The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-02
What a Squetlunk Really Is.
TGreenville News.
A. D. MISTER.

The Hon. John L. McLaurin, reform
representative in Congress, having
alluded in recently published letter
to the Hon. J. Gary Evans, reform
State senator and candidate for gov
ernor, as a "squedunk," the State
newspaper and the Newberry Herald
and News have begun 10 discuss the
meaning of the word "squedunk."
Described generally, the squedunk is
hollow thing with string to it.
1t is an Improvement in some re-
spects on the June bug and one of
many attempts to develop and amplify
by art the suggestions and operations
of nature. AS is well known, the June
bug is available as a means of diver
sion and a musical instrument only at
certain seasons of the year. He is an
humble green humming bug-ort'hum-
bugn as abbreviated forms haze it
and his string is not intrinsicaily part
of him out is the result of anTartifici-
ally established attachment, formed
after be has been run down ard over
taken and captured. The squedunk,
however, is available at all seasons of
the year. When its string is pulled
it squalls, and its squalling has the
merit of occasional variety. 1t is some
times the creaking, rasping squall OF
ferocity, then the shrill shrek of wrath
full pain, again bass below of menace.
1t is always disagreeable to the general
public but it is usually harmless.
Its availability as permanent play
thing is impaired by its tendency to
become slippery with much handling.
If the State newspaper is anxious for a
practical demonstration let it take an
empty tomato or oyster can, punch a
hole in the bottom and through this
hole pass a stout waXed cord with
knot tied in the upper end to prevent
it from slipping through. Then stroke
or pull the cord with the thumb and
index finger and the resulting sound
will be the wall of the squedunk which
Mr.. McLaurin says is now being i'm
posed upon the people Of this State as
the blast of the trumpet.
We fear that our explanation of the
nature, functions, construction and
purposes of the squedunk may create
in the public mind theimpressiou that
the s!lusion of the Hon. J. L. McLau
rim to- the Hon. J. Gary Evans is dis
tinctly unkind and sarcastic. We are
not yet fully acquainted with the senti-
ments, signiticances and uses of lan-
guage prevalent in the upper and inner
circles of reform, and are not prepared
to say whether statesman of that per-
suasion regards description of him.
self as an empty and discarded vessel :
with string to it as complimentary
or the reverse. We would like to clear
up the painful doubt in the public
mind on that subject but can not do so
without further information. Our
present duty is performed in the act Of
enlghteing the understanding of
younger aud less Informed contempo-
raries concerning an instrument of dis
cord with which they appear to be un-
familiar.
We may add that the usual final
resting place Of the squedunk is the
alley, just outside the back fence, or
the ash barrel, the dump heap aud
oblivion. The most enthusiastic per-
former upon it tires of it after a GER
tain interval, or if he fails to do so suf-
fers the pains of seizure and confisca-
ticu. The squedunk is rarely danger
ous, except when attached as it
sometimes is in default of more availa-
BILE material-to the rear Of frightened |
or infuriated animal, in which event it
may cause stampedes and disasters II ,
crowded thorcughfares. In ordinary |
however, is it merely an !
annoyance. Oaly very much de-
praved and diseased ears can mistake /
its melodies for the blast Of trumpet.