stolen potato is a sovereign remedy for rheumatism, and must be carried in the pocket. 1802. To cure a wart, rub it with a black radish and put the latter under the eaves of a house. Folk-Lore from Maryland 89 1803. Sanguinaria Marilandica cures snake bites. Part of the crushed roots are made into a poultice and applied, and the rest boiled in bulk and duly administered. 1804. Sassafras tea is good spring tonic. i805. Wear three kinds of tea leaves in each shoe for lung trouble. 80o6. Put a peach sprout over the door or on the door sill and pass under or over it to cure ague. I807. A woman who had ague took a peach sprout that had been grown the same year. She put it either above the door or on the sill. After she passed it once, she had but one chill. i808. A tooth-pick made from a tree struck by lightning will cure the pain in a tooth, for it kills the nerve. I809. To cure toothache, chew shavings of a tree that has been struck by lightning. I8i0. If a child of stunted growth is placed beside a young sapling and a peg driven into the sapling on a level with the top of the child's head, as the tree grows and the distance between the ground and the peg increases, the child will also begin to grow. I81i. For chills, it is a sovereign remedy to cut a notch in a stick for every chill, blow your breath on it, and throw it into a running stream. I8i2. A sure cure for chills and fever in Charles County is to tie a piece of yarn taken from your stocking around a pine tree, then to walk around the tree three times a day for nine days. I813. If stung by a bee, rub three kinds of weed on the wound; the pain will cease and the sting be removed. Transference. I814. If you count another person's warts, you will have them. 1815. To cure warts, count them, and put as many pebbles as you have warts in a bag with a penny. Place this on a road side, and whoever picks it up will get the warts. i816. The way to get rid of chills is to take a string and tie a knot in it for each and every chill you have had, then throw it away, and whoever finds this string has the chills transferred to him or her and you are rid of them. 1817. If you rub warts with a penny and put the penny at a crossroads, whoever picks it up will get your warts. Finger of New Born. i818. To cure a sty, touch it three times with a new-born babe's forefinger. Do this for three days. 90 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Dead. I819. A cure for a sore eye is to touch it with the forefinger of a man who has just died. A negro coachman in Baltimore declined his mistress's offer to send him to her physician for a sore eye, preferring to visit a neighbor's house where a death had just occured. The cure he said, was accomplished at once. 1820. The corpse of a criminal is considered especially efficacious in some troubles, like rheumatism and pains in certain parts of the body and people will sometimes go to a station house, where a proson accused of theft or murder has died, with the request that they be allowed to touch the corpse. I82I. If you have a growth and rub a dead person's hand over it, it will go away or decay as the hand of the dead person decays. 1822. If you touch a corpse, it will cure your hurt. 1822 A. If you touch a corpse, the ghost of the dead person will not haunt you. Incantations. 1823. There are magic words to blow out fire, to cure warts, to stop blood, to cure cancer and other diseases. 1824. There are word cures for the bites of mad dogs. Hydrophobia is said to appear on the ninth day or in the ninth year. 1825. For Boils: "The boil and the dragon went over the Creek. The dragon drunk; the boil sunk." Then lay your hand on the boil, and say the words three times. 1826. For a Cataract: " I rub you with my right thumb that you must move and depart. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Then rub three times with the thumb from the nose, saying the words three times and blowing three times. Do all this every morning and evening. 1827. For a Film Over the Eye: "Eye, I know not what ails thee; I know not whence it is, but hence it shall go. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. " Rub the eye three times, saying the words three times. 1828. To cure erysipelas, take a shovel full of coals, walk around the afflicted person three times before sunrise, and three times after sunset for three days. Say words from the Bible for this charm. I829. For the Wild Fire or Erysipelas: Take a coal of fire or a fire brand and rub, or move three times around it, morning and evening, saying the words, " Wild fire, move away, tame fire is over you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. " 1830. Erysipelas is cured by passing a coal of fire on a shovel before the patient with " words said. " YFolk-Lore from Maryland 9I 1832. Rub a red string over the place three times and say three times: "This wild fire must al go away This red string must take it all away." Say these words to yourself, burn the string, but do not speak until it is burnt. If the erysipelas is above the hurt, the string must be rubbed upward, but if the erysipelas is below the hurt, it must be rubbed downward always, not away from the hurt. 1833. If you have a growth, look at the new moon over your right shoulder; rub the place with a piece of wood and say three times: "What I look at increase, What I rub decrease." This must be repeated three nights in succession. Some say you must rub your finger when you rub. 1834. For Liver Growth: " Liver grown and heart bound, depart from the ribs as our Lord did from the manger. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, " Dip the thumbs in fat, and rub three times upon the back, and say the words morning and evening. This must be done at I-3-5-7-9 or II o'clock. I835. Put your thumbs together and let your fingers touch. Go down the child's back with thumb, separate thumbs, and pass around under the ribs, saying in Dutch: " You go away from this child's ribs. " Do this three times for nine mornings, and the liver growth will be cured. 1836. For a Liver Growth: Rub the child all over; make the sign of the Cross on the child's hands, feet, forehead and breast. Say, " In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. " 1837. For Pain: Say the name of the person, and then say, " Pain not, bread hungry not, God lieth not. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. " 1838. For Pain: Read the i6th chapter of Ezekiel, 6th verse. The word blood occurs in this verse three times, and each time after the word blood, you must say the name of the person who is suffering. If it is an animal without a name, you must mention the animal. 1839. For a wound: Say the name of the person first. Then say, "Holy is the day, and holy is the hour wherein happened the wound. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." If the wound is on the right side, take the left hand and lay it thereon. If it is on the other side, take the other hand. 1840. For Scrofula: " I forewarn you that you shall no longer burn, but be you cold as a dead man's hand. " I841. If you have a sty, go to the cross-roads, rub your finger over your eye three times, and repeat these words, " Sty, sty, leave my eye." 1842. Warts: When the moon decreases say, " Cure my wart, New moon, new moon." 92 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I843. Look at: ne waning moon and say, " Let my wart decrease as thou dost grow less and disappear. " It will be gone as soon as that moon has run its course. (Emmitsburg.) I844. " Cure my wart, new moon, new moon. " (Emmitsburg.) I845. For Botts in Horses: " There was a man rode over the land With three worms in his hand: One black, one white, the other red, And in an hour they all were dead. " Stand the horse with his head toward the sunrise; take your right hand and rub from the nose over the head, neck, and back down to the end of the tail, while you say the words above. Do this three times every two or three hours. Give purgative medicine. I845 A. To charm a lizard: Set the lizard on the fence and stand beside it. Say: " Farmer Lizzie, Farmer Lizzie, wee, waa, wee, waa, " and then the lizard will do anything you want. It will be your lizard. (Negro.) Rope, String, Thread. 1846. A piece of hangman's rope will, if applied to the parts of the body, cure pain. i847. A leather strap or tarred rope is worn round the wrist or waist as a cure for rheumatism, etc. Sometimes these are supposed to impart strength to the wearer. 1848. Tie a tarred rope around the waist for backache. 1849. Tie a string of blue yarn around the waist for backache. I850. Tie a black silk thread around the neck for nose bleed. 1852. To find out if a child has marasmus, measure its body, legs and arms with a string and tie it around an egg and put this on a bed of hot coals. If the strings burns with the egg, the child has no marasmus, but if the string does not burn, the child has the disease. 1853. Tie a hemp string around the waist for the weed. I854. As a cure for nose bleed, tie a string round each wrist. I855. Tie a black silk thread around the neck for croup. 1856. Pass seven threads of red silk over the " fire" (erysipelas) all together, then turn them, saying words in Dutch. Each thread represents one of the seven fires. Beads, Rings, Stones. I857. Amber beads worn about the neck will cure croup. 1858. Amber beads will keep away sickness from a child. I859. Amber beads are sold at pharmacies now in Baltimore. They are thought to cure by producing an electric current. I860. Wear coral beads for a chafed neck. Folk-Lore from Maryland 93 I86I. Green glass beads worn about the neck will prevent or cure erysipelas. I862. Job's tears, worn around a child's neck are good for teething. (Coix Lachryma.) 1863. Little hard, gray, heart-shaped beads that grow on the ground used to be worn around the neck for quinsy. (These are probably " Job's tears" as they were once very much worn.) 1864. A brass ring worn on the finger will cure rheumatism. 1865. To cure a sty, rub it with a gold ring. 1866. For a Sty: Rub the sty three times with a wedding ring and say " words. " 1867. Wear a gutta-percha ring for rheumatism. I868. A peculiar kind of metal ring is sold to be worn on the finger as a cure for rheumatism. I869. The " mad " stone, applied properly, cures hydrophobia. I870. When a boy in running gets a pain in his side, if he picks up a pebble and puts it in his mouth, he can run as long as he keeps it there, and have no pain. Various. I871. To Cure Colic in Babies: Pass the hands three times down the child, three times across, then three times on it, and then three times all over it. 1872. To cure warts, rub them seven times sun-wise with finger of the left hand, and they will be gone in a few days. 1872 A. If you have a fever blister, put your finger in your ear and touch the blister. It will cure it. I873. At sunrise, shake a baby three times for three days and you will cure it of liver growth. " Words " are said to this. 1874. A Cure for Hiccoughs: Try for a long time to make the edges of the thumb nails meet at the end. I875. If a member of the body has been amputated and the owner suffers in that member, it is because the amputated part has not been properly buried. To cure the pain, the member must be dug up and properly buried. Sometimes it is twisted, or a finger or toe is doubled up, and if this is straightened out, the pain ceases. 1876. For nose bleed, the right arm must be held up. I877. When a child chokes, hold up the right arm. 1878. To cure spasms, take off the clothes of the sufferer while the spasm is on. I879. To cure a spasm, when it comes on, remove all the child's clothes and burn them. I88o. If a child is accustomed to having fits, draw it through an old horse collar, and it will never have any more if you burn its clothes. 94 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society i88I. For the "go-backs ", pass the child through the rungs of a ladder several times, or through a horse-collar. i882. For Stuttering: If you bake two loaves in one pan and break them apart, while hot, over the head of a child who stutters, he will be cured. i883. Warts: If you have warts, and rub them with a bone that you find and then throw the bone away, your warts will all leave. I884. To remove a splint from a horse's leg, rub it with a bone from the hind leg of a coon during the full moon. I885. A piece of coffin wood carried in the pocket cures cramps. i886. For stomach ache, tie a little cotton bag on the big toe. This draws the pain down into the bag, which must then be burned. I886 A. Take graveyard dirt and tie it on a dog bite. It will cure the wound and every tooth will drop out of the dog's mouth. i887. To cure lock-jaw, burn feathers in the room. I888. To cure a child of mumps, let it rub on the hog trough. i889. As a cure for nose bleed, put a key on the back of the neck. 189o. Wearing brown paper on the chest will cure sea-sickness. I89g. Whooping-cough can be cured if the child's mother will steal a silver spoon. 1892. To cure a sore throat, bind a stocking which one has been wearing, around the throat on going to bed. i893. We were told by a man who treats the eyes, that if we would get up every morning and let the first rays of the rising sun strike the eyes, they would grow steadily stronger. I893 A. March snows are good for sore eyes. The first snow of March is best. i894. Go to a stump that you have never before seen and wash three times in the water that you find there. Turn away and do not look back. Your wart will be cured. I895. For Night Sweats: Place under the bed a large shallow pan of clear water, and change the water once a day, though this last is not material. The old "' mammy" who told me this said a pan of clean pure earth would do just as well, and would be more convenient, as it could not annoy by spilling. She said the water absorbs something in the air, and the earth would do it also. I have known physicians to approve of its being tried. XV. BIRTH AND BABYHOOD I896. New babies are found in a cabbage head. " Many a time I have hunted among the cabbages in my mother's garden to find the little sister I longed for." i897. The stork brings the baby to the roof and the doctor finds it and brings it to mother. Folk-Lore from Maryland 95 1898. A child of five said to me, " God made me, and I came down to the apple tree, and hung there eight weeks, and then the stork brought me." i899. A little Baltimore girl told me that if you put a box of pure, fine, silver-sand on a closet shelf, you will soon find a little baby in it. i900. An expectant mother must not finish the very first clothes the child is to wear, but leave a stitch or two to be taken after it is born, else its infancy will be hard and full of cares. "An it's likely to be an orfling" (meaning it would have a stepmother). I901. Ink should not get upon a garment that is to be worn by a woman in pregnancy. "The child will come blacker than its father or mother, and turn out a thief. " The same with other stains that cannot easily be removed. 1902. The hands of a baby just born are clenched. 1903. It is bad luck for a baby to be born in another person's house. I904. The time for child birth is during the full moon, if the child is to be fortunate. I905. The caul brings good luck if kept. I906. Sailors will pay great prices for a caul, as it preserves the owner from drowning. 90o7. If a child is born with a caul over its face, it will never be drowned. I908. Persons born with a caul " see spirits" and can " tell things before they happen." Igog. What a child weighs at birth is just one-twentieth of its weight when full grown..9io. Children that are good are often considered too good to live. 1911. Don't call a child by its name before it is baptized. I912. If a baby does not cry when it is christened, it is too good to live and will die. 1913. To make a baby cry at its baptism it must be pinched for good luck. 1914. If an infant is christened with the name of a brother or sister that has died, this child will die also. 1915. If a child is born on a saint's day, it should have the saint's name added to any other name given it at baptism, or bad luck will be likely to follow the child. I916. Do not name a baby until it is a month old, for it will die if you do so. 1917. Skip a generation in naming children after direct ancestors. I918. The first time a baby is brought to your house, rub its gums with an egg, and it will teethe easily. 1919. To make a child cut its teeth easily, tie a calf's tooth around its neck. I920. The feet of living moles are used to tie around babies' necks in teething time, that they may teethe easily. 96 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1921. A hog's tooth (a certain one in the upper jaw) tied around the baby's neck will make it teethe easily. 1922. The children of a family owning a pug dog will have no trouble teething. 1923. To make a child cut its teeth easily, take it to a pig-pen, put it in the trough, and say the Lord's Prayer backwards. I924. You must not take a baby to the looking glass or it will teeth hard. I925. Burn a child's milk-tooth when pulled out, lest a dog or cat or pig get it and swallow it and the child's new tooth come in of the shape of the tooth of the animal that swallowed it. I926. A boy had in his hand something that he seemed to be jealous of and was trying to protect. "What have you there, boy? " I shouted. "Rabbit brains, hot rabbit brains, " was the quick reply. "What are you going to do with them? " "We're going to rub sister's gums, so she kin cut teeth. I followed the boys and watched the operation. I have learned since that teething was made easier by the act. The boys had chased the rabbit and killed him far afield. All that trouble could have been avoided had the child been supplied with a bag of moles' feet. If the mother will take the feet of ground mole, sew them up in a sack, and tie them around the baby's neck, all will be well. The baby must chew the rag. 1927. A baby will slobber as much water as the water that a mother carries first after she rises. I928. If we interview the old Mammies of Northern Maryland, we shall find that they are very particular about the vessel from which the infant first drinks water, because the amount of slobbering he will do is in proportion to the quantity of water in the vessel from which he takes his first drink; therefore his nurse uses a silver thimble on that important occasion. I929. If a child is weaned when the church bells are ringing, the process will be easy. 1930. If a certain small blue vein shows on a baby's forehead, it is said it will die. I931. If a baby lies in bed with its feet crossed, it will be a good dancer. 1932. If a baby lies in bed with its hands over its head, it will hardly escape hanging. I933. If a child, when young, falls out of bed a number of times, it will live. 1934. If a baby smiles in its sleep, angels are telling it stories. 1935. A baby crying in its sleep is prophetic of sorrow. 1936. If a baby laughs in its sleep, it has the colic. 1937. If a child digs in the ground, it is bad luck, for he is digging his own grave. Folk-Lore from Maryland 97 1938. If a little child sweeps the floor of its own accord, a stranger will come. 1939. If a baby turns a book upside down to read, it will rain the next day. 1940. When the mother of a baby goes out to work and leaves her child with another mother, the two children will certainly have fits if they are both of the same sex. If they are of different sex, there will be no trouble. (Negro.) 1941. If you comb a baby's hair before it is a year old, it will die early. 1942. If a baby's finger nails are cut, it will make him light fingered. 1943. If you bring a baby into a window before it is a year old, it will learn to steal. 1944. To count a child's teeth will cause its death. 1945. Never lay a baby on a table; it is bad luck, if not death. 1946. It is bad luck to put a man's hat on a baby's head. I947. If a hat is put on a baby's head before it is a year old, it will soon die. 1948. It is bad luck to let tears fall on a baby, especially a mother's tears. I949. It is bad luck to take a baby into a graveyard. I950. It is bad luck to carry a baby up stairs before it is carried down. 195I. Before a girl baby is takin down stairs, she should be taken up stairs to make her clever with her fingers and a fine needle woman. 1952. If you take a baby up in the garret before taking it down stairs, it will be high-minded, or will go up in life. 1953. A baby should be carried up stairs before it is carried down even if you must take it to the garret. To carry it down stairs first would make it low minded, and it would never rise in the world. I954. The presentation of an egg, salt, bread, and a coin on the baby's first visit is scarcely obsolete in Maryland. 1955. Money, salt, meal, or father's hair must be put into the baby's hand before he has touched anything for himself. 1956. Put a penny or other coin in a baby's hand the first time it is sent out, and it will always prosper. 1957. Through the hairs of the father the child receives the father's spirit, the hair being one of the means of egress for the soul. I958. The clothes of a dead baby should be scalded and let stay all night in the dew before being given to another child, or the second little one will be weak and ailing and soon die. 1959. Be sure to keep a baby's first shoes; some say they are good luck all its life long. 1960. If you put white mosquito netting over a baby's cradle, the baby will die. i961. If a child does not walk early, stand it in a corer nine mornings 7 98 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society in succession and sweep it down with a broom nine times each morning. It will soon begin to walk. I962. If you step over a child it will not grow fast. You stunt its growth. I963. Do not look at a sleeping child for it will awake. 1964. Do not allow a cat to be in the room with a baby for fear it will " suck its breath " and the baby will die. XVI. MARRIAGE I. WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES. 1965. Following are the wedding anniversaries: Fifth anniversary, wooden; Tenth, tin; Fifteenth, crystal; Twentieth, china; Twenty-fifth, silver; Fortieth, ruby; Fiftieth, golden; Sixtieth, diamond. 2. WEDDING DAYS, OMENS CONCERNING. 1966. A snow bride is unlucky. I967. If it snows on your wedding day, you will get a dollar for every flake that falls on you. 1968. If it rains when a wedding going on, the couple will be happy. 1969. If it rains on the day of a wedding, it is a sign that the bride will die before the groom. 1970. If it rains on the day of a marriage, the groom will die first. 1971. It is bad luck to have rain on one's wedding day. 1973. If it rains on the wedding day, the bride will be unhappy. If it rains the day after, the groom will be unhappy. 1974. The day before the wedding is called the bridegroom's day; if it rains on that day, he will prove a bad man. 1975. It is good luck if a ray of shunshine falls on a bride when she is coming out of the church. 1976. " Blessed be the bride the sun shines on." 1977. It is unlucky to marry on the wane of the moon. 1978. To see a flock of white birds on the way to your wedding is good luck. To see black birds is bad luck. 1979. It is good luck to a bride for a cat to sneeze the day before her wedding. i980. It is bad luck to have a gray horse at a wedding. Folk-Lore from Maryland 99 3. BRIDAL ARRAY. 1981. A bride must have her hair dressed and her veil put on by a woman happily married. 1982. To lend a bride a garment in which to be married is bad luck to the bride, but good luck to the lender. I983. It is unlucky for a bride to tear her wedding gown. 1984. If a bride tries on her entire wedding dress before her marriage, the next one she tries on will be a mourning dress. To protect herself she must omit something, as a glove, or a flower. 1985. It is bad luck to keep wedding clothes in the house after their owner has finished wearing them. 1986. It is bad luck for a bride to save her wedding veil. 1987. A wedding couple cannot get rich until their wedding clothes are worn out. 1988. It is bad luck for wine to be spilt on a bride's dress. 1989. When you marry, wear old garters for luck. 1990. Throw a bride's stocking over her left shoulder for luck; if it lies straight out on the floor, her luck will be continuous. 199I. When you are married, wear something old or you will not get rich. 1992. It is bad luck to make your own wedding gown. 1993. White is good luck for a bride's gown; red is a sign of a quarrel before the year is out, unless it be striped with white or black; pink seems to be lucky enough. Green is lucky if worn in the day-time. Black is of course " dule " a widow may wear it if she put a rose in her hair, but if the flower fall out, she will lose her second husband. I994. It is unlucky to be married in black silk, or pink. 1995. If you are married in black, you will never take it off. I996. Ill luck to a bride dressed in blue. 1997. It is good luck for a bride to wear gay colors for her wedding. I998. To be married in green is to be forsaken. I999. It is good luck for a bride to wear green on her head. 2000. It is bad luck for a bride to drop her handkerchief when alighting from the carriage. 200I. It is bad luck for a bride to drop her handkerchief when stepping into the carriage. 2002. " It is bad luck to lose your wedding ring." 2003. The person who catches a bride's bouquet will be the next one married. EVENTS AT WEDDING. 2004. After a wedding, the bridesmaids should throw the bride's bouquet into the air, and the first one who catches it will be the next to marry. IO0 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2005. A bride must scatter the pins from her bridal array over the room for her bridesmaids to pick up. Whoever gets no pins, gets no husband. 2006. The bridesmaid who gets one of the garments worn by the bride on her wedding day will be the first one to marry. 2007. Twice a bridesmaid, never a bride. 2008. If you are a bridesmaid three times, you will never be a bride. 2009. It is good luck if you can hear a pin drop when a bride is going out from her wedding. 2010. A bride must step over the church sill with her right foot. 20II. It is good luck for a bride to step right foot first on entering the church. 2012. It is bad luck for a bride to stumble over the threshold of her new home. 2013. To look into a glass on your wedding day is bad luck. 2014. It is unlucky for a bride to look in a glass at herself before she sees the groom. 2015. If a bride looks into a mirror after she is dressed, she must add something to her toilet, as a flower or a ribbon. 20o6. It is bad luck for a bride to eat anything while she is adorning for her marriage, or until after the ceremony. 2017. It is considered good luck for a bride to carry bread in her pocket, for when she throws it away, she throws away her troubles. 2018. It is good luck for a bride to carry salt in her pocket during the ceremony. 2019. The first one of a bridal couple who drinks a glass of water after the ceremony will rule. 2020. A bride must take no part in the making of her wedding cake. 2021. Whoever gets the ring in a wedding cake marries within the year. 2022. Whoever gets the ring in a bride's cake will be married first. 2023. It is bad luck for a carriage containing the bridal couple to break down. 2024. If a bride enters the carriage before the groom, she will bury him. 2025. " It is good luck forever if the slipper thrown after a bride lights on the top of the carriage." 2026. " It is good luck to throw an old shoe after a bride and groom." 2027. It is bad luck to be late for a wedding. 2028. It is bad luck to postpone a wedding. One consequence of this is said to be an unhappy marriage when it does take place. 2029. It is bad luck for a bride to receive a telegram on her way to church. 2030. Kiss the bride immediately after the ceremony before the bridegroom does, and you'll have luck the rest of the year. Folk-Lore from Maryland 1OI 5. VARIOUS. 2031. It is good luck for a bride to dream of her wedding day. 2032. It is bad luck for a bride to rehearse her marriage. 2033. A bride must take something borrowed with her on her wedding trip, for good luck. 2034. " If the youngest daughter gets married before the oldest, the oldest must dance at the wedding in her stocking feet." 2035. " If the youngest daughter gets married before the oldest, the oldest will dance in the pig trough." 2036. " Should there be a double wedding, the bride who steps out of the door first, will be the first to die. " 2037. If there are two weddings in a family within a short time, there will be a third within a year. 2038. Two marriages in one family in the same year will bring a death. 2039. Two changes in a family bring a third. There nmay be a birth, a death, and a marriage, or any similar combination. XVII. DEATH I. DEAD AND DYING. 2040. People who are dying reach out to grasp another hand. 2041. People unfold their hands when dying. 2042. Both the toe nails and the finger nails of the sick person must be carefully cut before death. 2043. A door or a window is often opened just before a death to allow the soul free egress; otherwise, death will not "come easy," for the soul sees no way of getting into the open. 2044. It was the custom about the year I850 and earlier to bury persons in shrouds. Many people made their own to be ready when the time came. 2045. Until within quite recent times, it was considered almost an insult to the dead to have the body cared for, prepared for burial, watched over or borne to the grave by any but the nearest of kin, or by those who had been closely associated with the dead, or on friendly terms at least. 2046. In dressing a corpse for the grave, take care to pull off the clothing over the feet, and as far as possible, put the fresh garments on over the head. This is as good as prayers for the repose of the soul. 2047. A pan or dish of salt is placed on the chest of the corpse " to keep it from swelling. " 2048. Pillows are still removed from under the head of the dying, I02 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society " to make them die easier. " The pillow may have " witch wreaths " in it, for witches can knot the feathers in a pillow and make wreaths of them, and these trouble the dying and hold back the soul. Besides this, the feathers of certain birds are harmful and disturb the dying and there is a chance that some of these may be in the pillow. 2049. Coins are placed on the eyes to keep them closed. 2050. The eyes must be closed as soon as the breath leaves the body "lest the devil enter in. " 2051. It was a custom often to receive into one's own mouth the last breath of the dying. 2052. When anyone dies, put a glass of water and a towel in the room for the spirit to "wash hisself. " (Negro.) 2053. Sometimes all the water in the house is emptied from pitchers, buckets, and such. 2054. Some people cover the looking glasses in a room where a dead person lies. 2055. Mirrors and portraits are taken from the room where where is a corpse, or they are turned to the wall, or covered. This is sometimes done all over the house. 2056. After a death in a house, clocks are stopped, mirrors covered, bells muffled. 2057. At the time of death, a light like a candle may be seen sometimes near the house, going from there to the churchyard. (Emmitsburg, Md.) 2058. " When my father died, "a boy said to me, " the window pane cracked open." " So when my mine died, " said another. 2059. " The door flew open wide of its own accord when my father died, " said a third, "to let the soul through." 2060. A pilot died on a ship which he was piloting. At the moment he died the watch in his pocket, and the clock in the engine-room stopped. 206I. There is a well authenticated case of the breaking of the main spring of a watch at the time of the death of the owner, though the watch was not being worn at the time. (A. W. W.) 2062. Happy the corpse the sun shines on. 20o63. A corpse is bad luck on a ship. 2064. No person should leave the church before the corpse is carried out, or bad luck will follow. 2065. It is bad luck to allow a corpse to face a mirror. 2066. If a corpse does not stiffen, or if the rigor mortis disappears, there will soon be another death in the family. 1 2067. To keep from dreaming of a dead body, you must touch it. The coffin is opened at the grave, and each person puts a hand on the forehead of the dead to keep off ghosts or bad dreams. I. Cp. Lincolnshire Eng. Folk-Lore from Maryland Io3 2068. You must always touch the forehead of the dead person you look at, or his ghost will appear to you. 2069. The corpse must be carried in his coffin feet first. 2070. If any blunder is made in carrying a coffin, another death will soon occur. 2. FUNERALS, GRAVES, ETC. 207I. To postpone a funeral is bad luck. 2072. It is bad luck to be late for a funeral. 2073. At a funeral all reflecting objects must be covered, not only out of respect for the dead, but because any one catching a glimpse of himself at the time would be likely to die very shortly after. (Montgomery Co. Md.) 2074. It is a sign of a death in a family if a funeral leaves the house and then comes back to the same door. 2075. When a hearse stops on its way to the cemetery, in front of your house, that is where the next funeral is to be. 2076. If a hearse stops before it reaches the cemetery, there will be another death in the same family within a year. 2077. If a hearse stops or a horse neighs in front of the door, someone belonging to the house will die. 2078. It is unlucky to pass through a funeral procession either between the carriages or the files of mourners on foot. 2079. Never cross the line of a funeral. It would be death for you or a dear one. 2080. Do not count hacks at a funeral. It will bring another. 2081. The custom of the beadle's going from door to door bidding the friends and neighbors to a funeral, is still practiced in Newburgh. Formerly it was the custom for the beadle to walk before the coffin, ringing a hand-bell all the way to the churchyard. 2082. In some parts of Maryland a man on horseback announced the death of a prominent person by riding round with the news written on a black-edge sheet of paper. From house to house he would go and tell his tale. This custom prevailed chiefly in out-of-the-way places where paper was scarce. Sometimes notices of important deaths would be placed in the pews of the churches. 2083. Invitations on paper deeply edged with black were sent to the family and friends. Among those preserved in Baltimore is one telling of Mrs. E. P. 's funeral. The note reads: " You and your family are requested to attend the funeral of the late Mrs. E. P., on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from her late residence, 36I Eutaw Place. " The funeral notice of J. P. G. is on small paper, with a black edge, and simply says that " it is from the house of J. W. P., South street, on tomorrow morning at Io o'clock, June 6, I845. " Mrs. C. S. G. 's and Miss T's cards on highly glazed cardboard are inclosed. io04 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Mme. Bonaparte's funeral invitation, though of later date, is of the same order. The note reads: " Mrs. -, you and your family are respectfully invited to the funeral of Mme. Elizabeth Patterson, which will take place from the residence of her late son, No. 85 Park Avenue, on Monday next, April 7, at o1 o'clock." 2084. Nearly all the old-time funerals were held at homes, and the clergy of many denominations then indulged in lengthy addresses. In some families the women never went to the graves, while others always did so. Flowers were in no great profusion, but there was usually a great number of carriages. Many private ones were in line, as people liked to show an extra mark of respect by sending their own carriages to the funeral of a loved friend or relative. At the home funerals, the houses were draped in white, large sheets covering furniture, glasses and pictures. 2085. In the Western Md. Mountains it is customary in some churches for the men-mourners to wear their hats during the funeral ceremony 2086. Negro pall-bearers and men-mourners wear a narrow piece of white muslin round the hat, with an end hanging down behind. 2087. Until within quite recent years, men of the family and the pallbearers were furnished with hat bands of crape with long ends, and with gloves. This custom may still be followed by old-fashioned people. 2088. Formerly, the funeral sermon or address was an important part of the services. In country neighborhoods, people came from long distances. While a crowd assembled down stairs, the family were in the large hall on the second floor. The minister had to stand on the stairway landing, forced " to make his remarks to the pattern on the wall paper. " 2089. Great importance is attached to the " funeral sermon" by the negroes, and by some religious sects of the whites. If not preached at the time of burial, it must be given later, sometimes a whole year elapsing between the funeral services and the sermon. 2090. The tolling of the church bell at the time of a death was formerly known as the " passing" or " soul bell. " It served a double purpose in its time, even when not used to ward off evil spirits, for the number of strokes told the age of the departed, and it called on all good Catholics to breathe a prayer for the repose of the soul. 2091. The bell is still tolled in some cases at the time of a funeral, though as a mark of respect rather than in the ancient belief that it keeps off evil spirits and gives the soul peace until the religious rites are over. 2092. Step on a grave and you will never grow any more. 2093. It is bad to disturb an old grave as by putting up a tombstone; you will thus herald a death. (Chestertozn, Md.) 2094. If a grave be left open, another grave will soon be needed. 2095. In the graveyards of Maryland, as elsewhere, the custom still prevails of laying the dead with the head to the west and the feet to the east. No choice is allowed in this matter. Folk-Lore from Maryland 105 2096. In the Moravian graveyard, the stones were formerly laid flat on the ground so that all the dead might rise together and all be equal. The different classes were separated; married men, single men, married women, single women, and children, all having their own grounds. (Emmittsburg.) 2097. Should a storm of rain follow the death of a friend, it is washing away the sorrow; if it be a hard wind storm, the friend must be imperfect, because it takes a great wind to blow him over the dark river. 2098. When a person dies and you pass his door, you should hold your breath and not speak one word. 2099. Never talk when passing the dead. It disturbs them. 2Ioo. Among many uneducated persons, there is a reluctance to speak of the dead at all, and if mention of them must be made, the name is avoided and some other term used. 2IOI. Fifty years ago it was customary to make pieces of jewelry out of hair mounted in gold, as mementoes of the dead. 2102. Clothes of dead people will not wear long. They do not bring bad luck to the wearer, but if given to the poor, it, is remarked that however well they may look at first, they do not last long. 21I3. If two deaths occur in a family there will be a third within the year. 2104. When the Chinese bury their dead in the States, they place money in the coffin, and something to serve as food for the soul on its way to the spirit land. 3. DEATH AT SEA. 2105. A wailing sound heard at sea, caused by the swaying of the masts or anything else, the old seamen say is the moaning of the souls of sailors lost at sea. 2Io6. Sailors who die by drowning are transformed at once into Cape Horn pigeons, called, also, Mother Carey's chickens. Officers become gulls, and captains enter the big albatrosses. 2107. A Baltimore sea-captain became very angry when a passenger on his vessel attempted to shoot a gull. " They are the spirits of drowned sailors," he cried. 2I08. If a bald person dies, he will become a fish, and remain in that form until he collects enough hair to make a wig. He can collect only one hair a month and at a certain phase of 'the moon. (Negro.) XVIII. MONTHS AND DAYS I. MONTHS OF THE YEAR. 2109. Thirty days hath September, April, June and November, Io6 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society All the rest have thirty-one Save February which alone Hath twenty-eight, and this in fine, 'Till leap year gives it twenty-nine. Variant from fourth line on: February hath twenty-eight Except in leap year happening once in four When we give to February one day more. 2Iro. The Knuckle Calendar: If you double up your fist and hold the back towards you, the knuckles and depressions between them will be very prominent. Begin on the knuckle of the first finger to count off the months as follows: January, first knuckle; February, first depression; next knuckle, March; next depression April; next knuckle, May; next depression, June; next knuckle, July. Here you go back to the first knuckle and start with August; next depression, September; next knuckle, October; next depression, November, and the knuckle, December. According to this the long months come on the knuckles and the short ones on the depressions. 