Part 26 (1/2)

679. To look over another person's shoulder into a looking-gla.s.s means disappointment.

_Deer Isle, Me._

680. When going fis.h.i.+ng, fishermen wear white mittens for luck.

_Portsmouth, N.H._

681. It is unlucky to lose a glove.

_Bathurst, N.B._

682. It is bad luck to have any one step across the fis.h.i.+ng-pole; you will catch no fish.

_Talladega, Ala._

683. Crawl under a fence, and you will have bad luck.

_Western Ma.s.ssachusetts.[TN-5]_

684. To step over the feet of any one who is sitting is ill luck.

685. Getting out of bed with the left foot first, or taking anything with the left hand when the right is disengaged, is a sign of bad luck.

_Alabama._

686. In getting out of bed in the morning, the right foot is always to be placed first.

_Ohio._

687. To get out of bed left foot first makes one cross. ”He got out of bed left foot first,” is a universal saying.

688. In going in at the house door, always put the right foot foremost.

This practice is observed by many intelligent people.

689. To sing at the table is a sign you will be disappointed.

690. It is an ill omen to leave the table while eating, to light the lamp.

_Western Ma.s.sachusetts._

691. To lay the knife and fork crosswise is ill luck.

_Peabody, Ma.s.s._

692. When you drop a knife or fork, and it sticks up in the floor, you will have good luck.

693. It is lucky to find a rusty knife or other steel instrument.

_Maine._

694. If a knife be spun round, care should be taken to spin it back again, otherwise it insures bad luck.

695. Often verses of Proverbs x.x.xi. are a.s.signed to girls and boys respectively according to the day of the month of the birth.

_Labrador and Brookline, Ma.s.s._

696. It brings bad luck to the bearer of a ring to have it taken from her finger by another person.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

697. Measuring one's waist, as for a dress, will bring ill luck.

698. To turn a loaf of bread upside down is ill luck.