Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-20
100 IN THE SHADE.
The Intense Heat Of the Chief
Dog Day.
The Dog Star on the Zenith--A Dolce Fas
Niente Time---0og Days and
Swimming Season.

Two weeks ago, the evenings were cool
enough for light overcosts and croakers
growlingly commented on season which
was over before it had fairly begun. Yes
terday those same croakerS creyt away from
he most feryid sun heat of the season and
complained of temperature that would have
done credit to Syria. 1t was certainly
torrid day. The sun beamed down with
tropical fierceness and sent the mercury
steaming upward in the thermometer until
it had reached round hundred. At the
bridge corner, at o'clock, and in the
shade, the mercury registered l0l, while at
other places it ranged from 81 to 100. 1t
was the warmest day we have had for three
years and fulfilled the superstitution Of the
small boy that "dog-dsys was hot and dan
gerods.' The dog star, Sirius, more
properly the day-star reached the
zunith at noon, yesterday, at
which time dog-days are at their height.
Under the baletul influence of this, the
brightest of fixed stars, dogs are supposed to
be rabid aid their bite fatal, which, however,
is due entirely to the natural heat Of those
days and not at all to the innocent star
The small boy has popular belief, also
that it is dangerous to 60 swimming at this
this time, though he has no defined idea OF
either the nature or extent of the danger
He believes that sickness or cramps are
liable, but he doesn't know why, and
apparently he cares. in cases, little for
either. Judging from the crowds in the
river Yesterday. When the sun was the
hottest the writer screened himself behind
wire Of the suspension bridge and watch
ed the cleaning forms ofthe boys as they
disported in the shaded waters, at the dry
docks and flashed and tumbled In the cool,
green element like so many mermen. On
the bridge the temperature was
2l5 degrees in the sun, and the
dust fairly boiled and shimmered.
On such days as yesterday. close and con-
tinued wora was impossible, except such
work as involved the drinking of an iced
lemonade in the cool back room of drug
store. 1t was entirely too hot for anything
else. But it was great comfort to the
toiler in the mill and glass house to sit in
the shade and think Of the cooling breeze
of Bar Harbor, where Blaine is snugly fixed
1t filled them with high desires, aims and
aspirations. They wanted to meet Mr..
Fisher, write Mulligan letters to him and
GET rich, so that when these scorching days
shall come, they too may seek the ocean
Il .Aa hranzao
get the whitening and consuming simeon OF
heat that is now pouring from the furnace
mouth.
Nearly every man imagines he was born
for better things and in these blazing Au
9, st days he knows it. He feels that he was
not made to toil-he Was framed and fitted
TO enjoy dolce far niente sort Of existence,
into which work never comes like ghostly
figure. Into the August day dreams of the
Main street clerk come visions of moonlit
beach in summer. A bright form is by his
side-the evening breeze, laden with the
moisture of the sea, sweeps over him and
over her and blows her loosened hair like a
fragrant veil about his face and-for few
minutes he is happy. Oh! August is a
great time for day dreams.
No doubt Blaine himself, as he sits on
the shadowy verandah of his Bar Harbor
cottage, grows weary trying to follow that
distant twinkling sail and his fancy carries
him to an Inauguration scene in which he
is central figure, with every stain washed
away; and then on until crown caresses
his brow and he hears the loud EJenl Of
fifty million subjects. And Cleveland, as
he rests his handsome shape under an over
hanging rock of the Adirondacks forge's
he cares of government and looks into
he future, far as human eye can see, to
hat millennium when purity and honesty
are heavy in the balance when official cor
,nption is the curse Of God and integrity
he wings BY which we fly to Heaven.
Yes, such is the subtle power of this
lreamy, somnolent heat OF an August dag,
hat an innocent Intelligencer reporter, for
setfur of scoops can don his cool night
,hirt and pose OF the head of his regiment,
happy in the sacrifice of all for Blaine and
the world well lost