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Show ; SAILOR SIGNS AND TOKENS. i Many Strange Superstitions of Thoto Who Roam the Oceans. There Is a general idea that tho sailor labors under more than tho one pot sup -stltlon popular tradition assigns to each Individual. J. D. J. Kelley, although ho declares that "tars" pro no mora superstitious than ony of their equals In training and opportunities, cites in "Tho Ship's Compnny" many "of tho signs and tokens tok-ens in which those "who go down to tho sea in ships" put their faith. In tho past superstition was a part of every Ship; it entered into its keel, climbed to its flags, rnn at its launching, launch-ing, controlled Its crow and cargo, evoked portents and governed its ventures ven-tures nnd Arrivals. A bit of Btolen wood was nlways mortised into tho keel to mako a ship sail faBt. A silver sil-ver coin was placed In tho mainmast Btcp to insuro lucky ventures. Tho modern christening by tho wlno bottlo nroso from tho ancient libations poured pour-ed on tho deck by priests. Ship bells nro blessed nnd to this day it a mis-ta' mis-ta' is mado in striking ono it Is immediately im-mediately struck backward to break the spell. Tho belle' In tho desertion of a sinking ship by rats Is founded on reason, for rnts llko to bo dry footed foot-ed and when a vessel Is unsafe it he-comes he-comes leaky under deck nnd too wet for tho creature's comfort. Youth's Companion. |