Criminals have a deep-rooted belief
in the power of talismans and in the
protecting properties of charms and
amulets. According to an experienced
detective attached to the Criminal In
vestigation Department, the burglar
invariably carries in his pocket a small
lump of coal for luck. To this safe
guard he pins his faith, and, with his
•‘bit of charmed coal,” it appears, he
may defy the authorities, however
shrewd they may be. Sometimes, wnen
searched at the police office, there are
found concealed in the burglar’s
pocket a piece of chalk, lucky stones
and rings and rusty horseshoe nails.
Relying on such articles for his safety
in the moment of peril, he parts with
them most reluctantly, and often stip
ulates with the turnkey for their
return to him on his liberation from
prison.
RETRIEVING A COW.
Effect of ■ Young Girl's Heroin At
tempt to Fire Off m Gun.
Two young women who were travel
ing in Ireland together, one day.
armed with a revolver, took a long
and lonely walk along a road bordered
by a field where a large number of
cattle were pastured. Suddenly thev
saw advancing out of the midst Ht a
lumbering trot a large brindled bull
dog, with a bit of rope hanging from
his collar. The two travelers stotwi
aside to let him pass, but he instantly
stopped and stared at them in what
seemed to be a very threatening man
ner, says the Youth’s Companion.
