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Show UU SOLDIERS CARRY CHARMS TO WARD OFF DISASTER. In a skeptical and materialistic age like tho (present, oays Eye-Wltness In ono of tho latest war dispatches, "it is somewhat surprising to find reliance being placed on charms; and yot not a few of tho Germans wc have taken prisoners are in possession of so-called 'prayers,' which are really written' charms against death, wounds, disasters disas-ters and every Imaginary evil." Ono writton German charm found on a prisoner begins thus: "May God preserve mo against all manner of arms and weapons, shot and cannon, long or short swords, knives or daggers, dag-gers, or carbines, or halberds, and anything else that cuts or points; against thrusts, rapiers, long and short rifles or guns, and such like." After further circumlocution, the list goes on to Include "all kinds of evil reports, from a blow from bohlnd, from witchcraft and well-stealing." But, curiously enough, It omits the only ralschnnco which actually befell tho owner that of being made a prisoner pris-oner of war. In addition to such written charms against casualties in war, German soldiers also carry various amulets and charms, probably of very ancient origin, and which would seem to have ibecn handed down from generation to generation. These charms are of various var-ious designs. One quaint figure looks like the jack of a pack of cards and bears the Inscription, "The King and the Sword." It is usually worn round tho neck by German soldiers In order that they may escapo bullets and shell fire. Very curious, too, Is the" talisman ' which seems to depict part of a letterpress let-terpress and a spinning wheel, ornamented orna-mented with various allegorical figures, fig-ures, the strange design boarlng the words: "From death In battlo savo thou me. Protect thou me from death by the sword." Gorman soldiers, however, are not alone In treasuring amulets. A number num-ber of luok-Jbrlngers are carried by Russian and Austrian soldiers. The Russians mostly carry an Ikon which has been blessed by a priest as a protection pro-tection against wounds and death in warfare. Some of them also have ' great faith In the charms of portions of chains which have bound prison-el's, prison-el's, and in grotesque metal figures of reputed miracle workers. j British soldiers, too, place some faith in tho protective qualities of arious charms, although these are usually something given to them by their women folk. London jewelers speak enthusiastically of the boom In charms, and the manager of one well known Jeweler confesses that his houso has sold thousands of lucky charms sinco tho war began. Jade ornaments seom to be most popular 1 and it Is a curious fact that Colonial soldiers have a belief that a charm bought In London will bring them greater luck than one bought anywhere any-where else. Other lucky souvenirs which have been purchased largely by soldiers and women are tho crests and arms of various regiments. I |