The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FIRST COMPANY

INFORMANT AND HER NEIGHBORS BELIEVE THAT ANY GUESTS ON THE
FIRST DAY OF A NEW YEAR WHO ENTER BY ONE DOOR AND
LEAVE BY ANOTHER WILL FORETELL BY THIS ACTION THAT MANY
GUESTS (MORE THAN USUAL) WILL VISIT THE HOUSE IN THE
ENSUING YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF THESE VISITORS WOULD BE MERELY
ACQUAINTANCES PEOPLE NOT TOO CLOSE TO THE FAMILY. SO THE
HOUSE IS CURSED TO BEING SOMETHING LIKE A TRAIN STATION.
CROWDS OF IMPERSONAL PEOPLE WILL COME AND GO, FEW
BRINGING WITH THEM THE WARMTH OF REAL FRIENDSHIP.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname and place of residence.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER