The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-02
GROUND noe DAY.
story of How UucIe sam GOT ahe
weather Tangled Up.

some people may not be aware of ii.
put there is vast difference between
the modern weather and the good old
time article which our forefathers used
10 cuss out in that mild religious fashion
OF tnelrs. 1t would be difficult to eX-
| plain, at all points, just wherein the
dlfference lies. but upon lone there is
dispute. -
Time was when the second day OF
fepruary was a star period in the CAL
eh hia particularly in rural districts.
"hlch, by the way, still, predominate
quite extensively lin spite of urban
encroachment, agricultural schools and
scientific farming. The reason why the
significant asterisk was placed opposite
this GATE Is we'll known, for 1t was the
one DAY OF all the year so fraught with
prophesy, that anybody, anywhere, who
knew anything at all had but to open
ms eyes to know just what kind OF
weather TO expect MISREPRESENTATION
much longer the winter would drag out
| its icy existence, how soon the smile of
| spring would gladden. the earth, and, in
deed, there were not n few who asserted
that they could tell also whether the
summer and fall would be dry or wet.
ana how much snow would fall in the
early part of the winter following.
III was great institution and the
ground hog more scientifically known
as MI. MauoN. was the hero of the day
ana held by all as past grand master
of the art of weather prophesy. The
method of Mr.. MauoX was this: Hav-
ing slept soundly throughout the early
part of the winter, on the second day of
February. he invariably awoke, drew
himself sleepily from his hole. land took
long stroll. If he saw his shadow.
and candor compels the admission that
he generally did, he went back into his
sleeping quarters and resumed his nap.
which was To terminate not until six
weeks hence. during which time the Win
ter would continue with undated vigor
If. perchance Mr. MauoX should not see
his shadow on account of there not be-
ing enough sunshine, then he remained
awake. and six weeks of good weather
would result
Diligent inquiry and investigation has
failed To produce any evidence to show
that as wcat Their prophet Mr.. MauoN
was quite infallible until Uncle Sam
who had ideas of his own, one of which
was that he could run the elements to
suit himself. took a hand. and in a short
time he got the weather SO mixed up that
even the ground hog could not untangle
II. In his embarra SSment Uncle Sam of
fered Mr. MauoX a berth in the SER
vice. bui this was Indignantly refused.
Every one knows the result. From
That day to this no man can tell what
kind of Weat her will be served up to him
twenty four hours hence. though 4 greaa
many people try to enlighten him on TIA
subject, among others. the officials of
fhe Weather bureau. Year. by year the
ground hog has lost his grip owing not
to his own abort comings. but to Uncle
Sans interference. and now they are
beginning to doubt that he ever was n
prophet. They are getting suspicious
even in West Virginia. his chiefest
stronghold. However. he will come out
to-day and look around, more as a mat
ter Of custom than anything else. 1t
may be interesting TO note the result