THE MAN WHO WAS NOT SUPERSTITIOUS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 274, 11 May 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MAN WHO WAS NOT SUPERSTITIOUS.

By THORPE LEE

"One thing the war has done," said the Popular Noevlist, "is to kill the silly superstition that it is unlucky to light three cigarettes with one match/ "Has it?" said the R.N.R. man, who in private life before tho flood used to be an actor of distinguished force. He spoke with an ironical note in his voice. " Wait till those brother-officers of mine oomo in from the billiards-room. You'll see."

Wo were sitting in the Hall between tea and dinner. It was not a long while before we were joined by the billiard players, three naval men and a soldier, " Regulars" all. "Now," said the R.N.R. man, looking at tho Novelist and slightly nodding his head. The Novelist frowned. His mind had been busy with ether things. He had forgotten. Tho R.N.R. man tapped his cigarette case and .spread out three fingers. The Novelist smiled in an understanding way. " Cigarette anybody P" he asked casually. Wo each took one. Quickly he struck a match-, offered it to one of the sailormon, offered St to me, then put it up towards his own cigarette. Four voices cried out in protest, voices with genuine alarm in them. "Look out, man." "Throw it away." "Don't you know that's unlucky?" "Really,*" said the Novelist, still holding the match in his fingers, "I'm surprised at you fellows." He lit his cigaretto with marked enjoyment. " Easy enough to run down superstitions," growled one of tnem. " Anyone ean do that. I've known things happen," he added darkly. "Ever heard of the British Museum mummy?" inquired another. The Novelist exploded at that. "Good heavens ! What century do wo livo in? Do you mean to say you really think I suppose you won't pass under ladders " "Not if there are men with paints pots on them/' the R.N.R; man said drily. "Ah, that's different," tho Novelist admitted . " But for this idiotic match supersitkm there's nothing, to be said. It's sheer idiocy—like all the other fetishes and charms and dodges for averting the Evil Eye." And once started he went on pounding the superstitions until the dressinggong sounded.'

When I returned to the Hall, twenty minutes later, I found a laughing group round the R.N;R. man, who was finishing a story.

" heard him ramping round and cursing, and at last he came fussing to me. 'What is it?' I asked him. 'l've lost my lucky farthing,' he said. 'Kept it in my pocket for eighteen years. Can't think where .. . You didn't see anything slip out of my pocket downstairs ? I must have the house searched.' And this, mind you, the man who'd just been jawing us all about superstitions! I simply roared." At this moment the Novelist came downstairs. "Found it?" the R.N.R, man inquired. " I did, thank you," was the dignified reply. But the dignity broke down before a general laugh. "Well," he continued. "I don't call that a. superstition. We all have our little fads, you know. You're very superior about it." He turned on the R.N.R. man savageIv. " I suppose vou are above anything of tho kind." "Oh, no," the R.N.R. man retorted. "I've one very strong superstition. I object to sleeping thirteen in a bed."