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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1957-05-09, Page 7Good Luck Lasted Six Hundred Years Great estates are broken up, kluge fortunes dissolve in death, duties and taxation, but for nearly 600 years the lords of Muncaster Castle have kept their lands and their prosperity - and they say it is all due to a lucky glass bowl in their drawing -room. Back in the year 1461, when King Henry VI was in flight af- ter, the battle 'of Towton, 'kind- ly shepherds guided him to the castle, where he was welcomed so hospitably that the king de- cided to give his host his dear- est possession. As' long as the family kept the bowl intact, he explained, they would prosper and never lack a close male. heir. The king had no sooner part- ed with the bowl than he met disaster. His wife was made captive, his son stabbed to death and Henry himself died in the Tower of London. But whenever the lords of Muncaster went to war they were seldom scratched. They piled up fortunes; married rich heiresses; couldn't go wrong. Even in 1957 the present own- er, Sir John Ramsden, is living into a serene old age, owner of 150,000 acres and landlord of four country estates. Scientists and scholars have studied the Luck of Muncaster as the greenish glass bowl is called - without discover- • ingits' inward secret. A Muncaster heir once drop- ped the casket containing the bowl, and feared he had brok- en it. And for forty years the family did not dare to open the casket in case they found their Luck in fragments! In the same way, the Lyon Cup, a goblet fashioned like a lion, is said to ensure the luck of the Bowes -Lyon family and is now in the treasured posses- sion of the young Earl of Strathmore, the Queen Mother's nephew. Family curses have sometimes earrieddoom or disaster through generations. But for- tunately there is also this hap- pier side of the picture — the family luck that has inexplic- ably guaranteed good fortune. The Luck of Edenhall, for in- stance, is said to have brought the Musgrave family a heaped measure of good luck since'the Middle Ages. The legend goes that the family butler surprised a group of fairies at a drink- ing party at a near -by well. They scattered at his approach but left the cup behind them and fairy voices on the wind seemed to whisper the words "If this cup should break or fall Farewell the Luck of Edenhall " At one time the Duke of Wharton used to amuse himself challenging their fury by drain- ing the goblet and then fling- ing it high in the air. Now Eden Hall has become a girls' school but the luck is reputed to ex -tend to its pupils. What happens to all the lucky pennies in the world? Nobody Imbws, but perhaps when they accidentally change hands they impart good fortune to new owners. In one case, where a lucky penny was watched through the years, its power lasted six cen- turies — and it's still going strong. • The saga can be traced to the days when a band of Scottish knights took an Arabian chief prisoner in the holy wars and YO -HO -SEW — German actress Ingeborg Schooner, on 'location near Florence, Italy, treasures a neat appearance. The tiny pirate -chest earring she's model- ing holds three tiny spools of thread, ;a thimble, needles and several pins for use in making emergency repairs to her cos- tume. ostom'e. his aged mother came to their camp to redeem her son by Pay- ing ransom. As she fumbled with the gold coins in her purse, the penny fell out — and she showed.sneh haste to recover it that the canny knight guessed at its value and astutely added it to the ransom. The mother not only agreed, but explained that the coin had magic properties. If it was dip- ped in water "three times with a swirl," the lotion could cure not only all diseases in cattle but was equally effective against the bite of a mad dog. Sir Simon Lockhart of Lee took the penny home to Clyde- side. Sure enough whenever cattle, or even neighbours, were sick it brought about swift cures and soon achieved a nation-wide reputation. The family waxed rich by selling flagons • of water in which the penny had been swirled. Farmers hung bottles of it from the rafters'. of their cowsheds. The Church Assem- bly even investigated the mat- ter and decided that the penny possibly fell into the category of "herbs with many virtues." Meanwhile, the family found that the penny not only achieved cures and brought them prosperity, but also ap- peared to ward off misfortune. When cattle plague threatened the prosperous markets of New- castle, the corporation asked if they could borrow the penny. Before