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LEGEND

THERE WERE 12 NUNS IN A CONVENT WHO MADE A VOW SAYING THAT AFTER THEY
DIED THEY WANTED TO HAVE A ROSARY WITH ONE LIVE PERSON FOR SO MANY
DAYS AND IF THE PERSON STAYED WITH THEM FOR TEN DAYS, THEY WOULD GIVE
THE PERSON THEIR CONVENT. A LADY WENT DOWN THERE NOT KNOWING THE
STORY AND ASKED AN INNKEEPER IF THERE WERE ANY MOTEL ROOMS SHE COULD
STAY IN. HE TOLD HER SHE COULD STAY IN THE CONVENT. SO SHE
STAYED THERE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DESERTED. THEN THE 12 NUNS
ALL HOLDING CANDLES, WALKED BY HER AND INTO THE CHURCH. SHE
FOLLOWED THEM IN AND WATCHED THEM SAYING THE ROSARY, WITH ONE OF
THEM SAYING IT AND EVERYONE ELSE ANSWERING IT. THIS HAPPENED FOR TEN
DAYS AND EVERYDAY THE NUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS THE ROSARY WAS
DONE. ON THE FINAL DAY, AS THE NUNS WERE WALKING OUT, ONE OF THEM
HANDED A NOTE TO THE WOMAN. THE NOTE THANKED HER FOR HELPING THEM
FULFILL THEIR VOW. THEN IT SAID THAT THEY GAVE THE CONVENT TO HER.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KNEW IT WAS
TRUE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 40'S IN MEXICO. THE WOMAN WENT BACK TO
THE INNKEEPER AFTER THIS WAS OVER AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. SO THEN HE
TOLD HER ABOUT THE NUNS, VOW.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAD SEVERAL STORIES WHICH WERE BASED IN MEXICO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: 686 First / Once / One / Newness
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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LEGEND

THERE WAS A GUY WHO USED TO BEAT UP HIS WIFE ALL OF THE TIME.
WHEN HE DIED, SHE HAD NIGHTMARES THAT HE CAME BACK TO HER. AFTER
TWO NIGHTS OF DREAMS LIKE THIS, SHE WENT TO HER PRIEST AND TOLD HIM
ABOUT THE DREAMS. THE PRIEST DIDN'T BELIEVE HER. SHE TOLD HIM THAT
HER HUSBAND KEPT SAYING, "I WANT TO TALK TO YOU," AND HIS FACE HAD
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FLAMES. SO THE PRIEST GAVE HER SOME PAPER AND
TOLD HER TO PUT IT ON THE DESK. THEN NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND
APPEARED SHE SHOULD TELL HIM TO WRITE ON THE PAPER WHAT HE WANTED
TO TELL HER. SO NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND CAME, SHE TOLD HIM TO WRITE
HIS MESSAGE DOWN. HE TRIED TO WRITE IT DOWN AND THE PAPER BURNED
UP BECAUSE HIS ARMS WERE SURROUNDED BY FLAMES, TOO. IT WAS USELESS.
SO YOU KNOW WHERE HE WAS FROM. HE WAS CONDEMNED. EVERYONE IN TOWN
KNEW THIS STORY. IT HAPPENED IN SAN PANCHO, IN MEXICO.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A STORY WHICH WAS TOLD AS IF IT WERE TRUE, AND NOT JUST A
LEGEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): HELL ; NIGHTMARE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck
Q522 Q522.13

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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LEGEND

IN MEXICO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, YOU CAN APPROACH A CERTAIN GROUP AND
THEY WILL GIVE A MASS FOR THAT PERSON FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS
SO THE PERSON WILL GO TO HEAVEN. BUT YOU CAN'T MISS A DAY OF THOSE
30 DAYS. MY UNCLE DIED IN SAN PANCHO, AND HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WAS IN
THE GROUP. SO THEY PRAYED FOR HIM. THE SISTER-IN-LAW IS REALLY
OLD AND EVERYONE KNOWS SHE IS DYING. ON THE 30TH DAY OF THE MASS,
SHE FELT SOMEONE COME UP AND TOUCH HER ON THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED
AND THE PERSON SAID, " MUCHAS GRACIAS. TE ESPERO?" WHICH MEANT,
THANK YOU' SHOULD I WAIT FOR YOU? THEN HE WALKED AWAY. SHE DIDN,T
SEE HIS FACE, BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS MY UNCLE BY THE WAY HE WAS BUILT.
EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS THIS AND BELIEVES IT, TOO.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT KNOWS THIS IS TRUE AND BELIEVES IN IT COMPLETELY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.30
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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LEGEND

THERE IS A PRIEST IN SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS, MEXICO, WHO SAID TO GOD
HE WOULD SAY THE OUR FATHER EVERY TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH
IN ORDER TO THANK GOD FOR LETTING HIM BE A PRIEST. HE DIED AND WAS
BURIED. THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH AFTER HE DIED,
THE PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER REALLY LOUD AND SLOW. NO ONE KNEW
WHERE HIS VOICE WAS COMING FROM. HE DID THIS AT MASS AS PEOPLE WERE
COMING IN AND EVERYONE RAN OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SCARED. THE POLICE
CAME TO CHECK OUT THE CHURCH FOR LOUDSPEAKERS, AND THEY CHECKED THE
WHOLE CHURCH AND FOUND NOTHING. THE POLICE FINALLY LOCKED UP THE
CHURCH. AFTER THAT, TWO DRUNKS SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE CHURCH. THE
PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER AND THEY RAN OUT OF THE CHURCH COMPLETELY
SOBER. NO ONE GOES IN THE CHURCH ANYMORE, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY AS STRAIGHT FACT, HE BELIEVED IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; INSOBRIETY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Supernatural Being
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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LEGEND

THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.

Submitter comment: IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

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SUPERSTITION

IF SOMEONE IS SICK AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO PULL OUT,
MEXICANS PRAY TO THE VIRGIN OF GUADALOUPE, WHO IS THE PATRON SAINT
OF MEXICO. WHEN YOU PRAY, YOU SAY THAT YOU WILL WALK TO THE ALTAR
OF ONE OF TWO CHURCHES-ONE IS IN MEXICO CITY AND ONE IS IN
GUANAGUATO-FROM A CERTAIN POINT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON YOUR KNEES.
I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THIS. I THINK I DO. MY MOTHER TRIED THIS
WITH MY BROTHER AND SISTER A FEW TIMES AND IT WORKED.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SEEMED SKEPTICAL, BUT IN THE END HE SEEMED TO BELIEVE
THE IDEA. HE WAS VERY EARNEST ABOUT THE STORY AND MADE SURE I GOT
ALL THE FACTS RIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): SUPPLICATION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Prayer
SPEECH -- Gesture

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WHEN I WAS A CHILD, BEFORE PLAYING A BASEBALL GAME WE WOULD CHOOSE UP
TEAMS.THE WAY IT WAS DONE WAS RATHER UNUSUAL.TWO CAPTAINS WERE CHOSEN
BY THE GROUP OF PLAYERS, USUALLY THEY WERE THE TWO BEST PLAYERS IN
THE GROUP.ONE OF THESE CAPTAINS WOULD THROW THE BAT TO THE OTHER AND
WOULD CATCH IT APPROXIMATELY IN THE MIDDLE.THE PLAYER WHO HAD THROWN
THE BAT WOULD NOW PUT HIS HAND JUST ABOVE THE FIRST PLAYERS HAND.THIS
HAND ACTION WOULD ALTERNATELY CONTINUE UNTILL THERE WAS NO LONGER
ROOM FOR ANOTHER HAND ON THE BAT.THE PLAYER WHOOSE HAND WAS AT THE
TOP WOULD THEN HAVE TO HOLD OUT THE THE OTHER GUY TO KICK OUT OF HIS
HAND.IF THE KICKER WAS SUCESSFUL IN REMOVING THE BAT FROM THE HAND
HE WOULD GET FIRST CHOICE OF PLAYERS.BUT, IF THE HOLDER DID NOT LET
THE BAT COME OUT OF HIS HAND, HE WOULD GET HIS FIRST CHOICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

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CUSTOM

IF YOU GO TO A CHURCH THAT YOU'VE NEVER EVER BEEN IN BEFORE,
IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE A WISH WHEN YOU FIRST
ENTER THE BUILDING.

