779. If a stray hair blows persistently across the eyes, it's the sign that a stranger is coming. _Massachusetts._ 780. The shin-bone itching means guests. 781. The nose itching signifies visitors. _General in the United States._ 782. The nose itching foretells company. If on the right side, it means a man; if on the left, a woman. _Central New York._ 783. If your nose itches, you will see an old friend whom you have not seen for some time. _New York and Pennsylvania._ 784. If your nose itches, it means you'll See a stranger, Kiss a fool, Or be in danger. _Peabody, Mass._ 785. To sneeze at the table indicates a stranger. _Peabody, Mass._ 786. To sneeze before breakfast is a sign you will have a caller before night. _Eastern Massachusetts._ 787. Sneeze before you eat, See a stranger before you sleep. _Cape Breton._ 788. As many times as you sneeze before breakfast, so many calls will you have before tea (or bed-time). 789. If you sneeze on Saturday, you will have company on Sunday. _Massachusetts._ 790. Water spilled on the doorstep means a stranger. _Ohio._ 791. To slop water near a door is a sign of a stranger. _Peabody, Mass._ 792. A sudden shower of sparks from the fire betokens a visitor. _Cape Breton._ 793. When you see the soot burning in the back of the chimney, it is a sign of your being visited by a stranger. _Alabama._ 794. If you crock[TN-6] your knuckles, company will come. _Massachusetts._ CHAPTER XII. CURES. AMULETS. 795. Green glass beads worn about the neck will prevent or cure erysipelas. _Chestertown, Md._ 796. Gold beads were formerly a protection against the "King's Evil" (scrofula), and nearly every maiden and matron wore ample strings of beautiful large beads. _Adams, Mass._ 797. Gold beads worn about the neck will cure sore throat. _Windham, Me._ 798. Gold beads worn about the throat were thought to cure or or prevent goitre. _Northern Ohio._ 799. A string of gold beads is still held to be a preventive of quinsy, sore throats, and so on. _New Hampshire._ 800. A string of gold beads worn on the neck will cure or prevent quinsy. _Prince Edward Island._ 801. Red beads about the neck cure nose-bleed. _Cazenovia, N.Y._ 802. For nose-bleed wear a red bean on a white string round the neck. _Bedford, Mass._ 803. A black silk cord about the neck cures croup. _Cazenovia, N.Y._ 804. A key worn hanging about the neck by a string prevents nose-bleed. _Central Maine._ 805. Wearing brown paper on the chest will cure sea-sickness. _Newton, Mass., and Chestertown, Md._ 806. Tie a piece of black ribbon around a child's neck, and it will prevent croup. _Waltham, Mass._