beliefs

Bogey Man

The bogey man is one of the evil spirits brought to New England by the early settlers. Although he is capable of assuming a number of different
shapes, he can usually be identified by his bright red eyes that glow in the dark. One of his duties is to punish children who have been very bad
during the day, but his most important responsibility is to carry off incorrigible children to a place where they will never get enough to eat, and
can never return to see any of their family or friends.

Friday the Thirteenth

Friday the thirteenth is considered to be bad luck because Jesus was killed on a Friday, and he had thirteen people at his last supper.

Frightening Away Evil Spirits

When you have to walk for any distance in the dark, you should carry two sticks made from either ash or oak with you so you can strike them
together sharply when you are passing by any area where evil spirits might be lying in wait to harm you. Since they cannot stand the noise
produced by either of these two woods when they are clapped together, they will leave the area, allowing you to continue safely on your
journey.

Unlucky Hunchbacks

You will have thirty days of bad luck if you meet a hunchback on your way to church. You will neutralize the bad luck if you do not attend
services that day, or if you meet a second hunchback before you entire the church.

Unlucky Mirrors

When a family member died and was laid out at home, it was the duty of the oldest relative living in the house to run every mirror to the wall
until the body was taken to the cemetery. If this chore was neglected and someone saw his image in one of the mirrors, he would die within six
months. If the dead body reflection was seen in a mirror, their soul would be permanently trapped there in that mirror.

When Your Ears Burn

Whenever your ears burn, it is a sign of that someone is talking about you. If it is the left ear they are speaking ill of you, and if the right they
are appraising you.