White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-02-02
Gronnd.Hoe,s DaY.

II precisely the nour OF noon, tne OTOund-
Hog will leave his hole; and if the sun
is clouded, SO that the animal cannot see
his shadow, be will remain out, and
Winter may be considered as ended; but
if he sees bis shadow, be will retreat in
to his hole, and remain there for six
weeks. during which time we may not
look fer permanent breaking Of Winter.
The Ground Hog is of ancient origin.
From the most reliable data accessible,
it is pretty well established that he was
created on the sixth day of the year /.
He was the last and wisest Of the animals
created and next after him came man,
wiser than he, in all matters excepting
those appertaining unto the weather.
Noah entered the Ark on Ground
Hogs Day. He stationed himself at the
hole of that weather-prophet; the ami
NAL came out, saw its shadow, and drew
back again. Noah knew. from this, that
there would be bad weather for six weeks,
and forthwith betook himself to the Ark,
carrying the Ground-Hog with him.
Two days afterward the rain commenced
pouring down, and continued forty days
and forty nights. This, with the two
days above mentioned. made Just six
weeks. In all the world, Noah and his
family were the only believers in Ground
Hogs. The balance were disbelievers,
and persisted. 1t is proper for us here to
state, that in Noah's country. instead
of Winter, they had a wet season.
The Tower of Babel was commenced
in the latter part of the Winter. 1t
was very pleasant weather. and the boss
thought Spring had set in for good. The
foundations were not dug deep enough ;
suddenly cold snap occurred, froze the
ground below the foundations, and when
thaw came, down tumbled the build
ing, and ruined the proprietors. Persons
who had consulted the Ground Hog, ad
Vised them to hold on for few weeks
but they thought they knew better, and
"busted."
Solomon was O "fast" man, as well
as wise one. The secret of mis- wisdom
was this: lie believed in Ground. Hogs.
In those days. Jerusalem and Babylon
were rival towns. contendiDg for the trade
of the "baek country" Solomon was
one Of the principal stockholders in Je-
rusalem-in fact, he owned most of the
shares, and was President of the Town
Company. AT length the proprietors Of
both towns determined. as soon as Winter
should break up, to make great improve
ments as it was evident that whichever
town should soonest erect the largest num-
Der and the finest buildings, would draw
the Spring emigration, and secure the
County Seat. The Winter was severe
one, Ond the prOprietors of Babylon did
not think of commencing operations be-
fore the middle of March. On the other
hand, Solomon kept an eye on Ground
Hogs Day. The day was cloudy, and
his Hogship remained out of his hole.
Solomon Immediately set to work with
such energy, that at the expiration of six
weeks he had his magnificent Temple far
under way. When the "Babylonikers"
heard of this, they gave up in despair
and then it was that they "sat down by
the waters of Babylon and wept." When
the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, he
taught her the Ground-HOg sign. This
it was that so pleased and astonished her,
AMI sent her home in such fine humor.
Solomon had pet Ground Hogs for his
numerous better halves" and they ca.
ressed them ike kittens and Iap-dogs.
1t is a singular coincidence, that the
Temple was destroyed on Ground Hogs
Day. The Israelites crossed the Red
Sea, and David slew Goliath, on Ground
Hogs Day.
Romulus laid the foundation of Rome
in accordance with the Ground Hog sign;
and Alexander invariably consulted the
GroundHog. before breaking up Winter
quarters, to start out upon his Summer
campaigns.
From the earliest ages down to the
present day. the believers in Ground
Hogs have been numerous. In Rome
there existed secret Order. called the
Royal Ground-Hogs." Indeed, the
Order it said to have been founded by
King Solomon himself, and that they met
in the upper story of the Temple, at Je-
rusalem. From that Order sprang the
present Free Masons and Odd Fellows.
Ground Hogs Day is called by the
Germans, Liehfmas," the English Of
which is +" Candlemas." The term orig
mated thus : In Germany, in order to
prevent the early shooting of grape buds,
and consequent liability to have them
destroyed by freezing, it was desirable to
have cold weather continue until the mid