The Charlotte Democrat., 1895-03-01
The Proph etic Ground Hog.
Change of Date-that's the Matter

NEW BRUNSWICK, N. j., Feb. pa
learned professor of Rutgers College
hailed Sun reporter on the campus this
morning, and thrusting a newspaper clip
ping at him, asked him if he really knew
when well-regulated ground hog came
out Of his hole. The reporter suggested
Candlemas Day. At this the professor
with that panied look which be takes ON
when a student fails in the recitation
room, replied that the reporter was away
off, and furnished the following informa-
tion, which is at variance with the ground
hog theories contained in the clipping that
had aroused his attention:
"The only place in our country where
we find true knowledge of the ground
hogs time of coming out into society
again, of the color of the goose bone as
indicative of the hardness of the succeed.
ing winter, and, most of ALL of the true
nature of gander pulling, is in Kentucky
and the valley Of Virginia." he said.
"What the people there don't know of all
these weighty subjects is not worth know
ing. As it was my good fortune to live
in the land of Boone and Billy Breckin,
ridge, and to know the latter when he
was theological student, and learn at
the fountain head about the matters, l
will take pleasure in enlightening you
on the date when the ground hog comes
out to look for bis shadow.
livery one of these animals that is
compos mentis stays in his winter quarters
till exactly Feb. IA, St. Valentines Day.
Then he creeps out cautiously, not long at
ter the sun ought to rise, and looks search.
ingIy around to discover if by any possi>
bility he can see his own shadow. If he
can see his shadow, he goes back with
haste, and continues his Information for
one full month. And as he calculates
the months according to their usual
length, and makes no account of the
shortness of February, his next public
appearance always occurs on March II,
known to the world as st. Patrick's Day.
But if the ground hog can not see his own
shadow, instinct tells him that winter is
over, and he remains above ground and
busies himself as other people do on
February 14-that is in trying to fnd a
mate and begin housekeeping.
"It must be carefully borne in mind
that this is what every well-regulated
ground hog does. Those who have not
oil their buttons, come out on Feb 2, and
as most of those in New Jersey and New
York are of this description it follows
that the people here generally are deceiv-
ed about the time of the ground hogs first
appearance before the curtain. But the gen.
uine animal, the Arctomys mo'aar, that
knows what's what, stays in till the day
of the blessed saint who has the charge OF
welding together sympathetic hearts and
hands. This is the rational explanation
of the time of his first appearance"
"But why does he not stay out if be
| sees his own shadow?'
"a very little thought will enable US
to solve this question If he can see his
own shadow, then the sun must be
shining, and this argues that light
weather has come prematurely, and will
be followed by blizzards. But if Arctomys
monar can not see his shadow, he knows
that next day, and those which follow will
be light; and be will bejustifed in marry.
ing on the saints day and going TO house
| keeping. ."-NeU York Sun.