2III. It is good luck to be born on the eighth day of the month. 2112. It is bad luck to be born on the I3th of the month. 2II3. A favor asked on the fourteenth day of the month is always granted. 2114. It is good luck to be born on the 26th day of the month. 2115. Never eat oysters in months that have not the letter R in them. The Maryland law forbids dredging for them in May, June, July and August. 2II6. "A bee that swarms in May, Is worth a load of hay, A bee that swarms in June, Is worth a silver spoon, A bee that swarms in July, Is not worth a fly." 2II7. Look at the first new moon in January in a mirror; if one moon is seen, one year will elapse before your marriage. 21I8. If the grass grows in Janiveer, It grows the worse for all the year. 2II9. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, or vice versa. 2120. March borrows nine days of April. 2122. A family maxims was not to change winter for spring underwear until after the middle of April. 2123. Marriage in May in unlucky. 2124. A warm May fills graves. 2126. June and November are lucky months in which to be married. Folk-Lore from Maryland Io7 2. DAYS OF THE WEEK. 2127. Monday's child is fair in face, Tuesday's child is full of grace, Wednesay's child is full of woe, Thursday's child has far to go, Friday's child is loving and giving, Saturday's child works hard for a living, But the child that is born on the Sabbath day Is good and wise, fair and gay. 2128. 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, expect sorrow, Sneeze on Saturday, joy to-morrow (or a beau to-morrow) Sneeze on Sunday, your safety seek Or the devil will have you the whole of the week. 2129 If you sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger; on Tuesday, meet a stranger; on Wednesday, for a letter; on Thursday, get something better; on Friday, for sorrow; on Saturday, see your true love to-morrow; on Sunday, the " old boy " will be with you all that week. 2132. Cut your nails on Monday, cut for news, Cut on Tuesday, a pair of new shoes, Cut on Wednesday, cut for health; Cut on Thursday, cut for wealth; Cut on Friday, cut for woe; Cut on Saturday, a journey you'll go; Cut them on Sunday, you'll cut for evil. 2132 A. Cut nails on Monday, cut them for health, Cut them on Tuesday, cut them for wealth, Cut them on Wednesday, cut them for news, Cut them on Thursday, a pair of new shoes, Cut them on Friday, cut them for sorrow, Cut them on Saturday, a present (or beau) to-morrow But he that on Sunday shaves his horn Better the man had never been born. 2133. "Friday's hair and Sunday's horn You'll meet the Black Man on Monday Morn." 2134. A rhyme for marriage: Monday, health, Tuesday, wealth, Wednesday, the best day of all; Thursday, crosses, Friday, losses, Saturday, no day at all. io8 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Sunday. 2135. It is good luck to be born on Sunday. 2136. If you sew on Sunday, you will go to the moon. 2137. Never mend a garment on Sunday, no matter if the lack of it keep you from church; the devil will have a fine chance to enter through the stitches. 2138. Every stitch you sew on Sunday you will have to pick out with your nose after you die. 2139. Every stitch you sew on Sunday the devil will make you pull out with your nose after you die. 2140. If you sew on Sunday, every stitch pierces the Savior's heart. 2141. A Sunday trip is dangerous, unless it is for the relief of a sick person, or to go to a funeral. 2142. If you are taken very ill on Sunday, you will never get well. 2143. If a corpse is kept over Sunday, a death will soon follow in the same family. 2144. Set hens on Sunday and all the chicks will be roosters. 2145. If you cut your nails on Sunday, some one will hurt your feelings. 2146. If you cut your finger nails on Sunday, someone will tell a lie on you. 2147. Cut your nails on Sunday and you will be forgetful. 2148. If you cut your nails on Sunday, you will have bad luck all the week. Others say you will do something you are ashamed of. 2149. If it rains two Sundays in succession, it is sure to rain the third. 2150. If it rains on the first Sunday or Monday in the month, it will rain three Sundays or three Mondays in the month. Monday. 2151. To receive money on Monday morning before seven o'clock is good luck. 2152. Cut your finger nails on Monday before twelve o'clock, and you will get a present before the week is out. 2153. Cut your nails seven Monday mornings in succession before you have spoken, and you will have a present. 2154. It is bad luck for a woman to come into the house early Monday morning. You will have bad luck all the week. 2155. It is bad luck to pay out money on Monday morning. 2156. Never have a picture taken on Monday. 2157. Never move on Monday or Wednesday. 2158. Anything broken on Monday means that something else will be broken before the week is out. 2159. It is good luck all the week if a colored person is the first one to come to the door on Monday morning. Folk-Lore from Maryland Io09 2160. Old shoes or the soles were buried by negro servants on Monday morning to keep the devil down through the week. 2161. It is bad luck to get married on Monday. 2162. It is good luck to sneeze on Monday. 2163. It is good luck to burn an old shoe on Monday morning. 2164. It is good luck to know your lessons at school on Monday, for then you will know them the rest of the week. 2165. Company on Monday means company all the week. Tuesday. 2166. Cut your finger nails on Tuesday. 2167. If you cut out a new garment on Tuesday, it will burn, even if you stand in water. Wednesday. 2168. It is lucky to get married on Wednesday. 2169. If you meet a cross-eyed girl on Wednesday morning, you will have good luck all that day. 2170. If the kitchen fire goes out on Thursday night, better eat cold meat than kindle it, unless with a borrowed coal. Friday. 2171. If you pare your nails on Friday and do not think of a white calf, you will have good luck. 2172. If you cut your nails six Fridays in succession and a seventh Thursday, you will become engaged to be married. 2173. It is bad luck to cut your finger nails on Friday. 2I74. If a hen sets on Friday, the eggs won't hatch. 2175. Birds hatched on Friday can go to heaven or hell, as it pleases them. 2176. It is bad luck to start on a journey on Friday. 2177. It is bad luck to begin anything on Friday. 2178. Large Southern plantations had some "hands" who were considered more lucky than others. If in preparing a field for a new crop, the work was finished too late Thursday to begin planting that day, a "lucky hand" would be detailed on Friday to plant a row or two of the new crop, after which the rest of the gang would go on with the work. 2179. If you spill salt on Friday, it is the sign of a quarrel. 2180. The weather on Friday will be either the best or the worst of the week. 2181. If the sun sets clear on Friday, it will rain before Monday. II0 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2182. If it rains of Friday, it will be clear on Sunday, and vice versa. 2183. Never raise a calf born on Wednesday, Friday, nor Sunday, as it will be barren, or cross, or non-milk producing. 2184. If you learn anything new on Friday, it will add a wrinkle to your face. 2185. It is good luck to be born on Friday. 2186. It is bad luck to be born on Friday. 2187. Never cut out a garment on Friday unless you are sure of finishing it that week. 2188. If you cut a dress on Friday, and do not finish it, the wearer will not grow. 2189. If you begin anything on Friday, and do not finish it, you will not finish it for three weeks. 2190. A house begun on Friday will be burned or blown down. 2191. It is lucky to begin a journey as many days before Friday as possible, always excepting Sunday. 2192. A rainbow on Friday is the best of luck. It will cure a broken promise. 2193. It is very bad luck to turn back on Friday. 2194. Do not cut hair on Friday, nor set sail, nor sneeze, if you can help it; " you sneeze for sorrow. " 2195. Never begin anything of Friday. 2196. If you are in a new place on Friday, don't go out that day or something will happen. 2197. Don't get up from a sick bed for the first time on Friday. 2198. The reason you never see blue jays on Friday is because they have to work for the devil on that day. 2199. On Friday the jay birds are busy " totin wood for the devil," and some add, "to burn yo' soul. " (Negro.) 2200. A jay bird tried to help the Saviour on the Cross, and in requital is allowed on Friday to carry water to souls in hell. 2201. To move on Friday is the worst luck. 2202. It is bad luck to buy tripe on Friday. 2203. A Friday's burial is good. 2204. Toothache does not afflict those who cut their fingernails on Friday. 2205. Many persons, men as well as women, will have their nails, either on the fingers or toes, manicured only on Friday. This is to prevent toothache. 2206. A Baltimore hairdresser tells her patrons to clip their hair on the first Friday in the new moon. 2207. It is bad luck to give a wedding present on Friday. 2208. A Friday wedding is apt to bring more sorrow than happiness. The children of such a marriage die young or turn out badly. 2209. Friday night dreams come true. Folk-Lore from Maryland III 2210. Friday dreamed and Saturday told, Sure to come true ere it's nine days old. 2211. " Nine Marriage Licenses Are Issued, Though It Was Friday, The i3th. Yesterday was Friday the I3th of the month, and either of these facts, according to all precedents, should have operated to cause a falling off in the usual number of marriage licenses issued. This far exceeds the number usually issued on Friday. It has happened that not a single marriage license was issued on a Friday, and this record has not been approached by any other day on which the court was open. It has often happened that only one or two licenses were issued on Friday. The I3th of the month is also considered unlucky, according to the record." From the Baltimore Sun, February 14, 1903. Saturday. 2212. It is good luck for a rabbit to pass you on Saturday. 2213. If you begin anything on Saturday, you will not finish it for six weeks. 2214. If a garment is cut on Saturday, and not finished that day, the person for whom it is intended will not live to wear it out. 2215. If you have been sick and come down stairs on Saturday, you will be sick again. 2216. Saturday's flitting is short sitting. 2217. It is bad luck to be born on Saturday. 2218. If it rains on two Saturdays, it will rain on the third. 3. NEW YEAR'S DAY. 2219. At one time. New Year's Eve was a favorite occasion for private " masquerade parties," at which all the guests were masked and remained so until the clock struck twelve, when the masks were removed and the identity of the guests revealed. At the present time a large proportion of the community may be found on the stroke of twelve engaged in silent prayer within the various churches, for " watch meetin's," originally confined to one or two sects, are now held in churches of various denominations. Among the negroes, attending" watch meeting " is a universal custom, and is looked upon as part of one's religious duty. The custom of ushering in the New Year by the ringing of bells and chimes and the blowing of whistles from factories and steamboats has recently been introduced into the cities and towns of the state. This begins as the town clock strikes twelve, and lasts five minutes. In some of the smaller towns, the tolling of the bells announces the death 112 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society of the Old Year before the new one is rung in. During the " ringing in, " those who have remained at home exchange greetings, while from roon to room where sleepers are aroused, may be heard the calls " Happy New Year! " " Happy New Year! " " Same to you! " " I said it first!" There is always an effort to give the greeting before the person addressed can do so. Among those who take no part in any general celebration, as the Old Year dies and the New Year comes some may say: " Ring out the old, Ring in the new, " " Ring out the false, Ring in the true." 2220. The custom of making New Year's calls, once universal, has become in some parts of the state a thing of the past. There was a time when a woman felt it almost a disgrace to be seen on the street on New Year's Day; she must be either in her own home or in that of a friend, "receiving. " This " receiving " was a simple affair at first, when every home was open for the reception of New Year's greetings from the male friends of the family, and the table was spread with " good things. " Many a Maryland hostess made herself famous through the making of egg-nog, apple toddy, spiced oysters, fruit cake and various other good things she set before her guests on that day; every hostess had her own particular receipts, and many of these are still in the possession of descendants of the originators. Among the members of the " New England colony, " that settled in Baltimore in the early part of the last century, there were those who always expected on such occasions a piece of old fashioned New England mince pie. One old gentleman for fifty consecutive years visited the same house to offer his New Year's greetings and received from the same hand a piece of mince pie. The custom of calling on New Year's Day afforded an opportunity to young men to increase their acquaintance among women, and was often eagerly sought. It was customary for three or four young men to take a carriage together and "go the rounds. " At any house where one was known, all were made welcome for that day. Any further acquaintance was at the option of the women on whom they called. There would perhaps be a cordial invitation to call again; or there would be no hint of any kind, and a failure to recognize when meeting on the street or at some future entertaiment, closed the acquaintance. The simplicity of this custom disappeared as full dress receptions with elaborate " spreads " became the order of the day. This led in many cases to hanging dainty baskets on the door-bells to announce that the ladies of the house were "not receiving, " but would like to have the cards of the callers. In a short time the whole custom of receiving on New Year's Day died out and in its wake came house parties at country homes, theatre parties and fox hunts. A woman no longer feels it a disgrace to be seen on the street; on the contrary, she is the one who does the visiting now, meet Folk-Lore from Maryland II3 ing her friends at her club where a New Year's collation is served, or at the houses of those friends who are " at home " on that day. Dinners and suppers are the order of the day at the men's clubs. 2221. Importance may be attached to the nature of the " first-foot," or the person who first enters the house after the birth of the New Year. This must in all cases be a man or a boy. Some make a point merely of sex and arrange to have certain men or boys of the family on hand " to bring in the luck; " or they take advantage of the early visit of the mailman, persuading him to be the first to enter. Others attach great importance to the complexion of the first-foot, though in regard to this a variety of opinions exists. In slavery times a negro man was often chosen and ordered to be on hand at the proper time to be the first-foot. Some Marylanders still consider the negro necessary as a first-foot, and believe " the blacker the man, the better luck. " Others insist merely on a dark-haired man; on the other hand he is believed by some to bring misfortune, the luck bringer being a red-haired or a " light-haired man. " We have known a Scotchman living in this country who always spent New Year's Eve out of the house, that he might, after midnight, be his own first-foot. Luck was formerly supposed to attach itself to and follow the first-foot himself. Should it be necessary for a woman to enter the house before a man, a member of the family need only go out of the house and enter with the woman " kitchen way. " If a man enter a house on New Year's before a woman, a man will be the first to die in the family. If a woman come in first, a woman will be the first to die. 2222. The child born on New Year's Day must be carefully guarded or it will not live the year out. 2223. Don't cut your hair or nails on New Year's Day. 2224. If New Year's night wind blow south, It betokeneth warmth and growth; If west, much milk, and fish in the sea; If north, much cold and storms there will be; If east, the trees will bear much fruit; If northeast, flee it man and brute. 2225. It is bad luck to pass a woman, especially a red-haired one, on New Year's morning; but good luck to pass a man. 2226. If on New Year's Eve, you see your shadow without a head on it, you will die before the year is out. 2227. The first letter received after the beginning of the New Year will bring either joy or sorrow. 2228. Good luck on New Year's Day will bring luck all the year. 2229. If you put a piece of money under the door on New Year's Eve, you will have money all that year. 2230. It is bad luck to quarrel on the first day of the Year. 8 II4 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2231. If a cat crosses your path on New Year's morning, it is a bad omen. 2232. Whatever one does on New Year's Day one will continue to do throughout the year. 2233. Many people on New Year's Day like to do a little of a certain kind of employment that they many continue to do it during the year. 2234. It is unlucky to throw ashes or dirty water out of the house on New Year's Day. You throw out your luck. 2235. Bacon and beans should be eaten on New Year's Day " for it is luck bringer. " 2236. If you give pickled herring with bread and coffee on New Year's Eve to bell-ringers after midnight, and allow no woman to enter the dining room, you will have money in your house every day of the coming year. 2237. As the weather is on January first, so it will be during the month; the first twelve days of January indicate the general conditions for the following months of the year. 4. TWELFTH NIGHT. 2238. The Animals' Christmas is January sixth. 2239. " Old Christmas" is often a day for younger branches of the family to entertain the older ones. 2240. Beans baked in a special cake, if secured, make the person king of revels on Twelfth Night. 5. GROUND HOG DAY. 2241. As far as the sun shines out on Candlemas Day, So far will snow blow in before May. As far as the snow blows in on CandlemasDay, So far will the sun shine out before May. 2242. When the ground hog comes out of his hole, if he sees his shadow we will have rain for forty days. If he does not see his shadow, we will have sunshine for forty days. 2243. If the ground hog comes out at Candlemas and sees his own shadow, he will go back and we shall have winter for seven more weeks. 2244. Candlemas Day, February 2d, is better known in Maryland as " Ground Hog Day, " the day when the ground hog, waking from his long slumber, stretches himself and comes out of his hole to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he hurries back into his hole, to remain in the hole during the forty rainy days that will follow. 2245. It is very unlucky to keep Christmas greens hanging after Ground Hog Day or Candlemas Day. Folk-Lore from Maryland II5 2246. It is bad luck to start on a journey on the fourth of February or the fourth of March. 7. FEBRUARY 14, ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. 2247. Fifty years ago St. Valentine's day was a general occasion for sending really handsome, and sometimes anonymous, gifts of jewelry; these were enclosed within elaborately fashioned valentines, and sent by the lover to his sweetheart, or by friend to friend. Comic valentines became more and more popular and the sentimental kind were less used. At present children are the chief devotees of valentines. 8. FEBRUARY 30TH. 2248. Negros may say that Job's birthday was February 3oth, but that his sufferings were so great, he prayed to have that date blotted out of the calendar, and his prayer was answered. "Let the day perish wherein I was born. Let it not be joined unto the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months." (Job. 3: 3 & 6.) 9. SHROVE TUESDAY. 2249. It is bad luck not to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. 2250. Pancakes with lemon and sugar 'or maple syrup are generally eaten for dessert on Shrove Tuesday. IO. ASH WEDNESDAY. 2251. If you scatter ashes in your hen coop on Ash Wednesday, you will destroy lice. 2252. If you scatter ashes in your garden on Ash Wednesday, you will destroy bugs for the following year. 2253. If you feed chickens in a coop on Holy Thursday, you will have eggs all the year round. ii. GOOD FRIDAY. 2254. If the wind blows on Good Friday, it will be windy the rest of the year. 2255. Baking on Good Friday will bring a death in the family before the end of the year. 2256. If you bake on Good Friday, you will not get good bread. II6 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2257. Good Friday is a particularly good day for all things that grow down like beans and grapes, because it is hangman's day. 2258. If your hair is thin, cut it on Good Friday and it will grow thicker. 2259. It is bad luck to sew on Good Friday. 2260. Plant potatoes on Good Friday. 226i. A wish made on Good Friday, at three o'clock, will come true. 2262. If you set a hen on Good Friday, you will have all kinds of speckled chickens. 2263. If you set a hen on Good Friday, every egg will be hatched out. 2264. My negro cook kept rain water collected on Good Friday when possible, as a specific for rheumatism, sore eyes, and other ills. It never spoiled or lost its virtue. 12. EASTER. 2265. On Easter morning at sunrise, people congregate on Federal Hill, Baltimore, to see the face of the Saviour in the sun as it rises. 2266. It is said that the sun dances at sunrise on Easter morning, 2267. On Easter morning, the sun jumps up and " shouts. " It is then larger than at ordinary times, dancing up and down, and black flakes are seen, which are called Easter cakes. 2268. Lilies are used for church decoration at Easter. 2269. Crocuses for Easter decorations are popular. 2270. Yellow jonquils were called Easter flowers, and young people were disappointed if there were none in bloom at Easter. 2271. If you wear something new on Easter Sunday, you will have something new all the rest of the year. 2271 A. If you wear a yellow garter on Easter Day, you will have a proposal before the end of the year. 2272. It is bad luck not to wear new clothes on Easter Sunday. 2273. If on Easter your clothes are not new, You will it rue. 2274. Easter eggs were colored at home until a few years ago. They were dyed red, yellow and purple with Brazil wood and logwood and then greased to bring out the color. Alum was also used in the concoction in which they were boiled. Other things used were onion shells, walnut " bulbs ", and calico that faded easily. Scratching the eggs was artistic work, and was done with a sharp penknife. Hens, roosters on ladders, birds, horses, and cows were favorite designs. 2275. At one time the children in certain parts of the state were not allowed to see the Easter eggs colored; but were obliged to hunt for them Easter morning, when they would find them in nests. Sometimes they were hidden in the garden; lilac bushes being favorite hiding places. 2276. One old woman in Western Maryland used to color Easter Folk-Lore from Maryland II7 eggs with coffee grounds and these she gave to any who came to her on Easter morning; but some years before she died she had to discontinue this practice as she had such crowds of callers. 2277. In Harford County, the housewife formerly boiled a great basket full of colored Easter eggs, and gave one to every negro who lived on the place, or who called at Easter. Each member of the family also received one. The basket was then placed on the sideboard so that all who wished might help themselves. 2278. The rabbit was supposed to lay the Easter eggs. 2279. A woman at Emmittsburg, Md. declares that she used to arrange a nest under the lily leaves and that the next morning the children would find the eggs there that the rabbit had laid during the night. 2280. Picking eggs, though an Easter custom, begins some days before Easter. Two children each hold a hard boiled egg in the fist so that only the butt shows. They knock one against the other and the egg that breaks is forfeited to the boy who owns the whole one. 2281. For days before Easter, boys call " Hold up! " This is a call to " pick " eggs. Egg Picking cry in Baltimore. 2282. Who got a ---igg? Who got a ---igg? Who gotter Guineakee? Who wanter pickawee? Oo pick? Oo pick? Who gotter aigg? 2283. Hard or soft boiled eggs form part of the breakfast on Easter Monday. 2284. Put the egg of a black hen in your left hip pocket Easter morning and go to church. You will see all the witches of the neighborhood riding up the aisle on broomsticks. 2285. On Easter Monday put on one black garter and one yellow one, and if you wear them always, you will have a proposal before the year is out. 2286. If you put on a yellow garter at Easter, you will have a proposal within the year. 2287. Get rain water in Easter week, and it will cure rheumatism. 13. ASCENSION DAY. 2288. It is unlucky to do any work on Ascension Day. If a farmer works on Ascension Day, he will lose some of his live stock during the year. 2289. A man living at Emmittsburg disregarded the prevalent idea that one must not work on Ascension Day. He went into the mountain iI8 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society to cut a fine tree to use in his mill. The tree split when it was cut about halfway through. This had never happened to him before. It was too long for his wagon, and wanting an augur, he had to send two miles to get it. Going home, his wagon upset, and just as he was about to start again a large rattle-snake nearly bit his horses. He never worked again on Ascension Day. 2289 A. At the Bethesda state quarries miners refused to work on Ascension Day. Managers tried to break up this superstition and for two years succeeded. The men again refused; there had been fatal accidents both years. 2290. Ascension Day has always been held sacred to fishing. 229I. It is the custom to go fishing on Ascension Day, for the reason that on that day the fish " ascend" the creeks. 2292. A teacher in Baltimore said: " My mother never allowed us to sew on Ascension Day, It would be more sinful than sewing on Sunday. It is the holiest day of the year. " 2293. If you sew on Ascension Day, you will be struck by lightning. 2294. It is bad luck to sew on Ascension Day, because each stitch you take pierces the Savior's side. 2295. The most holy day of the year in parts of Western Maryland is Ascension Day. 2296. From a newspaper of York, Pa. May 22: Sewing was practically suspended in York yesterday because of an old superstition that she who plies a needle on Ascension Day is in danger of being struck by lightning. Many of the shirt factories in the city worked shorthanded and some were compelled to shut down because of this superstition. Tailors found it impossible to keep women garment workers at work as did also dress-makers. I4. WHITSUN-DAY. Fifty days after Easter Sunday. 2297. If you desire good luck in a special enterprise, wear all new clothes on Whitsun-day. 2297 A. It is bad luck to cut your finger nails on Whit-Monday. 2298. If it rains on Whitsun-day, and the May Blossoms (called pinks by the country people,) are blooming, then it will rain seven Sundays in succession. 2299. If it rains on Whitsun-tide, it will rain for seven Sundays in succession. 2300. A child born on Whit Sunday, or the day after, is supposed to die an unnatural death. Folk.Lore from Maryland II9 I5. APRIL FOOL's DAY. 230I. The first of April has always been celebrated as All Fool's Day. 2302. The April-first greeting of a teacher who taught about i864 was invariably, " Oh, come out and see the flock of wild geese! " 2303. The little children would catch each other by calling, "Oh, look at that little bird," " It's snowing! " " You have a black mark on your face," etc. Tying a rag on the back of the dress, and pinning a label on the back were popular. 2304. Filling the sugar bowl with salt, stuffing a biscuit with cotton and offering an empty egg shell at breakfast, were good old tricks. 2305. Glueing a penny on the pavement, stuffing an old purse with paper and dropping it, tying handkerchiefs to strings and dropping them, then pulling them back when almost to be picked up were favorite performances. Some sent false orders or April Fool messages through the mails. I6. MAY DAY. 2306. The may pole, with its garlands of flowers and its songs and dances was an early colonial institution and has survived until quite recently. 2307. Gathering flowers in the early morning and hanging baskets of them on door knobs was the last May Day custom to disappear. 2308. In and around Annapolis the day was long known as St. Tamina's Day, for it was the date set apart by the St. Tamina Society to celebrate the memory of the ancient Delaware Chief, Taminend, " whose equal was never known." Both Pennsylvania and Maryland selected this day on which to honor the Chief. In the Journal of a southern girl visiting in Philadelphia, is the following item under date of May I, I77I. " This morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells in memory of King Tammany as he used to be called; but now I think they have got him canonized, for he is now celebrated as St. Tammany. " (Penna., May I88i.) Eddis, in his Letters writing from Annapolis, in I77I says, " The Americans on this part of the continent have likewise a saint whose history is lost in fable and uncertainty. The first of May is however set apart to the memory of St. Tamina, on which occasion the natives wear a piece of buck's tail, etc. " The St. Tamina Society seems to have been founded first in Maryland and to have been in existence there until 184I. In Pennsylvania it practically died out during the revolution, with spasmodie resurrections from time to time afterwards. Why Taminend should have been honored first in Maryland, it is difficult to say, for he is associated with the people of Pennsylvania, and is said to have been under the elm tree with William Penn. His I20 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society signature to a deed giving property to the latter is still in existence and is "a snake not tightly coiled. " Various legends are told of this great " chief of many days; " he had a hand to hand encounter with the devil; had personal intercourse with good spirits; performed miracles, and when his time came to die, set fire to his wigwam, but being too pure and good to perish in the flames, was translated. 2309. The May pole was a feature in the celebration of St. Tamina's Day in Annapolis. It was erected in a public place and garlanded with flowers, the members of the St. Tamina Society forming a ring round it, danced the Indian war dance " with many other customs which they had seen cxibited by the children of the forest. " All citizens who chose to take part in this wore a piece of back's tail in their hats. There was an evening entertainment to which general invitations were issued. In the midst of the dancing, the members of the Society, dressed like Indians, rushed into the assembly with a war whoop which was followed by war songs and dances of the Indians. Before the evening was over, a collection was taken up.1 The celebration of the day in Philadelphia differed from this, a wigwam outside the city taking the place of the May pole. To the Indian dances and war songs, was added the calumet of peace. 23Io. If you buy a broom in May, you will sweep the fanlily away. 2311. If you plant a pole on May Day, no hawks or crows will steal your chickens. 2312. There is a certain day of the year, either the 22nd of February or the Ist of May, when, if you want your bees to stay near home when they swarm, you must not leave the house alone. 2313. Move your bees on the first of May. 2314. On the first of May look down into an old well, not in use, and you will see the face of your future husband. 2315. If on the first of May at midnight you set the table, your future husband or wife will knock at the door. 2316. If you look down a well on the first day of May, at noon, you will see an image of your future husband; but if you are not going to be married, you will see a coffin. 2317. If you look down a well the first of May, you will see your future. 2318. For Freckles: If you wash your face on the first of May in stump water, your freckles will go away. The first day of May, go to the rye field, and as soon as the sun strikes the rye, rub your face in the rye three times and your freckles will leave. 23I9. For Freckles: Commencing on the first of May, you must neither speak, eat nor wash. Go down stairs backwards in your night gown, wash your face in the dew that collects on the clover. i. Annals of Annapolis, p. I48. Folk-Lore from Maryland 121 17. MAY IOTH. 2320. The Ioth of May is supposed to be the limit to corn planting time. 2321. "The ioth of May am come an'gone, De co'n ain't planted yit! " (Negro.) 18. MIDSUMMER-DAY - JUNE 24. 2322. If it rains on John the Baptist's Day, there will be no hickory nuts that year. 2323. Fern seed gathered on St. John's Eve has the power to make its possessor invisible. 2324. The fern was said to bloom and seed only at midnight on Midsummer night. 19. JULY 2. 2325. July second. "Mary comes over the mountain, " according to the Almanack of Hagerstown, is a common saying among the mountain people of Maryland. The Virgin Mary goes over the mountain to visit Elizabeth and returns after forty days have passed. The weather on that day foretells what it will be for the next six weeks. 2326. In western Maryland there is a saying of the same kind. " Mary's gone over the Mountain." If clear, forty days of clear weather will follow; if rainy, forty days of rain will follow. JULY 4TH. 2327. Wheat that does not ripen before the 4th of July will die. 21. AUGUST IST. 2328. If it rains on Lammas Day (August ist), it will rain for forty days in succession. 22. ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S DAY. 2329. All thunder storms after St.Batholomew's Day (Aug. 24th) are more or less violent. 2330. If the 24th of August be bright and clear, Then hope foi a prosperous autum that year. 2331. If the first week in August be unusualy warm, The winter will be wlhte, cold, and long. 122 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 23. PEGGY STEWART DAY, OCTOBER I9TH. 2332. A special Maryland day is October i9th, commemorating the burning of the Peggy Stewart, in 1774, when the owner, Mr. Stewarf, was compelled to burn the vessel with its cargo of tea in the harbor of Annapolis. 24. NOVEMBER 22ND (SAILING DAY). 2333. " Sailing day " is a recent Maryland festival to celebrate the departure of the Maryland pilgrims from England, in "The Ark and the Dove." The Knights of Columbus instituted this day a few years ago as their particular feast day; since then other patriotic organizations have adopted the day. 25. HARVEST CUSTOMS. 2334. It was customary during corn husking for the finder of the " red ear " to throw it to the prettiest girl, and then chase her until he had caught and kissed her. Then they danced together. 2335. "Harvest homes" are observed in the churches of different denominations, the fruits and vegetables that are used being given to thepoor. 2336. Harvesters were in some places liberally supplied with a drink of cold water, ginger and molasses, and they always had an extra dinner given them. In other places ginger bread and egg-nog was the standard treat, and sometimes beer was substituted, this being in most cases home made, and made from hops. The last day of the harvest was celebrated as a " Harvest Home," and the evening was given over to merriment, the neighbors coming from miles around to take part. 2337. There were also husking parties; and a feature of this in some places was a chicken potpie baked in a Dutch oven, 1 sweet potatoes and preserves being its necessary accessories. The favorite games at these husking parties were " sock-a-bout, " foul and fair, " "and watch the candle." 26. HALLOWE'EN. 2338. Hallowe'en has been called" nut-crack night" from the number of nuts and apples used in the " projects" so generally performed at this season. i. Dutch ovens are still used in the mountainous counties. Folk-Lore from Maryland I23 2339. If you are born on Hallowe'en, you can see and read things in dreams. 2340. On Hallowe'en, melt some lead and pour it from an iron spoon into cold water. The form that it assumes will be prophetic of your future life. One girl who tried it saw the lead take the shape of a coffin, and her husband took up the trade of an undertaker after her marriage. 234I. On Hallowe'en, run around the square with your mouth full of pins and needles. Come home and look in the glass, and you will see your future husband, if you are to be married; but if not, you will see a coffin. 2342. If you drop two needles into a bowl of water, you can tell by the way they move in the water whether you and your lover will come together. 2343. On HIallowe'en, put some apples in a tub of water, and name them with a label. Let a girl kneel over the tub, shut her eyes, put her hands behind her, and try to catch an apple with her teeth. The one she succeeds in catching will be her future husband. 2344. Suspend some apples, labeled with names over a doorway, blind-fold a girl with her hands behind her, and let her try to bite an apple. The one she bites, will be her future husband. 2345. Walk around your house three times or around the town, with a mouthful of water in your mouth, and you will marry the first man you meet. 2346. Walk into a room backward at twelve o'clock at night on Hallowe'en, looking over your left shoulder, and you will see your future husband. 2347. It is an old custom to throw corn at doors and windows on Hallowe'en. 2348. On Hallowe'en, cut the rind off an apple, throw it over your shoulder, and it will form the initial of your lover's name. The correct way to do this is to select first a large apple: It must be carefully pared and swung cautiously around the head. If the peel breaks, there is calamity ahead and an interrupted love. If it break twice - once while being pared and again while being thrown - then it means still more disaster; for the twice-parted peel means twice-parted love. The peel must be twirled around the head three times and then must be tossed lightly from the finger. It will find its way in a great swirl to the floor, and there it will lie, ready to be read. If the moon is full the peeling must be read from the north; if the time be midnight it must be read from the south; if the night be rainy it must be read from the east, and if it be clear it is read from the west. The letter is studied out, and the girl knows what letter shall be embroidered upon her linen at her marriage. 2350. Put three chestnuts on a hot stove. Name one for yourself and the others for two men. If one jumps and bursts, that lover will be 124 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society unfaithful; if one blazes or burns, that one has some regard for the one making the test. If the girl's nut burns with one of the lovers, they will marry before the next Hallowe'en. 2351. On Hallowe'en go chestnutting with a party. The one finding the first burr will be the first to marry. If the burr opens easily, the love will not last long, if it is hard to open the love will last. 2352. Take three bowls and put colored water in one, clear water in another and leave the third empty. Blindfold each of the party in turn and let them put the left hand in one of the bowls. If it is in the clear water, the one trying it will marry a maid or a bachelor; if the colored water is chosen, a widow or a widower will fall to the lot of the diviner; if the empty bowl is selected, a life of single blessedness is all that can be excepted of the future. 2353. If you cut out the letters of the alphabet in paper and put them face downward in a basin of water and place the basin under your bed, you will find in the morning the letters of your future husbands name turned facing you. 2354. Blindford a girl and turn her round three times, and if she cannot blow out a lighted candle placed in the room, she will never marry. 