2 SWEDISH SUPERSTITIONS 



ivories of a piano, and it was ludicrous enough if she hap- 

 pened to sneeze to see about a dozen young men and old 

 men make deep bows, and seriously exclaim in chorus, 

 " God save you, Mademoiselle, " she returning the com- 

 pliments with a gracious " Thank you, sirs. " This custom 

 is still retained among the Irish, who say "bless you" or 

 " save you " on similar occasions. It is said that centuries 

 ago a contagious disease passed over Scandinavia and 

 northern Europe, which commenced with sneezing, and 

 after sneezing a few times it ended fatally ; and naturally 

 under such circumstances the friends of the sneezers would 

 exclaim "God help you" or "save you," and thus it came to 

 be handed down from one generation to another, until it 

 became a standard form of etiquette. It is now, however, 

 growing out of fashion. In families, particularly among 

 the fair sex, it is a sure sign of becoming angry and hot- 

 tempered during the day if the nose itches in the morning ; 

 also, if the palm of the left hand itches, you are to receive 

 money, and if it is the right hand you have to pay out 

 money during the day. 



If the left eye itches, a lady caller may be expected, 

 and if it is the right eye, then a gentleman is sure to call 

 during the day. 



One saying is, never point an empty gun at anybody, 

 for the evil one may load it ; and further, never make a 

 wry face, for if the clock should strike twelve, the wind 

 change, and the cock should crow at the same time, your 

 face will forever remain in that ugly condition. 



Many poor students manage to get through the element- 

 ary and regular colleges by the aid of charity meals, 

 which is done in this way : 



A student calls at your house and asks that you will in- 

 vite him once a week to your table, dinner or supper ; 

 and after getting such permission in one family he goes to 

 another and asks a similar privilege, and so on until he 



