LIGHT LITERATURE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 3, 21 April 1880, Page 4

LIGHT LITERATURE.

THE MARRIAGE OP THE FUTURE. Minister — Hello. Exchange. Telephone Exchange— Well ? Minister — Put me on the residence of Mrs Duzenberry. Exchange — All right ; fire away. Minister — Hello, Mrs Duzenberry. Mrs D.— Well? Minister — Ask your daughter Malinda to step to the instrument. Malinda — What's wanted ? Minister — Tour affianced. Mr Algernon' Smithson is here and wishes to speak to you. Malinda — Tell him for goodness' sake to hurry. Algernon — Malinda, dear. I find it won't be convenient for me to come round this evening. Can't we have the ceremony performed now ? Malinda — I suppose so. Minister (taking off his hat) — Do you, Algernon Smithkinson, take Malinda Duzenberry to be your wedded wife, for better, for worso till death do you part? Algernon — I do.

Minister — Do you, Malinda Duzenberry, take Algernon Smithson to be jour wedded husband, for better, for worse till death do you part ? Malinda — I do.

Minister — Then I pronounce you man and wife, and whom God bath joined together let no man put asunder. Make the most of it. lOdol. Good day. — American paper.

AMERICAN FOLK LOBE.

The following signs, handed down by tradition, are yet believed in many parts of America : — White specks on the nails are luck. Whoever reads epitaphs loses his memory. To rock the cradle when empty is injurious to the child.

To eat while a bell is tolling for a funeral causes toothache.

The crowing of a hen indicates some approaching disaster.

When a mouse gnaws a hole, some misfortune may be apprehended.

He who has teeth wide asunder must seek his fortune in a distant land.

Whoever finds a four-leaf trefoil — v shamrock — should wear it for good luck.

Beggars' bread should be given to children who are slow in learning to speak.

If a child, less than twelve months old, is brought into a cellar it will become timid.

When children play soldier on the roadside it forbodes the approach of war. '- ■ A child grows proud if suffered to look into a mirror while less than twelve. months old.

He who proposes moving into a new house must first send in bread and a new broom.

Whoever sneezes at an early hour either hears some news or receives some present the same day. The first tooth cast by a child should be swallowed ,by the mother to ensure, a new growth of teeth. Buttoning the coat awry, or drawing on a stocking inside out, causes matters to go wrong during the day. By bending the head to the hollow of the arm the initial letter of one's future spouse is represented.

Women who sow flax seed, should, during the process, tell some lies; otherwise the yarn will never bleach white.

When women are stuffing beds, the men should not remain in the house, otherwise the feathers will come through the ticks. When a person enters a room he should be obliged to sit down, if only for a moment, as he otherwise takes away the children's sleep with him. The following are omens of death : A dog's scratching on the floor or howling in a peculiar manner, and owls hooting in the neighborhood of the house.