2355. Go into a garret at twelve o'clock at night, throw a ball out of the window, and say, "I wind, who unwinds? " (Winding the ball on your own side) Repeat the words several times, or until they are answered by a voice that gives the lover's name. 2356. Take your under-garment off at midnight on Hallowe'en, wash it backwards, dry it backwards and then sit down before the stove backwards, without speaking, and if you are to marry, you will see your future husband come down the steps; if you are not to marry, a black cat will come down the steps, followed by four men carrying a coffin. 2357. On Hallowe'en, hang an apple on a string attached to a nail. The number of people passing under it will indicate the number of months that will elapse before you will be married. 2358. If you make biscuits without talking on Hallowe'en night, and jump in bed backwards, you will see your future husband if the room is dark. 2359. Bake small cakes, and put in one a piece of money, in another a ring, in a third a rag, and in a fourth a thimble. You can tell who will be rich, who will be married, who will be poor, and who will earn her own living. 2360. Take three dishes, and in one put clear water, in another milky water, and have the third one empty. Blindfold a girl, and if she touches the clear water, she will marry a bachelor; the milk water, a widower; the empty one, she will not marry at all. This must be tried three times. 2361. If you eat a salt cake and go to bed backwards without speak Folk-Lore from Maryland I25 ing, you will dream that your future husband will bring you a drink of water. If the cup be of silver or gold, you will be wealthy; if of glass, moderately rich, and if of tin, you will be poor. If you help yourself to a drink, you will never be married, and if the vessel out of which you drink is a gourd, you will be a pauper. 2362. A salt cake was eaten by a girl in Emmittsburg on Hallowe'en. She went to bed without speaking, and dreamed that she was sitting in a certain house looking out of a window and longing for someone to bring her a drink of water, and getting weary of waiting, she went into the kitchen and helped herself from a tin bucket with a tin cup. Returning to the window, she was just in time to see a dark-haired man ride away. She was never married, and is terribly poor. 2363. Make nine corn balls and write three men's names three times, putting the names in the balls, and dropping in water. The name of the man that is exposed the most, will be your future husband. 2364. Listen outside of windows on Hallowe'en, and the first man's name you hear will be the first name of your future husband. It is said you must have a mouthful of water which you must neither swallow nor throw out until you have heard the name. 2365. One Hallowe'en trick is to go backwards into a cabbage bed and in that position pick a cabbage, and the name of one's lover will be pronounced. 2366. " One Hallowe'en night my father and some boys were sitting on a bench concocting plans for raiding a cabbage bed, when two balls of fire exploded before them. 2367. " Two boys who had been raiding a cabbage bed on Hallowe'en night, were going through a wood when two balls of fire exploded before them. " 2368. If you walk backward into a cabbage bed, you can tell whether you will marry a fat man or a thin one by the kind of cabbage you stumble over. A tall cabbage denotes a tall man and if you stumble over something else, you will not marry at all. 2369. If on Hallowe'en, a girl takes a mirror and walks twenty paces backwards, her future husband will look in the glass. 2370. If you hold a candle and stand before a mirror on Hallowe'en, you will see your lover look over your shoulder. 2371. On Hallowe'en, if you walk backwards into a garden and pull up a cabbage behind you, you can tell the condition of your future husband. A fine large cabbage means a handsome man; a deal of dirt means wealth, and a poor lean cabbage means a poor man. 2372. On Hallowe'en pull a cabbage and put it under your bed, and do not speak after it is pulled. Whatever you dream of will come true. 2373. On Hallowe'en, pin a garter to the wall, saying as you do do, "I pin my garter to the wall, I hope to hear my true lover call. " During the night you will dream of raps, and whoever it is that raps will be your I26 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society husband. If he passes you water in a glass, he will be rich, but if in a tin cup, he will be poor. 2374. If you write a list of seven names on Hallowe'en, and put it under your pillow, you will marry the one you dream of. 2375. The girl who is in love with four men can decide between them on the night of Hallowe'en. She must light four candles and seat herself in front of them, naming each candle for one of the four men. The candle that burns longest will be the most constant. The one that burns most evenly is the one that will make her happiest; while the one that flickers and goes out is the one that will make her life a series of heartachese and will fill life with its bickerings; while the candle that burns up the quickest indicates a short and brilliant life. 2376. In order to see the face of one's future mate, one need only stand before a mirror in a darkened room and eat an apple in front of a mirror at midnight. The face of the future husband will appear over the shoulder. 2377. On Hallowe'en, if you walk backwards toward a mirror with one in your hand, you will see a man in the one behind you. 2378. On Hallowe'en night, walk backwards down stairs with a candle in one hand and a mirror in the other, and on the last step you will see the man you are going to marry looking into the mirror. 2379. Stand before a mirror on Hallowe'en at midnight, eat an apple, and brush your hair for some time, and then you will see the face of your future husband in the glass. 2380. If you eat dumb cake on Hallowe'en night, walking up the stairs backwards, and do not speak from the time you eat it until the next morning, your future husband will bring you a drink in the night. 2381. Put popcorn, nuts or apple seed sin the ashes of a fire; name them, and whichever pops first is your lover. 27. PATRON SAINTS' DAYS. 2382. Eddis, the Englishman, in his " Letters" from Annapolis, in I773, tells of the celebration in Maryland of the Patron-Saints' Days in the colony; and they are still festival seasons in Baltimore: St. Andrews, St. George's, St. David's and St. Patrick's, most festive of all, with its green banners carried in procession through the streets. And there is St. Thomas's Day, 2383. St. Thomas-day, St. Thomas day, The longest night, the shortest day. 28. ALL SAINTS' DAY, NOVEMBER IST. 2384. Special services for the dead are held in Catholic churches on this day. Folk-Lore from Maryland 127 29. ALL SOULS' DAY, NOVEMBER 2ND. 2385. It has become a custom with The Woman's Literary Club of Baltimore to decorate the graves of the authors and artists of Maryland on All Souls' Day. 30. NOVEMBER 2IST. 2386. The 2Ist of November settles the winter. Whatever kind of weather we have then will predominate until spring. I 31. CHRISTMAS. 2387. In making a study of current Christmas customs, members of the Maryland Folk-Lore Society 1 sent out a questionaire to different sections of the State, and received sixty-six replies, which represented the ways of about one hundred families. These observances of the season seem to be handeddown by the mother, while the customs of the father's childhood are lost entirely or preserved in a very fragmentary manner. Everywhere they had the tree, the stockings, presents, cornucopias of candy and fancy ornaments; formerly, most of these articles were hung upon the tree, each person present at the lighting or the chief ceremonies about the tree, receiving a gift. There are various ways of undressing the tree as well as of dressing it. In one case the undressing was by " switching the tree, " hung principally with candy. A childrens' party is given and the mother with a little stick, switches the tree and as the good things fall, the children scramble for them, Sometimes the children dance to music around the tree, singing, " Here we go round the Christmas tree; " suddenly the music stops, the dance ceases and each child is given a candy cane, a bag or box of candy or sometimes little gifts. Such parties were very common in my young days at certain houses, the presents given with the bonbons were always very pretty and worth keeping. The tree would be lighted at any preferred time during Christmas week. Among intimate families, they had to fit in the different dates, though there were one or two families who kept the same day from year to year; and no one ventured to encroach upon their choices. In some parts of the West and South, and in parts of New England, a Christmas tree in a private family was unknown. A western woman says she saw her first Christmas tree in Germany after she was married 2388. The stocking is always identified with Santa Claus, while the tree is only sometimes supposed to be his work. i. Mrs. C. C. Marden. I28 Memoirs of the A merican Folk-Lore Society He may find the stockings hung in one place in this house; and in another, elsewhere; but he always finds them, whether by the tree, by the chimney, or the bed post, on the wall, on the door knobs, on the window, or hanging from chairs. Sometimes a new stocking is used, sometimes the oldest, past wearing. An extra long one should have a knot in it as good form to Santa Claus. In many families the servants hang stockings, which are usually provided for them and hung by the " white folks, " and generally depend from the kitchen mantel, though the servants' door knobs are often used if the other stockings hang in the mother's bedroom, Ours hung. from heavy mahogany chairs in the back parlor before the open fire place, as the place most convenient to the overburdened Santa Claus. Many weary Christmas Eves have I labored over these stockings of many sizes, belonging to members of three generations gathered for the Christmas meeting; and no one was too old to believe, and to demand his stocking filled with " goodies. " Sometimes plates were used for the servants and were placed on a side table in the dining-room. The filling of the stocking varies. Almost invariably an orange fills the toe; in the heel may be a bit of jewelery or a coin or whatever is the most valuable gift, or a penny for luck and a " quarter " for church. A naughty child may get a switch from Santa. 2389. Notes are written to Sante Claus, or the children call up the chimney what they most desire; or cry " Christmas gift! " " Caught the other Christmas gift! " 2390. Some Baltimore children always put a pillow in the chimney place that Santa Claus might alight in comfort. 2391. In former days in Maryland manors, the servants would select the great Christmas log and they soaked it in the creek that it might last the longer. Old servants would come home to see Master and Mistress, and receive gifts of clothing and money, with rum, gin, eggnog or apple toddy as a Christmas treat. 2392. " Cattle low and rooster crow" for a month before Christmas, to herald the coming anniversary. 2393. At midnight, on Christmas, cattle kneel down to pray, and water in springs turns to wine. 2394. On the stroke of twelve on Christmas Eve night, all the roosters begin to crow. 2395. At twelve o'clock on Christmas night cattle talk. 2396. Cows are supposed to get down on their knees at twelve o'clock on Christmas Eve. They are also supposed to say their prayers. A man across the Pennsylvania line, about I820, heard that cows could talk on Christmas Eve at twelve o'clock, so he went to the stalls. The cow said, " My good old master shall not live another year. " Soon after he died. (Emmittsburg.) 2397. Christmas Eve night, evil spirits rise from the earth to combat Folk-Lore from Maryland I29 good ones, which at cock crow conquer the evil. Hence it is better to have roosters at liberty on Christmas Eve night. 2398. If you are born on Christmas Day, you can see what others cannot.?"2399. It is good luck to be born on Christmas Day. 2400. If you look out on Christmas Eve at twelve o'clock, you will see a streak of light across the sky in the East. 2401. The original star of Bethlehem appears in the eastern part of the sky every Christmas morning. 2402. Mistletoe should be used at Christmas. 2403. Mistletoe and holly are used for Christmas decorations. 2404. Any girl standing under the mistletoe may be kissed. 2405. It is bad luck to have Christmas decorations in an upper room. 2406. If any holly or ivy falls into pews in church and is not removed until after New Year's Day, it is a sign that some one in the family in whose pew the greens fall will die. 2407. Christmas greens should be taken down January 6th, Old Christmas day. 2408. Hop vines are said to grow up on Christmas. 2409. The weather during the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany will prevail in the corresponding months of the year. Whatever is dreamed during these twelve days will come true sometime that year. 24I0. A green Christmas makes a white church-yard. 24II. A green Christmas makes a fat graveyard. 2412. Wear at least one new and one old garment at Christmas. 24I3. It is bad luck to sew on Christmas Day. 24I4. It is bad luck to take in coal at Christmas. 2415. It is not right to carry out ashes between Christmas and New Year's Day. 2416. It is good luck to be the first to open the door to " let in Christmas. " 2417. The negro servants dipped the Christmas log in the stream that it might burn slowly and the good luck last long. 24I8. If you eat no beans on Christmas Day, you will become an ass. 24I9. Plum pudding is eaten at Christmas because the Wise Men brought spices to Jesus. CHILDEMAS DAY. DEC. 26TH. 2420. It is the worst luck to sew or dance on Childemas Day. 242I. It is considered unlucky among the negroes, to begin any piece of work on " Childemas Day. " They will work until late at night the day before, and begin a piece of work then, rather than leave it for the next day. I30 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2422. The last four days of December foretell the weather of coming seasons. The spring will be like the twenty-eighth, the summer like the twenty-ninth, the autum like the thirtieth, and the winter like the thirty-first. XIV. RHYMES, GAMES, SONGS I. STREET CRIES. The Devil Crab Man. 2423. Da-aiblle! Debble, Daibble Crab! My ol' man makes me mad, Sen's no me oud widde Develish Crab! 2424. Ah, I hav 'em hot, Ah, I have 'em brown, Ah, I have 'em long, Ah, I have 'em roun', Dey's nice en fat, dey weighs a poun', Daibble 2425. Hard fried, crab cakes, en daibble crabs! Hard fried, er yawl wide! Crabbee? 2426. Keep yo' haid levvul! Tom de devvul! Ah on'y has de kin' de ladies outhter buy. Ef yo' don' come soon ah'm ergoin' by. Daibble! Debble Crab! Crab-man's goin' 'way- Good-bye. The Cry of the Oyster Man. 2427. Oy' ee! Oy' ee! Some t' stoo, en some t' fry, En some t' make de oystuh pie! Oo- - oy! ee! The Cries y of " Old Moses." 2428. Pore ol' Moses, pore ol' feller, Jes' comin' roun' de corner to bring de ladies an' gemmen Some nice fresh oyshters! Pore ol' Moses, pore ol' feller! 2429. L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-lem-men Ice Cream! La-la-la-la Lemmun Ice Cream. 2430. "Annran-le Straw-aw-aw berries," for Anne Arundle straw berries. 243I. "Rags, bones and bottles." 2432. L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-lemon ice-cream. 2433. Who'll pick a egg —? Folk-Lore from Maryland I3I 2434. New York apples, twenty cents a peck. 2435. Al-bany beef-Al-bany beef. 2436. Ay-i Oy-i. 2437. Crab-by Crab. 2438. Wash-tubs to mend. 2439. Um-bre-el-les to mend. Um-bre-relles to mend. 2440. Who's got a egg? 2. COUNTING-OUT RHYMES. 244I. Onery, twoery, ickery tun, Filsom, folsem, Nicholas, John, Queevy, quavy, English navy, Sink 'em, sank 'em, buck. 2442. One-ery, oo-ery, ickery onn, Phillosy, phollosy, Nicholas John, Queeby, quaby, Irish Mary, Trinklum, tranklum, Charley Buck. 2443. One-ery, two-ery, dickery davy, Oliver, scolliver, tenery leevy, Discontented Merican I Hoggelty, boggelty, twenty-none. 2444. Eickery dickroy dock, The mouse ran up the clock, The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory dickory dock. 2445. Three mice run up the clock; The mouse run down. O-U-T, out. Tommy Terry with a dish-clout tied round your neck. O-U-T, out, you old scout. 2 2446. One's all, two's all, Zigger's all, zan, Bob-tail nanny-goat, Tickery tall tan. Harum scarum Virgum Marum, Zinctum, zanctum, Washington, Buck. 2447. One's all, two's all, i. This is also used simply as a nursery rhyme in Maryland. 2. L. B1olton credits this only to Maryland and says, " Scout is a small heron of ungainly shape, also called shytepoke ". 132 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Ziggers's all, zan, Bob-tail nanny-goat, Literum ertan, Harum scarum, Wigerun arum, buck. 2448. One zoll, two zol, zig, zoll zam, Bob tail, bob tail, tinkeluma tam, Harum scarum, bully narum, Rig dum bully, mitty kimo, Kimo karum, bully narum, Rig dum bully, mitty kimo. 2449. One's all, two's all, zig's all tan, Ticks in a twaddle, twenty-one, Backs in a barram, ferro fan, Harum, scarum, nugen narum, Twiddle twaddle, out. 2450. One's all, two's all, zigzag zan, Buckram bellum, tenofam, Harum scarum, hugen karem, Turkey buzzard. 245I. One zall, two zall, zickery zan, Bob-tail, bob-tail, tickulum tan, Harum, scarum, segun sarum, Frances. 2452. One woll, two voll, Zig zag zan, Bob-tail, bob-tail, Ticklun a tan, Harum, scarum, bull gum marum, Frances. 2453. One's all, two's all, gig zall zan, Bobtail, Nicklom, ticklom, tan, Ajine, harom scorum, Turkey Buzzard. 2454. I-2-3-4 Jennie at the cottage door, 5-6-7-8 Eating cherries off a plate, My-mammy-told-me-to-take-this-one. 2455. I-2-3-4 Mary at the cottage door, Eating grapes off a plate, 5-6-7-8. 2456. I-2-3-4 Mother scrubbed the floor, Folk-Lore from Maryland 133 Floor dried, mother died, 1-2-3-4. 2457. I-2-3-4 Mary at the cottage door, 5-6-7-8 Eating grapes off a plate, In comes cat, out goes rat, In comes a lady with big-see-saw-hat. 2458. 1-2-3, 1-2-3, Out in the middle Of the dark blue sea. 2459. I-2-3 Spells out goes she. 2460. One- Two- Three, Mammey caught a flee, Flea died, mammy cried One- Two- Three. 2461. I-2-3-4-5-6-7, These little children went to heaven, One flew east and one flew west And one flew over the cuckoo's nest. 2462. I-2-3-4-5-6-7. All good children go to heaven, Some go up and some go down, And some go all round the town 2463. I-2-3-4-5-6-7, All good children go to heaven, I-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, All bad children are too late. 2464. I-2-3-4-5-6-7 All good children go to heaven, All the rest go below, To keep company with Jumbo, or To keep company with Guiteau. 2465. Eeny, meeny, mony, mike, Battle leather, long strike, Hair bit, frost snack, Acka, wacka, wee wo wack. 2466. Eeny, meeny, mony, mike, Battle, latter, bony strike. Hare, bit, frost, snack, Hacker, wacker, wee, wo, wack. In comes the other, I34 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Out goes Jack's Big black brother. 2467. Eeny, meeny, mony, mike, Batte, laddie, bony strike, Hair, bir, frost, whack, Out goes Jack. 2468. Eeny, meeny, mony mike, Pennsylvania bony strike, Have vit, frost nit, Ack-awack a wee woe wack. 2469. Eeny, meeny, mony, mock, Askalany, bana, strock, Aya, waya, flounce, strock, Elika, bolika, wee, woe each. 2470. Eeny, meeny, miney mo, Catch a nigger by the toe, If he hollers, let him go, Eeny, meeny, miney, mo. 2471. Eeny, meeny, miny, mo, Ketch the darkey by this toe, If he hollers, make him pay 2 Fifteen dollars every day. 2472. Eeny, meeny, miny, mo, Cracky, fury, fine, fo, Opie, coochie, poppy, coochie, Rick, bick, bando. 2473. Eeny, meeny, tipy, teeny, Apple-jack and Johnny Sweeny, Hocky, pocky, dominocky, High on tusk. 2474. Eeny, meeny, tipsy, teeny, Apple Jack and John a Spleeny, Hotchy, potchy, domi, notchy, Hunny pun tust, tust in, tust out, Just around the water spout. 2475. Eeny, meeny, tipsy, toe, Olla, bolla, domino, Okka, pocha, dominocha, Hy pon tush, O-U-T spells out goes she, Right in the middle of the dark blue sea. i. Cp. Bolton, p. I05. This is the favorite counting out rhyme of American children. 2. Cp. Bolton, p. 145-6. Folk-Lore from Maryland I35 2476. Eeny, meeny, tipsy, teeny, Oka, pocha, dominocha, Hi pon tuss. 2477. Eeny, come Meeny come down to your dinner, To eat the hind leg of a hog. Look over the steeple to see the good eating The leg of a frog. 2478. Haily maily, tipsy toe, Dury, dory, domino, Hocky, pocker, dominocker, High pon tuss. 2479. Aily maily, tipsy taily, Eyely, oley, dominaley, Heichy, peichy, dominichy, Hine pine tuss. 2480. Henry, menry, deeper, dee, Delia, dalia, nomine, Hotcher, potcher, number notcher, Hi-pon-tus. 2481. Ailie, mailie, tribily, trick, Treely, trily, O me nick, Uncle Bro, Tom I no, I sunt tuz. 2482. Eely, meely, tipsy tie Teely, tily, dominee, Hoky, poky, dominocky Hi, pon, tuss. 2483. Intra, mintra, cutra, corn, Apple seed and brier thorn, Wire brier, limber-lock, Three geese in a flock, One flew East, One flew West, One flew over the cuckoo's nest. 2484. Brier, brier, limber lock, Three geese in a flock, One flew East, One flew West, And one flew over the cuckoo's nest, O-U-T, out with a greasey dish cloth, out. 2485. Intery, mintery, cutery corn, Apple seed and apple thorn, Wire brier, limber lock, Five geese in a glock, Sit and sing, by a spring, O-U-T. out, and in again. I36 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society This, is with the exception of two words, exactly as the rhyme is found in the Percy relics, where it is said that it may possibly have been used as a game, but there is no evidence to show it. The changes are, third line, " Wine! " last line " out " is not there. 2486. Hintery, mintery, cutery corn, Apple seed and brier thorn, Wire brier, limber lock. 2487. Wire briar, limber lock, Sit and sing till twelve o'clock, Clock fall down, mouse ran 'round, O-U-T spells out - and be gone. 2488. Lucky, minchy, cuchy cow, Apple seed and berry thorn, Briar, briar, limber lock, Ten mice on a clock, The clock fell down, The mice went round. Tee, tee, turn me out To get a bottle of wine. 2489. Ickerma, dickerma, allega mo, Dick slew allega slum, Hulka pulka Peter's gum, Francis. 2490. Ikkamy dukkamy alligar mole, Dick slew alligar slum, Hukka pukka Peter's gum, Francis. 249I. Dicky Dicky alla-ga-mo, Dick slew allaga slum, Pilcher pulcher Peter's hum, Francis. 2492. Iggany oggany, box of gold, I had a house seven years old, Seven and seven and seven to that, I thought the old fellow would never get fat, I inched him, I pinched him, I made his back smart; If I ever catch hold of him, I'll tear-out-his-h-e-a-r-t. 1 2493. Peter Matrimety was a good waterman, He caught hens and put them in pens, Some laid eggs and some laid none, White foot, speckle foot, trip and be gone. I. Cp. Bolton, p. I5. Folk-Lore from Maryland I37 2494. William-a-Trimpity, he's a good waterman, Catches his hens, puts them in pens, Some lay eggs and some lay none, Wire brier limber-lock Twenty geese in a flock, O-U-T spells out. 2495. Wm. T. Trinity Was a good waterman, He had hens, And kept them in pens. Some laid eggs and some laid none. Whitefoot, specklefoot, trip and be gone. 2496. William Mathinity was a good waterman, Watered his hens, put them in pens, Some laid eggs, some laid none, Whitefoot, blackfoot, trip-up-and-be-gone. 2497. William the Conquerer was a good waterman, Watered his hens, put them in pens, Some laid eggs, some laid none, Whitefoot, blackfoot, specklefoot Trip-up-and-be-gone. This group is counted on the ten fingers of the players, held up or laid out flat, the last finger touched being turned under. The rhyme is repeated until all the fingers have gone down into the palm of the hand. It is a game for very little children. 2498. William the trumpeter, he's a good waterman He can catch hens, put them in pens Some lay eggs and some lay none, Yellow, foot, speckle foot, trip and be gone with your old dish cloth. In this variant each player puts a finger on the lap of the pointer-out. The owner of the finger on which the last word falls goes to the end of the room, while names of animals birds or flowers are given to all in the game, himself included. He is then asked. When are you coming home? A. Tomorrow afternoon. Q. What will you bring with you? A. A dish and a spoon. Q. What in the other hand? A. A little bow and arrow to shoot the cock and sparrow. Q. Which would you rather ride, the monkey, kangaroo, etc. The one selected must go and bring him home. Should he mention his own name, he is told to " Come home yourself: " The counting-out is there resumed. I38 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2499. As I was going up the old church steeple, There I met some crazy people Some were white and some were black And some were the color of my new hat. W-h-i-t-e spells white. 2500. Harley, Marley, pease, straw, Ten pinches is the law Pinch him now, pinch him then, Pinch him till he counts ten. 2501. What's your name? Pudding-in-tane. Where do you live? Up Red Lane. What's your number? 22 Cumber. 2502. Ink, ink, pen and ink, Sty, stow, steady, stink. 2503. Barney, Barney, buckwheat straw, How many pinches make a law? Pinch me now, and pinch me then, And pinch me when I laugh again. 2504. My father is going to build a new brick house, How many bricks shall he put in it? (Some-one mentions a number, and you count that many.) 2505. Engine, engine number 9, Running on Chicago time, First in, first out, That's the way they go about. 2506. Peter Riley eats fish And catches eels. Eels catch aligators, Fanny eats raw potatoes. 2507. My mother says I shan't be it. 2508. My mother told me to take this one (This is often used where trying to decide which of two or more things to choose.) 2509. Jack says to Jack, How much are your pigs? Jack says to Jack, Fifty cents apiece, They are too dear, Jack says to Jack, Get out of here. 25I0. Monkey, monkey bottle of beer, How many monkeys have we here? One, two, three, out goes she, There comes another, Out goes her brother. Folk-Lore from Maryland I39 2511. One-y-bo, two-y-bo, Ticky-bo,. teben; Holly-bo, crolly-bo, Cracky-me leven. 2512. Fee, fi, fo, fun, I smell the blood of an Englishman; Be he live or be he dead, I grind his bones to make my bread. 2513. Nigger in the woodshed, Don't you hear him holler? Take him up to my house And give him half a dollar. 25I4. Red white and blue, All out but you. 2515. Have a cherry, have a plum, Have a piece of chewing gum. 2516. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, O-U-T spells out goes she. 25I7. Did you ever tell a lie? No! I never told a lie, But I eat the apple pie. 2518. B-a-l-t-i-m-o-r-e spells Baltimore. 25I9. As I went up the apple tree, All the apples fell on me. Bake a pudding, Bake a pie, You're the 6ne who told the lie. 2520. Knife and fork, Bottle and cork, That's the way To spell New York. 252I. Apples and oranges, two for a penny, It takes a good scholar to count so many, One two three, Out goes he. 1 2522. Bee, bee, Bumbey bee, Sting a man on the knee, Sting a pig on the snout O-u-t out. 2523. A rough shirt And a standing collar i. Cp. Bolton p. II3. I40 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Will choke a nigger Till he holler. 2524. O-U-T spells out goes she, Right in the middle of the Deep blue sea. 2525. A, B, C, bouncing B, Cat's in the cupboard, And can't catch me, A, B, C. (Mother Goose, Warner and Co.) 2526. Hayfoot strawfoot, Specklefoot crawfoot, Some flew east, some flew west, Some flew over the cuckoo's nest. 2527. Aka baka, soda cracker, Aka baka, boo. My grandfather had an old horseshoe How many nails did he put in it? (Select a number & count that many.) 3. GAMES. 2528. See-saw, marjory daw, Johnnie shall have a new master, He shan't have but a penny a day, Because he can't work any faster. Draw a pail of water. 2529. Two girls face each other holding hands, and two more do the same, and then see-saw backwards and forwards, one going under. They do this until all have gone under, and then jump up and down until they fall down. They sing this. Draw a bucket of water, For my lady's daughter, A gay gold ring and a silver pin, And pray my lady go under. (Miss Jennie go under.) Sebastopol. 2530. Children make mounds of dirt on which they plant flags, little Folk-Lore from Maryland I4I forts and cannon. Then they greet the passers by with; " A penny for Sebastopol," or " Some pins for Sebastopol." This game is said to be peculiar to Baltimore, and it is suggested that the Russian contract to the Winan's firm in Baltimore was responsible for its existence. Tit, Tat, Toe. 2531. This is played with a slate and pencil or with a pencil and paper. 2532. Tell a child to say, " Grandmother, grandmother, thith, thith, thithy," and while the child is doing it, strike him under the chin to make him bite his tongue. 2533. Tickle the knee, and say, If you're an honest boy (or girl) As I take you to be, You'll neither laugh nor smile, While I tickle your knee. Move on. 2534. The campany seat themselves in a ring, one standing in the centre. Those who are seated, move constantly from chair to chair, the one in the middle trying to secure a seat while it is unoccupied, thus forcing someone else to take his place in the centre. Follow your Leader. 2535. Choose a leader, and follow him wherever he goes, and whatever he does. If he attempts anything he cannot finish, the one who accomplishes it, becomes leader. Pavement Catcher. 2536. One stands on the pavement while the others are just ouside of it. They try to touch the house, but if they are caught on the pavement, they become "it." Fox in the Morning. 2537. One person says to the others, "Fox in the morning." Answer, " Goose and Gander." "How many ganders? " "More than you are able to catch." Then the one that the first one catches, must help him to get the rest. I42 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Grandmother, what o'olock is it? 2538. The children say to the old woman: "Old grandmother, what o'clock is it? " "Half past twelve. " Chicky, chicky, crany, crow, I went to the wall to wash my toe, When I came back the chicken was gone. "Grandmother, what o'clock is it? " "Half past one. " They go around clapping hands, and dance off in a four hand reel. Joggle along. 2539. Boys and girls pair off and move round in a ring, and at the word, "Joggle along, " they change partners, the boy taking the girl ahead of him. Come all ye young men, from your wild wicked ways, Who sow your wild oats in your youthful days, That you may be happy, that you may be happy, When you grow old. The day is far spent and the night's coming on, So give us your arm and we'll joggle along, Joggle along, joggle along; So give us your arm and we'll joggle along. Bingo. 2540. Children do the "grand chain, " singing: There was a farmer had a dog, Bingo was his name, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o Bingo was his name. The Farmer stands alone..2541. The children form a ring, take hands, and sing, with a boy in the middle: The farmer stands alone, The farmer stands alone, Heigh ho, the merry oh, the farmer stands alone. The farmer takes a wife,&c. (He chooses one.) The wife takes a child, &c. Folk-Lore from Maryland I43 The child takes a nurse, &c. The nurse takes a dog, &c. The dog takes a cat, &c. The cat takes a mouse, &c. The mouse takes a cheese, &c. At the close there are eight inside of the ring. Grandmother Hoptikins or Hippertyhop. 2542. One child dressed as an old woman stands apart from the rest and represents the grandmother. The children form in line, all but one who is dressed as an old woman and comes hopping down towards them. The one at the end of the line says: " Here comes old Mother Hoptikins (or Hippertyhop); I wonder what she wants. " The old women replies, " I want a child." " Where is the one I gave you last year?" '" She couldn't knit, she couldn't spin, so I took her by her hind leg and threw her down the dung hole." "Here take this one, " (indicating some one). Lazy old Mary. 2543. The children move in a ring and sing to one lying in the middle: Lazy old Mary will you get up, Will you get up, will you get up. Lazy old Mary will you get up, Will you get up to-day? Mary answers, What will you give me for my breakfast, If I get up to-day? A slice of bread and a cup of tea If you will get up to-day. No, mother, I won't get up, &c. I won't get up to-day. Lazy old Mary will you get up, &c. Will you get up to-day? What will you give me for my dinner If I get up to-day? A slice of fat and a roasted cat, &c. If you get up to-day. I44 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society No, mother, I won't get up, &cm I won't get up to-day. Lazy old Mary will you get up, &c. Will you get up to-day? What will you give me for my supper, &c. If I get up to-day? A nice young man with rosy cheeks. &c. If you get up to-day. Mary rising; Yes mother, I will get up, &c. I will get up to-day. Open the gates as high as the sky. 2544. Two children unite hands, choosing a name each, such as orange and lemon, while the other children pass under holding on to each other's waists, and singing " Open the gates as high as the sky, And let King George's horses pass by." Or this, "And let King William's troop pass by. " " Open the gates as high as the sky To let King George's horses pass by, Here comes a light to light you to bed, Here comes a hatchet to chop off your head." The arms are let down, shutting in the last one, who is asked whether he prefers orange or lemon. He is then sent behind the one he chooses, and the game proceeds until all have chosen a side. Then holding tightly to each other's waists, they pull until one side gives way, the victorious side calling, " Rotten eggs. " Ring around a rosy and go round. 2545. The children form a ring singing: Ring around a rosy, Sit upon a posy, All the children in our town Sing for Uncle Josy. Then the children sit down in a ring, and the game is over. Variant: " All the girls in our town sing for Uncle Johnny. " Folk-Lore from Maryland I45 Among the Middymore dandies. 2546. A girl called Jane Smith is in the ring. The ring sings: Janie was her first name, Her first name, her first name, Janie was her first name, Among the Middymore dandies. Smith was her second name, &c. Among the Middymore dandies. John was his first name, &c, Brown was his second name, &c. Now poor John is dead and gone, &c. And leaves poor Janie a widow, &c. Twenty-four children at her feet, &c. The children kneel in a ring, and the one in the middle counts them, until she reaches twenty-four, and that one goes into the ring. The mulberry bush. 2547. Children sing in a ring: Here we go round the mulberry bush, mulberry bush, mulberry bush, Here we go round the mulberry bush, So early in the morning. This is the way we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes, This is the way we wash our clothes, So early Monday morning. This is the way we iron our clothes, iron our clothes, iron our clothes, This is the way we iron our clothes, So early Tuesday morning. This is the way we mend out clothes, mend our clothes, mend our clothes, This is the way we mend our clothes, So early Wednesday morning. This is the way we bake our bread, (repeat same way) So early Thursday morning. Io I46 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society This is the way we sweep our room, &c. So early Friday morning. This is the way we scrub our floor, &c. So early Saturday morning. This is the way we go to church, &c. So early Sunday morning. The children pair off and march away. They perform each act by motions. King William was King James's son. 2548. A ring is formed with one in the middle, while all sing, running around the circle. King William was King James's son, Upon the royal race he run, Upon his breast he wore a star And that was called the life of war. Go choose your east, go choose your west, Go choose the one that you love best, If she's not there to take her part, Go choose the next one to your heart. (Someone from the ring is selected.) Down on the carpet you must kneel As sure as grass grows in the field, Salute your bride and kiss her sweet, And rise and stand upon your feet. (The one chosen stays in the ring.) Bull in the ring. 2549. A ring is formed, and a person in the middle tries to break through. If he succeeds, the one who breaks down, becomes bull. Crack the whip. 2550. A row is formed, and the head girl pulls the others about until they fall. Drop the handkerchief. 255I. A ring is formed, and someone runs outside of it and drops a handkerchief back of a person in the ring. The latter chases the former first, and if he can't catch him before the ring is rounded, becomes " it. " Folk-Lore from Maryland i47 Slap tag. 2552. This game is played the same way, except that " it "touches someone. Bumpty. 2553. Poor Bumpty is dead and laid in his grave, A June apple tree hangs over his head. There was an old woman kept picking them all, Bumpty jumped up and gave her a knock, And made the old woman go hippety hop, Hi' ho'! Hi' ho! Hi' ho! The tongs and the shovel are under the shelf, If you want any more you can sing it yourself. This is a ring game, two children standing in the middle, one scattering gravel or anything, to represent apples, Somebody steps in to get them, and is hit. Green gravel. 2554. Green gravel, green gravel, your dress is so green, The prettiest fair maiden that ever was seen, Miss Bessie, Miss Bessie, your true love is dead, He sent you a letter to turn back your head." This is a ring game. It is sung to one child, who at the words, " turn back your head, " turns around facing the outside of the ring. It is sung to each one, until all have their faces turned out. Variant: "Your grass is so green and all you fair maidens ashamed to be seen." Ugly mug. 2555. A ring is formed, and each one puts her hand or whatever is called for in the ring and makes the motions indicated. Come put your right hand in, Come put your right hand out, Come give your right hand a shake, shake, shake, And turn your body about. Come put your left hand in, &c. Come put your right foot in, &c. Come put your left foot in, &c. Come put your ugly mug in, &c. Come put your whole soul in, &c. 2556. Thus the farmer sows his seed, Thus he stands and takes his ease, 148 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society He stamps his foot and claps his hands, As he turns to view his lands. Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow, Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow. And your nor I, nor no one knows, How oats, peas and barley grow. Wransy, tansy, tavenue. 2557. The children all stand in line but one who faces them. This one is the duke, and comes towards the others and then back to his place singing: Here comes one duke a riding, wransy, tansy, tavenue. ",, ".. At cc. (I The others come forward and back singing, Pray what will you have sir, wransy, tansy, tavenue. Duke, I wish to be married, wransy, tansy, tavenue. ~ {I i~ ~ ~t ft C~ Ct Others, Which one will you have, sir, wransy tansy, tavenue. C t i t If It r" I if r ft Duke, You're all too black and too blue, sirs, &c. Others, Good enough for you sir, &c. The duke now walks along the line singing, I walk through the parlor, I walk through the hall, and choose the prettiest one of you all. There are now two dukes, and they come forward singing, Here come two dukes a-riding, &c. Here comes one duke a-riding. 2558. The duke stands at one end of the room and moves towards the row, singing, "Here comes a duke a riding, a riding, a riding, Here comes a duke a riding, Wransomy, transomy, tee. " The next time, the row of children sings as the duke advances, "What are you riding here for? &c. "I'm riding here to get married, &c." Folk-Lore from Maryland I49 "Oh, won't you take one of us, sir? &c. "You're all too black and brownish, &c. " "We're just as fair as you are, &c." "The fairest one that I can see, That I can see, that I can see, The fairest one that I can see Will surely walk with me. " The duke chooses one who goes back with him. Variant: Here comes one duke a-wooing, a-wooing, a-wooing. A.B.C. 2559. A.B. C-e-e-e-e Mammy caught a flea - Flea died, manny cried, A.B.C- e-e. I sent a letter to my love. 2560. I sent a letter to my love, I carried water in my glove, I dropped it, I dropped it; Somebody look behind them. This door locks with a double lock. 256I. Oh! this door locks with a double lock For I'm in my lady's garden, And if you love me turn me out, For I'm in my lady's garden. Oh! dear doctor. 