Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-13
WHAT WEATHER PROPHETS SAY
The Muskrat, ArOunl Hog aud Mnl.
lard FOreteIl n Mild Winter like
wise Predict the Goose Bone, Chick
en-Gixxard and Catfish.

lard FOreteIl n Mild Winter--Like-
wise Predict the Goose Bone, Chick
en-tsixxard and Catfish.
[St. Louis Globe Democrat
"Muskrats amt troubling themselves mrch
about hard winter" said an old hunter
yesterday "You don't fool them much on
weather." he co ltinued; "they're better than
any almanac. I've watched them for good
many years over in the American bottom,
and can always tell, along in the fall
whether we are going to have on open winter
or not. How can l tell" added the Nimrod,
repeating the reporters question easy
enough. don't have to feel for it, seither
If it's going to be hard winter, you'll sec
the muskrats commence house building early
in the fall, and by this time they'll have their
mounds Oh the marshes built up of mud and
sticks and leaves three or four feet above
water But if the weather is going to be mild
you'll see nothing of that kind. A colored man
from Bonhomme Lotion, where he has lvol
most OF the time since the war, was standing
by, and added his testimony us to the signs of
the season.
II tell You, boss" said he ode groun' hog
am dc animal goes by. He's learned moro
about de weather an all tho rest OBJ de beasts
his hole in February he gifts back indie groun'
quicF, an stays thar six week longer. Then
you can bet thar'll he a late spring He's jcs'
Us smart about de winter, foah if it's gwine
to be wan he jes' scratches a shallow hole to
hide in; that's all he wants But if it's gwinc
ter freeze hard he'll go in deep an make his
groun' hog amt troubling any bout cold
1Jn'- 10, l..
Use an is going to lib close to do top OBJ do
sroun' without any bed dis winter. amt
got any use for big wood pile dis winter,
nor you won't either, BOSS" and the colorod
scientist walked away. Looking for further
information, the reporter questioned we'll
known poultcrcr in Union market and was
informed that the inner coating of chicken
gizzartls peeled off very easily, never-fail-
ing sign, they say, of a green Christmas.
Another point was gained from farmer
who says the corn husks are remarkably thin
and light this fall, another evidence recog-
nizcd as promise of thin ice.
MaEard ducks lave very few feathers this
fall "You needn't fear much cold weather
when the ducks are not well fcathered," re-
marked Judy, the game-dealer. "Another
thing" said he, the wild fowls haven't gone
Soooh you ihcy ulo Aotthuo IoA VII VI iioi
and will come down later ana stay around
here as they did two years ago" Chris
Neidcrweiser, of Baden, cites the old infalli-
tss- German sign of the breastbonc Of
goose, to prove that fuel ought to be cheap
this winter. Chris killed a goose for dinner
last Sunday, and after eating the meat from
the breast he found the bone so thin that lie
could see through it. "If the winter wa,
going to be very cold, he says 1.-The goose
bone would have been three times as thick"
Ripe tomatoes picked daily from the vines
are for sale on Union market luxury
Grundemyer says, that is not afforded SO late
in the season one year in tea.
If further evidence is needed to convince
the skeptical that there is no necessity for
squandcrinS n fortune in coal it is afforded
by the willy catfish of tho Missouri river.
When the stream is going to fr'e'zo up the
the catfish knows il long enough i'll advance
to prepare himself with good thick hide
johnson, the tishmonger, declares the catfish
had skins like whales last winter, but now
their winter covering is as thin as a piece Of
silk