parting with the pen- ny Sir James Lockhart — -Si- coon's descendant — demanded that it should be insured for 4=6,000. Subsequently Newcastle dor- poration offered to pay this sum if they could keep the coin. But the offer was refused. Even in this present ci:ntury the penny proved its curative properties. A member of a shooting party at Lee gashed his hand badly while struggling to open a bottle, and came down to dinner that evening com- plaining he could not stop the bleeding. His host opened the safe, pro- duced the penny and placed it in a basin of water. Then he made the guest plunge his hand, band- aged as it was, ,intothe water and rest it there for some time. Next day the wound was com- pletely healed except for a small scar. PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST . Kokomo, •the celebrated painting chimpanzee, jumps in 'exultation after"finishing his latest work, lying on.thetable. He may never challenge'the masters, but the 1?tIA-year-old chimp is apparently delighted at his, efforts h -make, monkeys out of his fellow artists. T11111118 /. ly Gordon Smith' COMPOSTS Every garden should have a compost heap say the experts but they, never explain how we can squeeze this valuable asset into a tiny garden where we are already , cramped for space. A compost heap• is valuable and if there is room, we should have ' one down at the back by all means. But it can be a bit of trouble and • mess where the backyard is small. In that case, the thing to do is simply to bury weeds, grass clippings, and any- thing else that will rot quickly between the rows of vegetables or flowers. We do, not bury deep- ly, 'but with 'a few inches of soil. Anything that will rot has some fertilizer value • and it makes humus ` which keeps soil open. If we have a bit more room, then we should have a regular compost heap. Here we simply. pile in shallow layers anything that will rot quickly and we cover with soil to help the rot- ting and keep away flies .and neighbors' d o g s. Rotting• or breaking down can be 'speeded by adding commercial fertilizer.. and possibly some of the special chemical preparations to assist nature in the breaking down pro- cess. The top of the heap should be kept flat to absorb rain and prevent drying out and in dry weather it is a good plan to soak occasionally with the hose. After a few months in the com- post heap all this refuse will break down into excellent fine garden soil. AVOID THESE Two of the commonest mis- takes in gardening are planting too deep and too close together. '.'he general rule for depth is three times the diameter of the seed. For tiny seed like that of portulaca or alyssum or lettuce, this means simply sowing on top of the soil and pressing in light- ly. To spread more evenly, we - may mix seed with sand before we sow. For bigger seed say the size of peas or corn, half to an inch deep will be about right. Potatoes, gladiolus and dahlias go down from six to twelve inches. As for spacing, the size of the seed has nothing to do with it. Even tiny seeded things like alyssum or portulaca, or onions, require space to develop proper- ly. The safe rule is at least half as much space between sprouted full grown. With small flowers least a couple of inches between plants as they will be high when and vegetables this means at and with say zinnias, peas, beans, etc., four to six inches. With dahlias, corn, tomatoes, this should be at least 12 to 18 inches. NO HURRY If the spring is late, one should not fret. In thefirst place fret- ting will not help bring the warm days any faster and sec- ondly there is still plenty of time anywhere in Canada to have a fine garden, even if we can't get a spade in the ground until late May. Indeed there are several quick growing things which will make abundant bloom or fine meals for the table even if planted in June. The experts, incidentally, always warn the beginner to take it easy, to pre- pare the soil well,and wait until the spring weather has really arrived. Of course, one should get nursery stock ' and some of the hardier sorts of flowers and vegetables planted as soon as possible, but the main sowings are best postponed until around this time or even later. Spreading the plantings, too, over a fairly long period, right up to July in the warmer parts of Canada, is always advisable. In this way the harvest of flowers and vegetables, is spread out too. SET -BACK FOR SALESMAN Go-ahead salesman Harold Hester believed in highpres- sure sales talk' when canvassing. prospective buyers of hiswater- softening equipment. To this end he exhibited a selection of gall- stones in