2562. Johnny Thomson, so they say, Goes a courting every day; Sword and pistol by his side. Lizzie Vickers for his bride. Oh, dear doctor, can you tell What will make poor Lizzie well? She is sick and she may die, That would make poor Johnny cry. Johnny here and Johnny there, Johnny o'er the water, Johnny's got the sweetest girl, Mrs. Vickers' daughter. I50 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society (Any names may be used in place of Johnny Thomson and Lizzie Vickers.) Pussy's in the well. 2563. Ding, dong, bell! Pussy's in the well! Who put her in? Little Johnny Green; Who pulled her out? Little Tommy Trout (or Stout). What a naughty boy was that To drown our little pussy cat, Who never did him any harm But killed his mice in his barn. I'll give you a paper of pins. 2564. I'll give to you a paper of pins, To show you how my love begins, If you will marry me, Miss, If you will marry me. I'll not accept your paper of pins, If that is the way your love begins, And I'll not marry you, Sir. And I'll not marry you, Sir. I'll give you the key of my heart That we may meet and never part, If you, etc. I'll not accept the key of your heart, etc. I'll give you a coach and four And a great big man to open the door, If you, etc. I'll not accept your coach and four, etc. I'll give to you the key of my chest That you can have money at your request, If you, etc. I'll accept from you the key of your chest, That I can have money at my request And I will marry you, Sir, And I will marry you. Folk-Lore from Maryland 5 I Ha, ha, ha, if that is all I'll not marry you at all, So, I'll not marry you Miss, So, I'll not marry you. London Hill, 2565. When I was going up London Hill, London Hill, London Hill, When I was going up London Hill, 0! On a cold, frosty morning, I met my true love coming down, coming down, etc. What do you think she gave to me, gave to me, etc. A snow white cake and a Guinea gold ring, Guinea gold ring, etc. Down in the meadow. 2566. Down in the meadow where the green grass grows, There stands Sally with a horn on her nose; She blows, she blows, she blows so sweet, Come down Charlie and kiss her sweet, Kiss her sweet; kiss her sweet, Come down Charlie and kiss her sweet. Go to Miss Glover. 2567. Go to Miss Glover and tell her I love her, And by the light of the moon, I will come to her. Open the gates as high as the sky. 2568. Open the gates as high as the sky, To let King George's horses pass by. Here comes a light to light you to bed; Here comes a hatchet to chop off your head. Three jolly sailor-boys. 2569. Here comes three jolly, jolly sailor boys Just lately come on shore; They spend their time in a merry, merry way, Just as they did before. I52 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society And here we go around and around, And here we go around With the prettiest girl that's in the ring; Just kiss her, kneeling down. Mazilla and Mazura. 2570. Have you any gooseberry wine, Gooseberry wine, gooseberry wine, Have you any gooseberry wine, Mazilla and Mazura? Yes we have some gooseberry wine, Gooseberry wine, gooseberry wine, Yes we have some gooseberry wine, Mazilla and Mazura. Will you lend me a quart of it, A quart of it, a quart of it, Will you lend me a quart of it, Mazilla and Mazura? The roving rake. 257I. I am a rake and a roving rake, I wear my hat with a white cockade, I carry a sword down by my side, And say, " Pretty maid, will you be my bride?" Oh! pretty Polly. 2572. Oh! pretty Polly, don't you cry, Your sweet-heart will come by and by; When he comes he'll dress in blue, That's the sign he'll marry you. The Juniper tree. 2573. Sister, oh! Phebe, how happy we be, When we sit under the Juniper tree! The Juniper tree, Heigh-ho! The June apple tree. 2574. Oh! sister, oh! Phebe how happy were we The night we sat under the June apple tree! The June apple tree - High-o! Folk-Lore from Maryland r53 Come all ye old maids. 2575. Come all ye old maids in your youthful days, And spend your time in your useful ways, That you may be happy and see your grand-pappy When you grow old. The day is far spent and the night's coming on So give us your arm and we'll joggle along, That you may be happy, etc. Variant Come all ye young men, in your wicked ways, Come sow your wild oats in your youthful days, That you may live happy, etc., Frog in the sea. 2576. Here we sail so fast and free, And the frog in the sea he can't catch me. He, he, he --- he, he, he, The frog in the sea he can't catch me. Humpty-Dumpty. 2577. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the King's horses and all the King's men Couldn't put Humpty together again. Ride a cock horse. 2578. Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross To see a fine lady ride on a white horse, Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes. Give me a pin. 2579. Give me a pin to stick in a cushion To carry a lady to London. I5 1 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society What care I for gold or silver? 2580. What care I for gold or silver, What care I for house or land, BWhat care I for ships on the ocean, All I want's a nice young man. Skip-skop to the barber shop. 258I. Skip-skop to the barber shop to buy a stick of candy, One for you and one for me and one for sister Mandy. 4. NURSERY RHYMES AND SONGS. 2582. Once upon a time, When the dogs ate lime, The turkeys chawed tobacco, And the geese drank wine. 2583. Once upon a time, A dog made a rhyme, Goose chewed tobacco, And the cat drank wine. 2584. Once I was a wish bone, Grew within a hen, Now I am a little slave That is made to wipe your pen. 2585. Hot corn! Baked pears! Knock a nigger down stairs. (A colored man in Baltimore used to cry in the street, "Hot corn! Baked Pears! " as he carried them round for sale. Children imitated his cry and added to it as above.) 2586. Christmas is coming, Turkeys are fat, Please drop a penny, In the little boy's hat. (Or the Newsboy's hat.) 2587. I asked my mother for fifty cents To see the elephant jump the fence. He jumped so high he touched the sky And didn't come back till fourth of July. Folk-Lore from Maryland I55 2588. All the cats consulted, What was it about? How to catch a little mouse Running in and out. 2589. Rain, rain, go away And come again another day, For little Johnny Wants to play. 2590. Rain come wet me, Sun come dry me, Go 'way Patsy, Don't come nigh me, 259I. Jake, Jake, the rattlesnake Stole-a half a-dollar cake. 2592. My name's Jimmy, Take all you gimme. 2593. 0 my dame had a lame, tame crane, And my dame had a lame, tame crane, O pray gentle Jane, let my dame's lame, tame crane Drink and come home again. 2594. A fool for luck, A poor man for children, Eastern shore for hard crabs, And niggers for dogs. 2595. Whar yer gwine, buzzard? Whar yer gwine, crow? Gwine down the river Jus' to jump Jim Crow. 2596. 01' Molly, hyar, What you doin' dyar? Settin' in a winder Smokin' a cegyar. 2597. Nigger in the wood pile, Don't you hear him holler? Come down to my house tonight, I'I1 give you half a dollar. 2598. Ting-a-ling-a-ling the scissors grinder, Lost his wife and couldn't find her. I56 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2599. I had a piece of pork, I put it on a fork, And gave it to the curly headed Jew, Jew, Jew. 2599 A. A tale bearer among children is called a tell-tale or a tattletale, and the following rhyme is repeated to one after a bit of tale bearing. Tattle tale tit, Your tongue shall be split, And all the girls in our town Shall have a little bit. 2600. God made man, and man made money, God made the bee, and the bee made honey, God made Satan, and Satan made sin, God made a little hole to put the devil in. (This is said by children to ward off evil, and while repeating it, they dig a hole in the ground, in which to bury the devil.) 2600 A. A child that cries on the slightest provocation is called a cry-baby and to such a one the following rhyme is repeated: Cry baby cry, Put your finger in your eye And tell your Mother'twasn't I. 2601. Oh dear doctor, what a pain I've got, Take me down to the apothecary shop, Give me something, I don't care what, Oh dear doctor, what a pain I've got. 2602. If all the world were paper, And all the water ink, What should we do for bread and cheese, What should we do for drink? "If all the world were paper " was the name of an old English Country Dance, arranged as a round dance for eight persons. The words as sung then were: If all the world were paper, And all the sea were ink, And all the trees were bread and cheese, What should we do for drink? (The air to which it was sung and danced was given in Playford's Dancing Master, I65I.) 2603. If you lose anything and catch a grasshopper, say, Spit, spit, tobacco spit, Folk-Lore from Maryland 157 Tell me which way my ball lies, I'Il give you a drink of cider. 2604. Catch a grasshopper, and say, " Spit, spit, tobacco juice, If you don't do it, I'll kill you ". If he does not spit, he is killed. 2605. If you see a ladybug, catch it and put it on your finger and say: " Lady bug, lady bug, fly away home, Your house is on fire, your children will burn." Then it will fly away home. 2606. Snakes baked a hoe-cake, Set de frog to watch it. Frog fell asleep, Lizzard come an' cotch it. Bring back mah hoe-cake, Yer' long-tailed Nanny. Bring it back dis minnit, Or I'I1 go an' tell yer' granny! 2607. Summer's almost gone, Summer's almost gone, darlin', Summer's almost gone. I lay round, I play round, Summer's almost gone; For I lay round Chain Gang Too long! 2608. What ship is this comes sailing by? Tis the old ship Zion, Hallelujah! Who are they that are going on board? They are volunteers for glory, Hallelujah! 2609. A nigger an' a rooster Dey once had a fight, An' de rooster knocked de nigger Clean out o' sight; Said de nigger ter de rooster, " Dat's all right, I'I1 meet yer at de chicken coop Ter-morrer night." 2610. The rose is red, The violet's blue, I58 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Sugar is sweet, And so are you. 2611. If you love me as I love you, No knife can cut our love in two. 2612. My love for you will never fail, So long as pussy has her tail. 2613. So long as grass grows round this stump You are my darling sugar lump, 2614. The ocean is wide, The sea is deep, And in your arms I hope to sleep. 26I5. Good boys and girls should never say, " I will" and " give me these," 0, no! that never is the way, But, "mother, if you please," And " if you please " to sister Ann, Good boys to say are ready; And " yes, sir " to a gentleman, And " yes ma'am " to a lady. 2616. Violetta in the pantry, gnawing at a bone, How she gnaws it, how she claws it When she finds herself alone. (Said to a child who affects a very dainty appetite at table.) 26I7. "Leave something for Miss Manners. " (Said to a child about to take the last piece of bread or cake on the table.) 2618. I beg your pardon, I grant you grace, I hope the cat will scratch your face. 26I9. Whistling girls and crowing hens Always come to some bad ends. 2620. A whistling man and a crowing hen Are not fit either for gods or men. 2621. Girls that whistle and hens that crow, Gather life's pleasures as they go. 2622. For every evil under the sun, There is a remedy or there is none, Folk-Lore from Maryland I59 If there be one, try and find it; If there be none, never mind it. 2623. Needles and pins, needles and pins, When a man marries his trouble begins. 2624. Sich is life and it grows sicher and sicher every day. 2625. If wishes were horses, Beggars might ride. (Repeated by children when wishing for the impossible.) 2626. If wishes were horses Beggars would ride, If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side. 2627. See a pin and pick it up, All the day you'll have good luck, See a pin and let it lay, Bad luck you'll have all the day. 2628. Tit for tat; If you kill my dog, I'll kill your cat. 2629. Multiplication is vexation, Division is as bad, The rule of Three doth puzzle me, And Practice drives me mad. 2630. Whilst we live, we live in clover, When we die, we die all over. 2631. I had a little dog, his name was Rover, And when he died, he died all over. 2632. After breakfast, work awhile; After dinner, sit awhile; After supper, walk a mile. 2633. Go to the clam, thou wriggler, Consider her ways and be wise. I6o Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Perseverance. 2634. Go on, go on, go on, Go on, go on, go on, go on, Go on, go on, go on, go on, Go on, go on, go on. The Ten Commandments. 2635. I. Thou shalt have no more Gods but me; 2. Before no idol bow thy knee. 3. Take not the name of God in vain; 4. Nor dare the Sabbath day profane; 5. Give both thy parents honor due; 6. Take heed that thou no murder do. 7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean; 8. Nor steal though thou art poor and mean; 9. Nor make a wilful lie, nor love it. Io. What is thy neighbor's do not covet. 2636. Ter-au-chees, ter-au-chees, Mintery Mary Mauchees, The croonchee's in the long-a-craunch, The Cherokee's in the baunchees. 2637. In singing this, the hands, raised and half-closed, are jerked back and forth on the wrist, in time to the music. Mrs. Schuyler van Rensselaer notes a similar nursery song sung to Dutch babies inNew York at bedtime, with a hand twisted back and forth. It is: Ter roorches, ter roorches, She mameche bucleches, Ter roorches, ter roorches As me mither le waffles she boxes De butter la door de groches, Ter roorches, ter roorches, She mameche buckle che boo. 2638. Did you ever see the wild goose Sailing on the ocean? Did you ever see the wild goose Sailing on the ocean? 2639. Wild goose motion is a mighty pretty motion, Every time the wild goose holler to the swallow, Every time the wild goose holler to the swallow, Folk-Lore from Maryland I6i Every time the wild goose holler to the swallow, He sings collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, Sing collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, collah, 2640. I had a cock, My cock loved me, I fed my cock All under the tree, And when my cock Went cock, cock coo, So shall every good man's cock, And so shall my cock too. I had a dog, My dog loved me, I fed my dog All under the tree, And when my dog Went bow, wow, wow, And my cock Went cock, cock, coo, So shall every good man's dog, And so shall my dog too. 5. ASSEVERATIONS. 264I. "I cross my heart, " at the same time making the form of the cross over the heart to prove that the truth is being told. It is also used as a solemn promise that what is about to be told by another will be kept inviolate. 2642. " Over the right shoulder " and " Over the left " are expressions used to designate the truth or falsehood of a statement. The latter is often said under the breath in the hope that the other party may not hear it. " Honor bright, " Really truly, " "Honest Injun, " "Hope I'll die," are other asseverations. 2643. " Deed and deed and double deed " is another expression used to emphasize the truth of a statement and is often accompanied by the following rhyme or a variant. 2644-5. Deed, deed and double deed, I sowed a garden full of seed, When the seed began to grow, like a garden full of snow, When the seed began to melt, like a garden full of hemp, When the hemp began to peel, like a garden full of steel, II i62 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society When the steel began to rust, like a garden full of dust, When the dust began to fly, like an eagle in the sky, When the sky began to roar, like a lion at the door, When the door began to crack, like a hickory on my back, When my back began to smart, like a penknife in my heart, When my heart began to bleed, I thought'twas time to die indeed. Variant: When my heart began to bleed, like a garden full of seed, When my heart began to bleed, deed, deed and double deed, When my heart began to bleed, deed, deed and double deed, When my heart began to bleed, like a bloody hog indeed. Variant beginning: Indeed, indeed in double deed. 2646. A man of words and not of deeds Is like a garden full of weeds, And when the weeds began to grow 'Twas like a garden full of snow. Old English Version: 2647. A man of words and not of deeds Is like a garden full of weeds; And when the weeds begin to grow, It's like a garden full of snow; And when the snow begins to fall, It's like a bird upon the wall; And when the bird away does fly, It's like an eagle in the sky; And when the sky begins to roar, It's like. a lion at the door; And when the door begins to crack, It's like a stick across your back; And when your back begins to smart, It's like a penknife in your heart; And when your heart begins to bleed, You're dead and dead and dead indeed. 6. SONGS. 2648. My experience with the negro melodies in Maryland has been with songs with a body movement as accompaniment. Sometimes this was simply the clapping of the hands; sometimes the shuffle; sometimes both; sometimes shuffling round the fire which was a necessary adjunct no matter how hot the night, or whether the singing was in the open or in the " quarters. " Darkness has untold terrors for the negro. Folk-Lore from Maryland I63 In singing there was always a leader, who would sing a line or two alone, which was often impromptu, and sometimes introduce personal remarks about those present or about the people in the " big house. " The refrain would be a familiar one as, " Way down in de Corn fiel'." The refrains were the key note for the rest of the singers and were often sung first to give the rythm and the swing. Sometimes these songs were remembered and after being sung several times, would become popular in the section of the state, where first sung. The following is an example: 2649. Hooray, hooray, ho! Roun' de corn Sally! Hooray fer all de lubby ladies; Roun' the corn Sally! Dere's Marster Howard lub Miss Betty, Roun' de corn Sally! I tell you what, she's mighty putty; Roun' de corn Sally! And den dey means to lib so lordly; Roun' de corn Sally! Up at de manor-house at Audley; Roun' de corn Sally! Dere is Marster Bunt, he lub Miss Susan. Roun' de corn Sally! He 'clar' she is de pick and choosin'. Roun' de corn Sally! An' when dey gains de married station, Roun' de corn Sally! He' take her to de old plantation, Roun' de corn Sally! 2650. "Patting the Jub " or " Juba " as it was sometimes called was an accomplishment within the reach of those whose ear for music was especially fine. To succeed in it, one must be able to clap the hands and slap his knees in regular rythm while another shuffled. There were certain songs sung to this Juba dance of which the following is a specimen: Corn Pone Song: 2651. Sif' de meal an' gi' me de husk, Bake de bread an' gi' me de crus'; Kill de ox an' gi' me de gristle, En ough to make de debbil a whistle. 164 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Variant: 2652. I bake de bread, Dey gi' me de crus', I sif' de meal, Dey gi' me de hus', I bile de meat, Dey gi' me de skin; Dat's de way dey take me in. Variant: 2653. Juba up and juba down, Juba all aroun' de town, Sif' de meal and gi' me de husk, Bake de cake and gi' me de crus'; Fry de pork and gi' me de skin, Ax me when I'm comin' agin' Juba! hi, Juba! 2654. Juba in and juba out, Juba, juba all about; Dinah stir de possum fat, Can't you hear de juba pat; 2655. A correspondent sent to the Baltimore Sun, several years ago, an old Maryland corn husking song, with a short account of the corn husking itself, which we give below. The Jack Snipe said unto the Crane, Whisky Johnny, I wish de Lord there would come rain. Oh, Hilo! The Wild Goose said unto the Swan, Whisky Johnny, The coming winter will be sharp and long, Oh, Hilo! They say old master's sick again, Whisky Johnny, He suffers many an ache and pain, Oh, Hilo! When my old master's dead and gone, Whisky Johnny, This old nigger will stop husking corn, Oh, Hilo! Oh, my old master's good to me, Whisky Johnny, And when he dies he'll set me free, Oh, Hilo! Folk-Lore from Maryland I65 We've possum fat and taters, too, Whisky Johnny, Good enough fir me and you, Oh, Hilo! If you have cider good and strong, Whisky Johnny, I'll be to see you before very long, Oh, Hilo! The watermillons now in their height, Whisky Johnny, I stol'd two out de patch last night, Oh, Hilo! The nigger who finds the most red corn, Whisky Johnny, Will be de next leader'sho as he's born, Oh, Hilo! The corn is husked, the supper is o'er, Whisky Johnny, And now we'll pull for the other shore Oh, Hilo! And all you niggers start tonight, Whisky Johnny, So you'll get home before daylight, Oh, Hilo! And now my friends I'll bid you all adieu, Whisky Johnny, I've done the best I could for you, Oh, Hilo! And remember that we niggers all, Whisky Johnny, Will be on hand next fall, Oh, Hilo! And now, my friend, again good night, Whisky Johnny, We husked that corn good and all right, Oh, Hilo! We stripped the husk off like a shirt, Whisky Johnny, And left no silk that would ever hurt, Oh, Hilo! 2656. The leader or " singer" has not lost his power; a power that has gained frequent recognition. A case in point is that of a gang of colored men who were at work grading for a railroad in Maryland. One of the men sang harder than he worked and was discharged by the superin I66 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society tendent. The gang of men seemed dispirited and worked in a half-hearted way and at last told the boss they wanted the " singer " back. Inquiry made known the fact this so-called " singer " led them as they sang at their work. The singer was taken back and the men worked with renewed energy and good cheer. But the leader did not always work less than his followers. On the contrary, he was at times the hardest worker of them all. This was especially the case when the body motion was in rhythm with the song. (The Sun, II-I2-I903.) Probably the finest examplification of this in Maryland is to be found in the planting of tobacco which for some years after the Civil War was one of the staple crops of the state. From the time the seed was sown until the crop was marketed in great hogsheads ready for foreign shipment, it could be handled only in wet or rainy weather. In " planting ", which meant a transfer of plants from the seed bed to the field, it was often necessary after a long dry spell to keep the men at work till midnight, or even till morning, to get the crop in. The leader here was more than a " singer ". He led in the work and was a leader almost by natural selection, It was his ambition to get as much work out of the men as possible, they always following his lead, and the music and the body motion were his aids. When the time for the planting came, the plants were taken from the seed beds in baskets and on every hill in the great field a plant was dropped, the first hill in every row having two plants. When a portion of the field was thus supplied, the real planting began. The leader ranged his men, each in front of one of the long rows of " hills, " and at a signal from him and the starting of the song, everbody was bowed, a hole was made in the hill with the finger, a plant was put in the hole, the roots covered up, the second plant on the hill picked up, the body raised, a step taken over the hill just planted and the process repeated, everything being done in unison with the leader and the song until the far end of the great field was reached and a fresh start was made. 2657. Song-singing for a negro of Southern Maryland is today an unthinkable sin. For him the old plantation songs have passed and gone. He has taken kindly to the Moody and Sankey hymns, as have his brethren throughout the States, though he retains a few of the older and more gruesome negro hymns. The re iterated refrain of one of these runs as follows: Oh, won't that be dreadful To make you' bed in hell! Two other snatches of song that come from the same part of the state, are as follows: 2658. De Zicco made a wheel an' laid it on de groun'; De wheel turned over an' de worl' tu'n roun'. Folk-Lore from Maryland I67 2659. De stars in de ailimint's a-shinin', De moon all dipt in blood. On a clear night the negro will say, " Not a cloud on de ailiment." The following is a group of negro songs we have taken down as they are sung today. Sinner man. 2660. A sinner man sat on the gates of hell, A sinner man sat on the gates of hell, A sinner man sat on the gates of hell, The gates fell in and down he fell, No hiding place down there. I thought I heard my sister yell, I thought I heard my sister yell, I thought I heard my sister yell, 'Way down deep in the middle of hell, No hiding place down there. I went to the rock to hide my face, I went to the rock to hide my face, I went to the rock to hide my face, The rock called out, " Go wash your face, No hidding place down there. Variant: 266I. 0 sinner-man sittin' on the gates of hell, O sinner-man sittin' on the gates of hell, O sinner-man sittin' on the gates of hell, The gates flew open and the sinner-man fell, Dere's no hiddin' place down dyar. O who's yonder dressed in white, O who's yonder dressed in white, O who's over yonder dressed in white, Children of Israel, Israelite, Dere's no hidin' place down dyar. Chorus: Hallelujah. There's no hidin' place down dyar. Who built de Ark. 2662. Er who built de Ark? Er Noah, er Noah, I68 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Chorus: Er who built de Ark? Brudder Noah built de Ark. 2663. 0, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer haid so ball? Bless be ter God. I've ben buttin th'oo de wall. Chorus: Say, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer eyes so big? Glory be ter God, I been wearin' false wig. Chorus: 0, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer nose so flat? Glory be ter God, been caught in er trap. Chorus: 0, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer teeth so sharp? Glory be ter God, I been eatin' corn top. Chorus: O, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer sides so thin? Bless de Lawd I been er skeetin' th'oo de win. Chorus: 0, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer legs so long? O, bless de Lawd, dey been hung on wrong. Chorus: O, Mr. Hare wot makes yer coat so brown? O. bless de Lawd, hit's umble to de groun'. Chorus: O, Mr. Hare, wot makes yer tail so w'ite? Glory be ter God, I've been er totin' it outer sight. (Negro songs often begin with the chorus, which is sung before as well as after a verse.) 01 'am. 2664. Chorus: Good er'am, good er 'am, Good er'am so good an' sweet, Yer stew it, yer bake it, yer fry it, yer brile it, But it's nuffin, but de old 'am meat. Some folks ain't got but one coat, Thank God I got two, Ebry day myer little 'round erbout, A Sunday - myer long tail blue. Chorus: Talk erbout yer fus' class eatin', Talk erbout yer mutten en yer lamb, Yer talk erbout ebry little ting dat yer see, But yer don't say word about 'am. Folk-Lore from Maryland I69 Chorus: Oh! de 'am's all a bakin' in de ubben, De mutton's all a fryin' in de grease, Dat nigger's mouf's settin3 like er alligater Fer de 'am so good an' sweet. Way down in de apple orchid. 2665. Way down in de apple orchid,, Er Su-san-nah me darlin'. Fare yer well an' sing dat good ole song. I'm gwine a way De witero foks want er me ter stay Er ma bod-y's er movin' er long. Chorus: Ham bone sweet ez er honey comb, Er run er long chil'lums an'er les' go home. 2666. Ole missus cat fish swim-min' de ribber, Nig-ger wid er hook an' line, Thought I yeared de cat-a-fish say, Nig-gar did-n' cotch me dat time. Ole missus cat fish swin-min' in de ribber, Nig-ger wid er hook an' line, Thought I yeared de cat-a-fish say, Nig-gar did-n' cotch me dat time. 2667. 01' Abe Link-um wuz er good old man, Er good ol' man wuz 'e, 'E broke de bonds ob er sla-bery An' er sot de nig-gar free. Repeat first verse and chorus. De corn huskin' song. 2668. rst Voice: I's a good ol' man ez en ny, Hey-hoe! I's a good ol' man ez en ny, Hey-hoe! I's a good ol' man ez en ny, Hey-hoe! 2nd Voice: I's er gwine roun' de moun-tin' Er han' o-ber han', I70 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I's er gwine roun' de moun-tin' Er han' o-ber han', I's er gwine roun' de mount-tin' Er han' o-ber han'. 3rd Voice: Yer'll tink de deb-ble's got cher, Hev-hoe! Yer'll tink de deb-ble's got cher, Hey-hoe! Yer'll tink de debble's got cher, Hey-hoe! rst Voice: I's er good ol' man ez you is, Hey-hoe! I's er good ol' man ez you is, Hey-hoe! I's er good ol' man ez you is, Hey-hoe! I know my people's in Heaben. 2669. I er know my er Aunty's in er Heaben, I er know my er Aunty's in er Heaben, I er know my er Aunty's in er Heaben, Hal-li-lu-yah. O how er yer know er she's dere? O how er yer know er she's dere? 0 how er yer know er she's dere? Hal-li-lu-yah. I tell her by er her mos-hun, Hal-li-lu-yah. I tell her by er her mo-shun, I tell her by er her mo-shun, I tell her by er her mo-shun, Hal-li lu-yah. I er know Gran' muddie's in er Heaben, I er know Gran' muddie's in er Heaben, I er know Gran' muddie's in er Heaben, O how yer know er she's dere? Hal-li-lu-yah. O how yer know er she's dere? Hal-li-lu-yah. Folk-Lore from Maryland I7I O how yer know er she's dere? O how yer know er she's dere? O how yer know er she's dere? Hal-li-lu-yah. I tell her by er her shoutin', Hal-li-lu-yah. I tell her by er her shoutin', I tell her by er her shoutin', I tell her by er her shoutin', Hal-li-lu-yah. I er know my er fader is dere, Hal-li-lu-yah. I er know my er fader is dere, I er know my er fader is dere, I er know my er fader is dere, Hal-li-lu-yah. I tell er him by er 'is prayer, Hal-li-lu-yah. I tell er him by er 'is prayer, I tell er him by er 'is prayer, I tell er him by er 'is prayer, Hal-li-lu-yah. 2670. I was dere when he walked in Galilee, Galilee, I was dere when he walked in Galilee. Oh! sometimes my troubles make me trimble, trimble; I was dere when he walked in Galilee. I was dere when dey put on de purple robe, purple robe, I was dere when dey put on de purple robe. Oh! sometimes my troubles, etc., I was dere when dey crowned him wid de thorns,wid de thorns. I was dere when dey crowned him wid de thorn. I was dere when de Jews whipped him long, whipped him long, I was dere when de Jews whipped him long. I was dere when dey bound 'him to de tree, to de tree, I was dere when dey boun' him to de tree. I was dere when He bowed his head and died, bowed and died, I was dere when he bowed his head and died. 172 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society I was dere when dey pierced him in de side, in de side, I was dere when dey pierced him in de side. I was dere when dey laid him in de tomb, in de tomb, I was dere when dey laid him in de tomb, I was dere when he riz from de dead, from de dead, I was dere when he riz from de dead. I was dere when he walked in Galilee, Galilee, I was dere when he walked in Galilee, Oh! sometimes my troubles make me trimble, trimble; I was dere when he walked in Galilee. Deres no hidin' place down dyar. 2671. I went ter the rock ter wash my face, I went ter the rock ter wash my face, I went ter the rock ter wash my face, The rock called out "no hidin' place," Dere no hidin' place down oyar. O who's over yonder dressed in red, O who's over yonder dressed in red, O who's over yonder dressed in red, Children of Israel Moses led, Deres no hidin' place down dyar. O hush 01' Annie, don't yer run, O hush 01' Annie, don't yer run, O hush ol' Annie don't yer run, Just wait and see what the lightnin's done, Deres no hidin' place down dyar. Of all religions I confess, Of all religions I confess, Of all religions I confess, I do prefer the Methodist, Deres no hidin' place down dyar. I do believe widout a doubt, I do believe widout a doubt, I do believe widout a doubt, Dat Christians has a right to shout, Deres no hidin' place down dyar. Folk-Lore from Maryland I73 Sis' Mary wears a golden chain, Sis' Mary wears a golden chain, Sis' Mary wears a golden chain, And ev'y link is jes' de same, Deres no hidin' place down dyar. Sis' Mary she wears de golden chain, Sis' Mary she wears de golden chain, Sis' Mary the wears de golden chain, Ev'y little link in Heaven's name, Deres no hidin' place down dyar. XX. RIDDLES 2672. Out in the garden I have a green spot, And twenty-four ladies dancing on that; Some in green gowns, And some in blue caps, You are a good scholar If you riddle me that. Flax. 2673. I have a little house And a mouse couldn't fit in it, And all the men in our town Couldn't count the windows in it. Thimble. 2674. Sisters and brothers have I none, But that man's father is my father's son, What relation is that man to me? My Son. 2675. When the garden was laid And the beautiful maid Was as fresh and as fair as the morn, Before she received life She became a wife And the died before she was born. Eve. 174 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2676. Riddle come riddle come rarlet My petitcoat's lined with scarlet, A stone in the middle and stick at the tail, Tell me this riddle without any fail. Cherry. 2677. How many wells does it take to make a sea? One, if its big enough. 2678. A house full, a hole full, You can't get a bowl full. Smoke. 2679. A house full, a yard full, Banks full, braes full, Though ye gather all day, Ye'll not father your hands full. Mist. (An old English Riddle). 2680. Twelve pears a hanging high, Twelve lords came riding by; Each lord took a pear, And still there were eleven there. The man's name was Each. 2681. As I went through St. Andrew's bridge, I met St. Andrew's scholar, He tipped his hat and drew his glove, And I've told you the name of that scholar. He tipped his hat, Andrew his glove. 2682. Up and down, Never touches sky nor ground. Pump Handle. 2683. If Moses had been the son of Pharoah's daughter, Then he would have been the Daughter of Pharoah's son. 2684. Lives in winter, Dies in summer, And grown with its root upwards. An icicle. Folk-Lore fromn Maryland I75 2685. Long legs, crooked thighs, Little head and no eyes. Pair of tongs. 2686. Little Nannie Netticoat, With a white petticoat, And a red nose, The longer she stands, The shorter she grows. A candle. (Nancy Etticoat, Eng. Version). 2687. Round as a biscuit, As busy as a bee, The prettiest little thing, You ever did see. A watch. 2688. Once there was a master who said to his colored man, "If you ask me a riddle that I cannot answer, I will set you free. " The servant proposed this riddle: I came out and in again; The living from the dead came; There are six, seven there will be; Answer this riddle or set me free. (Answer) A bird's nest in a horse's skull. There were six young birds in the nest, and when the mother came home, there were seven. The master could not answer, and the servant went free. 2690. Riddle, riddle, ree, Such a riddle couldn't be, Through rocks, through reels, Through an old spinning wheel, Through a basin full of pepper, Through a sheep's tetter, Through a horse's shin bone, If you riddle me that, I'll let you alone. A mat of worms. 176 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society XXI. TALES. I. FOLK TALES. THE MARRIAGE OF MR. BULLOCK AND MISS HEIFER. 269I. Mr. Bullock and Miss Heifer were to be married, and they intended to celebrate their wedding by giving a feast to their friends, and to include in the festivities a sail down the river. Accordingly they sent out their invitations to all their friends; the sheep and the horses and the rabbits and many others, but they did not invite Mr. Dog, because he was known to be cruel and cross and had on some occasions actually killed some of Brother Rabbit's family. This wedding made quite a stir and talk among the animals, and the more Mr. Dog heard it talked of, the more he wanted to be present. At last he thought of a plan, by which he might be able to attend, and he determined, if possible, to break up the wedding feast without letting himself be known. Accordingly he disguised himself in a white sheet and put upon his head a pair of heifer's horns and hid himself near the place where the boat was upon which the bridal party were to sail down the river. After the boat had started, he came to the shore and called out, " Ship ahoy, ship ahoy. " This made quite a commotion among the guests, and several young Bullocks insisted upon turning back for the pretty Miss Heifer, as they supposed. "There's a young lady left behind, " they said. So the boat came back and took Mr. Dog on board. He sat still and acted so like a bashful young lady, that every one was charmed with him. Everything went on well till supper time, when they put him between Mr. Possum an Mr. Coon. Try hard as he could, he could scarcely keep from betraying himself, and after awhile Mr. Possum and Mr. Coon began to get very uneasy. "What's the matter? " said Mr. Fox, who was on his good behavior. "Oh, nothing, " they said. But after a while Mr. Possum leaned over Mr. Dog, and said in a low voice. " Mr. Dog is on board, Mr. Dog is on board, " but Mr. Dog sat very still and said nothing. Soon Mr. Possum leaned over Mr. Dog and said to Mr. Coon again, " Mr. Dog is on board, Mr. Dog is on board, " and this made Mr. Dog very angry but still he sat quiet. Soon Mr. Coon, leaning over, in a low voice said to Mr. Possum, " Mr. Dog is sure on board, Mr. Dog is sure on board, " and leaned upon, as he supposed, Miss Heifer's side. This was too much for Mr. Dog. Snarling he sprang at them both, pulling off the sheet and soon had Mr. Coon and Mr. Possum tearing Folk-Lore from Maryland I77 round the boat with him after them. At this, the Heifers and Bullocks and other animals became frightened, and some jumped over into the river and so Mr. Dog broke up the wedding feast, but not without showing himself in his true colors. WOLF AND THE LAMB. 2692. A Wolf and a Lamb went down to the spring to drink. The Wolf said to the Lamb, " Why do you come and drink out of the spring with me! I heard you spoke ill of me last year. " "It could not have been me, " cried the Lamb, " I was only born last spring." " If it was not you, it was one of your race, " said the Wolf, " and I shall pay you for it. " So he jumped on the Lamb and tore it limb from limb. Moral: Often in family quarrels or feuds the innocent suffer for the guilty. MR. ALLIGATOR AND MR. FOX. 2693. Mr. Alligator was big and black and used to lie all day in the sun, blinking his big black eyes and taking into his great mouth anything that came his way. Sometimes Mr. Fox's little children used to come too near Mr. Alligator, and then he'd open his big mouth and eat them up. Then poor Mr. Fox would come round looking very sad, and find Mr. Alligator lying out in the broom sage in the marsh. And when he thought about his children he would sigh very hard and Mr. Alligator would say, " Why, what's the matter, Mr. Fox? " And Mr. Fox would answer, "Oh, I am in trouble, Mr. Alligator. " Then Mr. Alligator would laugh and say, " Why, what is trouble, Mr. Fox? I don't know what trouble is." One day Mr. Fox came running by and Mr. Alligator was lying out ready to catch him, so he looked very sad and Mr. Alligator asked him what was the matter, and said he didn't know what trouble was. " Wait till I come back and I'll tell you! " Mr. Fox cried out. So Mr. Fox set fire to the broom sage all around Mr. Alligator, and Mr. Alligator when he saw the fire, tried to get out of the marsh, but he found out that he could not and he cried out, " Oh, Mr. Fox, come help me out, I am in so much trouble; I never knowed what trouble was, till the ma'sh caught fire." But Mr. Fox sat off one side and laughed. So Mr. Alligator found out what trouble was, but he was burned up in doing so. Moral: Some people laugh at the misfortunes of others. It is not until they have trouble of their own that they realize what it is. 12 178 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society THE GUNNY WOLF. 2694. A man and his little daughter lived alone in a forest and there were wolves in the forest. So the man built a fence round the house and told his little daughter she must on no account go outside the gate while he was away. One morning when he had gone away the little girl was hunting for flowers and thought it would do no harm just to peep through the gate. She did so and saw a little flower so near that she stepped outside to pick it. Then she saw another a little farther off and went for that. Then she saw another and went for that and so she kept getting farther and farther away from home. As she picked the flowers she sang a little song. Suddenly she heard a noise and looked up and saw a great gunny wolf and he said, " Sing that sweeten, gooden song again. (This is said in a low, gruff voice.) She sang, " Tray bla-tray bla-cum qua, kimo." Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat. (This is said softly to represent the child's steps.) She goes back. Presently she hears, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, (coarse deep voice) coming behind her and there was the wolf, an' 'e says: "You move,? " (Gruff voice.) "0 no my dear, what 'casion I move? "(In childish voice.) "Sing that sweeten gooden song again. She sang, "Tray-bla, tray-bla, cum qua, kimo." Wolf he gone. Pit-a-pat, pit a-pat, pit-a-pat. She goes back some more. Presently she hears, Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, coming behind her, and there was the wolf, an' 'e says, " You move. " " 0 no, my dear what 'casion I move?" "Sing that sweeten, gooden song again." She sang, "Tray-bla, tray-bla, tray-bla, cum qua, kimo." Wolf, he gone. Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat coming behind her and thare was the wolf, an' 'e say, "You move. " " 0 no my dear, what 'casion I move?" "Sing that sweeten gooden song again." She sang, "Tray bla-tray bla-cum qua, ki mo. " Folk-Lore from Maryland I79 Wolf he gone. Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat. She goes back some more and this time when she hears pit-a-pat,pit-apat, pit-a-pat coming behind her, she slips inside the gate and shuts it and wolf, he can't get her. THE SINGING GEESE. 2695. A man went out one day to shoot something for dinner, and as he was going along, he heard a sound in the air above him and looking up saw a great flock of geese, and they were all singing. " La-lee-lu, come quilla, come quilla, bung, bung, bung, quilla bung," He up with his gun and shot one of the geese and it sang as it fell, 'a La-lee-lu, come quilla, come quilla, bung, bung, bung, quilla bung." He took it home and told his wife to cook it for dinner and each feather, as she picked it, flew out of the window. She put the goose in the stove, but all the time it was cooking, she could hear in muffled tones from the stove, "La-lee-lu, come quilla, come quilla, bung, bung, bung, quilla bung." When the goose was cooked, she set it on the table, but as her husband picked up his knife and fork to carve it, it sang, " La-lee-lu, come quilla, come quilla, bung, bung, bung, quilla bung." When he was about to stick the fork in the goose, there came a tremendous noise, and a whole flock of geese flew through the window singing, " La-lee-lu, come quilla, come quilla, bung, bung, bung, quilla bung." And each one stuck a feather in the goose. Then they picked it up off the the dish and all flew out of the window singing, "La-lee-lu, come quilla, come quilla, bung, bung, bung, quilla bung." DOMINI PROTECTOR. 2696. A master told his servant he must call him Domini Protector" and instead of " bed " he must say, " esidegree; "instead of " slippers" he must say " toe clippers; " instead of " poker " he must say " hoppopolorum; "instead of "cat" he must say "white faced Simian;" instead of "water " he must say " explusion; " and every morning he was to come to his room and rouse him by saying: " 0 Domini Protector, rise off thy esidegree, put on thy toe clippers and follow me, for hoppopolorum fell on white faced Simian and without explusion, we shall all be destroyed. A STORY. 2697. So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf to make an apple I80 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society pie. At the same time a great she-bear popped her head into the window " What, no soap? " so she died. And she very imprudently married the barber and to the wedding came the Job lillies, the Bob lilies, the Garryoolies, and the great Panjamdrum himself with a little round button at top, and they all fell to playing at catch as catch can until the gunpowder ran out of the heels of their boots. STORY OF THE MAN IN THE MOON. 2698. A man was gathering sticks on Sunday. He was forbidden to do it; he kept on saying - " sticks, sticks, everywhere. " He was told a second time to stop as it was Sunday. He kept on, saying as he gathered - " sticks, sticks, everywhere. " So as a punishment he was put in the moon, where he may still be seen gathering sticks. 2699. The negroes believe that guineas stay awake all night and make a constant noise, because at some ancient time a fox which had always been on friendly terms with the guineas suddenly took it into his head to taste one of them, " and tasting, he ate it all up. " THE ORIGIN OF THE BLACK MAN. 2700. Once 'pon time, ol' Nick got lonesome down in his dominyon so he thought, " I'll go up an' pay a visit to yearth an' see how 'tis up dar. " So up he come, an' de fust ting he seen wus a ape." Lo'd a mussy! " sezee, " wat kind o' man is dis yere? I ain't got none o' dem down in my quarters," sezee, " an' dat'll nebber do 'tall. " So up he prances ve'y pompous like, an' sezee, "Howdy! " An' de ape he ain't saying nuthin' 'tall; an' he keeps on axin' heeps o' questions, an' de ape, he sayin' nuthin' all de time. Den Mr. Satin, he - he storm, an' den he cussed de ape - an' 'hold! de ape, den an' dar, he tu'n to a black man. An' dat's how de w'ite man done 'count fer de nigger bein' on yearth. WHY THE DEVIL NEVER WEARS A HAT. 270I. " De debbil, he am jes' chuck full ob fire an' steam an' brimstone, an' all dese jes' keep up a pow' ful workin' an' goin' on together; an' to keep from jes' nater'ly 'xplodin, he got hole in de top o' de haid - a roun' hole — an' de steam an' fire jes' pour out'n dere all de time. No cullud pesson ever see de debbil when de stream an' fire warn't rushin' out, 'n so't wan't no use fur him to wear a hat. " 2702. The devil has teeth like harrow teeth, nails like nail rods, ears like cabbage leaves, and breathes smoke like a tar kiln. (Anne Arundel Co.) 2703. It is said that holly-berries were white until Christ was crucified. He was crowned with holly and his blood turned the berries red. Folk-Lore from Maryland 2704. The berries of the Maryland Judas tree (Gercis Canadensis) were made red when stained by the blood of Judas who hanged himself on this tree. Hence the name, they say in Maryland. 2705. The spot in the middle of the smartweed was caused by a drop of blood from the Savior's brow as he bore the cross to Calvary. 2706. An Irish seamstress in Baltimore said she had often seen the fairy ring and heard the fairies talking, but could not understand what they said, she was so frightened. (A. W. W.) 2707. There was an old woman who used to tell the children that if they took a bag and sat on the banks of Tom's Creek, the Elkeritches would come in. The story goes, that the children took the bags and sat on the banks of Tom's Creek, but the Elkeritches never came. (Emmittsburg.) 2708. A witch told a man if he wanted to steal corn out of a corn house, he need only say, " Seesang open the door, " and the door would open and lock behind him; but when he was ready to come out he must say the same thing for the door to open again. The man followed her directions until his barrels were filled with corn; but when he was ready to leave, he forgot what he was to say and could only repeat over and over again all night long, " Seesang barrel de corn. " In the morning his master found him there by the corn he had intended to steal. JACK-O-MY-LANTERN: A MARYLAND VERSION. 2709. One day wuz a man name Jack. He wuz a mighty weeked man, an' treat he wife an' chil'en like a dawg. He did'n do nuthin' but drink from mawin' tell night, an' twarn' no use to say nuthin' 'tall to 'im 'cause he wuz jus' es ambitious es a mad dawg. Well suh, he drink an' he drink tell whiskey couldn' mek 'in drunk; but et las' hit bu'n 'im up inside, an' den de Debble come fur 'im. When Jack see the Debble, he wuz so skeart he leetle mo'n er drapt in de flo'. Den he bague de Debbie to let 'im off jes'a leetle while, but de Deeble say: " Naw, Jack, I ain' gwine wait no longer; my wife, Abbie Sheens, is speckin' yo'. " So de Debble start off pretty bris' an' Jack wuz bleeged to foller tell dey come to a grog shop. " Mr. Debble, " said Jack, " don' yo' wan' a drink? " " Well, " said de Debble, " I b'leeve I does, but ain' got no small change; we don' keep no change down dyah." " Tell you wotcher do, Mr. Debble, " said Jack, " I got one ten cent en my pocket; yo' change yo' sef inter'nurr ten cent, and we kin git two drinks, and den yo' kin change yo' sef back again." Se de Debble change hisse'f inter a ten cent, and Jack pick 'im put, but 'stid o' gwine de grog shop, Jack clap de ten cent inter he pocket-book dat he hadn't took outen he pocket befo', cause he did'n wen' de Debble to see dat de ketch wuz in de shape ob a cross. He shet it tight, an' dyah he had de Debble, an' twarn' no use for 'im to struggle, 'cause he could'n git by dat cross. Well i82 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society suh; fus he swar and threat'n Jack wid wat he wuz going to do to 'im an den he begun to bague, but Jack jes' ta'n round an' start to go home. Den de Debble say: " Jack, ef yo'll lemme out o' hyah, I'll let yo' off fur a whole year. I will, fur trufe. Lemme go, Jack, 'cause Abbie Sheens is too lazy to put the bresh on de fire, an' hit'll all go black out ef I ain' dyah fo' long ten' to it. Den Jack say ter hisse'f, " I gret min' to let 'im go, 'cause in a whole year, I kin 'pent and git 'ligion, an' git shet in 'im dat er way. " Den he say, " Mr. Debble, I'll letcher out ef yo' 'clar fo' gracious yo' won't come after me fur tweel month. " Den de Debble promise befo' Jack undo de clasp, an' by de time Jack got the pocket-book open he wuz gone. Den Jack say to hisse'f "Well, now I gwine to 'pent and git 'ligion sho'; but 'haint no use bein' in no hurry; de las' six mont' will be plenty o' time.Whar dat ten cent? Hyah it is. I gwine git me a drink. " When de six mont' was gone, Jack 'lowed one mont' would be time 'nuff to 'pent, and when de las' mont' come, Jack 'lowed he gwine hab one mo' spree, and den he would have a week or ten days lef', and dat was plenty of time, 'cause 'e done hearn o' folks 'penting on dey death bade. Den he went on a spree for sho', and when de las' week come, Jack had 'lirium trimblins, and de fus' ting he knowed, dyah wuz de Debble at de do', and Jack had to git outen he bade and go 'long wid 'im. After a while dey pass a tree full o' gret big apples. Don' yo' want some apples, Mr. Debble? " said Jack. "Yo' kin git some ef yo' wan' 'em," said de Debble and he stop and look up in de tree. " How yo' 'spec' a man wid 'lirium trimblins to climb a tree? " said Jack. " Yo' catch hol' de bough, an' I'll push yer up in de crotch, an' den yo' kin git all yo' wants. " So Jack push 'im in de crotch, an' de Debble 'gin to feel de apples to git a meller one. While he wuz doin' dat, Jack, he whip he knife outen he pocket, an' cut a cross in de bark ob de tree jes' under de Debble, an de Debble holler, " Tzip! Sumpi' nurr heet me den. Wotcher doin' down dyah, Jack? I gwine cut yo' heart out. " But the couldn' git down while dat cross wuz dyah, an' Jack jes' sat down on de grass, an' watch'im ragin' an' swarin' an' cussin'. Jack keep 'im dyah all night, tell 'twuz gret big day, an' de Debble change he chune an' he say: " Jack, lemme git down hyah an' I'll gib yo' nurr year. "Gimme nuttin', " said Jack, an' he stretch hisse'f out on de grass. After a while, 'bout sun up, de Debble say: " Jack, cut dis ting offen hyah, an' lemme git down, an' I'll gib yo' ten year. " " Naw, surre, " said Jack, " I won' letcher git down less yo' clar fo' gracious dat yo' won' never come arfter me no mo'. " Folk-Lore from Maryland I83 When de Debble fin' Jack wuz es hard as rock, he 'greed, an' 'clared fo' gracious dat he wouldn' never come fur Jack agin, an' Jack cut de cross offen the tree, an' de Debble lef' widout a word. Arfter dat Jack never thought no mo' 'bout 'pentin', 'cause he warn' feared ob de Debble, an' he didn' wan' to go whar dey warn' no whiskey. Den he lib on tell he body war out, an' he waz bleeged to die. Fus' he went to de gate o' heaven but de angel jes' shake he hade. Den he went ot de gate o' hell, but when it would come dat Jack wuz dyah, de Debble holler to de imps: " Shet de do' an' don' let dat man come in hyah; he done treat me scan'lous. Tell 'im to go long back whar he come from." Den Jack say: " How I gwine fine my way back in de dark? Gimme a lantern." Den de Debble tek a chunk outen de fire, an' say, " Hyah, tek dis, an' dontcher nuver come back hyah no mo'. " 2710. Among the mountain people, the will-o'-the wisp is thought to be an unearthly visitor, called by the Pennsylvania Dutch a drach (dragon). A Baptist church near Taneytown, when abandoned, was reported to be the scene of strange lights inside and strange sights outside. A figure from the graveyard would chase the passers-by. Back of the church are woods where children are told the witches hide. A man living near says that when he was a boy, he saw in the woods a large circle that looked as though it had been made by cart wheels turning round and round. His father told him that it was a meeting place for witches. 2. GHOST STORIES AND FAMILY LEGENDS. 27II. A sea captain left his wife in England, and lived with another woman in this country. Wishing to live in seclusion, he went to a small town in Maryland. His first wife followed him to Baltimore, and when he heard of it, he committed suicide, and the place in which he lived has ever since been considered unlucky. There are now three houses on this spot, and within forty years there have been three bankruptcies there. There have also been three notably severe deaths, accidents, unhappy marriages, and fire which destroyed everything. A man built a house on the premises but can neither sell nor rent it now, and everyone who has ever opened business in it has been forced to give it up. 2712. Numerous reports of the existence of headless men are sent from different parts of the state. In the city they inhabit alleys, and in the country, groves and ridges. 2713. On the Eastern Shore a headless horseman is said to frequent the lanes leading to those houses where the former tenant has come to an untimely end. The horseman can be seen at certain hours of the night. In Northumberland are legends of the death hearse, drawn by head I84 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society less horses, and driven by a headless driver, in the direction of the churchyard. When this appears, " the death of some considerable person in the parish is sure to happen at no distant period. " (Henderson, F. L. N. C. 326. Emmittsburg Reports of Headless Men.) 27I4. Tales of headless men were numerous in the first half of the past century. They were even said to walk in the town. Almost every alley was supposed to have been haunted by a headless man or other spirits. One for many years lived in a grove about a mile east of the town. He would come out and walk in the road. A house close-by contained people who used to watch him as he wandered about. In I884 or thereabouts, a young girl driving with some people along that road declares she saw him. 2715. Another one lived by a ridge several miles farther on. Once a man passed there, and, hearing foot-steps, turned and saw the headless man. 2716. When Granny 0. was a young woman somewhere about I8Io, she was visiting at a house where a headless man used to prowl around. She was a firm " disbeliever " in ghosts and often went around the house at night by herself. But one night she came face to face with this dreadful object. " And that settled me on the ghost question, " said the old lady when I asked her if she believed in ghosts. 27I7. An Emmittsburg man about 1887 was riding with a native of Warfieldsburg, after dusk near the Ore Mine Bridge, somewhere about Warfieldsburg. A large black dog came through, not over, a fence, crossed the road, and went through the fence on the other side. " Wasn't that a large dog!" exclaimed the Emmittsburg man and the other answered, " Did you see it? It was the Phantom Dog. " The Emmittsburg man had never before heard of it. The Phantom Dog has been known in this region for a hundred years or more. It is supposed to be the spirit of a man who owned the land around, and who was thought to have been cruel. 27I8. A gentleman of Emmittsburg asked a citizen of Warfieldsburg to give him some facts concerning the Phantom Dog. He was told that it had been seen for at least fifty years; that it was supposed by the superstitious to be the spirit of Lee Masters, a cruel landowner; that it never was seen more than once by the same person; that it was immaterial, for a man once struck at it with his whip which went through the dog; that it had intelligence, for another man spoke to it saying, " Come here and walk beside me, " and it came; that the man who told these facts saw it once. The Dog is black and about three feet high, it is generally seen with a huge chain clanking with it. Its foot-prints have been seen in the snow. If you cut after it with a whip near the spot where it is seen, it disappears. 2719. A man driving a wagon and two horses once came to this place when a large black dog, dragging a chain walked with him quite a distance-about a hundred yards probably. Folk-Lore from Maryland I85 2720. The following story refers to the Phantom Dog. A man told another man that on a certain night he should go to a certain bridge and stand one hour under a tree and a dog would go by. He did as he was told and the dog passed and followed him a " little piece. " 2721. In a graveyard near Emmittsburg, there is a grape-vine under which money is supposed to be buried. A large white horse is seen going down to it frequently. People are afraid to try the charm of walking backward and leaving an overcoat on the spot. THE GHOST OF THE WHITE MULE OF THE MARSHES. 2722. " Many years ago on a farm near Tobacco Stick, Dorchester county, a white mule was born; its coat was spotless, not a dark hair appearing upon his body. From its very earliest days this mule manifested unmistakable signs of deviltry. This disposition was fatal to his usefulnes; every effort to tame him proved fruitless. His master, thinking that time would effect a cure, allowed the young animal full freedom. No one could put a halter on him. His heels would fly out like a flash; it was impossible to get within fifty feet of him, it seemed that his legs could stretch that far. The man who had approached him nearest with a halter was Tim, a negro. He approached stealthily from behind, and the animal did not seem to notice him. He was within fifty feet of the mule when out flew his heels. The negro soon afterwards lost consciousness; but after recovering, he is said to have remarked to the mule's owner: " Yas, boss I's 'bout fifty feet 'ob dat mule when he 'gan kickin'; I couldn't git out de way his limbs kept stretching an' stretching until he clipped me one on de haid. Dat mule am de debil, an' I fools no longer wid him. " Thereafter the blacks said that the mule was the devil himself. They said his eyes were green and glassy, and that he had the evil eye. Some wanted the owner to let the mule have his liberty; but he was determined to keep him, and, if possible, to break him in to service. One morning the mule was found to be missing. There was no hole in the fence through which he could have escaped. The fence was five feet high and the only means of escape was by leaping over it. He seemed to have been swallowed up by the earth. All these circumstances tended to intensify the fears of the blacks. About three weeks after his disappearance, some wicked citizen, who shocked the good people of the neighborhood by staying up to 12 o'clock at night, saw what he swore to be the white mule galloping wildly down the road near the woods, two miles from his master's pasture. After this a number of reports were made confirming the experience of the first observer. i86 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society It was generally at night he was seen; but once he was seen in the daytime in the marsh near the head of Church Creek. The citizen who saw him had an excellent reputation for veracity and he said the animal ran as lightly and easily over the soft, spongy soil as on the firmest road ever built. Soon when he heard these reports his master decided to make efforts to recapture him. In spite of all well-laid plans, these efforts proved fruitless. The mule always managed to elude his would-be-captors when they thought they had him cornered. They would start out in pairs, get on the trail of the fugitive, drive him into a wood, have him surrounded either by marshes or heavy brush; the only way open for his escape was through the ranks of his pursuers; but none of these disadvantages seemed to break his spirit or discourage him. On the contrary, on these occasions, he seemed inspired with renewed courage; he seemed to court danger. Suddenly without warning, with a rush as of a cyclone, his pursuers would see a white mass moving madly towards them, hesitating not a moment, swerving not an inch and instinctively, to save themselves they step aside, and the mule would rush to freedom through the breach thus made. At other times he would simply pass through the almost impenetrable brushwood like a thing spiritual, or he would go right into the marsh and in a few minutes would soon be lost to view. The slimy waters and bogs soon closed up all traces of his hoofmarks. In spite of these failures, the owner did not despair of regaining his treasure; the increased difficulties served only to increase the value he set upon him, and his determination to recover the animal. One day he was able to gather a number of farmers and neighbors together with the express purpose of continuing upon the trail of the mule until he was run down. They armed themselves with whips, halters, ropes and clubs, and, incidentally reinforced themselves with refreshments, - both liquid and solid - so that they could camp upon the trail of the fugitive. This was the most systematic raid that had been organized. The farmers, taking warning from previous failures, did not hurry headlong after him and needlessly alarm the animal; but went leisurely along, strengthening their position as they went. The mule gradually and unconsciously allowed himself to be driven towards the swamp at the head of the creek. It was not until he was well within the confines of the marsh that he noticed his pursuers at all. When he did, he looked apparently with disdain upon their laborious efforts and simply quickened his movements. Gradually, like the coils of a great serpent, the farmers gathered closer around him; but still he manifested no alarm or fear. This time they forced him towards the quicksands, which they had been unable to do hitherto because of the lack of numbers. At this turn of affairs, the mule became visibly alarmed; he pricked up his ears and looked eagerly around him; then he plunged madly towards the steadily approaching Folk-Lore from Maryland I87 circle of men. Contrary to his expectations and prior experiences, the circle did not waver, but stood steady -with ropes and halters to put over his head and limbs. Then he brayed, wheeled quickly, and sent his hind heels flying into the air; but no one was near enough to be injured. The mule was thoroughly alarmed now and rushed madly forward; but the circle gradually grew closer around him. Steadly and surely he was driven to the edge of the quicksands. When the beast saw this, he seemed to realize his position, and it is said that a decided tremor was seen to pass over his body; but he kept doggedly on until he was on the very edge of the fatal sands, and there he stood defiantly challenging his pursuers to come closer. This they did, and he met them with flying heels; but they never hesitated. The men with the whips stepped forward and commenced to lash him. They continued this until the mule ceased kicking, apparently from exhaustion, not from broken spirits. An instant after this, a change seemed to come over his entire nature, his fierceness gave place to docility; a constant trembling shook his limbs; the men thought he was conquered. But it was not so. A farmer with a halter approached him to place it on his head. As the man left the crowd, almost instantly another change came over the beast. His trembling ceased and his old-time fierceness came back; he was the white mule of the marshes once more. The man approached from the side and was about to toss the halter over his head, when the mule, with a bray almost human in intensity and reproach, rushed madly into the quicksands to sink almost immediately to his death. Before the pursuers could get up to him, he had sunk to his back; as he felt the sand gradually drawing him under, he began to struggle for life; but it seemed only to hasten his doom. His pursuers went gallantly to his rescue; but they were too late; his back was submerged. He stopped struggling and became resigned to his fate; he looked sorrowfully at his would-be captors and seemed to reproach them for thus cutting short his life. In a few moments all was over; he disappeared from view and the sands came together once more and were as smooth as ever. Since then the ghost of this mule has haunted the roads, fields, and byways of this section. Time and time again have stories been told of his appearances; and generally he was the fore-runner of evil. If he stumbled and fell when seen, the observer was doomed to some misfortune, or even death, within three days. If he did not stumble, there was no danger. A man named Clase is said to have had a personal encounter with this ghost. He was a huge man, inclined to idleness. The only distinguishing characteristic he possessed was an enormous thirst: He could drink as much as two men together. Every Saturday night, it was his weakness to become intoxicated; and when he was in that condition, there was no doubt as to his identity. Up to the time of his adventure with the i88 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society white mule, he had been a scoffer of its influence; he even denied its existence. One Saturday night, he started for home, singing, as he went, various drinking songs. He had drunk long and deeply; his basket in which he was to place provisions for his family's sustenance was empty and hung upon his limp arm. He had reached the fork of the road that went past his house, when something caused him to look backwards. Just as he did so, he beheld a white object coming rapidly towards him. As he watched it, the object stumbled and fell. At this, he gave one yell and fled homewards, and never stopped until he had reached his house and placed the doors between himself and the dread object. The next day he went to church and remained sober all day. The following day he manifested some signs of industry which he had not done for many years. He apparently had reformed, and the reason was that he had seen the " white mule of the marshes, " and it had stumbled and fallen. He seemed to realize that he was doomed to some dire misfortune within three days, even death. At last, on Tuesday, the second day after his vision, he could withhold his secret no longer, and he made a confident of his wife. He told her that he was sincerely sorry for whatever griefs he had caused her; asked her forgiveness and her prayers. He went to prayer-meeting and was converted that night. The next day, the day of his doom arrived, and he was resigned to his fate. The day passed and nothing unusual happened to him. At this he thought he was spared for some great end: that he had a work and duty to perform. As he further pondered upon it, the resolution came to him to preach the Gospel and save sinners from the burning, just as he realized that he had been rescued. He became a preacher; was successful in converting sinners; and always, when other arguments failed, held himself up as an example of the wonders that could be accomplished by faith and determination. His story, apparently was the exception that proved the rule as to the truth of the supernatural powers of the white mule of the marshes. " (H. H. Bowen.) 2723. A boy was thrown out of a wagon near Mount Carmel Church and killed, and the ghost of the empty wagon was heard long afterward. 2724. One night a man saw something like a long-handled hoe moving about. THE WHITE LADY. 2725. Toward midnight the long disused water wheel of a mill, belonging to a country place in Washington Country. Md. begins to turn, slowly at first, and gradually it moves faster until it is going at a terrific rate. Then a White Lady appears, standing on a little platform above the wheel. Suddenly she utters a wail and casts herself upon the wheel. Then the wheel stops whirling and everything is quiet again. (Hagerstown. ) Folk-Lore /rom Maryland I89 THE FIGURE IN THE SPRING HOUSE. 2726. On the grounds of the same estate stands a spring house. It is no longer used and has but few visitors. A terrible tragedy is re-enacted there at night by ghostly actors long since dead. There had been a strain of insanity in the family and it appeared in one of the daughters. During the day she would be very quiet and stay by herself, but at night, accompanied by a huge hound, she would walk around singing little snatches of song. One of her favorite spots was the spring house, and she would wander there each night. A weary tramp, seeking refuge there one night, was found by the lady, and killed by her in a fit of insane rage. She afterward hung herself from the limb of a tree near the house, and the present owner had to cut off that limb in order to keep any servants. (Hagerstown.) THE HAUNTED STAIRCASE. 2727. If you were to pass by a certain old house in Washington Co., Md., exactly at midnight, you would hear a terrible scream; and if you could look into the house at the spot whence the cry came you would see a very narrow, crooked staircase at the bottom of which, according to some, lies the body of a man. But when the voice dies away the vision vanishes. The cause of this outcry is as follows: Many years ago the house was occupied by an old man and his daughter. One night a young man came to the house to transact a matter of business with the old man. The young man was unknown to the father, but he was the lover of the daughter. As there was a bad storm approaching, the visitor was compelled to spend the night. As the evening wore on, however, the older man became very angry as the result of a serious quarrel with his guest. When it was time to retire, the father, candle in hand, mounted the stairs ahead of the young man. Almost at the top the guest fell, whether form a misstep or a push from above, no one could say, and dropped the entire length of the steps. The girl, standing below, rushed forward in time to see her lover stretched on the floor with a broken neck. It is her shriek and his fall that are heard each night by the passerby. (Hagerstown.) 2728. Some years ago a young girl promised the man she was in love with that if he died she would make a daily visit to his grave whether she herself were alive or dead. Her lover died and she did not long survive him. But she has faithfully kept her promise. Every day during her lifetime she went to his grave and since her death she is still to be seen following the path that leads to the grave. The path remains as it always was, though it is never used by others. 2729. A young Indian is said to haunt a spot near Thurmont, and to give out war whoops as he walks. Igo Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2730. A man walked over an Indian battle field one night, and after groping around as if blindfolded, lost his way. He could hear the Indian spirits all around him whooping. After a while he came to himself, and found he was near home. He thought it was a spell the Indian spirits had put on him. 2731. A friend, whose cook came from the " Wilderness, " was one day surprised by having her refuse to enter the butler's pantry. She asked her why she objected to going in. The woman said, " Deed, Miss Helen, I ain't gwine in dere no more, kase dem ejyclips is in dere; three times I'se lit dat light, an' jes' as soon as I turn my back, dey is out again." THE LEGEND OF DARK HOLLOW. 2732. Near the village of Glyndon, Md., a road, dark from the shade of tall trees and steep banks on each side, leads into the beautiful Worthington Valley. In the dimmest part of this road, perchedhigh in the bank overlooking the highway, a huge rock stands out against the dark background. On stormy nights, when the wind howls through the woods, a headless man appears there on the stroke of midnight. Such tales are current about this strange ghost that children are afraid to pass the rock even in the daytime. "WIZARD'S CLIP. 2733. There is a small town in West Virginia not far from Maryland, variously known as Smithfield, Middleway, and Clip or Wizard's Clip. The origin of the last name dates back to the latter part of the I8th century, when, according to tradition, the home of Adam Livingston was the scene of weird, unusual happenings such as the clipping of garments, sheets, counterpanes, blankets, and even boots, by means of invisible shears, the sound of whose clipping and snipping could be heard from morning to night and from night to morning. Not only did Livingston's own family suffer from these mysterious visitations, but the stranger who ventured within his gates was liable to have the clothes on his back so riddled with these strange clippings that he would be forced to borrow others to wear home, while the very saddle-cloth on the back of his horse hitched outside would suffer the fate of his clothes. The clippings were always in the shape of half moons. Many weird stories are told of the experiences of individuals who ventured to the house either from curiosity or with the idea of defying the wizard, until a Roman Catholic priest came with belt, book and candle and succeeded in exorcising the evil spirits. The cause and the history of these weird happenings are found in a portion of the life and actions of Adam Livingston. In r794 a stranger took lodging with him; and, being ill soon after, asked that a Roman Catholic priest be sent for. Livingston, who is described as a bigoted Folk-Lore irom Maryland I9g Lutheran, not only refused to grant his request, but declared that no Catholic priest should ever cross his threshold. Further entreaties of the sick man proving futile, he died unshriven. But from the moment the breath left his body the home of Livingston became the scene of strange sounds and disturbances. * The tramping of horses was heard at night around the house, the barn was burned, the cattle died, chickens and turkeys had their heads snipped off as if by great shears, money that Livingston had saved mysteriously disappeared, and then the clippings began. Efforts were made from time to time to exorcise the demons, but in vain. At length in a dream, Livingston saw a man in a long white robe and heard a voice assuring him that this man could bring him relief. Being told that the McS. family, at Leetown, were at times visited by a Roman Catholic priest, Livingston went there and found in Mrs. Anastasia McS. a sympathizer and adviser. Following her advice, and accompanied by Mrs. McS. and Mr. McS, Livingston attended service the following Sabbath in the Catholic church at Shepherdstown. A dramatic account is given by the Rev. Demetrius Gallitzen of the way in which Livingston, recognizing the officiating priest, wept aloud and cried out to the astonishment of the congregation. " That is the man I saw in my dream. " The service being over, Father Cahill, the priest, was appealed to for relief; but he laughed at the whole thing and insisted that Livingston's friends were playing jokes on him. Continued entreaties at last prevailed on the priest who went to the Livingston house. Father Cahill proceeded to sprinkle it with holy water, and then the money that had been lost mysteriously appeared on the door sill, though the clipping continued. The invisible shears ceased their work only after mass had been celebrated in the house. Many strange stories are told of future communications between Adam Livingston and his ghostly visitors. But the interviews were always of a friendly nature, as a thank offering for deliverance from their unwelcome visit. Adam Livingston donated a tract of thirty acres to the Roman Catholic church, this tract being still known as Priest's Field. A partial account of the strange happenings that gave Smithfield the name of "Wizard Clip "may be seen in a history of Jefferson County, but it quotes largely from the account written by the Rev. Demetrius Gallitzan, a Russian prince, who came from his home in Pennsylvania to investigate the weird happenings and spent several months in Smithfield, dividing his time between the homes of Richard McSherry and Ada Livingston. There are persons still living who declare they have seen some of the garments clipped by the invisible shears. 2734. The following tale is told of one of the old homes in Maryland One of the former owners, a rich old man, left his fortune in equal shares to his three sons, but the eldest changed the will so that he might have the lion's share and the care of the property. All went well for a 0 192 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society year. Then one night he was on his way home with friends from a long and fatiguing bird hunt. They were all walking, and to save time and distance, they cut across a field which led them to the family burying ground and to the fence over which the old man had fallen in climbing and lost his life. On nearing the fence, they halted; for barring their way was a shrouded, ghostly form. The son recognized the form as that of his father and trembled violently, as a cold, sepulchral voice said distinctly: " My son, do not wrong your brothers, but do right by them as you hope for mercy when you die. " Then the ghostly form turned, placed a hand upon the top rail of the fence and leaped over. Where his fingers touched the fence a flash of fire and sulphurous smoke burst forth. The next day the imprint of a hand was found burned on the rail. The son hastened to the County Court House to right the wrong he had done his brothers. 2735. In Calvert County on a high bluff commanding the Chesapeake, stands an imposing mansion, known, from the name of its owner, as " Bond Castle. " The house is in the shape of a cross, and has successfully withstood the assaults of time. In this dwelling is a chimney about the size of a small room, in which according to tradition, treasures have been concealed since Revolutionary days. Many assert that there is a secret door, which, if its discovery were possible would open upon this hidden wealth. But no one has been willing to remain long enough in the stalking place of ghosts to secure the hidden treasures. 2736. Phosphorescent lights were sometimes seen on the grave of an aged miser. This was the old man's grasping soul come back to earth for a little space to mourn over the scattering of his hoards; and the lonely hillside graveyard with its funereal cedar was always passed with fear and trembling. STORY OF A MYSTERIOUS SNAKE, TOLD BY WILLIAM JOHNSON. 2737. The scene is laid in Pennsylvania, i6 miles west of Johnstown, in Somerset Co., Jenner township, at the Cross roads. He first knew of it when he was a schoolboy perhaps sixteen years old, and he saw it as long as he lived there. As he was thirty years of age when he moved away it must have been a cause of terror to the people of this little place for at least I5 years. When he first began to go to school, he had to go a long way round as the school-house was situated in the middle of a field, and much time was lost for all the pupils, as it was in such an out-of-the-way place. In consequence of this, the people had a meeting and decided to build another school-house at the cross roads, which place was easy of access and in every respect a more suitable site than the other. Mr. Johnson relates that although the proposed location seemed so desirable, an cld Folk-Lore from Maryland I93 gray haired man who walked with a staff opposed the change, and told the trustees or whoever had the matter in hand that if they persisted in putting the new school-house at the Cross roads they would never have any good of it as the place was haunted. The new house was built at the place selected, and every month in the dark of the moon, an immense snake would appear. While its head and tail seemed to be hidden under the school-house, its long scaly body, over a foot in diameter, was laid across all public highways leading to the place. He said they often had evenings at the school-house, and spelling schools and the like, and had to get over the serpent before entering the house. He described it asbeing covered with sharp scales, and said if any one stepped on it, in getting over, they would stick to it and would in consequence be thrown to the ground. The children became so familiar with it that they lost the horror it created when it first appeared. Among the people who lived there at the time, Mr. Johnson mentioned Joe Boyer who owned a place there and Jeremiah Mowery, a preacher who taught school there one winter. A man named Frame became frightened, and after selling his property to Joe Leverson, moved away; Joe Leverson remained there and raised a large family. Mr. Johnson said that some could not see the snake but that all could feel it. If any one who was unable to see it tried to get over it, he fell just as the rest did. He said he had, on more than one occasion, seen a drunken man fly at it with a fence stake and beat it as hard as he could, but no impression was made on the serpent, though the stake would be broken to pieces. 2738. There are several families in Maryland who are always warned in some way of approaching death in their circles; the warning in each family being distinctive, and different from the " death tick, " which is usually heard on wood. There are also many old clocks thathave been out of order and not wound up for years, that always strike before a death in the family. 