86 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



court, condemned, and cruelly put to death. It 

 used to be a common practice to nail a horse 

 shoe on the outer door of a house, to keep off 

 the witches. 



But although people have become convinced 

 of the absurdity of these notions, there are some 

 things, almost equally ridiculous, which still 

 cause much unhappiness to persons of weak 

 minds, and often sadly frighten innocent little 

 children. 



When a looking-glass, for want of a secure fas- 

 tening, falls upon the floor and breaks ; when a 

 piece of furniture, as it expands and contracts 

 with the changes of the weather, makes a crack- 

 ing sound ; wh$n a dog happens to stop and howl 

 under the window; or a harmless little insect 

 chirps in its secret hiding place ; they believe it to 

 be a sign of death to some individual in the house, 

 and thus often occasion themselves a vast deal 

 of unnecessary misery. 



JRene6. But, Aunt Mary, suppose a death 

 should follow immediately after the sign, as it 

 did with the father of the little girl Anna spoke 

 of a while ago, what are we to think then ? 



Jlunt M. That the sign had nothing at all 