proof of what might happen if they refused to place an order. Recently, however, he lost part of his weighty argument. The 49 gall -stones belonged to Viola Fredieu and she success- fully ,sued for their return in court. Tommy was a. guest at a party at which the refreshments were lavish. The hostess spotted him sitting in a corner. "Won't you have something more, •Tommy?" she asked. "No, thank you," he replied, "I'm full." "Well," suggested the hostess, "put some fruit and cake in your pockets to eaten the way home." "No, thank you," came the re- ply, "they're full,, too." • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING AGENTS WANTED BE YOUR OWN BOSS I 7SEN or women, Can work your own hours, end make profits up to 500% selling exclusive houseware products and appliances. No competition, not ,available in stores, and they are a necessity in every home.- Write at once for free colour catalogue, show. Mg retail prices plus confidential wholesale . pricellst. Murray' Sales, 3822 St. Lawrence Blvd.,' Montreal. OILS, GREASES, PAINTS And Colloidal Graphite . Additives. Dealers wanted to sell- to Farmers, Fleet' Owners and Service Stations. Write Warco Grease & 011 Limited, Toronto 3, Ontario. - - - - BABY CHICKS CHICKS bred for all : markets. For Eggs. Broilers. Heavier table. Prompt shipment. W 1 d e choice. Pullets. Started too. Complete:. list, Bray Hatchery. 120 John N., Hamilton. If you are not on our malting list to receive our -1957. catalogue, 'write us at once and we will send you a copy,,, it is free. It will -give you a lot of valuable Information, advising you what are the best breeds of chicks to purchase for maximum egg produc. Hon on the minimum amount of feed, best dual purpose breeds good for both eggs and meat, best breiler breeds, and the best poults for heavy roasters, medium toasters and turkey broilers. Write for low prices on dual purpose cockerels. TWEDDLE. CHICK HATCHERIES LTD. FERGUS • - ONTARIO How Can I By Anne Ashley Q. How can I quickly remove white wash? A. One of the easiest methods is to scrub the whitewashed sur- face with vinegar and water. Q. How can I prevent custard from curdling? A. Custard will not curdle if It is put into a pan half-filled with cold (instead of hot) water. It heats more gradually and'will be firm and smooth, Q. How can I keep the sink pipe free from grease? A. By pouring clean, hot wa- ter down the pipe every time dishes are washed, Q. How can I make a cheap waterproof dressing for shoes? A. By melting tallow and mix- ing with neatsfoot oil in the pro- portion of 7 parts of the oil to 3 parts of tallow. In cold weather, use less tallow, about 1 part to 3 parts of oiL FLYING FUR — LaVerne Hintz - man manages a slight smile but he's not really very happy. That luxuriant beard is already beginning to disappear from his face. Hintzman grew the beard for a town celebration and liked it so much he decid- ed to keep it. Mrs. Hintzman had other ideas and her vacuum cleaner is blowing away some of the shorn whiskers. COINS FREE — 5 GENUINE .FOREIGN COINS Let us know your wants. Start Collect- ing Genuine coins with our coin col. lectors Kit only $4.95—SPECIAL PACK. ETS '29¢ • 490 96o • Coin folder and 8 coins 980. A11 coin Publications and Whitman Supplies. International Coln Co.,. 227 Victoria St., Toronto. DUCKS DUCKLINGS. Jansen strain Kaki. Campbells for layers. Large White Pekin& for best meat birds. 25 $8.50; 100 - $32. Immediate delivery, Circular. Morris Day, Elora,Ontario. FARM MACHINERY FOR SALE . NEW Holland 77 Baler with hydra- formatio $950. Or willtrade for lum- ber. Apply C. Dlcatre, St. Joachim, Ontario. D.E.M.S. LTD. ONTARIO distributor for Ford major dieselfuel injection pump overhauling $22. - All other fuel pump and in. lectors overhauled at $3.50 per hr. Thornhli, Ontario. Phone Avenue 5.3421. FOR SALE FARM: 3 lots, good land, good build- ings, Hydro, telephone, -much good lake front. Near village. I1 interested, write: Emil Cutin, Arnsteln, Ont. SAW filing and lawn mower business for sale. Modern machinery, good in- come. Five room house, modern. To be sold together. Good. `opportunity for right party. Age Is only reason for selling.- Priced right. Joseph Taylor, 588 Lafontain Street, Wallace - burg, Ontario. 