2739. In one family of good standing in Dorchester, there is seen, previous to a death, a hand holding a lighted candle, both reflected in the window of a lonely back hall. 2740. In another family, the harbinger of death is the blooming in mid-winter of the mock-orange vine - a white flower that usually blooms in spring. 274I. In the family of Dr. and Mrs. De L., who lived on Calvert St. near Madison, just before the Civil War, it was said that death to their family was announced by a cricket that chirped upon the hearth. 2742. " In our family, " said Mrs. H. S. L. to me, " we always hear three raps, close together, just before a death occurs. This has been the case for the past hundred years; it is never heard at other times. " 2743. " An owl has been a herald of death in my father's family," said this same lady, Mrs. H. S. L. I3 194 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 2744. "Once an insect, never before heard in this country, came at the time of a death, with a strange wiz, wiz, wiz, wizing song. A neighbor heard it." 2745. At another place a hen crows, or tries to crow, as a prognostication of death. 2746. In one house, if you put your ear to a certain log and hear the death watch a member of the family will die within the year. This house has been introduced by George Miles into his story called " The Governess. " 2747-8. Mrs. J. D. E. gives the following account of a series of coincidences as they have happened in her family, beginning with Anne Hutchinson, her ancestress. One morning just after sunrise Anne Hutchinson and her granddaughter were busy dusting. In the midst of the peace and quiet of this early hour, they suddenly heard the gallop of a horse, accompanied by the clicking noise of a loose horse-shoe. Anne Hutchinson started, listened, and turned pale. "Once before, dear child," she said, " I heard that noise in England. It was the day before the events occurred which made your grandfather and me determine to come to New England. " The sound grew nearer, and presently Sir Harry Vane made his appearance. He had ridden out to the forest to commune alone with his God; but he stopped to talk, telling Anne Hutchinson he had been praying much for her. As he rode away, he remarked that he must have his horse shod, as it had a loose shoe. The next day the summons came to Anne Hutchinson to appear and stand trial for her heretical teachings. She was excommunicated from the visible church in Boston, March 2nd, I638. After that, she left Boston, staying about eighteen months in Rhode Island and then settled in the Netherlands in New York. Anne was a warm friend of the Indians, and taught her children and grandchildren to be as hospitable to them as to any one who came to the house. One family of Indians in particular was especially looked after by her. In it was a girl who seemed at one time to be wasting away from consumption. The girl's father, an old chief, brought her to Anne Hutchinson to see if she could tell what was the matter with her. The girl was about the age of Anne's granddaughter, Martha Hutchinson. Anne kept her in the family during the winter. Under the influences of a comfortable, happy home, together with a generous amount of kindness and nourishing food, Lenni, the Indian girl, improved rapidly; her cough decreased and she gained flesh. When her father took her home in the spring, the change in her was looked upon by the Indians as a miracle. In I643, some time after this occurred, as the Hutchinsons were sitting together one evening, a horse was heard approaching and with it the now ominous sound of the click of a loose horse-shoe. Again Anne started Folk-Lore from Maryland 9S5 and grew pale as the horsemen drew near. It was the Indian chief, Lenni's father, who, after eating something, asked permission to take Martha back with him to see his daughter, who was five miles back in the forest. Though even for an Indian he seemed gloomy and uneasy, his request was granted; Martha was desirous of going, and she carried a few presents and kind messages to Lenni. After having ridden many miles, Martha began to grow uneasy and suspicious; but any inquiry as to where the encampment was elicited always the same reply, " Only a little farther on. " Sleep at last overpowered the girl and when she woke the sun was rising and the encampment was in sight: Her fears and suspicions of the night increased by day; for though Lenni was glad to see her, and every one was kind to her, no one would tell her why she had been brought here. In the weeks that followed, she realized that she was a prisoner. After a while, they all began to travel and Martha soon recognized familiar scenes in Rhode Island. She had been away from home a month when she was left, as strangely as she had been carried away, near her uncle's house. The night she was taken away was the night of the terrible massacre in which her grandmother, Anne Hutchinson, her parents and most of her kindred perished, either by the flames or by the tomahawk. The latter part of the seventeenth century, Martha Hutchinson married Samuel Macfarland. During the Revolution she lived with her husband's family, her husband being in the army. While he was at Valley Forge, she roused her brother-in-law one night, telling him she could hear her husband's horse coming down the long hill. As this was five miles away, her brother-in-law told her it was impossible; but she insisted that she heard it and the click of a broken horse-shoe. She finally grew so excited that her brother-in-law yielded to her entreaties that he should dress and be ready to welcome the husband or news of him. The young man got up, but before he could get to the stable the horse came up led by a neighbor, Samuel Macfarland being dead. In the year I795, William Graham Macfarland, great-grand-father of Mrs. E., went as missionary beyond the Ohio river, then the Wild West. His home was in Bloomfield. He left his wife and children behind, but soon news came that he was ill and dying, and his brother went to bring him home. Some weeks later during evening service, while the last prayer was being said, the click of a broken horse-shoe was heard, William Macfarland's wife started from her seat and went to the church door, where she saw, coming up the hill in the moonlight, her husband's riderless horse with his knapsack fastened to the saddle. She fainted and never left her home again, dying herself a few months later. Next comes Mrs. E. 's grandfather, a Presbyterian clergyman with a church called "Beulah ", near Pittsburg. On Christman Eve, 1837, his wife and son were sitting by the fire waiting for him to return from a visit to a dying parishioner. He rode an old horse, and as he was very I96 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society stout, his family feared that in coming down steep hills the horse might stumble; but man and horse knew and loved each other, and though he was now seventy, nothing of the kind had happened. He had told his wife he must go to the blacksmith's and have new shoes put on his horse. His wife was talking to her son, when they both heard the click of a broken horse-shoe. They did not know at the time of the part that sound had already played in their family history, but they both ran at once to the door where they saw the horse and an empty saddle. The old man lay dead not far away, having fallen on his head and been instantly killed. The next strange experience occurred at the time when the Confederate army was very near Maryland. Mrs. E., then a young girl, sat with her mother and family on the porch of their summer home in Baltimore County. The moon was silvering the lawn and all was still and peaceful, but they sat there with anxious hearts that were full of foreboding. Suddenly came the sound of a horse galloping rapidly and the click of a broken horse-shoe, as well as the rattle of harness. Up the road came a colored man riding a horse, evidently taken from a broken vehicle, as the harness was hanging loose about him. The negro asked if they would send help to a gentleman down the road who had been seriously hurt. The horse which he was driving had cast a shoe, shied, and thrown the buggy into a ditch. The gentleman proved to be a young man in the Confederate army to whom Mrs. E. was then engaged to be married. She had no idea he was near Baltimore. He had obtained leave of absence and gone through the line and hired this horse and buggy in Baltimore. He was taken to the house and cared for, but only those who lived in Maryland during the War can realize the danger surrounding any family that harbored a Confederate soldier. When he had recovered sufficiently to return, in trying to get through the lines, he was captured, tried, and would have been hung as a Confederate spy had not one of Mr. Lincoln's private secretaries, who was a friend of his family, taken the letters found on him to the President. He comprehended the situation at once, and remitted his sentence to imprisonment. When the war was over, he was released only to die of broken health and spirits. There are other descendants of the Hutchinsons and Grahams living in the Cumberland Valley, Maryland, and in many other parts of this country. Since Mrs. E. told the incidents narrated above, she herself has died. One of her daughters tells us that shortly before her mother's death, she and her sister were sitting with their mother one evening when a horse galloping up the road attracted their attention. They were in the mountains and the road was a dirt one, but Miss E. said she remarked on the metallic sound of the horse's hoofs; it sounded, she says, as though he were going over cobblestones. Presently the mother said earnestly, "Thank God you heard it I I thought I was the only one Folk-Lore from Maryland I97 that heard it! " It was not till after her death, two weeks later, that her daughters realized that Mrs. E. had connected the metallic sound with that of the broken horse-shoe. 2749. A member of the Maryland Folk-lore Society reports this incident in their family. As they were seated around the tea table, the mother said to the servant, " Go tell Mr. M. we are waiting for him; I saw him, not long since, go upstairs. " But no one was found upstairs, and soon a message came that their father had died suddenly in his office down town. 3. STORIES OF WITCHCRAFT, DEVIL'S BABIES, ETC. 2750. Aunt Sarah was very black and very old and she was fond of her pipe. She had learned to smoke from her mammy, who learned it from her grandmammy who was a witch. This grandmother was phthisicky, and often called for her pipe at night, as smoking relieved her. It was her granddaughter's duty to fill her pipe just before going to bed and also to get up and light it, if necessary. Some nights, though, the grandmother would say, "Guess you needn't fix my pipe to-night; I don't reckon I'll want it," and on those nights, if the granddaughter woke up, she found herself alone, and her mother and grandmother gone. One night when grandmother had declined her pipe, the girl pretended to be asleep, and she saw the two women get the lump of rabbit's fat off the mantelpiece, rub themselves all over, and say, " Up and out and away we go! " The third time, away they flew up the chimney. She quickly got up, rubbed herself with the rabbit's fat, saying. " Up and about and away we go! " And up and about she went. flying around the room, bumping and thumping herself against the wall and rafters until daylight. Her ambition was not satisfied, however, by this experience. The next time she observed more closely, and saw that her maternal relatives greased themselves with downward strokes, and said not, Up and about, but, " Up and out and away we go! " She carefully repeated this procedure, and slipped up the chimney after them. Mammy and grandmammy each took a horse out of the field, leaving nothing for her but a yearling. So she took the yearling and rode until cock-crow. (Miss K.) 275I. Once there was a man who kept a store. His wife was a witch, but he didn't know it. Things were frequently stolen from the store, and they couldn't find out who took them. It was really the clerk who stole them, and the storekeeper's wife always helped him to get away; for after he'd stolen anything she'd say, " Over the woods and over the water, follow me. " And then he'd fly off with her to some safe place, where he could hide the things, and then fly back to the edge of the town, and from there he'd walk to the store, so he wouldn't ever be I98 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society caught. At last the storekeeper watched one night, and caught the clerk stealing, and they were going to hang him for it. But when he was on the gallows, the witch came along and said, " Off the gallows, and over the water, follow me, " And so he got off clear. 2752. A man was invited to dine at the house of a woman who was supposed to be a witch and to be able to " conjure " him through the food he ate. He put a ten cent piece in his mouth when he went there, and ate a hearty dinner and when he left, he took the ten cent piece out of his mouth. It had not changed color, so he knew he had not been " conjured." 2753. My mother, she knew a woman that was mightily bothered by a witch. En'y night, soon as de woman went to bed and tu'n over on her back, dat witch would come and jump on her and ride her hard, so she couldn' move. So one night she fix for dat witch. She put pins in de seat of a chair, and when de witch come, she sot right down on de pins. Witches have to set down befo' dey can git out de skin; dey can't ride you as long as dey is in dey skin. Well, de witch sot down on de pins, an' she stuck fas.' " She couldn' git up out o' de chair, and she beg de woman to let her go and she promise ef Jhe did, she wouldn' come back no mo'. Den de woman let her go. Nor'm, I aint never seen no witch, but den I got a horseshoe up over my do'. Dey say de witch go to travel all over de road dat horseshoe been, 'fo she can get in de house, and time she git back 'twould be day. Some folks puts a sifter over de do', and de witch got to count all the holes in de sifter and a witch con't count but five, and when she gits to the five, she jumps through dat hole and is gone. Some folks can see witches better than others. A'n Abby's son Allan, he went with me one night to sit up with a girl that died, and all along de road he'd stop and say he saw somethin', and them he'd walk around and say somethin' was in his path and he couldn' pass. Sometimes it was a dog, and sometimes it was a man with his head off, but I aint seen nothin' and I ain't gwine wid him no more. ( Told to Mary. Willis Minor by a Negro.) 2754. Miss K. tells a story of her grandfather, named Stokes, who was a famous witch-finder. He was called in once by a farmer who promised him fifty dollars if he could cure a valuable horse that the farmer had reason to think was bewitched. Stokes proceeded to work by taking ahoop off a barrel and passing it over the horse's head, repeating a secret formula. He then replaced it and began to hammer it down. " Shall I drive it hard? " he asked the farmer. " Yes, " was the reply. " I don't care if you kill the witch! " Just then the farmer's little boy ran out of the house, crying, " Little old Stoke, my mother says if you don't stop, you'll kill her! " At this the owner of the horse became very angry with Stokes for harming his wife. And he refused to pay the fifty dollars. Miss K. says they went to law about the money. 2755. A woman was suspected of bewitching her husband's horse. Folk-Lore from Maryland 199 The animal refused to eat or drink, pulling back from the trough in fright as if struck by something. A neighbor, who was said to be able to overcome the power of witches, was called in; and after some mysterious muttering and pacing around the horse and in and out the stall, he gave the horse a kick in the side. At this, the woman, who was looking on, walked away, holding her side, as though she felt the effects of the kick. As the man was leaving the farm, the woman crossed his path in the form of a snake, but he avoided her, and escaped harm. He could have killed the snake, but would not, knowing what it was. This woman's reputation as a witch seems firmly established. I heard many stories of her. She was known as a very industrious, honest woman, not very quarrelsome, but capable of using abusive language when angered. She died but recently. 2756. This witch woman, going to a neighbor's one day on an errand, prolonged her stay without apparent reason, till it was almost night. Although she was very uneasy all the time, and kept saying there was sickness at home and she ought to be there, still she didn't go. Finally, it was discovered that the broom had fallen across the door. When it was taken away, she fairly flew. Of course, this looked very suspicious. But, not to be rash in their judgment, the people of the house sought further proof. So, the next time she came, salt was thrown under her chair, and there she sat, as though bound, until it was removed. Then, as her visits were now considered undesirable, nails were driven into her tracks, but the place in the ground was marked, in case the footprints became obliterated. It soon became known that she was laid up with sore feet, which refused to heal until the nails had been dug up. 2757. The year I889, was a bad year for peaches. Coming home late one night, some young men passed a place where the only peaches in the neighborhood were said to be. They all "felt for peaches." But the owner of the peaches was likewise the owner of a savage dog. But one of the party bethought himself how to lay the dog. He took his pocketknife and drove the blade into a stake of the stake-and-rider fence, saying three times, " Dog, keep your mouth shut until I release you. " In the language of an eye-witness, " that dog nearly tore his toe nails off getting to the back of the house. And there he stayed, with never a word out of him, until we had all the peaches we wanted. Of course, we only took a few to eat. As Jake pulled the knife out, the dog flew around the house again, raging like mad, and we made good time down the road!" 2758. Old "Aunt Tilly" is quite lame. It was said that some man, suspecting her to be a witch, fired at her picture; but she says her lameness came from rheumatism. 2759. A young man's visit to his sweetheart was sadly marred by the antics of a black cat, which would appear in the room every night and fly from floor to ceiling in the most surprising manner. Sometimes 200 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society a black squirrel would relieve the cat; and all the time there was a terrific accompaniment, as of armies of rats, scratching and scrambling in the walls and under the floor. Finally, the man provided himself with a pistol and a silver bullet, stopped the key-hole and waited. But after these preparations had been made, neither cat nor squirrel reappeared. 2760. There was a baby said to be bewitched; it would eat nothing but meat, and it grew thinner and thinner. Some friends thought they could cure the child by catching the witch. The mother was told on no account to speak or scream at the time appointed for the witch to appear. At this time, a large cat jumped through the window and ran towards the child; on reaching the child, the cat turned into a woman. The mother screamed; the charm was broken, the witch escaped, the child died. 2761. The following story of witchcraft was told by a mulatto or quadroon stewardess of Baltimore, on a steamer sailing from Boston to Baltimore. The stewardess had learned the particulars from her mother, who, with the mother's half-brother, the hero of the story lived in Salisbury, Md. Every night a black cat came and rode on the man's chest. He was told that it was not really a cat but a witch, and was advised to set a trap for it in the usual way; that is by thrusting a fork through a sieve, so the tines would project inside of it. This he did, placing the sieve close beside him. The cat, in attempting to leap on his chest as usual, was impaled on the fork and unable to get off. Next morning it was found that the next-door neighbor, a woman, was sick abed with a " misery in her breast, " the location of the pain corresponding exactly to the wounded place on the chest of the cat. This neighbor died of the injury within the week. 2762. The same woman related the following: Her mother, when a girl, lived in Salisbury, Md., in service with two reputable and wellto-do old maiden ladies. She noticed that one of these old ladies was in the habit of going out very late, remaining out perhaps all night. She told her mother of this, saying she thought there was something queer about the old ladies; and the mother suggested that possibly they were witches. One night the old ladies asked the colored girl to have her mother come to stay with her, as they were both to go away that night. The mother came, bringing a companion with her. As the evening wore on, the old ladies sent the colored girl and the mother to bed, saying that they themselves would lock up the house. Then the ladies went to their chambers, ostensibly to dress. The negroes, suspecting something, watched them through a keyhole, and saw them go to the hearth in their chamber, and there slip out of their human skins, appearing as two black cats, which then scrambled up the chimney. One of the witnesses put salt and pepper on the empty skins that lay on the hearthrug. Afraid to stay to watch the consequences, they ran from the house, telling the neighbors to watch in the morning and see what would happen. Folk-Lore from Maryland 201 The neighbors were on hand at an early hour, and, on peeping through the shutters, saw first one, and then the other of the black cats crawl back into the human skin that belonged to it then leap out in an agony of smarting, and so in and out, in and out for a long time. 2763. Physicians with negro patients often have to humor them when " possessed" and profess to remove the intruder; though it is the hoodoo doctor who is adept at that. An old colored woman declared she had a snake in her back that whistled. Sometimes it would work around to her chest and then she would clutch at it and hold it tight for fear people would hear it whistle. She told Miss J. in whose family she had formerly lived for years, that she knew a doctor who would lift the spell for $ 15.00. Miss J. determined to find out something about this doctor before the old woman spent her money on him. Having obtained his address, she went to his office which was ornamented on walls and ceilings by bunches of herbs of various sizes and shapes. The doctor, she discovered, was from the West Indies. He was a graduate of a Medical school in the United States but as he expressed it, he had become disgusted with the regular practice of medicine and had gone "back to nature;" hence his herbs, from which he compounded his own medicine. Miss J. spoke to him about the old woman and asked how he proposed to " lift the spell. " He said the old woman needed a course of medicine, and he said that if he gave her that and cured her he would " lift the spell. " A real hoodoo doctor would show the snake after he had removed it and probably turn it against the individual who had cast the spell, as in the following case. 2764. A colored woman was taken with violent attacks of chills and fever, having two and three chills a day. She concluded she must be " spelled, " so she went to a hoodoo doctor to have the spell taken off. The doctor, a woman, told her who had laid the spell on her and that she had done it by putting things in her feather bed. She proceeded to " lift the spell " and the patient made her a present of the feather bed. Out of this the " doctor" took some little balls, some snake sheds, lizards, etc. These she planted near an old stump, wishing them back to the woman who had cast the spell. This woman died suddenly; but the woman on whom she cast the spell lives today to tell the story to her grandchildren. 2765. A man's well laid scheme went wrong because he couldn't hold his tongue. His cattle had died unaccountably. So he built a pyre of brush and cordwood and began to burn the bodies. Soon, across the field, a woman was seen, circling round in her approach to the fire. At last her clothing nearly touched the flame. " Gad! but that was close! " he exclaimed. Instantly she shot away, released from her punishment. 2766. I happened to be present when an old lady, who had been away visiting, was asked for news of friends down the country. 202 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society " Oh, " she said," I didn't get tosee them. I was on myway to their house when someone told me that their cow had died, and they were trying for the witch. Of course I didn't go then. " 2767. When Mr, F's child was taken with crying spells at night, he stood it as long as he could; but being a workingman, as he said, he couldn't afford to lose his rest. So, when all remedies failed, he decided that the child was tormented and he must try for the witch; especially as his wife admitted having met an old woman some days before who admired and caressed the child. His preparations were elaborated; but neglecting to take his mother-in-law into his confidence, they failed. For, when the witch came a-borrowing, she accommodated her. Otherwise, he assured me, the witch's punishment would have been dire: "She would have busted! " 2768. A story was freely circulated in 1902 of the birth of a devil baby in Baltimore. A short time before, the members of a Polish church had objected to having a certain priest placed over them. Their protests proved unavailing, they had openly rebelled and refused to recognize the Cardinal or Pope. The mother and father of the so-called devil baby were members of this church and were fiercely rebellious. Some time before the child was born, according to the story as it came to us, a peddler had tried to persuade the mother to buy a picture of the Virgin. She declined to purchase, and when he persisted in his efforts, and said that she ought to have a picture of the Virgin on her walls, she said angrily that she would rather have a picture of the devil there. When, therefore, her child was born, it had horns and a tail and spoke saying, " I have come to curse you; I have come to curse you! " When we heard the story, we were told that the rush of people to see the child was so great that the parents were charging admission of ten cents. We arranged with an intelligent negro woman to go to examine the child to see if there was anything abnormal about it. She reported the child as perfectly normal in form. Some months afterward in speaking of the subject to an officer of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, he told us there was scarcely a day when some one did not apply at the hospital for permission to see the devil-baby, for the report had gone forth that it had been given to the hospital. Two or three weeks after this notice appeared, the New York Journal published a similar account of the birth of a devil-baby in " Little Italy, " New York. Illustrations were given showing a child with horns, cloven feet, hairy hands and a tail. 2769. Among the slaves on my grandfather's plantation was an aged negress who had at one time been an African princess. Before belonging to my grandfather, she had been owned by another old family in the county, to which she was deeply attached. When her master lost the greater part of his property, Aunt Sukey took an axe, and deliberately chopped off two fingers of her right hand on the horse block, so that it would be impossible to sell her into the far South as a field hand. Folk-Lore from Maryland 203 She was held in great awe by the children of the plantation, as she was commonly supposed to be in league with a familiar spirit, one Parti-gee-ho, whom she frequently threatened to call out from his hiding place in the wall the moment they became in the least troublesome. This Parti-gee-ho was pictured as having cloven hoof, horns, tail and body of a great black ox, with nostrils that breathed forth smoke and flame, and eyes like live coals. 2770. The colored people of the county had many legends concerning the lords of the manor, some of which were told with bated breath, in " the dark of the moon." Thus it was whispered concerning a distant relative of mine, whose record had been such an evil one that few expressed a doubt as to what was to be his reward in the next world, that on the night he lay dying, a terrific thunder roared about the house. The single watcher saw the heavy shadows creep around the sick man. Suddenly, over the rush of the storm, came the echo of an infrequent sound, - the galloping of a gigantic horse. Nearer, nearer, up the low veranda, to the very window of the dying man's room, dashed a great black stallion with nostrils and eyes of fire and hoofs that gleamed with sparks, and on its back a dark shrouded figure with eyes like red flames. Only a moment they paused, and with them the man's soul passed to its own place. (Dorchester County Md.) XXII. DIALECT NOTES 2771. New moon, means the first time you see it after it is new. 2772. The Maryland negroes know the constellation Orion as the " hellnyard, " probably a corruption of the " elle and yard, " used commonly in Europe and America for Orion. (A. W. Whitney, Jour. Am. Folk-Lore, vol. IO, p. 298.) 2773. Maryland negroes call the keen north wind " Hawkins. " When it begins with a low sighing moan that gradually rises higher until it ends in a shriek, they say to each other, " Hawkins is callin', " and they hurry to make themselves snug, for they know winter is upon them. 2774. Chimaphila maculata, Pursh., is called " William and Mary," and " Twin flower. " Houstonia aerulea, L., is called " Quaker Lady; " Epigaea repens, L., "Pinkster." 2775. The scarlet pimpernel closes before rain, hence called " the poor-man's weather-glass." 2776. Grouny is a name used for the sparrow in parts of Maryland. 2777. Keets, or guinea keets, is the negro name for young guinea fowls. 2778. Warts that grow on the horse's knee and fetlock are called "Night eyes," because they give horse the power to see at night; if cut off, the horse will go blind. 2779. The woodchuck is generally called the "ground hog," some 204 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society people knowing no other name for him; yet the name " ground hog" does not seem to be used outside of the Middle States. 2780. In the Maryland mountains, they call a hen with her brood of chickens a " cluck. " 2781. The negroes call the cuckoo the rain-crow, and always break up its nest. 2782-3. Stilts are called " Tom-walkers" by white and by colored people. 2784. Thieves who enter a house through a transom are called " Fanlights. " Thieves confine themselves now to one kind of work, as a rule; so we hear of " second story thieves" and "porch thieves, " etc. A second story thief would expect no luck if he attempted a ground floor robbery. 2785. When hair grows into a point in the middle of the forehead, it is called a "widow's peak. " 2786. When pins were first invented, they were given as presents to ladies, and when money was given instead, it was called " pin-money." 2787-8. Sailors object to eating much rice. Its name" strike-me-blind" explains why. 2789-99. " Mince Pie " comes to us from the English Puritans, who would not call it "Christmas Pie. " 2800-7. " Puny" or " Donsy" for sickly people. 2808. "Slouchy" or " Slompy" for one who is careless in dress. 2809. "Nasty nice" for over nice people. 28Io. "Critter" for horse. 28II. "Certain. " This is used as a word of final emphasis as "I certn'y am agoin', certain." 2812. " Cert'n'y is a sight " is used either as a favorable or unfavorable comment. 2813. " Cert'n'y is a mess " is a denunciation. 2814. " Mess" is also used to denote quantity, as "I had a mess o' peas today." 2815. "Headdest" and "Beatenest" add contempt to "mess," as " It was the headdest mess I ever seen" or " the beatenest mess. 2816. "Ship's crew." Is used to denote a number of people, as for instance a party of children will be spoken of as " a whole ship's crew of them." 2817. "A Button-hole Cousin." A cousin's cousin. 2818. "Beating the Devil's tattoo. " When the fingers drum on the table. 28I9. "That day ketch this. " From that day to this. 2820. "Mongst you. " Used in place of " you all," "Won'mongst you help me?" or " Won't 'mongst you light? " 2820 A. " Injin giver. " A child who wishes to take back something he has given away. 2821. " Mammy baby." One who clings continually to his mother. Folk-Lore from Maryland 205 2822. " Runny-gate. " A child who "runs the streets. " 2823. "Lazy-bones." Said of idle people; little children are taught to call themselves "Busy-body, lazy-bones and chatterbox. " 2824. "What fur? " If one child asks this about something, another will say, " Cat fur to make kitten breeches. " 2825. "Gee Whillikens. " Expression of astonishment. 2826. "Contwist it!" Expression of disgust. 2827. "He lives at the sign of Said " refers to one who changes his mind. " The case is altered." 2828. " When the drum fish grinds me over young again" is a common expression among fisher-folk. 2829. "Everything is lovely and the goose honks high," means fine weather. 2830. I feel as " mean as a dog." 2831. "I'm as sick as a dog." 2832. "I'm as tired as a dog." 2833. "I'm as hungry as a dog." 2834. My Scotch-Irish nurse would say, " The blackdog has got hold of you. " To a sulky child she would say, "The black dog's sittin' o' the back o' yer neck." To a cross child, " See the black dog'll come down the lum and bite ye!" 2835. He's as " mad as a March hare." 2836. She is perfectly " hared-brained." 2837. "Between the dog and wolf," means "( twilight." 2838. It is cold enough to freeze the horns off a mully cow. 2839. It is cold enough to freeze icicles between man and wife. 2840. I've saved my bacon (just escaped). 284I. She's not yet husband high. 2842. Light and rest your hat (stay awhile). 2843. Hang the horse (stay awhile). 2844. Light and hitch (same). INDEX Acorns; omens from, 521, 546. Actions, omens from, IV: I271-I339. Acts of animals, VII: 50I-598. Adam and Eve, plant-name, VII ii88. Ague, cures for, I743, 1744, 1761, 1783; VII 791, 88i, 882, 885, 1155, 1308, 1328. dreaming of, IV: 6oi. Air, omens from, IV: 1464. Albatross, 629. Alder, in folk-medicine, VII 1 243 -1245. various beliefs concerning, IV: 1124; VII:1I332. All Soul's Day, 2385. Alphabet, letters of, formed by geese, VII: 989, 990. letters of, in divinations, 1545, 1579, 2348, 2353; IV 241-244, 308. omens from, VII 415. Amaranth seeds, as love charm, VII: 893. Amber beads, i857-i859. Ammonia made from urine, VII 1127. Amphibians, VII: 360-371, 1036 -1041. Amulets and charms, VII: I-124. Amulets, animal, 1204-1206, 1419 -1421, I439-I463, 1919-I921I VII 1-36. miscellaneous, 343, 1412, 1439, I455, 1462, 1467-I475, 1482, 171, 1723, I726-1729, 1857 -1 864, i 868, 1885, 1905-1908, 1959, 2017, 2018; IV: 795 -8oi, 803-815. vegetable, 1438, I715-I717, I79I, 1792, 1796, I799-1801, 1805, 1885; IV: 802. Anchor, dreaming of, IV: 578. Andromeda, in folk-medicine, VII 1246. Angel, 1030, I934; IV: 42, 104. Angle worms, in folk-medicine, VII: 793. Animal-lore, VII: I-II27. amulets and charms, VII: I1-124. folk-lore of ectodermal structures, VII: 736-913. folk-medicine, VII: 76o-9-13. folk-names of animals, VII 681-735. incantation and formulae, VII 635-680. omens, VII: I25-433. weather signs, VII: 434-634. Ant, folk-name of, VII: 727. Ant-eaters, animal-name, VIl: 708. Ant-lion, folk-name Of, 708-713. formulae said to, VII: 636. Ants, 1214, 12115; VII: 42,1 45, 46, 635, 707,I1051, 1384. weather omens from, 433-436; VII: 434, 435, 599. Anty-mire, animal-name, VII:707. Apparel, IV: I376-I401. dream of, 139; IV: 230. in conjuring, VII: 49. love divinations from, IV: 230 -240, 325. omens from, 240-284, 589, 592, 594-596, 599, 6io-6I3, 669, 696, 777, 86i-895, I334-1336, 1372, 1402-1404, 148, 1428, 1429, x667-1669, 1900, 1958,.1959, 1981, 2000, 2102, 2271 -2273, 2297, 2412, 2413; IV 372-374, 397, 399, 701, 1093. omens of new, VII:373, 378 -381, 429-43I, 1211. various beliefs concerning, IV 369, 1053, ii8, 1207,128 1219, 1221, 1267, 1269, 1396 -1401, 1421; VII: 85. Apple, as love charm, VII: I 154. Apple-parings, IV: i65. Apples, love divinations from, 2348, 2357; IV: 164, i65, 246, 31I4, 403. various, beliefs concerning, 281, 2o8 208Memoirs o/ the A merican Folk-Lore Society II14-1119, 1598; IV: 99, 111 4, I2711. A&pple-seeds, love divinations from, IV: i66-173. Apple tree, 1898; IV: 900; VII 1210. Apple twigs, 1114, 1551, 1552. planted upside down, VI I: 13 34. April Fool's Day, 2301-2305. Apron, 872-874; IV: 364, 365, 368, 1342, 1376. Arachnids, 87-93; 592-607, 1782, 1783; VII: 372-395. "Ark and the Dove ", 2333. Arm, as cure, IV: 857. Arms, physical characteristics of, IV: 134, 135. Asafoetida, 171, 1785. Ascension Day, 2284-2296. Ash, in charm, VII: 1155-I16o. repels snakes, VII: 1336. Ash Wednesday, 225I-2253. Ashes, 901, 2234, 2251, 2252, 2415 IV: 238, 652. Aspen, as charm, VII: I x6 x. leaves, VII: I335. Ass, passing under belly of, cures rupture, VI I: I104. Asthma, 1754, 17,96. cure for, VII: 782, 8i6, 1246. Asseverations, 2641-2671; IV: 6o73. Attire of bride, i981-2006; IV: 332 -344. Auk, weather omens from, VII: 453. Aurora Borealis, I. Automobile, 355. Awl, VI I: 12 7. Axe-handles, VI I: 13 73. Axe, omens from carrying, ioi6, ioi8, 1019; IV: ii6i, 1162. various beliefs concerning, IV 1110. Babies, dreams of, 144, 145, 685, 1434; IV: 524-527. love divination from, IV: 174. omens of babyhood, 58, 1930 -1940. omens of birth of, IV: 5, 52. physiognomy of, 1930; IV: 0 1 2, 15, I 6. wish on, 1503, 1504; IV: 25, 43I. Babyhood, 1570, 1571; IV:I59 baptism, I9II-1915; IV: 7-9. birth, IV: i-6. first actions of, 1918, 1954, 1955, 1956; IV: 41-44. introduction to the world, I954, 1956; IV: 17-40. physiognomy, IV: io-i6. various beliefs concerning, 58, 1896-i904, I907-19I0, 1916 -i964; IV: 45-59. Backache, 1769, I781[, 1848, 1849; VII: I284. Bacon, as cure, IV: 883. Bags, 350, 351. Bait, 1250, 1251. Ball, direction if lost, VI I: 89. game of, 1370. Baltimore oriole, IV: 949; VII 1230. folk-name of, VII: 692. Banana, cross in, VII: 1339. worm in, VII: 1338. Baptism, 331, I911-I9115, 1917; IV: 7-9. Bark of tree, VI I: 12 90. Barrels, weather omens from, IV 1003. wishing on, IV:449. Basting thread, 875; IV: 1380. Bat, folk-name of, VII: 68i. omens from, 552; VII: 144. Bats, formulae said to, VII:642 -644. Beads, as amulets, i857-1863; IV 795-8o01. dreaming of, IV: 580. Bealed breast, VII: 795. Beans, 538, 831, 11126-113I, 2235, 2240, 2257, 2418; IV: 248, 249, 802, 884-886; VII: 1162, 11[63, 1303. Bear, sucks paws in winter, VI I: 92 0. various beliefs concerning, VII: 920-923, 1367. weather omens from, VII: 436, 563. Beard, 767; IV: 9. Beauty, significance of IV: 101. to gain, 156-15119. Beauty-spots, IV: I374. Beaver, tail of, used as trowel, VII 924. weather omens from, VII: 437. Bed, love divinations from, 1578; IV: I75-182. omens from, 222, 252 A, 284 - Index 209 286, 832, 833, 859, 877, 890, 940-943, 967, 1178, 1362, I402, 1595;IV 26-28, 582, 1274,I131. Beech-leaves, first appearance of, VII: 1229. Beech-tree, kills snakes, VII: I337. in charm, IV: 833. Beef, VII: 1097. Bee, folk-name of, VII: 7114. Beehives, VII: 1o58. Bees, dreaming of, 68o. omens from, 8o, 8i, 6o8, 609; VII: 396-402, I057. rhymes concerning, 2116; VII 645. various beliefs concerning, i 1 86 -1194 1297-I303, 1501, 2312, 2313; VII: I052-1056. weather omens from, VII: 438. Beeswax, dangerous, VII: 1092, 1093. Beetle, omens from, VI I: 403. Beets, planting, 1124, II32-1136. Begonias, unlucky, VI I: 11i96. Bell, io66, ii88, 2056. tolling Of, 2 090, 2 091; IV: 11i63. Berries, weather omens from, 523. Bible, charm, VII: 5 2. divinations from, IV: I141i8. love divination from, 1 589; IV: 183, 184. various beliets concerning, 1067, 1147, 1468, 1469, 1469 A, 1828. wishing on, 1 509; IV: 43 2. Biliousness, cures for, IV: 834; VII: 1179. Birch-brooms, unlucky, VII: I1I97. Birch-buds, VII: 1229. Birch, in folk-medicine, VII: 1247, 1248. Bird, dreaming of, IV: 490, 491. Birds, love divinations from, IV i85, i86. omens from, 94-I22, 348, 621 -643, 672-674, 1978; VII: 8o, 250-350, 738-740. various beliefs regarding, 1311 -1322, IV: 1318; VII: 965 -994. weather omens from, 464-477; VII 473-476, 501. Birth, omens 'of, 632; IV: 5I, 52 VII: 304. I various beliefs and practices concerning, 1602, 1896-1909, 2127, 2135, 2208, 2300, 2398, 2399; IV: i-6. Birthday, actions performed on, IV: 1419. Birth-mark, removal of, VII: 851. Birthstone, 1412. Bite of dog, cured by hair or liver, I1759, I1760; VII: 890, 891. poisonous, VII: 857. Bite, of fly, cure for, VII: 844. of