Submitter comment: THIS IS AN ITALIAN CHURCH CUSTOM. THE INFORMANT IS AN EXTREMELY
INTELLIGENT PERSON. SHE SEEMED AS IF SHE BELIEVED IN IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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ARABIAN SAYING

A PERSIAN (LIGHT-SKINNED) IS THE SAME AS AN ARABIAN (DARK-
SKINNED), JUDGE HIM ON WHAT HE DOES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARISON ; DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

A PENNY EARNED IS A PENNY SAVED

Submitter comment: THIS IS THE WAY SHE SAID IT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): ECONOMY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 01-19-1971

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WAINAMOIDEN

WAINAMOIDEN IS A GREAT LEGENDARY FINNISH FOLK HERO. HE IS WELL
KNOWN AMONG MANY FINNS IN MINNESOTA AND THERE ARE MANY SONGS
LEGENDS, AND BELIEFS ABOUT HIM. HE IS OFTEN GIVEN CREDIT
FOR UNITING THE FINNISH PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR ENEMIES, THE
RUSSIANS, ETC.

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE

James Callow Keyword(s): NATIONALISM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero

Date learned: 03-28-1970

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WAINAMOINEN

WAINAMOINEN IS A GREAT LEGENDARY FINNISH NATIONAL HERO. HE IS WELL
KNOWN AMONG MANY FINNS IN MINNESOTA AND THERE ARE MANY SONGS,
LEGENDS AND BELIEFS ABOUT HIM. HE IS OFTEN GIVEN CREDIT
FOR UNITING THE FINNISH PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR ENEMIES, THE
RUSSIANS, ETC.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE ; Johnson, Ellen ; Route 1 Box 121 Sturgeon

Keyword(s): FINLAND ; Finnish ; Hero ; Legend ; Wainmoinen

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero

Date learned: 03-28-1970

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WELLERISM

OURS WAS THE GROUP THAT HAD 35% MORE CAVITIES
HE SAID CRESTFALLEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): "CREST" IS THE BRAND NAME OF TOOTHPASTE WHICH ; PUN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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PROVERBIAL MAXIM

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME MUST BE SEIZED WITHIN THE LIFE-
TIME OF THE OPPORTUNITY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Keyword(s): CHIASMUS

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; INTERNAL ITERATION ; OBSERVATION ; PROMPTNESS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-05-1968

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PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM

THE ONLY VICTORY THAT IS LASTING AND BRINGS NO EVIL RESULTS IS THE
VICTORY OVER HIMSELF. NAPOLEON

Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THIS IS A QUOTE FROM NAPOLEON

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION ; SELF DISCIPLINE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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PROVERB: THE LAZY AT THEIR BEST

WHEN THE SUN NEARS ITS WESTERN HORIZON IS WHEN THE LAZY ARE AT
THEIR BEST.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS A VERY OLD SWEDISH PROVERB ABOUT LAZY
MEN.

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE ; BOX 121

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-28-1970

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EACH YEAR IN THE SPRING, MY MOTHER'S GRANDFATHER WOULD LINE UP
ALL THE SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE THEM EACH LICK SOME POWDER(WHITE)
CALLED CALAMEL OFF HIS PEN KNIFE IN ORDER TO CLEAN OUT
THEIR BLOOD FOR SUMMER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME

Keyword(s): BLOOD ; PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 04-00-1970

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WELLERISM

"ONLY SEVEN MORE DAYS," DICK SAID, WEEKLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Keyword(s): PUN

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: 01-00-1972

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FRITHIOF

FRITHIOF OF THE SAGA IS A WELL KNOWN LEGENDARY HERO OF MEDIEVAL
TIMES TO MANY SWEDISH PEOPLE. HE IS DESCRIBED AS A BRAVE AND
HANDSOME MAN; MANY LEGENDS AND VERSES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO HIM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS HER FATHER MENTIONING THE EXPLOITS OF THE
SWEDISH NATIONAL HERO.

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE ; BOX 121

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 03-28-1970

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PROVERB: THINKING

WHEN YOU THINK, THINK RIGHT.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS BEING TOLD THIS PROVERB BY HIS FATHER
MORE THAN SIXTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. IT WAS ONE OF HIS FAVORITES.

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-05-1970

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