110 ACRES natural 'drained, square, clay loam, most productive in Ottawa Valley. beside cheese factory, school, • churches. Carries fifty headof cattle, 38 milking. Beatty stables. Milkers, machinery included. Brooder, hen and pig houses. Tenant cottage. Comfort. able twelve -room brink home, double garage, good wells, hydro, telephone, spacious lawn, Shade trees. We con. sider sacrifice for $18500. Write Box 156, 123 Eighteenth Street, New Tor- onto, oronto, Ontario MEDICAL GOOD RESOLUTION — EVERY SUFFERER OF RHEUMATIC PAINS OR NEURITIS SHOULD TRY DIXON'S REMEDY. MUNRO'S DRUG STORE 335 Elgin, Ottawa $1.25 Express Prepaid POST'S' ECZEMA SALVE BANISH the torment of dry eczema rashes and weeping skin troubles. Post's Eczema Salve will not disap- point you. Itching, scaling and burn- ing eczema; acne, ringworm, -pimples and foot eczema will respond readily to the stainless odorless ointment re- gardless of how stubborn or hopeless they seem. Sent Post Free on Receipt of Price PRICE $3.00 PER JAR POST'S REMEDIES 2865 5t. Clair Avenue East TORONTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN FOR Early Reservatlonsl Write Old. Wells -By -The -Sea Improvement Associ- ation,Wells, Maine, for literature on ideal place to spend your Maine Sea- coast vacation, PLASTIC. FOAM (flexibiej Sensational new ,craft material. Sheets 40" it 72" x 3/32" — $2. IN.' — $2.50. White, pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, grey,violet, deep pink. Multiple pro- ject Lilt $5.75. Immediate. delivery. KIDDER MANUFACTURING, 138 Dan- forth Avenue, Toronto. SHELLCRAFT A FASCINATING and inexpensive hobby, Make distinctive jewelry, novelties, etc, for yourself, as gifts or for sale. Write for free catalogue or order Beginner's Kit at $1.25. Other kits available at $1.95 and $3. Orders Cash or C.0 D. HOUGHTON'S SHELLCRAFT 454 Kingston Road, Toronto. BE A HAIRDRESSER JOIN CANADA'S LEADING SCHOOL Great Opportunity Learn Hairdressing Pleasant dignified profession; good wages. Thousands of successful Marvel Graduates. America's Greatest System Illustrated catalog Free Write or Call MARVEL HAIRDRESSING SCHOOLS 358 Bloor St. W., Toronto Branches: 44 Kings St. W., Hamilton 72 Rideau St., Ottawa IT PAYS TO USE OUR CLASSIFIED COLUMNS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ' MEN AND WOMEN KNOW every tree, join the C. de B. 500 per lesson. Write OUTDOOR INTERESTS, Goodwood; Ontario. ATTENTION! Receive Unique, sen- aatlonal patented Pocket Umbrella. Parasol, plus free gift for only $2.00. Send: BILLOO, P.0, Box 88, Piraeul, Greece. FOR delightful Seacoast Vacation on beautiful Wells Bay, in quiet, pleasant surroundings.. at Guest Home djreetl7. on Ocean front. - Write: "The Barn. sole", Wells, Maine. TEACHERS WANTED FARNBOROUGH . Protestant School. Board requires two teachers for rural area, . grades one to !Nivea. Living ac- commodations supplied, Salaries: 01;400 - $1,800, Write: Harry H. Hopson, Farmborough, Que. QUALIFIED teacher for one -room school, .Highway 401 near Oshawa. Present enrolment 27, Grades 1-8. MINIMUM salary $2,600 with alloW- a'nce for experience. APPLY, stating qualifications experi- ence, salary, name of inspector. Mlle Ethel Hanna, See,-Treas., R.R. 2, Whitby, Ont. PATENTS FETHERSTONHAUGH & Com' p a n y Patent Attorneys. Established 1890 600. University Ave.. Toronto. Patents all countries. PERSONAL $1,00 TRIAL offer. Twenty-five deluxe personal. requirements. Latest catalogue included. The Medico Agency, Box 22, Terminal "Q" Toronto Ont. SWINE OUR two imported sows, Cowslip 31st., and Cowslip 33rd., just farrowed with a total of twenty -Bye pigs raising twenty-three. The sire of these litters is a litter mate to the Grand Champ- ion at the Peterborough Show in Scot- land. The dam of the sows was Pad- nell Cowslip 2nd which sold in Scot- land for $3,300 and her litter mate sold for $5,400. When you purchase from us you get the best breeding stock that money will buy. Wean- lings, four month old, six month old sows and boars, guaranteed in pig sows, and serviceable boars for im- mediate delivery. Start with the Best. Catalogue FERGUS A M GUS LANDRACE SWINE FO ISSUE 18 — 1957 SLEEP:. TO -NITS SEDICIN tablets taken .accordingte, directions is a safe way to induce sleep or quiet the nerves when tense. $i•00 All breg Stores or Adreet Ltd., Toronto 5. SMOKES FOR CANADIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL serving with the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East $12 sends 400 EXPORT CIGARETTES or any other Macdonald Brand Postage included Mail order and remittance to: OVERSEAS DEPARTMENT MACDONALD TOBACCO INC. P.O. Box 490, Place d'Armes, Montreal, Que. This offer Is subject to any change In Government Regulations. BIGGEST TULIP BED—Before long a million tulips will be in bloom in Ottawa. Massed in this one Spectacular bed, only part of which is seen here, Will be 70,000 tulips, the largest; single d splay of the flowers in Canada's capital city.