Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 25, 1914.djvu/399

 Collectanea. 367

called out, "What! off again to-night?" She answered, " Well, here's over everything," and flew up the chimney. He wanted to go too, but he forgot the charm, and only bumped against the mantelpiece. A man in the neighbourhood used often to hunt a hare which he lost near her cottage. He always found the door locked, and it was generally believed that the witch used to get in through the sink-drain. She had a piece of sheet iron fixed on her doorpost, and it was supposed that the object of this was that she might hear a rattle if any one tried to nail a horse-shoe on the door. If this were accomplished it was thought that she could not get in or out. Some boys once tried to discover whether she was really a witch or not by sticking pins into her footmarks. While they were creeping close behind her she heard them and turned round. So they were convinced that she was a witch. She used to make her living by selling yeast, and if any one offended her she had the power of making the bread so hard that it was uneat- able. On one occasion, when a farmer's team of horses refused to move, she said something and they started off at once.

Rustic remedies. — A knucklebone of mutton carried in the pocket cures or prevents cramp. Other devices are to carry a pan of water into the bedroom of the sufferer and leave it there; to keep a piece of tarred string in the pocket ; to place your shoes in the form of a T at night. Rheumatism is relieved by carrying brimstone in your pocket.

Omens. — If you meet a horse with a white cross, or a grey horse, spit on your boots and make the sign of the cross. To see a piebald horse is unlucky ; but if you do see one and then wish a wish, it will be granted you. A horse with three white feet is to be rejected. Never look at the new moon over your left shoulder. Never place a sitting hen on twelve eggs. If you put your arm in the morning through the wrong sleeve of your coat, wear it so all day, or evil will befall you. If, when going to a funeral, you forget anything, you must go back and out at the back door, and then start again, or you will have bad luck.

P. J. Heather.