Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-02-01
FANclEs AND FoLLIEs.
Fables Found and Formulated In
February.
Formation and ksms-Marked Days Ia the
honth-Weather Predictions and
General Remarks.

This morning blushing little February
salnfes the world. This is about the only
world IL does salute, as other worlds. . lar
As our information extends, know nothing
and care less for il. The moon may De IN,
terested in the months, having participated
in their invention; but as IL IS dead IL
makes little difference. This Is an on year
with February and it has only % days,
though INTO that brief time it crowds sever
al very important events. February, has
ordinarily % days, but in leap year II mas
an additional or interca airy DAY.
Among the Romans it had origia-
ally 20 days in an ordinary year, but when
the Senate deoreed that the eighth month,
August, should bear the name OF Augustus:
one day was stolen from February and
added to August, which bad only 30 days,
in order that ii might not be inferior to
Jnlv. which was named for julius Caesar.
The name February is derived from the
fact that in this month occurs the Roman
feast of the Lupercalia, and also Februslia,
from februare, to purify. This is borrowed
from an encyclopedia, which will not COM
plain the lack Of a credit.
GRoUND HOG DAY.
The first and most important event in
the month occurs to morrow, the I'd, famed
the world over as ground hog day 1t
has frequently been remarked that Wen
dell Phillips researches for the lost arts
have not carried him back to the time
when the ground hog theory had not some
currency. Even in this enlightened age
there are many honest grangers and guile
less city folks, too, who will intently watch
the sky, at noon, to.morrow, to see II
sun is shining. Precisely at that
hour the ground hog will awake from his
long winters repose and seek the open air.
Should the sky be overcast. he will break
up house keeping and prowl about for food,
but should the sun cast his shadow on the
earth, he will scuttle back to his hole, in
fright, for he knows winter will last SIX
weeks longer. At this writing it is clear as
crystal, but bets among the local force range
three 10 one winter will last six weeks
longer whether the ground hog sees his
shadow or not.
THE WEATHER
is a very prolific subject and, while talking
about it, VENDORS predictions come to
mind. To show Just o wide a weather
prophet may be Of the mark, his yaticina-
lions are appended:
From the first to tie third, probably
moderate or mild weather, changing to
colder evening of Sd, in most sections.
From 4th 10 9th, stormy and colder, with
general snowfallS and rainfalls according to
locality, up to the sixth day, q decided
dip" 7tb, Ash Wednesday; mild, with
snow. 18th, fair and mild. 9th, fair and mild.
10th, cloudy and threatening. llth probably
stormy and wet weather. From the l2th
to the 10th, inclusive, mild period; gener-
ally open weather; rains in some sections.
The 18th and 18th, colder and stormy
weather. On the 18th, generally stormy;
heavy snow falls again. From the 2Oth to
the ed, moderate and changeablei cloudy,
with snowfalls; possible rains and floods
west. From the 9th to the Goth mild,
with windy weather; rains. Snow falls
and stormy weather west; 2I:h and 18th,
March buster commencing; rain and snow
fall.
The amount OF real information contain.
in these prophecies has been reduced to the
minimum.
Next Wednesday hegins the solemn sea-
son of Lent, when, for forty days the Chris.
tian world will be in sack cloth and ashes.
While by far the larger portion OF society
pays no heed to this season OF fasting and
repentance, its influence is felt and its
presence shakes the social fabric to its
foundation. Gayeties are abandoned,
whist parties dissolve, afternoon coffees
and evening teas are suspended and the
society belle recuperates fer spring tri-
umphs. In the South gayety makes one
grand final burst before it dies, Mardi Gra'
being the greatest day of the year. Wheel
ing has tried Mardi Gras festivities, but
they were not phenomenal successes and
have been finally abandoned.
Our ante lent festivities will be found,
by one class, in the Governors reception,
and by others in the concerts and masquer-
ade balls, 10 be given by the German sing
ing societies and other organizations.
sr. VALENTINES Day.
A week after lent is ushered in, comes
another marked day, dedicated to st. Val.
entine. This is the season of affection and
generally supposed to be the time when
the young mans fancy lightly turns to
thoughts of love. The birds choose their
mates and go TO spring hOusc-cieaning-
that is, they do in some climates, but ours
is rather to wintry at that season.
On that day, February II, those beauti-
full caricatures known as valentines disgust
mail carriers and insult the recipients, be-
sides disgracing the senders. Very few Of
any other kind are marketable. There are
some very fine and fancy cards TO be found
in the stores, with hearts transfixed by ar
rows and a soft verse pasted on. but they
find very little demand. st. Valentines
Day is decidedly more honored in the
breach than the observance.
OTHER FEATURES.
February is conspicuous as bringing
around the anniversary of the birth OF &.
Washington, as we'll as the natal day OF va
rious other individuals, Of less prominence,
some OF whom live IN this city.
ESrhis month will, in all probability, also