the number
of grounds will be the number of years before marriage. The fine dust in
the bottom means trouble, a wish, a letter, or a journey.
_Somewhat general in the United States._

274. Take a "beau" (a little stem) from the tea and put it in your shoe.
The first man you meet you will marry.
_St. John, N.B._

275. Sticks of tea in the teacup denote beaux. Name them, and bite them,
and the hardest loves you best.
_Massachusetts._

WALKING ABROAD.

276. Go to walk and turn back. The first man you meet you'll marry.
_Massachusetts._

277. If you walk the length of seven rails of a railroad track, the first
man that speaks to you after you get off will be your future husband.
_Bedford, Mass._

278. Take a looking-glass and walk backwards to the wall, and you will
see your future husband's picture.
_Nashua, N.H._

279. If you walk with a gentleman (for the first time), and have on new
shoes and go over a bridge, you will marry him.
_Eastern Massachusetts._

280. If a young woman walking into a strange place picks up three pebbles
and puts them under her pillow, she will marry the young man she dreams of.
_Carbonear, N.F._

281. Run three times around the house, and on the third round a vision of
your husband will rise before you.
_Alabama._

WATER.

282. Float two cambric needles on water and name them. If they float
together, they'll marry. If they float apart, they won't marry.
_Petit Codiac, N.B._

283. Girls prepare basins of dirty and of clean water. If a blindfolded
girl puts a stick, with which she reaches about, into the dirty water,
she will marry a widower. If into clean water, she will marry a young man.
_Labrador._

284. Place three basins on the floor, one containing dirty water, another
clear water, and the third empty. Let the (blindfolded?) person crawl up
to them on her hands and knees. The one she touches will foretell her
fate. The clear water means she is to marry a rich man, the dirty water,
a poor man, and the empty basin no man at all.

285. Make ready a mirror, a lamp, a basin of water, a towel and soap. Go
to bed backward, not speaking afterwards, and lie awake till midnight. If
your sweetheart comes and washes, combs his hair, and looks at you,
you'll be married. If you don't see him, you'll see your coffin. (Both
sexes.)
_Labrador._

286. When a pot