horse, VII: 858. of mosquito, cure for, VII 844. Bittern, note of, VII: 687. Black, omens from, 351, 560, 562 -569, 604, 858, 865, 890, 1402. Blackberry, 609, 1787, 1788. Blackberry-rain, 483; VII 1234. Blackbird, rhymes, VII: 65 I. Black-smith, IV: 843. Black snake (see snake), in folkmedicine, VII: 787, 788, 873. Bleeding, to stop, 1749, 1757, I 85o, 1853, 1854, 1876, 1889; VII: 769. Blisters, cure for, VII: 1254. Blizzard, sign of, VII: 489. Blood, as cure, IV: 913, 927. dreaming of, 165, 727-729, 1838; IV: 572, 573. in folk-medicine, 1734-I740, 1838. of Christ, VII: 1346, 1386. signs from, io6, 804, 8o5; IV 344, 1225. spitting, VII: 1296. various beliefs concerning, IV 872, 873, 1373. Bloody milk, 590, 1674; VII: 32, 313, 365. Blue, 1 996. Bluebottle, animal-name, VII:426. Blue-gum, negro, 756. Blue jay, 2i98-2200. weather omens from, VII:476. Boa constrictor (see snakes), 1296. Boards, counting, IV: 210O. dreaming of, 'IV: 591. Boat, see vessel. Bobolinks, first appearance of, VII: 1229. Bodily affections, IV: 1340-I375. Body, care of, I5i6-1540, 11714-1733. placing of after death, IV: I1242. '4 2IO Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Boils, i825; IV: 1156; VII: II40, I256, 264. Bone amulet (see amulet), as charm, IV: 887, 888. Bones, lucky, I439, 1455, I462. Bonnet, 890, 891; IV: I2o8. Book, 1395; IV: 275, 1276. Bottle, IV: 366. of wine, I480; IV: 700. Botts, I845. Bow, IV: 76, 77. Bowl, in love divinations, IV: 308. Boxwood, I546. "Boy's love ", plant-name, VII: 1318. Brains, of rabbit in folk-medicine, 1926. of squirrel in folk-medicine, VII: 834. Brass amulets, 1864; IV: 807-8Io. Bread, as amulet, 2017. as cure, 1709, 1711, I734, I882; IV: 862. dreaming of, IV: 596. omens from, 276-279, 922-930, 933, I219, 1263-I365, I403 A, I469 A, I597, I954, 2235, 2255, 2256; IV: 421. various beliefs concerning, IV: II41. Breakfast, 814, 8i8, 819, 828, 834 -836; IV: 589, 786, 788, 1316, 1317, 1319, I320, 1432. Breaking articles, oo1, 1002, I002 A, 1034, I433; IV: 1278. Broath, sucking of by cat, VII: 928. Briar, omens from, 548. Brick, 1465 A, I6o6; IV: 299. Bridal customs, 2003-2033. Bridal rose, VII: 1223. Bride, see marriage and attire of bride. Bridegroom (see marriage), 2014, 2024, 2026, 2030. Bridge, IV: 197, 207, 279, 922. Brier, omens from, IV: 250. Bronchial affections, VII: 805. Broom, as charm, I467, I468; VII: II5. omens from, i80, 287-289, 418, 944-948, I572, 23IO; IV: 330, 367, 650, 738, I439. spirits can pass over, IV: 1474. weather omens from, IV: 1050. witches kept off by, I659-I662; IV: I438. Broom-handle, in love divinations, IV: 287. Brothers (theological students) weather omens from, IV: 1004. Brush, IV: 1105, III7. Bubbles, IV: 713-717, I458. Bucket, 349, 2053; IV: 29. Buckeye, as amulet, VII: II29, II30. poisonous, VII: I250. Buds, starting, dangerous season, VII: I340. Bud-scales, weather omens from, VII: 1226. Bugs (see insects), II44. Building on house, omens from, IV: 1201. Bulbirds, weather omens from, VII: 453 -Bull, 66i. Bullets (see silver bullet), VII: 53-55. Bullock, euphemistic animal-name, VII: 682. Bumblebee, omens from, 609; VII: 398-403. various beliefs concerning, VII: I055. Burdock in folk-medicine, VII: 125I. Burial custom, see dead, customs concerning. Burning of ear, see ear. Burns, cures for, 1767, I773; IV: II57; VII: 852, I245. Butter, I363-I365, I542, 1709; VII: I22, I26, II62, I377. Butter-beans, VII: II63. Butterbump, animal-name, VII: 687. Buttercup, 1542. Butterflies make moths, VII: Io73. Butterfly, omens from, 6o1-612; VII: 404-4II. rhymes to, VII: 655. wish on, 1502. Butternut in folk-medicine, VII: 1252, 1253. Butterprint, plant-name, VII: I377. Buttons, love divinations from, IV: I87-I93, 209, 316, 396. Buzzard, death omens from, 630, 631; VII: 254, 256. feather of, VII: 20. folk-name of, VII: 688. rhymes to, IV: I85; VII: 646 -648. weather omens from, VII: 502. Index 2II Cabbage, in folk-medicine, VII 1254,i1284. going to seed, VI I: 11I99. love divinations from, IV: 305, 306, 309. omens from, 547. planting, I124, 1137; IV: 11114. various beliefs concerning, 1 896, 2366-2368, 2371, 2372; IV 1402;VII: 11i64. Cadets, IV:958. Cake, 280, I220, 1564-1566; IV II142-I1144; VII:893. wedding, 1565, 1566, 2020-2022; IV: 266, 565-567. Calf, various beliefs concerning, ii8o, 1919, 2183; VII1 145-I49, 925-927. Calico-horse, animal-name, VII: 684. Calico-spider, animal-name, VII 705. Callas, unlucky, VI I: 11I98. Callers, omens from (see visitors), VII: 738-740. Camphor as amulet, I729; VII: 1 133. Canary, omens from, 95. dream of, 672. Candle, omens derived from, 304, 2057, 2354; IV: i167, 1440-1443. dream of, I38. Candlemas, see Groundhog Day. Canteloupes, planting of, 1122. Car, beliefs concerning, 355. Cards and luck, 359, 1076, 1339, 1340, I383-I385; IV: 6o8-ii. Carriage, wedding, 2023-2026. Carrot, death omen from, VI I i i199. planting of, 11I2 5. Cat, blood of, 1736-I738; VII: 760 -763. dreaming of, IPi, 66x; IV: 492, 493. heart of, VII: 769. hair Of, 50, II73-1756-1758; VII: 8io-812. omens from, 24-57, 408-419, 66i, 1377, 1388, 1389, i633, 1639, 1642, 1643, 1964, 1979, 223I; VII: I56-i93. skin of, VI I: 764-768. tail of, charm, 1756; VII: 105, 8 iI, 812, 936. various beliefs concerning, 553 - 569, 626, 1171-II73, 1262 -1265, 1633, i642, 1643; IV 318; VII: 928-938. weather omens from, 408-419; VII: 454, 504-534, 6oo, 602. Cataract, 1826. Caterpillar, 510; VII: 79. Cathartic, VII: 1252, 1253. Cats, dreaming of, IV: 492. Catskins in folk-medicine, VII: 767, 768, 865. Cattle, kneeling at Christmas, 2393, 2396; VII io183, io85. lost, VII:92. omens from, IV: I1129. talking, 2392-2396. weather omens from, VII: 535 -54I1. Caul, I905-i908; IV: 15, i6; VII 125. Caustic, VII: I1122. Cedar tree, 1120; VII: 1172. Celandine, milk of, in cure, IV: 889, 890. Celery seed, as cure, 1 791.Cellar-stairs, IV: 313. Centipede, omens from, 82. Chafing, charm against, VII: 1136. Chairs, love divinations from, IV 317. omens from, 290-293, 876, 952 -958, 1339, 1380, 1478; IV 739-74I, 1217, 1234, 1444. various beliefs concerning, IV 48, 395, 71I, I279-128i. weather omens from, IV: 1050. Chalk, 1215, 1670, 1671. Challenges, IV: 74, 75. Chandelier, omens from falling, IV: 709. Charms (see amulets, and conjuring), VII: 37-I24. conjuring, VII: 37-49. ghosts and witches, VII:50-64. saliva, VII: 65-I03. various, IV: 816-835. Chaugset, animal-name, VII:703. Cheat, turns to wheat, VII: 1342. Cheek, burning, IV: 1340. Chemise, IV: 238. Cherries, dreaming of, IV: 577. Cherry bark in folk-medicine, VII 1255. Cherry stones, will grow in stomach, VII 1341. 212 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Chess, turns to wheat, VII: 342. Chestnut, 1438, 1792, 2350, 2351; VII: I32. weather omens from, 522. Chicken, in folk-medicine, VII: 775, 777, 779. gizzard, 1516. heart, I517; IV: 435. Chickens, dream of, 673. in folk-medicine, 1739, 1740. (see hens, roosters), in love divinations, IV: 295. omens from, 117-122, 644-655; VII: 263, 269, 270. various beliefs concerning, 797, 1195-1208, 1321, 1322, 2144, 2174, 2251-2253, 2262, 2263, 2311; VII: 969-974. weather omens from, 451-457; VII: 44I, 442. Chickweed, in folk-medicine, VII: 1256. weather omens from, VII: 1227. Chigger, animal name, VII: 719. Chigger-flower, VII: 1344. Chigger-weed, VII: I343, I344. Chilbains, cure for, VII: 785. Childbirth (see birth). Childhood, 1896-1964; IV: 6o-ioo. Children, 6I, I76-I80; IV: 53, 331; VII: 883, 884, 1 01. Childemas Day, 2420, 2421. Chills, 1717, I8ii, I812, I816; VII: 1129, II74. Chimaphila maculata, Pursh, 2774. Chimney, IV: 742. Chimney-swift, weather omens from, VII: 593. Chin, IV: 304. Choking, IV: 1445. Cholera, in chickens, IV: 816. Christening (see baptism). Christmas, cattle kneeling at, 2393, 2396; VII: 1083-1085. Christmas greens, unlucky, VII: 1209. Christmas pie, 2789. Church, 351 A, 352, 1366, 1510, 1975, 2010, 2o11, 2268, 2269, 2335. Church-mice, animal-name, VII: 732. Churchyard (see grave-yard). Churn, IV: 1146. Cicada (see cricket, locust), weather omens from, VII: 477. Cigar stub, omens from, IV: 416. Cinder, 1041; VII: 889. Circle, VII: 38, 8o. Clabber, 681; VII: 59. Claw, as amulet, VII: I, 12. Clay, 353; IV: 229; VII: 826. Clematis, brings moths, VII: I347. Clock, 294, 295, 959-967, Io53, 2056, 2061; IV: 314, 969, II75. Cloister, omen of, IV: 319. Clothes, see apparel. Clouds, 393-397; IV: Ioo6, 1051, 1052. Clover, five-leaved, i6, 549, 699; VII: 1203, 1204. four-leaved, as charm, VII: II65. love divinations from, IV: 194 -198, 699; VII: i20i. omens from, I6; VII: 1202. where mare foaled, VII: 1200. in folk-medicine, 1794; VII: I257. leaves, weather omens from, VII: 1236. repels flies, VII: 1352. two-leaved, love divinations from, IV: 198. various beliefs concerning, 1109, 1187. Coals, omens from, 270, 1548, 2414; VII: 84. weather omens from, IV: 1054. Cobwebs (see spider), in folk-medicine, VII: 878-881. omens from, 600, 602-604, 606, 607; IV: 370, 371. weather omens from, 429-432; IV: 970, ioo8. Cock, see rooster. Cockroaches, 1216-1218; VII: 1059. Codfish, bone of as amulet, VII: i. in folk-medicine, VII: 822. weather omens from, IV: 463; VII:434, 603, 604. Coffee, dream of, 143 A. in love divination, IV: 296. omens from, 143 A, 973, I473, 1474, 1583, 1584; IV: 714 -717. Coffin, dreaming of, IV: 285. in candle, IV: 1I68. omens from, 941, 957, I040, 1041, I885, 2069, 2070, 2316; IV: 226, 227, 311, Ii68, 1172, II73. Index 2I3 sign of JIV: 59I, 594, II171, II172, 1246. Coins, in love divination, IV: 316. Cold, IV: 1433; VII: 128i, 130I. Colds, cure for, VII: 263. Cold-sores, charm against, VII I1141. Cold weather, omens of, see weather. Colic, 18711, i886, 1936; IV: 50; VII: I281. Collar., IV: 372. Colors, childhood potions of, IV: 95, 96. dreaming of, 129, 739, 740. of wedding dress, I993-I999. omens, for color of dress, 6io612; VII: 406-408, 414, 431. Colt, VII: 1269. Colts, dreaming of, IV: 483. Comb, beliefs concerning, 357, I593; IV: 34; VII: 755. Combing hair after dark, 15 25, 152 6; IV: 1290, 1291. Combings of hair, see hair-combings. Comet, 533. Company, see visitors. Complexion, VII: 1299. Conch shell, 365. Confervaceme, VII: 1356. Conjure bottle, VII: 42. Conjure sickness, cure for, VII: 910. Conjuring, i675-I704; VII: 37-49. Consumption, see tuberculosis. Contraries, dreams go by, i68-170, 689, 693, 694, 696, 697, 699-702, 750 A. luck goes by, 1490. Coral beads,i86o. Corals, petrified, VII: 1100. Cord, as amulet, IV: 803.Cork, swallowing, VII: 1348. Corn, 544, 546; IV: 949, 1121, 1 403. red ears, 55o, 2016, 1398. Corn-bread, in folk-medicine, VII 814. Corn-cobs, in love divinations, IV 22I. in folk-medicine, IV: II153. Corn-husks, weather omens from, 51I9, 524; VII: 1228. Corn-planting, rhymes, 1105, 2321; VII: 650. harvesting, 2334-2337. rules for, I1I04-1108% 2320; VII: I229-123I. "Corn-sweat ", in folk-medicine, VII: 1258. Corns, curing, 1770; IV; 11I54;VII: 849, 877, 1275. paring, 1520. weather omens from, 493;VII: 6o5. Corpse,;294, 1366, 18i9-1822, 2046, 2047, 2049-2069, 2143; IV:595, 1176, 1242,I1244,I1246,I1248,I1254,, 1260,I1261. Cotton, used as charm, IV: 82 7. Cottonwood leaves, weather omen from, VII: 1232. Coughing, cure for, IV: 854; VII 1291. Counteractants, 27, 103, 104, 587, 1178, 1234, 1333-I345, 1615, i6i6, 1722, 1725. Counting, omens from, 70, 274, 87iA, 1255, 1256,I1342, 1392,I1396,I1397, 1488,I1489, 1499, 1500,I1541,I1543, I555-1557, 1569, 1593, i6o6, 1607, 1814, i8I5, 1944; IV: I99-2I0. Counting-out rhymes, 244I-2527; IV: i66-i68. Courting signs, 548, 568, 569, 6i6, 662, 662 A, 690-693, 882, 884, 885, I54I-I547, 1555-I557, 1562-1569, I577-I580, I585-1589, I593-I595, 1689, 1690, 2003-2008, 2285, 2286, 2314-23i6, 2340-2381; IV: 364 -430; VII: 242. Cow, dreaming of, IV: 488. going dry, VI I 3 363, 3 64, 12 4. losing cud, VII I 097. omens from, 570, 590, 1674; IV: 1177; VII: 150-I55. various beliefs concerning, i i 8o11i83, 1266, 1293; VII: 876. tail of, 1 65 6. Cow-killer, animal-name, VII: 727, I095. "Cow serl " (see cattle), VII: I1387. "Cow's foot in milk ", VII: I1122. "Cow's tails ", IV: 1007.Crab, 1I57,I1221,I1222,1308; VII: ii, io8o. claw, water from, in folk-medicine, VII: 888. sign of zodiac, 1109. Cracks, stepping on, unlucky, IV 92. Cradle, 58; IV: 48-50. " Cradle cap ", IV: 34. 2I4 14 M emoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Cramp, charms against, IV:824; VII: i i, 804, cures for, 1732, 1733, 1885; IV: 809;VII:I, 2, 101. Crane, omens from, VII 339. Crayfish, gastroliths of, VII:889. weather omens from, VII 440; Cream, as cure, IV: 897. bewitched, VII 1 22. Cricket, omens from, 83-86, 613; VII 4i6-420. Cries, calls of animals, VII: 453-500. street, 2423-2440. Crocus, 2269. Crops (see corn, etc.), various beliefs concerning, 500, 545, 546; IV 987; VII:309, ii6o. Croquet, IV: 91, 95. Cross, IV: 1404; VII: 8i, 82, 919, I339. sign of, 103, 1388, 1669, 1728, 1836; IV: 43, 6i-63, 867, 1272. Cross-eyed persons, i87-189, 754, I337, 1387, 1457, 2169; VII: 77, I29-I3I. Cross-mark, IV: 662; VII: 83,236. Cross-road, 1522, i634-i636, 1670, 1817; IV: 830. Croup, 1710, 1727, 1752, 1855, 1T857; IV: 803, 8o6; VII: 1140, 1301. Crow, claw of, V1II: 12. omens from, 96, 632; VII: 278 -286. rhymes concerning, I1105; VII 649-651I. talking of, 1315. weather omens from, 459-463. various beliefs concerning, 231. Crowing hens, see hen-crowing. Crown of thorns, VII: 1346. Crowns on head, omens from, 763, 764. Crows, language of, VII: 975, 976. weather omens from, VII: 542 -546. Crucifixion, VII: 1335. " Cruising ", IV: 961i. Crying, to dream of, IV: 6o6. Crystal gazing, I59o. Cuckoo, omens from, 97, 467, 1685; VII: 287. weather omens from, 467; VII 465, 689. Crustacean, VII: 433, io8o-io8i. Cucumber, planting of, 1122, 1138 -11I44. renewed growth of, VII: I349. Gunner, folk-name of, VII 703. Cup, 984-987, 991, 992; IV: 273, 275, 1109. Curb in horse., cure for, IV: 1 155. Curbstone, I 6o5. Curculio, cure for, VII: 1094. Cures (see Table of Contents), IV 795-87I1. amulets, IV: 795-8I5. charm, IV: 8i6-835. various, IV: 844-871. water, IV: 836-843. Custard, IV: I145. Customer, first, 199, 1479. Customs, mortuary, see customs concerning dead. Cut worm, rhymes concerning, II105. Cypripedium, called valerian, and nerve-root, VII: 1326. Daddy-long-legs, in folk-medicine, VII: 882. formulae addressed to, VII 657-665. omens from; VII: 372-374. various beliefs concerning, VII 846,I1048. Daffodil, pointed at, VII: 1350. Daisy, love divinations from, I543 -1545; IV: 2II-219. Dancing, beliefs concerning, IV 178. dream of, 1:69. Dandelion, as cure, IV: 891. divination from, IV: 251I; VlII ii8i, 1182. Daughter, VI I: 1 42, I143. Day of judgment, VII: 742, 759. Days (special, see Table of Contents), IV: 14119-I437. Dead (see ghosts, etc.), customs concerning the, 1242, 2044, 2056, 2067-2073, 2081-2104; IV: 1240 -1270. dreaming of, 151-I53, 701, 702; IV: 501, 502, 1247. various beliefs concerning, 1243, 2057-2080, 2092-2094, 2I105 -2108. Dead man's pinch, VI I: I112 0. Deafness, causes of, 633. cure for, VI I:83 6. Death-baby, VII I 222. Index 215 Death-bed, Customs, 2040-2059. Death-bell, 2090, 209I1 IV: I215. Death, omens at, 36, 65, 294; IV 1182, 1183, 1185. Death, dreaming of, IV: 604. omens, 532-539, 54I-543, 547, 551, 552, 565, 566, 570-578, 58i-584, 598, 6oi, 6i9, 620, 627-632, 636-640, 642, 647, 654, 655, 656, 658, 659 A, 66o, 663, 665, 672, 68o, 686, 688, 694-696, 698, 699, 705, 707 -709, 717, 718, 722, 723, 730, 733, 735, 739, 742, 748, 749 A, 751, 752, 756, 780 A, 804-806, 922, 925, 927, 933, 941, 943, 950, 957, 961, 962, 964, 966, 967, 985, 986, 995, 996, 999, 1004-1006, I009-1012, 1017, ioi8, 1023, I026, 1040, 1041, I044-1052, 1059, 1062, io66, 1071, 1094, 1120, 1145, 1146, 11 i62, 1568, i617-i6i9, 1932, 1937, 1941, I944, 1945, 1947, ig6o, i969, 1970, 2036, 2040, 2041, 2066, 2070, 2074-2077, 2079, 2080, 2094, 2103, 2143, 2255, 2300, 2738, 2748; IV 35, 36, 54, 138, 319, 358, 401, 470, 477, 481-484, 496, 5o6, 508, 509, 523, 533, 534, 539, 549, 554, 560-564, 571, 592, 593, 599, 1158-1239; VII: 144, 149, 1150-155, 1157, I58, 194 -196, 198-20I, 203, 210, 216, 226, 232, 235, 238, 248, 254, 256, 260, 263, 265, 268, 269, 273, 274, 276, 284, 287, 288, 291, 292, 295-302, 322, 325, 327-330, 333, 335-339, 341, 347, 358, 371, 392, 421, 422, 432, 746, 747, I199, 1205, 1208-121, 1222, 1223, 1225. various beliefs concerning, IV 1184, 1220. Death-tick, IV: 1179. Death-watch, omens from, 1045; IV: 11I79; VII: 421. Death's-head moth, fatal, VII: 1076. Deer-hunting, IV: 71. Deerskin, charm against witches, VII: io6. Devil, birds messengers of, VII 991-993. dreaming of, IV: 605. various beliefs concerning, 834, 936, io8o, 1259 A, 1370, i633-i641;IV: 7, 1395, 1451, I464;VII:8i. Devil's darning needle, VII: 1063 -io66. Devil's riding horse, animal-name, 1401I VII: 725. Devil's war horse, animal-name, VII:726. Dew claws, VII: 940. Dew, washing in, 2318, 2319; IV 1405. weather omen, IV: 1009g. Diamonds, dream Of, 750. various, beliefs concerning, 340; IV: 674. Diarhoea, VII 1 267, 1270. Dickinson's horse, animal-name, VII: io66. Dickinson's mare, animal-name, VII: 722, io66. Dime, as charm, IV: T1113. Dimple, IV: 102-104. Diptheria, VII: 773, 151I, 1305. Dirt, as charm, IV: 1010I. burning brings luck, 1477. omens from sweeping, IV: 654. Dish-cloth, and dish-water, as cure, IV: 898, 899, II139. omens from, 968, 969; IV: 745 -748. various beliefs concerning, IV 677, 11465. Distemper, cures for, VII: 906. Diuretic, VII 1 260. Divinations, see Table ot Contents; IV: i64-302. Divining rod, 1549-I554; VII: 11I83 -Doctor, IV: 1282. Dodder, IV: 257; VII: 11I87. Dog, bite of, 1759, 1760, 1824, i869, i886 A; VII: 857, 890, 1323. dream of, 663. folk-name, VII: 683. mad, 1267, 1268, 1725. tail of, charm, VII: io8. weather omens from, VII: 504, 548. "Dogberries ", weather omens from, VII: 1233. "Dogberry ", tree, VI I: 1205. Dog-days, 1267. Dogs, dream of, IV: 489. 2i6 216 Memoirs of the A merican Folk-Lore Society in folk-medicine, VII: 883-886. omens from, 5 8-66, i 8i, 5 71I-5 79, 967;IV: 227;VII: I94-214 various beliefs concerning, II 73 - II79, i264, 1265, 1267, 1436, 1466, 154o C, 1599, i6oo, 1639 11725; IV: 1110; VII: 107 -110, 939-94I, 1268. weather omens from, 437-439; VII: 547, 549, 550, 6o6. Dogwood, I253; VII: I351. as charm, VII: I I66, i i8o. Dogwood-rain, 483; VII:1234. Dollar bugs, VII: 15. Domestic life, IV: 1438-1463. omens from, 1082-1246. Donkeys, VII: 918, 919. Doodle, incantation, VII: 639, 640. Doodle-bug, animal-name, VII: 641, 7o8-71I1I. Dooley-bug, animal-name, VII, 637. Door, knob, 237-240, 856-858, 878; IV: xI I8o;VII: 5. omens from, 228, 230-233, 651, 654, 845, 850, 852, 962; 1V 75I-753, 118I, 1210, 1282 -1284, 1447. sill, 1173, 1470. various beliefs concerning, IV 702. Doorstep, VII: I05, io8. Doorway, love divinations from, IV: 198, 220-224, 260. Dough, dreaming of, IV: 594, 595. Dove, omens from, VII: 288-292. various beliefs concerning, VII 977. Dove's heart, as love-charm, VII 892, 893. Dragon-fly, VII: 720-723, io6i, i062,i1o67, io68. Dreams, of animals, 130-I36, 66o684; IV: 463-493. of colors, 129, 139, 740; IV 494-497. of dead persons, 15I-153, 494; IV: 488-504. of eggs, 67I; IV: 5Io-5I3. of fire and smoke, i66, 707-7I2; IV: 5I14-523. of human beings, I44-I50, I53, 169, 685-693; IV: 175, 524 -537. of money and metals, I58-i62, 71-718; IV: 543-546. of teeth, 143, 723-726;IV: 547 -552. of various objects, 123-I29, 137 -142, I54-I57, i67-I72, 657, 659, 705, 706, 7I9-722, 727 -738, 741-747, 750, 1371, 1372, 1424, 1434; IV: 569-607. of water, 163, 164, 730-735, 736 IV: 553-559. of weddings and funerals, 492, 694-70I, 2031; IV: 560-568. see contraries, dreams go by, IV: 607. Dressing, omens from, 252 A, 887 A; IV: 612-62 I, 11381-1383, I385. Ducklings, VII: 978. Ducks, weather omens from, 473; VII: 466, 467. various beliefs concerning, VII 1293. Dumb creatures, VII: 1084. Dung, in folk-medicine, VII: 795 -8oi. Dust, 387, 1522; IV: 310. Dysentry, VII I 270. Eagle, omens from, VII: 293. various beliefs concerning, VII: 977. Ear, burning nerve in, IV: 87I1 VII: 912. Ear-ache, cure for, VII: 8i8-820, 836, 888,I1142,I1302. Earrings, as amulets, IV: 807, 8 i i. Ears, burning, 780, 1341, 1344, 1346; VII: 87. itching, IV: 1347. physical characteristic, 201 IV: io5-io8. piercing of, IV: 844. ringing, 202, 779 A, 780 A; IV:.12I3-12i6. Earth, beliefs concerning, VII: 1369. dreaming Of, 748. in love divination, IV: 31I9. weather omens from, IV: IO117. Earthworms, in folk-medicine, VII 799, 825. Earwigs, VII: I077-I079. Easter, 2265-2287. Echinoderms, VII: i082. Eel, 1249; VII: 819. skin of, in folk-medicine, 1776 -1778; VII 770, 866-870. Eggs, counting, IV: 876-878. dream of, 671, 678. Index 2I7 love divinations from, 1562, 1563, 1568; IV: 225-228, 311, 312, 326. various beliefs concerning, 118, 1 21, 646, 671, 678, 1 195, 1197 -I200, 1203-11205, 11208, 1255, 1406, i685-i688, 1918, I954, 2274, 2284; IV 11I42, 1143; VII: 979-988. wihng on, IV: 436. Egg-shells, as charm, VII: 124. cure for ague, VII: 895. lining of, VII: 894, I1174. omens from, 11 7. Elbow, IV: 1352. Elder, as amulet, VII: 1I136, 1137. as charm, VI I: I I68. in folk-medicine, VII: 1259 -11262. repels insects, VII: 1352, 1353. Elephant, dream of, 664. Emeralds, omens from, 103 6, 1 03 7. Emetic, VI I: I12 53. Enemies, conquering, VII: 355, 356. Enemy, sign Of, 563, 587, 588, 677, 678, 683, 775, 935, I057, 1400; IV: 471I, 474, 478, 492, 493, I13 26; VII: 353. Engagements, omens of (see courti'ng), IV: 327-33I. English Robin, animal-name, VII 692. Epigaea repens, 2774. Erysipelas, 1737, I828-i832, i86i; IV: 795. Essence-peddler, animal-name, VII: 686. Excreta, VII: 795-809. Everlasting, in folk-medicine, VII 1263. love divinations with, VII I i i89. Evil-eye, casting, i88; VII 1 26. cure,I1704. protection against, VII: 1127. Evil spirits, 1423. Eye, evil (see evil-eye), protection against, VII: I27. glass, 755. Saviour's, 930. Eyebrow, as charm, IV: 833. Eyebrows, physical characteristic, 766; IV: IIO-I114. Eyelash, as charm, IV: 833; VI I 100. Eyelashes, 1505; IV: 89, 437-44I. Eyelids, 7 83; IV: 171I. Eyes, conjuring, 1689, 1766; IV 8i i, 838, 84I, 844; VII: 807, 845, 854,855 889. omens from, 203, 204, 765, 784, 785; IV: 778, I348-I350. remedies for diseases of, 1766, 1776, 1819, 1827, 1893, 1893 A. physical characteristics, IV 1 09, I II. various beliefs concerning, IV: 1285, 1351. Eyestones, VI I: 8 89. Fairies, children, notions of, IV: 83, 84. Fair weather, omens of, see Table of Contents, rain, storm, etc. "Fairy-rings "', IV: 146, 1407. Falling, IV: 376. Family, omens of, IV: I449. resemblances, omens from, 176, I77 A; IV: -ii. Famine, omens Of, 545. Fat (see oil), of bear in folk-medicine, VII: 829. of cat in folk-medicine, VII 8211. of dog in folk-medicine, VII 823, 824. of goose in folk-medicine, VII 819q. of weasel in folk-medicine, VII 835. Faucet, IV: 863. Feather-bed, hard to die on, 2048; VII: 1099. Feather of buzzard, amulet, VII: 20. Feathers, 451, 452, 2048. protect from lightning, VII 1098. Features, significance Of, 201, 762 -778,.1930; IV: IOI-11I4, 122, 123, 156. Febrifuge, VII: 1260. Felon, remedies for, 1707;VII 8io, 88o, 8194. Femns~, charm, IV: 822, 853. Fence, various beliefs concerning, ii68, 1169, 1268, 1481; IV: 683, 1126,I1286. 'Fender, beliefs concerning, 300. Fern seed, 2323, 2324. Ferns, IV: 252, 253; VII: 1354, '355. 2I8 218Memoirs of the American Polk-Lore Society Fe rule, beliefs concerning, IV: 89, 90. Festering, IV: 8I7. Fever, cures for, 1776, I797, T812; VII: 791, 897, 1155, 11174, 1251, I258, 1328. prevention of, VII 79. Fever-weed, V'II: 1328. " Fever worms ", VII: 79. Fiddle, 1635, 1636. Finger, as charm, IV: 831 I VII 87, 91, 100. in asseveration, IV 63-65; VII 72. Fingers, love divinations from, IV: 144, 229. signs from, 770-772, 786, 1436, 1466, 1506, 1721. Finger-nails, as charm, IV: 903, 904. cutting, IV 300; VII 749 -756. cuttings of, 1942; IV: 55, 56, 1420. omens from, VII 746-748, 751, 752. physical characteristics, IV 115-1119. shape Of, 776. spots on, 773-775; IV: i116-11.T various beliefs concerning, 1329; IV: 115. Fir, in folk-medicine, VII 1 264 -1266. Fire, as charm, IV: 8i:6. dreaming of, 678, 707-7I2. omens from, 27I-273, 899-oi6; IV: 403, 1450, 1451, 1460, 1461. omen of, 652. prevention of, VII: i6i. various, 1280, 1282, 1290, 1403, 1540 E, 1548, 1596, 1654 A, 1674, 2170. weather omens from, 488-491; IV: 931, 932. Firefly, omens from, VII: 423. puts out eyes, VII: i069. Fish, dreaming of, 679; IV: 463-467. rhymes to, VII: 650. various beliefs concening, 1157, I247-1256, 1279, 1519, 2290, 2291; IV: 11I12; VII: 1042-.1046. weather omens from, VII: 5.53 -555. Fish-bones as charm, 1462, 1463. Fishes, in animal-lore, VII: 1042 -1046. Fish geraniums, 1:21I3. Fish hawk, 633;VII: 7. Fish hook, IV: 817. Fishermen, omens for, 367, 385, 386, 1247-I256; IV 54i, 68o, 682; VII: 283, 423. Fishing line, IV: 831. Fishing pole, IV: 682. Fiste, folk-name, VII:683. Fits, 1736, I75 1878-1881i IV 56, 8:23; VII: 36, 814. Flag, 349. Flies, dreaming of, 68i; IV:468, 469. omens from, 614-616. weather omens from, 1305; VII: 556-559. various beliefs concerning, 1304; IV: 44; VII: 1070, 1352, 1358, 1395. Flowers (see also, buttercup, dogwood, etc.), divination by, 540-544, 1542 -1545; IV: 25I-259, 261, 262. dreaming Of, 126-128, 6.59, 659 A; IV: 575. planting of, IV: II1 unseasonable (and fruit), 1 4, 1124, 126; IV: ii86; VII 1210. various beliefs concerning, i 6 i i. weather omens, 482-486, 2298. Fly-up-the creek, animal-name, VII: 691. Fodder, dream Of, 749 A. Fog, weather omens from, IV:933, 972, I011-I014. Folk-names of animals, VII:68z735. ants, VII: 707, 708. ant-lion, VII: 709-713. bees and other insects, VII 7114-730. coelentera, VII: 735. Folk-lore of ectodermal structures, VII 736-759. Folk-medicine, VII: 76o-913, 1243 -1330. Blood and raw flesh, VII: 760 -794. excreta, VII 795-809. hair and nails, VII: 8:ro-820. oils, VII: 82i-836. Index 219 parasites, VII: 837-842. saliva, VII: 843-864. skins of animals, VII: 865-877. spiders and their webs, VII: 878-882. transference to animals, VII: 883-886. Food, dreams of, 123, 124. omens from, 17, 274, 275-277, 279-281, 9I7-939, 2021, 2022; IV: 771, I453, I454. preparation of, 1219-1235, I239 -1246, 2020. Foot, physical characteristic, IV: 120, 121. omens from, 206-210, 351 A, 366, 787-791, 894. various beliefs concerning, IV: 390, 626, 628, 630. Foot-prints, VII: 41. Forehead, physical characteristic, 768, 769; IV: 22, 123, 820. Forget-me-nots, used in love potions, VII: 1294. Fork, beliefs concerning, IV: 691. as charm, VII: 62. omens from, 918, 968-974, 977, 978, I378, I549-1552, 1662; IV: 394, 755, 756, 767. Formulae, said over animals, VII: 635-680. Fortune, bad, omens of, IV: 316; VII: 47, 148, I97, 280, 3I4. children's usages (see omens), IV: 76-78. good omens of, VII: I62, 264, 314. Fossils, mistaken ideas concerning, VII: 100. "Foul and fair ", 2337. Fowls (see chickens), in folk-medicine, VII: 771, 780. love divinations from, IV: 220, 453. weather omens from, VII: 442, 472. wishing on breastbone of, IV: 220, 453. Fox, omens from, 67, 580, 887 A. Freckles, caused by lilies, VII: 1391, 1392. caused by toad, VII: 1039. cure for, IV:'840, 843; VII: 8o8. removal of, 1521-1524, 2318, 2319; VII: 809. Friday, Good, 2254-2264. various beliefs concerning, 1313, 2127-2134, 2171-2211; IV: I, 240, 612-617, 937-940, 1132, 1188-I190, 1420, 1428, 1429; VII: 749-752, 755, 756. Friendship, children's usages, IV: 79, 80. Frog, in folk-medicine, VII: 777. omens from, VII: 360-363, 365. weather omens from, VII: 468, 469, 608, 609. Frogs, folk-name of, VII: 696, 697. Frog-spit, plant-name, VII: 855, 1356. Frost, signs of, 502-504; V: 988, 990; VII: 475, 529, 617. weather omens from, IV: 973, IOI5. Frost-bite, cures for, VII: 1247, 1248. Fruit, double, VII: I207. dream of, 123, 124, 657: IV: 576. first, 1498. in the sea, VII: 1385. Fruit-trees, bearing unseasonably, VII: 1208. blooming unseasonably, I4, 54I. dreaming of, 657. Funeral, customs, 208I-2089. dreaming of, 700; IV: 568. signs of, 698, 1379, 1392; IV: 560, 579; VII: 155. omens from, I379, 1392, 1620; IV: 1192-I194, II97, 1255, 1260. various beliefs concerning, 2069, 2071-2080; IV: 1198, II99, 1247-I249, 1252. Furmily, amulet, VII: 1137. Furniture, IV: 1356. Fungus, VII: 1383. Gaiters, childhood notions concerning, IV: 98. Gapes, in chickens, VII: 969, 970. Game, IV: 1129. Garden, 1896. Garden, dream of, 125; IV: 505. Garments, love divinations from, see apparel. Garters, 264, 884-886, 1999, 2271 A, 2235, 2286; IV: 233, 237, 320, 321, 333, 334, 405-407 -Gastroliths of crayfish, VII: 889. 220 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Gate, IV: 663. Geese, omens from, VII: 347. various beliefs regarding, VII: 989, 990. weather omens from, VII: 470, 560-562. Geraniums, 1213; VII: 1196, I357, 1358. Ghosts, 1599-1632, 2705-2719; VII: 50-53, 64. charms against, 1613, I615 -1616; VII: 50-53, 64. dreams of, 154-156. omens of, 593, 603, 1359, I599 -1632; IV: 1447; VII: I25. various beliefs concerning, IV: I473. Ginger cake, 1475. Ginseng, VII: I359. Girl turns to boy, VII: 376. Gizzards, beliefs concerning, 1516, I518; VII: 1102, 1103. Glass, smoked, love divinations from, IV: 323. various beliefs concerning, IV: 1104. weather omens from, IV: IOI6. (water glass) IV: 263, 264. Gloves, 262, 887, 1402, 1984; IV: 33, 681. Glow-worms, weather omens from, VII: 6Io. Glycerine, manufacture of, VII: 949. Goats, weather omens from, 1274; VII: 443, 471. Goitre, IV: 798; VII: 142, 1152. Gold, amulets, I791. pot of, 669. Goldenrod, amulet from, VII: 1138. Gold-thread, in folk-medicine, VII 1268. "Good-bye ", IV: 1305. Good Friday, see Friday. Goose, beliefs regarding, 1316, 2302; IV: 1372. fat of in folk-medicine, VII: 819. gizzard of, 1518. omens from, 98. weather omens from, 475, 512 -518 A; VII: 6ii. Gooseberry, in cures, 1789, I790. Grain, IV: 228. Grape, omens from, 123. Grass, IV: 310, 443, iiI8, 1372; VII: 548, 1169-1171. Grasshopper, formulae addressed to, VII: 666-670. Grave, ceremonies at, IV: 1250. rabbit, 810. various beliefs concerning, IV 1229, 1262-1265, 1287, 1371, 1372. Graves, orientation of, 2095; IV: 1241. Gravel-root, folk-name, VII: 1279. Graveyard, 789, 8io, 1413, 1457 -1459, I691, 1692, I886 A, 1949, 2057, 2095, 2096; IV: 309, 505, 954, 1251, I266; VII: 1170, 1171. rabbit, in charm, 23, I459. Gray-pine, VII: 1175. Green-heads, animal-name, VII: 696. Ground-dog, VII: 699. Ground-hog Day (see Table of Contents), VII: 1209. Ground-hog, weather omens from, 2241-2246, 2779; VII: 563. Ground squirrel, bite of, poisonous, VII: 962. Groun'y, animal-name, 2776; VII 694. Growth of child stopped by beating, VII: 1159. Gryinidae, VII: I5. Guinea-fowls, folk-name of, VII: 690, weather signs from, 468. Guinea-woodpecker, animal-name, VII: 695. Gulls, weather omens from, 449, 450; VII: 564, 565. Gun, IV: 1200; VII: 56. Gunbrights, VII: I360. Gunpowder, VII: 40. Habenaria in folk-medicine, VII 1269. Haddock, fin bone from, VII: 3, 4. markings of, VII: 1045, 1046. Hair, as charm, IV: 864. in divinations, IV: 302, 1470, I471. in folk-medicine, 1747-1760 VII: 813, 814, 8i6, 817, 890. omens from, IV: 779. physical characteristic, 768, 769; IV: I24-I37. renewal of, VII: 829, 830, 866. Index 22I turns to snakes, i269-127I, 1272, 129I; VII 1 105, iio6. turns to worms, VI I: I1107,1I1I09. various beliefs concerning, 62 1 -625, 767-769, io62, 1069, 1394, 1525-I538, 1645 A, 1573, 1574, 1i683, 1i684, I94I, 1955, 1957, 1981, 2108, 2223, 2258; IV: 404, 1131-1134; VII: 904, II04-II10, iiii8. Hair-ball, VII: 39. Hair-combings, 356, 62i-625, 1528; VII: 738-744. Hair-cuttings, I532-I536; VILI: 736, 737, 745. Hair-dress, 356 A, I534. Hair-eaters, VII: 1104. Hairpins, omens from, 887 B; IV 380. Hairy arms, IV: 134, I35. Halloween and other festivals, IV. 303-326. Halloween observances, 2338-238i IV: 303-3I9. Halyard, weather omens from, IV: 1o58. Hammer, 1020, 1052. Hand, cure by, I706-I708 cure for sore, IV: 836. kissing, IV: 290. omens derived from, 211-214, 770-772, 924, 1054, 1057, 1327, 1465 A, 1628; IV: 10, 138, 392, 724-726, 1292, 1293, I295-1298, I362-I363; 1365 -1367; VII: 66-68. palm Of, 792, 793, 796, 1465 A. physical charateristic, 641, 79, I902; IV: 138-I47. of the dead, 1483 A, i819-1822; VII: 132. Handkerchief, 1404; IV: 236, io8i; VII: 114. Hand-of-glory, VII: 896. Hare, see rabbit. Harp strings, 1330. Harvest Customs, 2334-2337. Harvest moon, 1257. Hat (see bonnet), 889, 1336, 1340,:2085-2087; IV: 381, ioi8, 1198, 1208. Hatchet, 1019. Haunted (see ghosts), i6I5-i6I7. Hawberries, weather omens from, IV: 934. Hawk, 99; IV: I475; VII: Ii18, 19. Hawkins, 2773. Hay, weather omens from, IV: 974. wshing on load of, IV: 444, 445 various beliefs concerning, IV 1119. Hazel, VI I: 11i84. Hazel, load of, see load. Head, IV: 1308. Headache, 587; VII: 736-738, 897. Heal-all, in folk-medicine, VI I: 12 70. Hearse, 2075-2077; IV: 1191. Heart, IV: 1373. disease, 1793, 1794; VII I 248, 1315. Heartsease I, 793; VII I 249, 1315. Heartweed, 1794. Heifer, first calf of, VII: 917. Hell-trot, 2772; VII: I1273. Hemlock-tree points north, VII 1361. Hens, crowing, 120, 840, 841, 1199, 1399; VII: 273-277. omens from, 120o, 62 8-63 0; VII: 264, 271, 272. various beliefs concerning, 21I44, 2174, 2262, 2263. Heracleum in folk-medicine, VI I I27I-I273. Heron, folk-name of, VII: 691. Herring, salt, forsorethroat, VII: 897. Hiccoughs, remedies for, 1874; IV 845-852. Hickory, VII: I373. Hickory nut, VI I: 11I3 9. various beliefs concerning, 2322. Hives, cure for, VII: 766. Hoe, omens from carrying, 1017, ioi8; IV: 707, ii6o, ii6i. Hog, in folk-medicine, VI I: 82 7. Hogs., various beliefs concerning, VII: 953-956. weather omens from, see pigs. Holly, 2 403, 2 406; VI I: 121I2. Holy thorn of Christmas., VII: 1345. Home, leaving, VI I: 1190g. Honey, 8o. Honey-bees, VII: 1056. Honeysuckle-apples, VI I: 13i83. Hop-toad, animal-name, VII: 698. Hop-vines at Christmas, VII i 362. Horn-bug, animal-name, VI I 7 716. Hornets, nest of, in folk-medicine VII 905, go6. 222 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society weather omens from, 506, 509; VII: 444. Horse, bite of, VII: 858. weather omens from, 440, 441; VII: 6I5. Horses, counting, 70, 1256, I499, 1500, I555, 1556, I557; IV: 199 -203, 205-207. dreaming of, 132, 133, 665-668; IV: 480-487, 489. omens from, 70, 71, 581-583; IV: 233; VII: 78, 215-224. rhymes concerning, I184, 1845, ridden by witches, I638, I651, I652, I654 A; VII: 947, 948. various beliefs concerning, 757, 758, 1270, 1273, I437, I447, I980; VII: 942-949. weather omens from, 440, 441; IV: IOI9; VII: 570-576. wishing on, IV: 446-448. Horse chestnut, as amulet, 1438; VII: II3I. poisonous, VII: I250. Horse collar, I88o, i88i. Horse hair, 1269, 1271, 1272; VII: IIII-III7. " Horse-lilies ", VII: 1392. Horseradish in folk-medicine, VII: 1274. Horseshoe, as charm, 1204-I206, 1416, 1655; IV: 821;VII:118, I22. nail, as, I450, 1452. in love divinations, IV: 222. Horseshoes, lucky, 1442-I454, I585, 1588; IV: 631, 632, 634. House, 225, 845, 849, 850, 852, 854, 858, 86i, I319, I405, I406, 1407, I440-1443, 1467-1470, I482, I507, I508, 2190; IV: 58I, 529. House-leek, 1547; VII: 1275. Howling of dogs, VII: o09, IIo. Hulls of beans, burning, VII: I 63. Human beings, dreaming of, 144-150, 153, i68, 685-693. Humming-bird moth, animal-name, VII: 724. Hunchback, I74, 1065; VII: I33, I34. Hunger, 917, 920, 926, 928. Hunter, omens for the, IV: 713; VII: 139. Hydrophobia, 1725, I824, 1869; VII: Io7, 433. Hysteria, 1785. Ice-cream, IV: 1147. Incantations (see formulas said over animals ),VII: 635-680. Inch-worm, animal-name, VII 729. Indian meal, in love divination, IV: 318. Indian paint, plant-name, VII: 1363. Indian turnip in folk-medicine, VII: I276. Indicator, plant-name, VII: I359. Inflammation, cures for, VII: 767, 78I, 878, I316. Ink, I901. Innocence ", omen from finding, VII: 1211. and wetting bed, VII: 1364. Insanity, omens of, 623, 624, 83I. beliefs of, 1302, I324. Insects, VII: 396-432, 1051-1076. beliefs concerning, 1297-1307 A, I461. omens from, 80-86, 429-436, 608-619; VII: I5. wish on, 150I, I502. Iron, 344; IV: 843. Ironingboard, 30I, 302. Iron ring, 15I3. Itch, cure for, VII: 76, I243. Itching, omens from, 204, 211, 215, 779, 782, 784, 785, 789, 792, 793 -796, 799-803; IV: 724-726, 780 -784, 1292, I32I, 1347-1350, 1352 -1363, 1368; VII: 67, 68. Ivy, omens from, VII: I212-1214. Jack-come-up-the-world, animalname, VII: 636, 709. Jamestown weed in folk-medicine, 1261; VII: I277. January, see months of year. Jaundice, cures for, VII: 783, 784, 800. Jay-birds, VII: 991, 992. Jay, various beliefs concerning, 2198 -2200. weather omens from, 502. Jelly-fish, folk-name of, VII: 735. in folk-medicine, VII: 828. warts from, IV: 879. Jigger, animal-name, VII: 719. Jimson weed, 1261;VII: 278. Job's tears as amulet, 1862, I863; VII: 1150-1152. Joe-pye-weed in folk-medicine, VII: 1279. Index 223 John the Baptist's Day, see June 24th. Joints, cracking, IV: I300. Journey, omens of, 562, 750, 761, 775, 1429; IV: 385, I396; VII: 83, 282, 320. Journeys, beliefs concerning, 70, 73, 194, I96, 2176, 219I, 2193, 2196. 2216; IV: I3. July 2nd, 2325, 2326. June-bug, animal-name, VII: 716. June 24th, 2322-2324. Juniper, in folk-medicine, VII: 1281, 1282. various beliefs regarding, VII: 1365, I367. Kalmia in folk-medicine, VII: 283. Katydid, causes fits, VII: I071. omens from, VII: 428. various beliefs concerning, I306, weather omens from, 503, 504; VII: 617. Keet, animal-name, 2777; VII: 690, Kelp, weather omens from, VII: I235. Key cure, I889; IV: 804, 856. divination with, 713-714, 846, 1405, I589; IV: 184, 1418. dream of, 713-714. Key-hole, I26I, I647, I648; IV: 827. Kidney disease, cure for, VII: 879. Kissing, dream of, I68; IV: 530. various, 550, 798, 812, 8I3, 8I3 A, 1487, 2030; IV: 290, 381, 382, 4I3, I276, I30I. Kittens (see cats), 27, 55, 1264, 1265; VII: 938. Knee, IV: I299, 1368. Knife, as charm, IV: 827, 900; VII: 64. in love divination, IV: 225. omens from, 296-298, 968-971, 975-982, I256, I378; IV: 394, 692, 693, 757, 758, 761-765, 1302, I4I3, I466. various beliefs concerning, IV: 691-694, 1059. weather omens from, IV: 1059, io6o. Knights of Columbus, 2333. Knitting needles, omens from, IV: 411. Knocking, omens from: IV: II8I. on wood, 363, 1390, 1722. Knots, beliefs concerning, 358, 874, 883, 892, Io68. Knuckles, IV: 794. Labrador tea in folk-medicine, VII: I285. Ladder, unlucky to walk under, Io8I, I344, I345; IV: 664-666; VII: 86. various beliefs concerning, IV: I467. Lady-bug, omens from, VII: 429. rhymes addressed to, VII: 429. Lady in lobster, VII: 1 I9. Lady's-slipper, plant-name, VII: 1326, 1327. "Lady's tresses " in love-potion, VII: 1295. Lamb, dream of, I34. in folk-medicine, VII: 78I. Lammas Day, see August Ist. Lamp, 303, 994-999, i6o; IV: 285, 427, 428, 1170, 1202, 440, 1458. Lamprey, folk-name for, VII: 704. Land, animals in the sea, VII: IO87. dreaming of, IV: 579. Larch, see juniper. Lard, in folk-medicine, VII: I300. Larvae, folk-name for, VII: 728-730. Laughter, 784, 785, 827. Laurel, 1548. Laxative, VII: I260. Lead, in love divinations, IV: 288, 289. Leaf, wishing on, IV: 462. Leather-winged bat, animal-name, VII: 68i. Leaves, in folk-medicine, VII: 286, I287. weather omens from, VII: I226, I229-1232, I1236-I238. Letter, omens from, IV: 408, I424. "of Jesus Christ ", IV: 835. "of Lentulus ", IV: 835. sign of, IV: 485, 486, 490, 503, 1441-1443, I450, I460; VII: I89, 307, 344. Letters of alphabet in divinations, see alphabet. Liar, sign of, IV: Io6, 157. Lice, causes death of children, VII: III8. dreaming of, 682-684; IV: 470 -473. from eating sorrel, VII: 1387. in folk-medicine, VII: 783, 784. 224 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Lie, sign of, 809; IV: 163, I375, I376. 4 i 21 d i ' c ies, sign of, IV: 370, I377, I445. Light, IV: 704, I171. Lightning, and thunder, 838, 839, I204, I208, I258, I274, 1289, 2296; IV: 1408. drawn by milk, VII: II23. tree struck by for toothache, I718, I719; VII: 288, 1289, I290. Lightning-bug, omens from, VII: 422, 424. weather omens from, VII: 503. Lights, weather omens from, IV: I06i, I062. Lilac-blossom, lucky, VII: I218. Lillies, 2268; IV: 83; VII: I390. Linen, IV: 1166. Linnaea, in folk-medicine, VII: I291. Lip, 215; IV: 382, 853. Live-forever, divinations from, IV: 255, 256. omens from, VII: 1217. plant-name, VII: II90. various beliefs concerning, VII: 1368. Liver, 1873. Liver-berries, VII: I292. Liver of dog cures bite, VII: 891. Lizard, folk-name of, VII: 70I. omens from, VII: 371. poisonous, VII: 995, 996. to charm a, 1845 A. used in charm, VII: 47. Load, barrels, I494. hay, 1493, I495-1497. Lobster, lady in, VII: 1119. has its name on its leg, VII: I08i. Lockjaw, I887; IV: 8I8, 819. Locomotive, weather omens from, IV: 1047. Locust, omens from, VII: 415. seven year, 618, I307 A. weather omens from, 476, 477, 505; VII: 477, 478. Locust-blossoms, VII: 1293. beliefs concerning, 544, I308. Logs, 909, 912. Long-life, omens of, 70I, o058 A. Looking-glass, omens from, see mirror. Loon, weather omens from, VII: 479-482, 577. Loper, animal-name, VII: 728. Lord, 889. Lord's Prayer, I923. Louse, in folk-medicine, VII: 784. on mainmast brings wind, VII: 618. weather omens from, VII: 618. Love and marriage (see marriage), IV: 327-430. attire of the bride, IV: 332-344. courting and wedding signs, IV: 364-430. engagement, IV: 327-331. lucky days, IV: 345-350. The marriage ceremony, IV: 351-364. Love, charms, 1688-1891; IV: 164 -302. divinations, VII: 892, 893, 1187-1189, II95. Love-potions, VII: 1294, I295. " Love-vine ", IV: 257; VII: 1187. Lovers-knot, IV: 292. Love's-test, plant-name, VII: II89. Luck, IV: 608-713. amulets for, VII: 5-19, 22-25, 30. cards, IV: 608-6Ii. dressing, IV: 622-630. horseshoes, IV: 631-636. pins, IV: 637-643. salt, IV: 644-649. sweeping, IV: 650-655. turning back, IV: 656-662. Luck-egg as amulet, VII: 16-I9. Lucky, and unlucky days, IV: 612 -621. bone, VII: 5-7, 9, Io, I3, I4. charm, VII: I2. claw, VII: ii. bugs as amulets, VII: I5. stone, VII: 78. Lump cramp, VII: 770. Lung disease, VII: 1321. Lycopodium in folk-medicine, VII: 1296. Lynx, VII: 1089. Mackeral, VII: 423. Mad dogs, animal-name, VII: 433, 733 -Madeira-vine, unlucky, I5; VII: 1219. Magnets, horseshoe, 1449. Magpie, I02, 103. Maiden tree, VII: ii60. Index 225 -Mammals (see Table, oj Contents), VII:94-964. Mammalian, quadrupeds, VII '44-1 249. Man, 19i, 1i92;VII 1 25-I43. Man, red-haired, 191, 192. bite of,WVII: 859. dream of, i69. Mange, cure'for, VII: i283. " Manner dish ", IV: 1410. Maple-trees, change species, VII I369. in divination, VII: I1185. Marasmus, 1784, 1852. March iyth, I137. "Mare-browed " man, IV: 712; VII: I35. Mare, milk of, VII: 901, 902. Mare's tail, 397. Marriage ceremony, IV: 35I1-363. Marriage, love and, omens Of, 557i, 561, 564, 632, 659, 662, 690-693, 696, 700, 731, 753, 755, 777, 807, 823, 866, 882, 884, 885, 886, 947, 953, 970, 976, 984, 990, 992, 994, 1011, 1013, 1015, I026, 1027, 1028, 1054,I1056, 1058, 1063,i1064,i1069, 1077, 1555, 1556, I557, 11559 -1569, I58i, 1582,I1585, 1589, 1593 -1595, 2003, 2123, 2126, 2357-2365, 2368, 2371, 2375, 2381; IV: 316, 319, 328, 401, 485, 53I, 532, 56i, 565, 568, 582; VII: 187, 292, 305, 340, 369, 413, 1191-1193. dream of, IV: 560-568. rhyme Of, 21I34; IV: 426. various beliefs of, 1036-i038, 2161, 2168,:2172, 2207, 2208, 2211; IV: 1138. Marriage, lucky days for, IV: 345 -350. Marrow of hog in folk-medicine, VII: 827. Marsh-frogs, animal-name, VII: 697. Mary, Virgin, 2325, 2326. Match, 359; IV: 297, 298, 451I, 708. Matrimony-vine, unlucky, VII 1220. May-apple root, cure for conjured person, VII: 48. May-bee, animal-name, VII: 71i6. May Day, 2306-2319. May io, th., 2320-232I. May fly, animal-name, VII: 716. Measles, cure for, VII: 8oi. sign of, IV: io1. Measuring, IV: 59, 697. Measuring-worm, animal-name, VII: 730. beliefs concerning, 589; VII 43I. Meat, 933, 1177, I1223, 1225, 1228; IV: I127. dreaming Of, 742; IV: 569-57I1. Medicago, plant-name, VII: 1346. Medicine, made of children, VII 1121. Mending, IV: 1376, 1378, I379. Mermaids, VII: 917. Meteors, IV: 734, 1412. Meteorological phenomena, dreaming of, IV: 53 8-541. Mice, various beliefs concerning, see rats. Midnight, love divinations at (see May Day and Halloween), IV 245-247, 305-308, 3114. Midsummers Day, see June 24th. Midsummers Night, see June, 24th. Milk, bloody, 1674. first after calving, VII: 903. in folk-medicine, VII: 820, 901 -903. various beliefs concerning, VII II23-II25. Milksnake, see snake. " Milk-thistle ", as cure, IV: 895. Milk tooth, 192 5; VII: 75 7, 75 8. Milkweed, as cure, IV: 894. folk-name for, VII: 1344. Milky juice of plant, IV:889, 890, 892-896. non-poisonous, VII I 297. Miller, animal-name, VII:412. Mince pie, 2789. Mirrors, (see glass) in love divinations, IV: 246, 278, 285, 291, 312 -314, 324, io86. omens from, 305, 306, 307; IV: I204-I206. reversed after a death, 2054 -2056; IV: 1243-I245. various, IO00-I004, 1569, i6io, 1620,' 2013-2015, 2065, 2073, 2369, 2370; IV: 35-37, 57, 340, 679,P71,W108 Mistletoe, 2402-2404; VII: 1212. Mittens, lucky, IV: 68o. on ghost, 1632. Mole, 1707, 1708, 1920, 1926; VII 950, 951. '5 226 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Mole-paw, amulet, VII: 21. Moles, " old-time people ", VII: 95Ion human body, 762; IV: 121, 148-155. "Mole-tree ", plant-name, VII: 1371 Mollusks, VII: 1047. Money, IV: 714-735. beliefs concerning, 10-13, 1430, 1431, 1508, 1521, 1591, 1701. charm, 1484 A. divination by, 1514. dreaming of, 158-162, 341-343, 591, 664, 669, 684, 7I5-7I8, 766, 792, 794-796, 895, 931, 951, 978, 1042, Io68, 1078, 1461, I473, I474, 1476, 1508, I571, 1583, 1584, 1967. omens of, 3I9, 525, 526, 604, 605, 617, 1629-I631, 1955, 1956, 2151, 2155, 2229; IV: 521, 7I4-735 I099-IIOI; VII: 66-68, 391. used in cure, IV: 902, 1113. "Money spider ", 93 A. Months of the year, Jan. 2110, 2117, 218. Feb., 2109, 211o. March, 2110, 2119. April, 2109, 2IIO, 2120, 2122. May, 2115, 2ii6, 2123, 2124. June, 2109, 21IO, 2115, 2II6. July, 2110, 2115. August, 2110, 2115. Sept., 2109, 2110. Oct., 2110. Nov., 2I09, 2110, 2126, 2385. Dec., 2110, 2387. Mooly-up, animal-name, VII: 637, 712. Moon, divination by, IV: 1080-1093. fortune, IV: I094-1109. horns of, 402, 403, 406, o191, I095, 1107, II65-1169, I240, I537, 2770. omens from, 6-13, 400-406, 525 -53I, I091-1093. waxing and waning of, 1078, 1092, 1103, Iio8, IIIO, 1127, 1152, 1226, 1228, 1232, 1241. I520, I53I-I533, 1833, I977; IV: 114-II4. weather omens from, 399-406. Moonlight 224, 528, 529, I531-1538; IV: IIIO-II13. Mortuary customs (see dead, customs concerning), IV: I240-1270. Mosquito, beliefs concerning, 619. caught by holding breath, VII 1072. netting, 1960. Mosquitoes, weather omens from, VII: 578, 579. Mosquito-hawk, animal-name, VII: 723. Moth, folk-name of, VII: 724. omens from, VII: 413, 414. various beliefs concerning, VII: 1073-1076. Mother, 153, 830, 1503, 1897, I900; IV: 499. Mother-in-law, IV: 330. Moths, various beliefs concerning, VII: I347. Mountain-ash, as charm, VII: II57 -ii6o. keeps of witches, 1672; VII: 1128. lucky, VII: I8o0. weather omens from, VII: 1233. Mourning, IV: 8, 1207, 1208. Mouse, charm against tasting, VII: 75. in folk-medicine, 1742-1744. formulae said to, VII: 673. omens from (see rats), VII: 225, 226. Mouth, various beliefs concerning, 529, 798, I25I, 1669, 1673, I710 IV: 862. movey bone, as charm, I455. Moving, to another house, 22, 41-43, 1467-I469 A; IV: 559, 1138; VII: I92, 193, 323. Mud, IV: 1140. Mud-dauber, animal-name; VII: 715. Mud-hen, weather omens from, VII: 485. Mud-puppy, animal-name, VII: 700. Mud-turtle, dream of, 675. Mule, counting, 1V: 199, 200, 202. killed by water in ear, VII: 952. omens from, VII: 227. Mule-killer, animal-name, VII: 726. Mullein in folk-medicine, VII: I298 -1300. in love divinations, IV: 258, 259. Mumbly-down, animal-name, VII: 635, 7I3. Index 227 Mumbly-up, animal-name,,VI I: 635, 713. Mumps, cure for, i888. Music, dream of, 170, 171, 720-722. will charm snakes, 12 84. Murder, 157, 848. Muskrats, weather omens from, 511; VII 445. Myriapods, (ear-wigs) VILI: 077-1079. Mythology, of birth, i896-1899; IV: 8i-88. Nail, omen from driving, IV: 1209. used in charms, 345, I450; IV: 8'i8, 819; VII: 1172. Nails of finger and toe, as charm, IV: 833, 903, 904; VII:63. in folk-medicine, I539, 1694, i696, I761; VII: 753, 813 -8i6. omens from, 2145-2148, 2152,1:2153,:2166, 2I71-2I73, 2204, 2205, 2297 A; IV: 55, 56, 115 -19, 30106, 1307, 1420, 1436, I437; VII 746-756. Names, properties of,:1437, 1577, I578. wishing on, IV: 450. Nausea, cure for, IV: 815. Neck, i 86o. Needle, 1429; IV: 86o, 86i, 14I17. Needles, omens from, 320-322; IV: 282, 4II-414, 760, 1388-I390. Negro, 199, 550. Negroes, beliefs of, IV: 31, i260; VII: 49, 884, 888, 896, 1121. dream of, 148, 149, 686, 687. love divinations from, counting, IV: 204, 205. Nerve in ear, IV: 871. " Nerve-root ",VII: 1327. Nervous disorders, cure for, VII I326. Nest, bird's, 94, 105, I112, 115; VII 88. Neuralgia, charms against, VII 1140. New Year, 1289, 22I9-2237; IV 3. New Years' Day, omens from, VIl: 136, I37. News-bug, animal-name, VII: 403. News, sigzn of, 607, 6o8, 635, 644, 666, 702, 710, 732, 736, 74.1, 746, 899; IV:480, 504, 519, 1430,.1463; VII:266, 267, 331, 344, 400-403, 412, 426, 427. i Night eyes, 2778. Nightmare, charms against, IV: 825 -827; VII: 62, 120. Nine, 57 IV: 268-270, 290, 300, 1ii56. Ninty-seven, I499. Nixie, animal-name, VII: 693. North, 1714. Northern lights, weather omens from, IV: 1062. Nose, omens from, IV: 383, 78i-784, 1355-136i. physical characteristic, 777, 799 -805; IV: 156. Nose-bleed, causes of, VIl:.1324. cures for, IV: 8oi, 802, 804, 813, 820, 855-858. omens from, 216, 1749, 1850, 1854, 1876, 1889; IV: 1225. plant-name, VII: 1324. November 2:2nd, 2333. Numbers, odd and even, 246, 336, 1007, 1033, 1260. "Nutcrash night ", see Halloween. Nutmeg as amulet, 1 796;VII: II140 -I1144. Nutmegs, hollow, VII: I372. Oak stump IV: 929. Oak tree, IV: 949; VIl: 63, I1173, 1230, 1231. Oatmeal, as charm, lV: 82 8. Oat straw, IV: 925. Oat stubble, IV: 935. October 19th., 2332. Oil, of angleworms in folk-medicine, VII: 826. of cod in folk-medicine, VII 822. of earthworms in folk-medicine, Vll: 825. of eel in folk-medicine, VII: 81I9. * of muskrat in folk-medicine, VII: 830. of skunk in folk-medicine, VIl: 831. of snake in folk-medicine, VII 832, 833. Okra, VI I: 11I63. "Old-time people "', VI I: 951I. "Old Christmas ", VII: 1345. Omens (see Table of Contents), VII 125-433, 11,96-1225. man, VII: I25-143. mammalian quadrupeds, VII 144-249. 228 228 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society birds, VII 250-350. reptiles, VII: 35I-359. amphibians, V II 3 6o-3 7 arachnids, VII: 372-395. insects, VII 396-432. crustaceans, VII 433. Onion in folk-medicine, I716, 1797, 1798 IV: 905; VII: 1301-I305. paring, 1476; IV: 859-863. planting of, I15I-II53. omens concerning, 17, 1233, I1234. Opals, 338; IV: 673, 674. Orchid, in love divination, VI I: i i 88. Organ, of animals, VI I: 1091. Osage orange, as cure, IV: 896. Oven, 927. Ovens, Dutch, 2337. Owl, hooting, charms against, 137; VII: II2-II7. omens from, I104, 635-638; VII: 294-298. says, 138. weather omens from, VII: 486, 494. Ox, weather omens from, VI I: 5 41. Oyster-crab, VII: io8o. Oysters, 656, 1248, 211 5; VII: 1047, 1o8o. Package, 1216. Pain, 1837, 1846, 1870, 1875; XII 99. Paper, IV: 241-243, 308, 318, 443, 805, 829, 855 858, 907-910, 914, 9I7. Palate, to keep from falling, IV: 864; VII: 904. Pall bearers, 2086, 2087. Palsy, causes of, 641, 645, 797. Pancake Day, see Shove Tuesday. Pancakes, 2249, 2250; IV: 620. Parasites in stomach, VII:837-842. Parrot,' bite of, VII: 1298. dream of, 674. Parsley, i8, 1145. Parsnip in folk-medicine, VII: 1306. planting of, 1 125, 11135, 1136. Partridges, omens from, VII: 299 -302. spruce, weather omens from, VII: 446. weather omens from, VI I: 581, 619. white, weather omens from,VII: 58o. Paws, cats, I1171. Peach,I1550, i8o6,i1807. Peach tree, IV: 2245;VII: 184. Peacock, omens of, ioi, 1319. Peacocks, feathers, omens from, ioo. weather omens from, 469; VII: 303-305. Peanuts, in folk-medicine, VII 1307. planting of, 15 0. Pearls, 1039. Peas, 1126, 1127, 1130; IV: 260, go6, 11120. Pebble, 1870; IV: 100, 280, 868, 907 -909, 912, io8i. Penny (see mon~ey), as charm, IV 904. Pewee (phoebe bird), nest, Io5. Peggy Stewart Day, see Oct. i9th. Pepper, ii8i, 1717. Peppercorns in folk-medicine, VII 1308. Persimmons, VII: 1375, I376. Persimmon-tree, VII: 1174. Perspiration, 1 895. Petticoat, IV: 240, 1391. Photograph taken, 1646. fatal to the old, IV: I141I5. Phthisic, I779. Physical characteristics, 201, 762 -778, 779-822, 1628; IV: io1-i63. beauty, IV: 101. dimple, IV: 102-I04. ears, IV: Io5-Io8. eyes and eyebrows, IV: 109-I1I4. finger-nails, IV: II5-I19. foot, IV: 120-121. forehead, IV: 122, 123. hair, IV: I24-I37. hand, IV: 138-147. moles, IV: 148-I55. nose, IV: 156. teeth, IV: I57-i63. Physiognomy, IV: io-i6. Picture, shooting of, VII: 54 55. Pie, IV: 1309, 1311. Pieprint, VI I: I13 77. Pig, femur of, VII: i3. in folk-medicine, VII: 827. Pigeon, in folk-medicine, VII: 778. weather omens from, VII: 582. Pigeons, feathers Of, 470; IV: 1240. in folk-medicine, 639, 640. omens from, io6-io9. Pigs, dreaming of, IV: 476. Index 229 fattened by cutting off tail, 1185; VII:953. omens from, 68, 69, I225, 1232, 1273 A; IV: 1I28, 1129; VII: 228-230. or hogs, various beliefs concerning, I540 D, 192I-I923, I925; IV: 913. weather omens from, 442, 443, I273; VII: 447, 487-489, 584, 612-614. Pill-bug, animal-name, VII: 73I. Pillow, IV: 240, 241, 280, 291, 292, 310, 826, 827, io8i. Pills, IV: 1411. Pimpernel, weather omens from, 484, 2775. Pimples, cure for, VII: 835, 847,1239. Pin, 319 A, 323-324 A, 1429, 1731; IV: 914-916; VII: 91. Pine ear, as charm, IV: 90. Pine ear, as charm, IV: 90. Pine tree, ill-omened, VII: II75, 1221. "Pinkster ", 2774. "Pin-money ", 2786. Pins, omens from, 323, 324, 1234; IV: 341, 400, 402, 637-643, 1392. Plantain in folk-medicine, VII: 1309, I3I0. Planting, beliefs concerning, Io82 -II62, II68, 1229, 2178, 2260, 2320, 2321. Plant-lore, VII: II28-1397. amulets, VII: II28-I 153. charms, VII: II54-1179. divinations, VII; 1180-1195. omens, VII: 1196-I225. weather signs, VII: I226-I242. folk-medicine, VII: 1243-I330. Plants, folk-medicine, of, 1785-I813. love divinations from, 1543 -1547; IV: 248-262. various beliefs concerning, 1542, 1548-1554. Plaster, omens from, 855. Plate, 919, 925. Plum, pudding, 2419. stones will grow in stomach, VII: 1341. Pocket, IV: 721, 726, 728, 735, I099, II00. Pocket-book, giving, 368 A, 369. Poison, 1322; VII: 748, 962, 963, II19. Pods of beans, burn, to keep plants bearing, VII: 1163. Poker, heated, VII: 117, 121. Police, dream of, I50. " Poorman's weather glass ", 484, 2775; VII: 1239. "Poorman's soap ", VII: I355. Porcupine shooting quills, VII: 957. Pork, as cure, IV: 901. Porpoises, dreaming of, IV: 475. weather omens from, VII: 585. Posthumous child, VII: 40. Potato, as amulet, VII: 1145-1149. cure by, 1798-I80I; IV: 917. dreaming of, IV: 508. planting of, 1153-II6I; IV: III4, 1120, 1123. various beliefs concerning, IV: 316. "Pot-days ", IV: 96I. Poultry, (see chickens etc., in love divinations.) omens from, 623, 655. Poverty, omens, 530, 600, 667, 745, 825, 894, 931, 951, I476, I570; VII: I63, I214, I2I7. Prayers, 845. Praying Auntys, 140I. Praying mantis, VII: 725, 726. Praying prophet, VII: 725. Preacher or priest, 173, I85, I86, 751 753 -Preparations of animals for coming changes of weather, VII: 434-452. Present, sign of, IV: 1312, I314, 1356, I374, 138I, I382, 1437; VII: 219, 384. Preventatives, I7I4-I733. Prognostications, see divinations and omens. Psalm, 1366. Puff-balls, VII: 1380-I382. Pumpkin-seed in folk-medicine, VII: 13II. Punishment, children's superstitions concerning, IV: 89, 9o. Puppies, born of women, VII: 916. various beliefs concerning, 1264, 1265; VII: 938. Quails, weather omens from, VII: 490, 491. Quarrel, sign of, 558, 646, 657, 676, 712, 7I3, 724, 785, 835, 887, 887 A, 887 B, 893, 909,, 9II, 9135, 923, 935, 938, 952, 973, 977, 978, 980, 230 230 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 1000, I003, 1020-1022, I057, io61i, 11346,I1350, 1352,1'354,I1355,I1426, 2179, 2230; IV 51P2, 517, 529, 31293,I1302, 1439,I1444. "Quaker Lady ", 2774. Quarter-deck, 349. Quilt, 360, 557. Quinzy, 1726, 1863; IV: 799. Rabbit, fur, weather omens from, VII:620. omens from, 1375, 2212; VII 232-236. Rabbit's, ear, amulet, VII 24. foot, amulet, 1455-1459; VII 22, 23. skin in folk-medicine, VII: 785, 786. stomach in folk-medicine, VII 910. brain in folk-medicine, 1926. Rabbits, various beliefs concerning, 72-74, 8io, I375, 2212, 2278, 2279; IV: 1372; VII: 82, 2311, 958. weather omens from, VII: 586. Radish as cure, 1802. planting of, 1125, 1129. Rag, in charm, IV: 911, 91i8. Railroad ties, 1594; IV: 277. Rain, animal omens of, VII: 434, 435, 4411, 442, 447, 4511, 453-457, 461, 464, 465, 467, 470-472, 476, 477, 479-4811, 485, 490, 492-496, 498, 499, 5011, 503. 504, 510, 514 -517, 525, 528, 530, 533-540, 543, 544, 551, 552, 555, 558, 559, 56i, 562, 566, 568, 569, 574, 576, 579, 582, 588-592, 595, 598, 6oo, 605, 6o8-6io, 624-627, 631, 634. draining of, IV: 541I. general omens of, IV: 5oi, 502, 953, 977, 978, I003-1049. plant omens of, VII: 1 234, 1236 -1240, 1242. various beliefs concerning, IV951, 979, 1010. weather omens from, IV 953, 977, 978, 1035, 1195, 1196. Rainbow, money at end of, IV: 729. various beliefs concerning, 21I92. weather omens from, 373, 374, 39I; VI: 975, 976. Raincrow, 467, 2781. Rain-crow, animal-name, VII: 689. Raindrops, weather omens from IV: 1033. Rake, omen from, 3T3, 314. Ramper-eel, animal-name, VII: 704, 1112. Raps, omens from (see noises),.1047 -1049. Raspberry, in cures, 1788. Rat, dreaming of, IV: 478. omens from, VII: 237. Rats, bite of, VI I: 85 8. dreaming of, IV: 477, 479. in folk-medicine, VII: 908. omens from, 75-77, 584-586; VII: 238-241. various beliefs concerning, 1209 -1211,P 1275-1278, 154o A, 1540 B; VII: 959-961. weather omens from, VII: 448, 449, 484. Rattlesnake, ash-wood repels, (see snakes.) fluff amulet, 1460. in folk-medicine, VII: 789-791, 872, 874. rattle, amulet, VI I: 2 7. skin, amulet, VI I: 30, 31. Rattlesnake-bones, amulet, VII 26-29. Rattlesnake-weed, VI I: 1317. Redbird, omens from, VII: 306,307. Red cedar-tree, VII: 11172. Redhaired people, 191, 192, 757, 758, I457; IV: 71; VII: 35, 224, 227. Redpepper, VII 1 374. Reflections, weather omens from, IV: I034. Reptiles (see snakes), omens from, VII: 995-I035. Reunion, IV: 1212. Rheumatism, charms against, VII 11132, 1134, 1135, 1137-I139, 1143., 1 153. cures for, I1730, 1778, 1780, I7911, I792, I799, i8oo, 1820, 1847, 1i864, i868, 2264, 2287; IV 807, 8o8, 8io, 812, 821, 822, 1151; VII:4, 20, 27, 776-778, 796, 825, 826, 831-833, 865, 867-87I, 884, 886, 905, 1145 -I147, 1172. weather omens from, VII: 6i6. "Rheumaty-bud ", VlI: 1 138. Ribbon, as amulet, IV: 8o6. Ribs, one less in man than woman, VII: 1914. Rice, 2787; IV: 360. In d ex 23I Riddles, 2672-2690. Right and left, 202, 204-206, 216, 223, 351 A, 779 A, 780-782, 784, 785, 787-789, 793-796, 799, 8oo, 8ii, 833, 8194. Ring, as amulet, 1732, 179I, i864, i868; IV: 807-8i0. as charm, IV: 865-867. divination with, IV: 1470. love divinations with, 151I3; IV: 263-266, 316. various beliefs concerning, 338 -340, 1036, i864-1868, 2021, 2022; IV: 342, 354, 363, 696, '393. wishing on, IV: 457, 1102. Ringing in ears, IV: 1213-1I2 1c6. Ringworm, IV: I I52; VI I: 765, 850. " Rising ", folk-name, IV: II56. Roaches, I2i6-12i8, 1307; VII iio6o. Robin, language of, VII:652, 654. omens from, iii, ii2, 641; VII: 3o8-3I2. various beliefs concerning, IV i86. weather omens from, 471, 472; VII 492, 493, 495, 62!, 652. "Rock ", VII: 120. Rocks, IV: I475. Roof, IV: 1125. Room, love divinations from, IV 230, 231. omen from, 849, 1507, i6o6. Rooster, in folk-medicine, VII: 780. rhymes to, VII: 647. spurs, 1322. various omens from, 119, 648 -655 1200-I202, 2392, 2394, 2397; VII 257-262, 265 -268. various beliefs concerning, 1612. weather omens from, 453-457; VII: 455-464. Rooster-eggs, ii8; VII: 16, 17. Roosters crowing before Christmas, VII: io86. Roseleaves used in love potion, VII: 11294. Rosemary, dream of, 12 8. lucky, VII: 1176. "Rosy ", plant-name, VII 1 210. Rupture, VII: 104, xi~i, ii66. Rye-meal, VII: i1303. Saffron, in folk-medicine, VII: 1312. Sage-leaves, repel ants, VI I: 1 384. omens from seed, 19, 2323. Sailors, 347-35I, 2105-2107; IV 975, 980,9g8i,i1067. Saint Taminas Day, see special days. St Vitus Dance, 1734. Salamander, conjuring with, VII 48. folk-name of, VII: 699, 700. various beliefs concerning, VII: 1036-i038. Saliva, divinations with, 1575, 1576; IV: 304, 1340. in folk-medicine, 1762-1772; IV: 1152, 1157. omens from, VII: 95. various beliefs concerning, VII: 96-98. Saliva-charms, 879, 1250, 1251, 1327, I333-1345, 1464, 1465, 1493, i6o5, 1732; IV: 919, 926. poisonous, 1277,:1325, 1326. Salt, charm, I468-I469, 1470-147-2 C, i663-i665,. 1671, 1699, 1700, 1704,, 1954, I955, 2018; IV: 1145I; VII: 49, I i6. dreams Of, 741. omens from, IV: 644-649. weather omens from, 480, 931, 934-939, I346-I36i, 1562, 1563, 1596. various beliefs concerning, I I 8 1304, 1309-1312, 1321; IV 40, 1313. Santa Claus, 2388-2390. Sand, VII: 42, 889. Sassafras, in folk-medicine, 1804; VII: 1313, 1314. wood 20, 21I; VII: I1224,1225. Saturday, see Table of Contents. Saucers, IV: 265, 319. Sauerkraut, 11240. Saviour, 930, 2265. Scald, cured by licking, VII: 887. Scarlet fever, cures for, VII: 773. School-book, 1483. Scissors, as charm, IV: 826, 854; VII 34. omens from, 317-319, 981, 1021, 1022; IV: 757-759. various beliefs concerning, IV 55. Scorch, 1210O. Scrapbook, 364. Scratch, IV: I364-1367. 232 232 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society " Scratches ", remedy for, VI I: I 2 78. Scratches, on hands, IV: I365-I367. Scrofula, i840; IV: 796; VII: I42. Scurvy, cure for, VII: 1265. Scythe, dream of, 142. Sea gulls, 449, 450; VII:473-475. Sea-sickness, 1724, 11890; IV: 8o5, 85;VII: 1271, 1307. Sea weed, weather omens, 479. Seals, weather omens from, VII:587. Seeds, IV 11I21, 1122; VII:893, I311 Serpents (see snakes). Seven, 56, 335,I1374,I1488,i1856,I1872, 2298, 2299; IV: 277, 953, 1092; VII: 218. Seven toed dog, 66. Seventh, daughter, 178; VII: 142, 143. son, 178, 178 A; VII: 142. Sewing, omens from, 246, 325, 326, 869, 1023-1028, 1637, 2136-2140, 2i67, 2187, 2188, 2214, 2259, 2292 -2296, 2413, 2420, 2421; IV: 678, 730, 731, 11i89, 1223, I387-11390, I435. Sewing-silk, dreaming of, IV: 58o. Shadow, 2226. Sharings, IV:294. Shark, VII: 1044. Shell, 3 65. Sheep, weather omens from, VI I 495, 622, 782. Sheet, 940-943; IV: 1067. Shin-bone, omens from, IV: 780. Shingles of roof, i i66, 11i67. Shingles, cure for, I738; VII: 104, 762-764, 771. Shirt, 261; IV: 823. Shivering, omens from, 8io; IV 1229. Shoes, divinations with, 1567; IV 194-197, 232, 234, 235, 237, 239, 253, 274, 279. omens derived from, i8i, 247 -255, 892-895, II77-II79, 1212, i665, 1i699, 1723, 1959, 2025, 2026, 2160, 2163; IV: 358, 368, 387, 583-586, 6oo, I394, I396-I400. sole, of, in charm, IV: 921I. turned as counter-charm, 1178, 11I99, 1733; IV: 824, 825; VII: 112. various beliefs concerning, 121I2, 1484, 1665, 1699, 171, 1959, 2160; IV: 360, I395, 1396; VII: 803. Shoestring, omens from, IV: 386. Shovel, omens from, 315, 31i6. in divination, VII: 94. Shrove Tuesday, see Tuesday. Shuddering, signification of, 8io; IV: 1371, 11372. Shutters, 86o. Sickness, dreaming of, IV; 603. prevention of, IV: 1308; VII 105. signs of, 528, 615, 641, 645, 679, 682, 726, 890, Io7o; IV: 473, 5115, 538, 543, 550, 570, 572, 1452; VII: 288, 1216. Sieve, protection against witches, VII: 6o, 6i. Sighing, IV: I373. " Silent supper ", IV: 31I7. Silver (see money), 1457, 1613, 1654, 1c654 A; VII: 53, 54, 57, 59. Singing, dreaming of, 170, 719. omens from, 21i8, 219g, 626, 834 -837, 1248; IV: 669, 689, 1224, 1315, 1316, 13i8-1320. Skin, cures for diseases of, IV: 842; VII: 766, 821, 1257, 1300. tanned by animals, VII:io88. Skins,' in folk-medicine, VII 766 -768, 781, 785, 786, 865-877. of witches, i649, 1664. Skirt, 256, 258, 882, 883; IV: 1383. Skunk, folk-name of, VII: 685, 686. omens from, VII: 242. weather omens from, VII: 623 Sky, weather omens from, 392-397; IV: 1020-I028, 1064, 1065. Skyarpin, animal-name, VII: 70I1. Slaters, animal-name, VII: 734. Sleep,:223, 224, 78I, 782, 829-831, 1362, 1483. Sleeper, beliefs concerning, 362, 363, 1362. "Sleepiness ", in foot, VII: I 00-I102. Sleigh, wishing on, IV: 455. Slipper, see shoes. Slobbering of babies, 1927, 1928. Slug, as cure, IV: 920. Smartweed, in folk-medicine, VII 131r5, 1316. stained with Saviour's blood, VII: 1386. Smiling, IV: 42. Index 233 Smoke, 487, 911 " Smooches ", IV:.1374. Snails, rhymes addressed to, VII 674, 675. various beliefs concerning, I1309, 1310. Snail-shells, amulet, VII: 25. Snake, bites, cure for, VII: 774, 775, 1317. saliva of man poisonous to, VII: 86o. Snake-doctor, animal-name, VII 721, io68. Snake-feeder, animal-name, VII 720, i067. Snakespit, VII: 863.Snakeroot, VII: 8. " Snakeweeds ", VII: 1354. Snakes, amulet, 1460. dreams, 136, 676-678; IV: 4 in folk-medicine, VII:43, 872 -876. omens from, 1720, 1781, 1803; VII: 8i, 35I-358. rain produced by, 444-448. rhymes addressed to, VII: 676 -678. skin of, VII: 43. sucking cows, 1293. various beliefs concerning, 444 -448, 609, 1212, 1213, 1269,' 1271, 1272, 1280-1296, 1400, 1697, 1698; VII: 997-1029, 1113-1117, 1336, 1337, 1354, 11357, I379. weather omens from, 444-448; VII: 588, 624, 625. Sneak, cat becomes, 1 172. Sneezing, omens from, 217, 8ii1-822, 2128, 2129, 2162, 2194; IV: 388, 785-789, 1226, 1227, 1428-1434. various beliefs concerning, IV 1416. Sneezing-cat, 46, 559. Snipe, weather omens from, VII 589. Snow, 491, 500, 501, 1523, 1966, 1967; IV: 495,.538, 540, 836, 838, 8319, 987; VII: 500, 574, 58o, 58i, 586, 587, 6i i. Snowbirds, become chipping sparrows, VII: 994. Snowflake, wishing on, IV: 45 6. Snowstorm, IV: 539, io68, 1076, 1469. Soap, 1235-1237, 1238; IV: 285' 1136, 1137, 11I48; VII 1 21, 1156, 11-57, ii68. Soapsuds, as charm, IV: 265. Solomon's tears, VI I: I1I7 8. Songs, nursery, 2636-2640. Soot, IV: 733, 793. Sore throat, 1 892; IV: 797, 799, 86,9, 870; VII: 897, 907, 1148, 1149, 1151. Sores, cure for, IV: 828; VII: 1282, 1309. Sourkraut, 1240, 1241. Southernwood aphrodisiac, VII 1318. love divinations from, VII I19I-1193. sow-bug, causes hydrophobia, VII 433. folk-name for, VII: 732-734. Sow-thistle, weather omens from, VII: 1240. Spade, omens from carrying, IV Span-worm, omens from, VII: 432. Sparks of fire ominious, 901, 909, 913; IV: 733, 792, 1037, 1230, 1231, 1440, 1459-1461. Sparrow, 2776. folk-name of, VII: 693, 694. Sparrows, weather omens from, VII: 590. Spasms, VII: 36. Spells, see charvm, con~juring, divirnations, and witches. Sphinx-moth, VII: 1074, 1075. Spider, amulets from, 1461; VII: 32. cures, 1782, 1783. folk-names of, VII: 705, 706. omens from, 87-93, 593-607; VII: 372-395. poisonous, VI I: 1 049, 1050. rhymes addressed to, VII: 679, 68o. weather omens from, 429-432; VII: 626-629. Spine, disease, cure for, VII 799. Spinning wheels, 69. Spirits, see ghosts. Spleen, weather omens from, VII 614. Splinters, in charms, VI I: I 1 73. in folk-medicine, VII: 1288. Spoons, omens from, 753, 968-970, 234 234 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society 983-989; IV: 393, 417, 418, 766, 767, 1462. Sports, children's, IV: 9I-93. Sprain, cure for, 1777; IV: 8I2; VII: 828. Spring, omens of, VII: 469, 495, 607, 621i. Spruce, in folk-medicine, VII:1319, 1320. various beliefs concerning, IV 1124. Squash-bug, animal-name, VII: 717. Squaw-bush, VII: 1351. Squid, skin of in folk-medicine, VII: 877. Squid-squalls, animal-name, VII 735. Squirrel, fur, weather omens from, VII: 620. in folk-medicine, VII: 834. Squirrels, omens from, 78; VII: 243 -247, 450. weather omens from, VII: 450, 620. Stairs, dreaming of, 167. omens from, 235, 2236, 823-825,.1334, 1615, i6i6, 1950, 1953 IV: 376-378, 670-672. various beliefs concerning, IV 1[8-21, 312. Stake, VII: 50. Starfishes, come from sea-urchin shells, VII: i082. Stars, 2401. children's notions of, IV: 8 i, 82, 86. counting, IV: 875. love divinations from, 1541; IV: 267-272, io88. omens from, 3, 5, 405, 407, i6o6, 1 607. shooting, 532, 533; IV: 458, 735, 1071, 1072. weather omens from, 405, 407; IV: 988, 989, i069-I073. wishing on, IV: 458-460. Step-mother, igoo. Steer, dream of, 662 A. Stewart, Peggy, see special days, Table of Contents. Stick, IV: 283, 286, 294, 922-925; VII:156 Stile, 151I3. Stilts, 2782. Stinginess, indications of, IV: 105. Sting, of bee, 1813; VII: 844, 1286, 1287, 13I0. of wasp, VII: 1286. Stink-bug, animal-name, VII: 71. Stirring mixtures sunwise, 1220. Stitches, IV: 1377, 1387. Stomach diseases, cure for, VII: 822, i285. Stockings, divinations from, IV: i 86, 237, 266, 1087. in folk-medicine, 11731, 1892; IV: 869, 870. omens from, 252 A, 259, 887, 887 A, 1990; IV: 622, 630, 1394. Stone, 1183, 1481, 1482, 1728; IV 911, 1401. Stones, 1036-1040, 1117, 1869; IV: 598; V1II: 1094. Stork, beliefs concerning, i 897, 1 898. Storms (see rain, etc.), omens of, 377, 378, 897; IV: 1054, 1069, 1070, 1074, 1079; VII: 437, 439, 448, 449, 452, 455, 457, 502, 520, 524, 5311, 536, 5411, 546, 557, 566. 571I, 5 5 613. weather omens from, IV: 10o63, I222; VII: 458. Stove, 91I3. Stove-lids, weather omens from, IV: 1056. Stranger, omens Of, 554, 556 597, 602, 648 A, 65o, 653, 793, 794, 822, 876, 877, 1233, 1235, 1938; IV 74I, 766, 778, 779-784, 785, 790, 791, 793, 1358; VII: 202, 26i, 397, 410, 424. Strangling, cure for, IV: 854. Straw, IV: 925. Straws, IV: 1322. Street cries, 2423-2440. Streptopus, in folk-medicine, VII 1292. "Strike me blind ", 2787. String or rope, 1846-i848, 1849, 1852-1854; IV: 176, 178, 8I3-815, 916, 926, 1036. Stumbling, 205, 206, 807, 823-825, I393, 2012; IV: 377, 378, 4119, 1323. "Stumpin "' IV: 74-75. Stuttering, 1882; IV: 58. Sty, charm against, VII: 1144. cures for, I1756, 1 764, 1 765, 1 790, -i8i8, 184I, i865, i866; IV, -Index 235 829, 830, 865-867; VII: 761, 8ii, 8i2, 853. Sudorific, VII: 1c28o. Sugar, IV: 848, 11419. in folk-medicine, VII: 91 1, 1325. Sugar bowl, IV: 768, 149 Sugar-trees, VII: i388. Sun, IV: 114I-II57. domestic and mechanical operations, IV: I15I-11157. cures, IV: 1151-I157. omens, 383, 384, 11975,.1976, 2265-2267; IV: 98i-984, 1038, 1039, 1074, 1075, 1077, Sunday, actions performed on, IV: 300, 6i8, 6i9, 1209, 1422-11423, 1426, 1435, 1436. dream on, IV: 587, 588. Sun-dogs, weather omens from, 1259, I259 A; IV: 986. Sun-hounds, weather omens from, IV: 986. Sunwise movements, IV: I1141-11I57; VII: 104. Swallows, omens from, 11 3-1 15, 642; VII: 313, 314. weather omens from, VII 591 -594, 630. Swamp bog, 675. Swan, 1320. Swearing, omens from, 838, 839. Sweat-bee, animal-name, VII 714. Sweeping, omens from, 949-951I, 1961; IV: 65o-655, 1452. Sweet flag, in folk-medicine, VII: 1267. Swellings, VII: 142. Swine, see hogs and pigs. Swinging, IV: 93. Table, love divinations from, IV 247, 317. omens from, 310, 311, 8I7, 8i8, 1007-l0Il, 1013-1015, 1055, 1056, 1063, 1945; IV: 379, 420, 609, 1202, 1325, 1455. the manners, IV: 1409. Tapdoles, drop their tails, VI I: 1101o. Tansy, in folk-medicine, VII I 321 1323. keeps away ants, VII: 1384. planting of, 1162. Tar, 1211; IV: 90. Tea, 2332; IV 716; VII: 1260, 1261T,1263,I1267,I1280,I1285,I1312, 1313, 1322. Tea-grounds, make you black, VII: 1389. omens from, IV: 273-.275; IV: 424, 772-777, 1326. Tea-kettle, omens from, IV: 423, 675, 676, 1076, 1459, 1463. Tea-leaves, as cure, i 8o5. Tea towel, IV: 749. Tears, omensof, 934, 1039,1948, 1925. Teeth, after extraction, 1540 A-E, 1925. amulets from, i919-i92 i. dreaming of, 1143, 723-726. omens from, 778, 8o8. physical characteristic, 778; IV: 157-i63. preservation of, VII: 789, 790: various beliefs concerning, VII: 758. Teething, 1[862, i918-i926; IV: 37, 57; VII 29, 35, 786, 834, 11I50. Tempest, sign of, VII: 1232. Thaw, sign of, VI I: 623.Theft, 66i, 670, 674, 2783, 2784. Thimble, IV: 425, 1223. Thirst, cure for, IV: 868. Thirteen, of month, 211I2. various beliefs concerning, 337, ioo8-ioixr, 11320, 1569, Thistle,- love divinations from, IV: 261. various beliefs concerning, IV: I117. wishing on down of, IV: 461i. Thoroughwort, in folk-medicine, VII: 1280. Thread, 326, 875, 1025-1029; IV 177, 401, 1380. Three, IV: 271, 273, 281, 590, 598, 708, ioo8, I1122, I1157, 1235; VII: 76, 104, 630. Threshold (see door), 2012. Thrush, cure for, VII 141, 780, 1268,I1320. Thumbs, 1393, 1436; IV; 141, 142, 143, 145. Thumbnail, I874. Thunder (see lightning), weather omens from, 375. Thunder-snake, animal-name, VII 702. Thyme, 22. Ticklaces, weather omens from, VII: 564. Tickling, IV: 58. 236 236 Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society Tide, deaths at ebb of, 1202. Tiger-lillies, causes freckles, VII 11390. Tips " (a bow with lifting of the hat), counting, IV: 208. Timber, IV:ii6 Timothy grass flowers three times, VII: I393. Toad, charm, IV: 927 VII: 45, 46. folk-name of, VII:698. in folk-medicine, VII 792. omens from, 590; VII: 364-370. various beliefs concerning, 1296 A; VII: 86-i, 1039-1041.weather omens from (see frog), 424-428; V11: 595. "Toad-spit ", VII: 103, 863, 864. Toadstools, 23; IV: 88i; VII: 1222, '394. Toads, various beliefs concerning, VII: I394. weather omens from, VII: 596. Tobacco, in folk-medicine, VI I; 1 283. weather omens from, 478. Toe, 894, 895. dog with seven, 159 of the dead, VII: 132. stubbing (see foot), 807, I393; IV: 390, I327-1330. Tomtit, language of, VII: 495. " Tomwalkens ", 2782. Tongue, 809; IV 94, 100, 1331, 1332, 1342, 1343, 1375; VII 1126. Tonic, VII 1 255, 1313, 1327. Tooth (see teeth), amulets from, 1919 -1921; VII: 33-36. disposition made of, after pulling, 1925. dream Of, 723-726. omens from, 778, 8o8; VII: 759. various beliefs concerning, 1540, 1919-1926; IV: 94. Toothache, cures for, 17i8-1720, 1748,'1751, i8o8,1809, 2204, 2205; IV: 831-833, 871; VII: 3, 33, 750 -754, 790, 794, 813, 912, i1169-11 7 1, 1258, 1274,I1289, 1319. Towel, 1426, 1427; IV: 285, 1293. Traitor, 1923. Tradescantia, plant-name, VII 12i6. Transference, of diseases, i&x6. of warts, 1814, i8I5, 1817. Traveller, 745, 1332. Tree-frogs, weather omens from, 423. Trees, dream of, 129, 658; VI I 1179, 1194. in cures, IV: 903. in divinations, IV: 245. omens from, 534-537, 540, 541, 544-546, 1113, 1120, 1121; IV: 79, 8o, 1105, 11i8 7, 13 33; VII: 1221. various beliefs concerning, 1306; IV: 88o; VII I 208, 1210, 1375. weather omens from, VII: 1 241. Trillium, called nosebleed, VII: 1324. Trinity,.17I3, i826, 1827, 1i834, 1836-i837, 1839; IV: 817. Tripe, 2202. Trout, in folk-medicine, VII 913. Tub, IV: 303. Tuberculosis, 17711, i805; IV: 162; VII 768, 797, 823, 824, i io8. Tuesday, shrove, 2249, 2250. Tulips, IV: 83. Tumblebug, animal-name, VII: 7I8. Tumbledung, VII: 718. Tumbler, IV: 263, 264, 1334, I457, 1470. Turkey-buzzard, VII: 966, 968. Turkey, weather omens from, 474; VII 597. Turning back, omens from, IV: 65 6 -662, 1272,I1273. Turnips, planting of, 1125. Turpentine in folk-medicine, VII 1325. Turtle, biting will not let go till it thunders, VII: 632, 1031, 1032. bone from, lucky, VII: io. various beliefs concerning, VII::1030, 1033-1035, 1090. Turtle-dove, IV: i86. Turtle-shell, omens from, VII: 359. Twelfth Night, 2238-2240. Twin flower, plant-name, 2779. Twins, IV: 9. Typhoid fever, 1740. Umbrella, beliefs concerning, IV 1040. omens from, 265-269, 896-898, 1402, 1408; IV: 705, 706, 1158,I1159. Undertaker, 105 2. Unseasonal blooming, see fruit trees. Up-the-county-boys, animal-name, VII: 688. Index 237 Urine in folk-medicine, 1775; VII: 802-809. Valentine's Day, 2247. Veil (see caul), IV: I5I6. Veil (wearing apparel), IV: 33, I301. Vein, 777, I930; IV: i22, I56. Vegetables, found in sea, VII: 1385. Vengeance mark, IV: 1404. Venison, VII: 1367. Vermin, dream of, 682, 683, 684. extermination of, 1520. Vervain, called fever-weed, VII 1328. Vessel, 137, 585, 628, 734-738, 999, 1043, 1059 A, 1480, 2063; IV: 579, 1057, 1468; VII: 239. Vinegar, I242-1246; IV: 828; VII: 42, 827, 1323. Virgin, see Mary. Visit, IV: 754. Visitors, IV: 736-794. omens of, 553, 555, 579, 599, 648, 649, 650, 650 A, 65I, 653, 799, 800, 802, 803, 912, 919, 920, 928, 942, 954, 958, 968, 969, 972, 974, 975, 981, 989, 991, 356, 2165; IV: 736-794, 1292; VII: 181-184, I86, 211, 255, 257-259, 262, 263, 270, 271, 345, 399, 409, 424. Voyage, 50-52, 69, 173, 346-351. Walking abroad, 1364. omens from 221, 1362, 1364, 1961; IV: 276-281. Walls, omens from, 851, 855. Walnut, as amulet, VII: 1153. leaves of repell insects, VII: 1384, I395 -Wandering Jew ", omens from, VII: 1215. Waning of the moon, see moon. War, sign of, 729; VII: 415. Warts, IV: 872-929. causes of, 1296 A; IV: 872-882, 1139; VII: 862, I040. cures for, 1735, 1739, 1745, I746, 1763, 1768, 1802, 1814, 1815, 1817, 1821, 1823, 1833, 1842 -1844, 1872, 1883, I894; IV: 883-929, II40; VII: 848. Washing face, 1522, 1523, 1524. Washing and ironing, 749, 866 -868. Washing, hands together, 1426, I427; IV: 1293-1296. Wasp, VII: 715. Wasp's nests, VII: 1oo. Watches, IV: 969. Watch the candle, 2337. Water, dreaming of, I63, I64, 730 -735, 738, I562-1563; IV: 228. finding with dowsing rod, 1549 -1554; VII: II86. in folk-medicine, IV: 836-843, 863, 918, 929. love divinations with, IV: 242, 282-289, 303, 308, 318, 319, 325, 326. mad dogs, 1268. omens 366, 368, 783, 1328, 1422, I424, I425, I549-I554, 20I9, 2052, 2053; omens from spilled, IV: 790, 791. Weather omens from, IV: I4I, 1042, I043, 1045. witches and, 1645; VII: 58. Water-board, in charm, IV: 918. Watermelon, pointing at, VII: 1370. seeds in folk-medicine, VII 1311. various beliefs concerning, 122, 1163, 1164. Water-squalls, animal-name, VII: 735. Wealth, sign of, IV: IIo, 130, 134, I53, 159, 316, 472, 602, 723, 727, 733. Weaning, 1929. Weasel, bite of poisonous, VII: 963. Weather (see Table of Contents), IV: 930-1079. cold, IV: 930-935. days and times, IV: 936-961. fair or foul, IV: 962-989. moon, IV: 990-1002. rain, IV: 1003-1049. wind and storn, IV: 1050, I079. Weather-rhymes, IV: 930, 962-965, 975, 980-983, IoII-zOI3, 1020 -1032, 1048, 1049, io66. Weather signs, VII: 434-634. cries or calls of animals, VII: 453-500. derived from animals, VII: 599 -634. other acts of animals, VII: 453 -500. Weaver, animal-name, VII: 381, 706. 238 238M1emoirs of the A merican Folk-Lore Society Wedding, dress, see attire of bride. dreaming of, 694-699; IV: 5 63, 564. lucky days for, 2126. ring, IV: 342, 354, 363, 866. omens from, 53, 92, 557, 560, 561, 564, 699, 700; VII: 382. sign of, VII: 1207. Weeds, extermination Of, 520. Week, days of the, see Table of Contents. Weeping, 827, 836, 837, 1234; VII: 1178. Weight, 1909. Weighing, IV: 38, 39. Wells, divinations from, 2314, 2316, 2317. in childhood mythology, IV: 85. Wen, IV: I1154. Wetting bed, cure for, VII: 898-900, 908. Whale a fish, 1279; VII: 964. Whalebone,VII: i1185. Whale's egg, weather omens from, VII: 633. Whales weather, omens from, VII 452. Wheat, iio, III1, 2327. as love charm, VII: 893. turns to chess, VI I: I1342.Wheat-straw, charm, IV: 925; VII: 1177. Wheels, IV: I150. Whip-poor-will, omens from, ii6 iri6 A, 643; VII 1 23, 3-15-322. weather omens from, VII: 497, 498. Whirlwind, VII: 64. Whiskey, VII: 48. Whistling, bad luck, 220. for rain, IV: i046. for wind, 496, 497. girls, rhymes concerning, 840, 841; IV: I335-1338. rhyme, IV: I339. Whit-Monday, 2297 A. WIVhit-Sunday, 2297-2300. White ash, VI I: I 156. White oak, VII: 63, I1173. White men descendants of Cain, VII: 9I5. White thorn, VII: i i86. Whooping cough, 1709-17I2, 1723,.1727, 1742, I758, 1774, 1787-I789, 189.1; IV: xox, 814; VII: 140, 902. Widow, 193, 194, 761, 768; IV: I32, 404, 430. Widower, 769. Widow's lock, IV: 404. Widow's peak (see hair), 2 785; IV 131. "William and Mary ", 2774. Wild flower, omens from first of spring, VII: 1206. Willow wand, 551. Wind, dreaming of, IV: 542. omens Of, 385-388; IV: 487, 1053, 1077; VII:447, 462, 482-484, 487, 5o8, 5II-513, 519, 521, 523, 526, 532, 542, 550, 553-556, 56o, 565, 567, 570-574, 578, 6oji, 603, 604, 6o6, 6i8, 629. weather omens from, IV: 985. Winding sheet, IV: 11i69. Window, 48, 226, 227, 527, 850, 85I, 853, 1373; IV: 32, 225, 227, 249, 704; VII: I49, 150. Window-shades, omens from, IV 1239. Winter, signs of, VII: 436, 438, 444, 445, 450, 474, 575, 597, 599, 6ii615, 619,620, 622, 1226, 1233. Wishes, IV: 431I-462; VII: 103, 145, 217, 222, 223, 25I-253, 311, 318, 319, 370, 404. animal, 1499-1502. cosmic phenomena, 1485-1492. various, I493-I498, I503-I514. Wishbone, I58i,.1582; IV: 223, 224, 453. Witchcraft, charm against, VII 1176. Witches, charms against, IV: 1438; VII: 54, 56-63, 1128, II58, ii65, 1177. fork protects against, VII: 62. killed with silver bullet, VII: 53. mountain-ash against, VII 11i28. sieve protects against, VII:6o, 6i. silver protects against, VI I:57, 59. steel protects against, IV: I1417.water left for, VII: 58. Witch-hazel, 11549. Withe-rod in folk-medicine, VII 1159, 1329. Wolf, 74, 79; VII: 1367. Index 239 Woman, dreaming of, 146, 147, 688. omens from, 33, i85, 189, 195 -198, 255, 672, 688, 755, 886, 969, 1000, 1148, 1235, 1236, 1244. Wood, IV: 817, 818, 1055. in burning forms shapes of leaves, VII: I397. knock on, 1390, 1391, 1722. spit on, VII: 71. Woodpeckers, omens from, VII 323-325, 327, 598. weather omens from, VII: 499. Woodpile, IV: 88. Wood-pussy, animal-name, VII 685. Woods (forest), weather omens from, VII I 24I, 1242. Wood-tick, animal-name, VII 421. Wool of sheep in folk-medicine, VII: 8i8-820, 822. Worm, omens from, VII: 430-432. various beliefs concerning, VII 1338. Worm-casts, weather omens from, VII: 634. Worm-dust, in folk-medicine, VII 1330. Worms, cure for, VII: 793, 1276, 1322. in folk-medicine, VII: 836. weather omens from, VII: 500. Wound,:1839; VII: 856,.1323. Wren, omens from, VI I: 3 26. Wrinkles, omens from, IV: 123. Wrist, IV: 143, 146. Yarn, IV: 1 76, 30I, 307. Yarrow, love divinations from, IV: 262; VII: I195. Yawning, IV: 43. Yeast, IV: 1141. Zodiac, sings of, IV: 4 I5. Publications of the American Folk-Lore Society. MEMOIRS OF THE AMERICAN FOLK-LORE SOCIETY Vol. I. 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