AN OLD SUPERSTITION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14758, 30 August 1913, Page 9

AN OLD SUPERSTITION.

Old superstitions die hard, and, α-p* parently some of tho weirdest aro alivo yet; notably, tho ancient belief that a horsehair will turn into a elimy eel. On a day 1 sought a man and found him clipping away at his long-suffering steed—whenever I go there -he seeltts to bo tinkering at that patient horse — and presently he deprived it of about half its tale, a quantity of mano, and a good three-quarters of its poor long-suffering forelock. Then I think ho was nearJv satisfied, and while contemplating the general effect iio tools up a handful of tho spoil and spoke, "If you put that hair in a pond it will turn into so-many eels," he declared solemnly; and waxed indignant at my disbelief. "Now you jnsfc listen, to mc. I have tried and bo I know. Not long ago I did not believe it rayself, but I put a lot of-horsehair into a tin wash-bath and filled it with water and left it for a week. When I went over to look every hair had separated; so I left it for another week and went over again, and if you touched a hair it would . wrigslo." Now surely, wo wero getting on, but onco more my hope,s wore dashed. "And then?" I enquired anxiously. "Oh well, then, I could not wait any longer, and had to* empty them, all into tho dam y- b.ut, I expect they will .bo right enough there." It was" very disappointing; but I suppose "needs must. 0 The 'tin "wash-tub"" was wanted at last for anow arrival iv tho family; and.who could grudge it for such a use? .Anyway, that man is yet firmly convinced that horsehair will turn into eels. ■