Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-13
InfnIIihIe War Signs,

] (CharlOtte News anu ODSSINeID
An Elkin correspondent Of the States
Vile Landmark says that Colonel John
jenkins. keeper Of the bridge between
EIkin and JonesVille, a veteran himself
Of the civil war, has seen conclusive
| signs that the United states IS on the
verge of a three-years' war. The proof
| is In the fact that for several years past
the corn-blades first appearing in the
corn-deids have been split into three
prongs at the end, and that each prong
is in the shape of a sword with Keen
edge. This means war, and the three
pr0ngs signify that it will last three
years. Many farmers OF the State OF
Wilkes have noticed this phenomenon,
but did not know it meant war until SO
informed by Colonel jenkins. He speaks
with no uncertain conviction on this mat
ter, because his great-grandmother no
ticed the same signs before the Revolu-
ton, the blades then having seven prongs,
and his father noticed IL before the late
war, when the blades had five prongs.
Spain il seems from the three-pronged
blades 20 be seen at the present time, viii
be able TO hold out for three years which
Is more time than most of US had given
her. Perhaps it means that she will get
some other nation TO help her out.
BY the way, speaking OF these infallible
evidences OF war pointed out by Colonel
jenkins. has anybody else noted lately
another strange evidence of war-umes?
In the old days the cock-crow was about
variable The thrifty country people, who
always believed it to be their duty TO
eat breakfast at night, got up by this
1 o'clock cock-crow and lit candles 10
see how 10 dress by. The barnyard
rooster never missed 4 O'Clock by a hair
breadth, and his clarion notes had not
rung out upon the frosty morning air
before a faint answering crow, like an
echo, came across the creek from the
nearest farm. 1t was the neighbours
htt 4 O'clock
the same second. And so on. The lead
ing rooster on every farm came 10 time
simultaneously. But If cock crew out
Of time, say at 10 o'clock, or u O'clock
or at half-past 2, or at quarter after
3, Il was ominous and portentous. The
gudeman of the house, who, Of course.
got up on hearing the cock crow when
he had lit the candle and discovered by
the clock that 1t was not yet 4, would,
in alarm, arouse his wife, and tell her
that the cock had just crowed. although
il was only midnight. TASTY peWsi
Hasty news!" she would exclaim, START
ing up, and, sure enough. there would be
hasty news in the morning BY dav-
light the country doctor would ride by.
with his saddle-bags over his saddle. an
swering an urgent CALL or a messenger
a neighbours sudden decease
would come. Whatever the news, IL was
often announced beforehand in this I'M
usual way.
And, now, here is where the war signs
come in. The ROSTERS not only in the |
towns. but in the quietest country settle |
ments; are to-day growing at all hours of |
the night, The farmer-folk have 0,,it |
trying TO get up by cock-crow any more
The old, reliable alarm-clock OF tbe |
won't do to depend ON any |
longer. He is liable 20 go off at any min |
ute. why, then this irregular, promiscu- |
GUS Growing ali through the night, IL IL |
IN a rush2 4s