Part 43 (2/2)

_Pennsylvania._

1208. To put on a bonnet or hat of one in mourning is a sign that you will wear one before the year is out.

_Peabody and Boston, Ma.s.s., and Niagara Falls, Ont._

1209. To drive a nail on Sunday is a sign that some one in the family will die within the year.

_Pigeon Cove, Ma.s.s._

1210. Hearing an imaginary rap and opening an outside door lets death in.

_Ferrisburgh, Vt._

1211. The hearing of three raps is a sign that some member of the family is dead.

_Boston, Ma.s.s., and Orange Co., Va._

1212. If members of a family, after long separation, meet for reunion, some one of the members will die within the year.

_Cambridge, Ma.s.s._

1213. Ringing in the ears is a sign of death.

_General._

1214. Ringing in the ears means death before the week ends. Of this ringing the term ”death-bell” is used. It may be said by a country woman: ”Oh! I have heard a death-bell!” or, ”What a death-bell in my ear! You will hear of a death before the week is out.” In case of a sudden death, such a person might say: ”I am not surprised; I heard a death-bell on such a day.”

_Northern Ohio._

1215. The term ”death-bell” is also a popular one in _Prince Edward Island._

1216. In some localities the direction of the apparent ringing indicates the direction from which the news of death will come.

1217. If an empty rocking-chair is seen to sway back and forth when apparently unoccupied, it is supposed that the chair is held by the spirit of some deceased member of the family, who has come back to choose the next to go, and call that person quickly.

_Michigan._

1218. A spot resembling iron-rust on the finger means death.

_Maine._

1219. Beginning on Sat.u.r.day a garment that cannot be finished means death.

_Ohio._

1220. Deaths do not come singly; but if one of a family dies, a second death in the same family will occur within a year.

_Cambridge, Ma.s.s._

1221. Whoever works on a sick person's dress, he or she will die within the year.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

1222. If some one is sick and a storm comes, it is a sign he will die during its continuance.

_Virginia._

1223. When a woman who has been sewing puts her thimble on the table as she sits down to eat, it is a sign that she will be left a widow if she marries.

_Central Maine._

1224. If one sings at a table while the family are eating, it means the death of a friend.

<script>