FRIDAY THE 13TH.

Matamata Record, Volume VI, Issue 483, 25 October 1923, Page 1

FRIDAY THE 13TH.

A MAN'S UNLUCKY DAY. Mr. John Parham, owner of a garage in New York, spent the entire 24 hours of July 13th last in bed. And this is why (says the New York correspondent of the Daily Chronicle). While he was working on a motor car several months ago a steel splinter destroyed the sight of one of his eyes. It was on the 13th of the month. On the 13th of the next month he broke an arm cranking a car. Still a month later, on the 13th, he slipped and broke a leg. The last time Friday was the 13th was in April. On that day, while John was watching repairers lifting a car by block and tackle, the rope broke and the block smashed his toe. Later, on the same day, the garage caught fire. Denying stoutly that he is su~ perstitious, Mr. Parham declared that if nothing happened to him on July 13th ho would on June 13th,. 1924 (which is the next time Friday will be the 13th of the month) change his luck by doing all the following things: Rise early to view the moon over his right shoulder; don his ments wrong side out; smash a mirror; at breakfast drop a knife, fork, and spoon, and spill salt on the table; walk under a ladder; endeavour to meet a cross-eyed girl, and let a black cat cross his path. "And if I survive all that," he added, " I shall count myself for ever immune."