Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-16

The effect was felt by men as they
walked the streets. 1t drove the women
to cooler resorts, only to be followed
everywhere by that warm air which
blows over an arid earth parched by
continued heat
This was the condition in our neigh
boring city of Macon, when suddenly
Daisy Price-the genial, light-heartel
Daisy-became pensive, ana III the IAN
guage of the governor of North Caro-
lima. slightly paraphased, ne ex-
claimed:
'''ris long time between rains
He went to the city hail 10 see MS
colleagues in government ana they all
agreed with him that an emergency
had risen, and the conclaVe grew
gloomy, indeed. when suddenly it's
gravity was broken by Daisy eXciaim-
ing:
"Oh, for a snake"
In answer to the surprised expression
of his companions, Daisy told them Of
the old belief that the hanging up of a
black snake would insure fall Of
rain. But little faith was placed in
Daisy's enthusiasm Nevertheless he
proceeded to advertise for snakes. for
black snakes. so cents apiece, and even
more for one which might prove 10
have an extra polish in his blacknesS.
There was ill-concealed amusement
in Macon when this advertisement was
read, but that amusement was turned
to CONSERVATION and curiosity when
countrymen began to inquire for thu
CITY hall, every one armed with from
one to a dozen of the shiny black rep
tiles. 1t was evident that Daisy got
more than he bargained for but with
his usual good humor he accepted
every one offered and had them set
aside and numbered.
There We're short snakes and long
snakes. snakes with rubicund body and
sinuosity. Some We're lively. some
were stupid. In fact. character could
be read in the attributes of these
snakes as we'll as in the attributes Of
SO many men assembled togetha~
Early next morning Daisy's scheme de-
veloped.
During the night he had all the rep
tiles killed. and hiring "a dozen boys. he
spread them over the city to nail them
up in the various public places. With
his own magsterial hand Daisy nailed
one up over the mayors chair and an
other one to the door entering his
office.
The stranger visiting the city found
snakes hanging from lamp posts. from
the lintels of business houses, up on
the bill boards and in fact everywhere
upon which it was possible to attach
them. Then said Daisy. as he re-
turned To his office from a long and
weary walk over the city:
Il reckon we will have a little rain
now"
That night when the people retired in
the vain effort to find sleep ii was
swelterins heat. At midnight a little
gust from the west famed the weary
thirsters for repose and they dropped
off into unconsciousness. In few
moments they were awakened by Il
slight pattering. the rain pattering
upon the roof 1t was a welcome
sound. and sent the sleeoers back to
repose all except one-Daisy Price
who sat upon his front porch watching
the results of his experiment. With
| the first wisp of the coming rain he
danced a double shuttle and as the
TAN increased he ran uoA II " NJ y
street and engaged in Il solitary Irish
jis. Any chance person who happened
To be awake might have seen the fig
ure of the mayor as it piroutted from
one sidewalk to the other At last
when the shower had reached the pro-
portions of a sweeping storm the may
or ran home overjoyed with his sue
cess which he had brought to the city
Days rolled on. and the rains con-
tinued. Those who had at first wei
coined the falling showers began to
wonder when they would cease. and
this wonder grew even stronger when
conviction began to come that there
was entirely too much of the rain.
Farmers came in and complained of
the destruction of their cotton. Even
Daisy Price himself began to wonder
if he had not hung up entirely too
many snakes. 1t became evident to
him that it was IA waste of the raw
material to hang up more than one
black snake at time. but he justified
himself by the recollection that it took
a great many snakes to convince the
doubling brethren.
The dog days have about faded into
out its shower In fact whole weeks
have been but one continuous shower.
and still it rains at midnight. ii rams
in the morning, it rains at noon, it
rains at sunset. and there is no pros
pect of abatement.
1t was but day before yesterday that
Daisy Price. taking a walk by himself
along Third street. met a little country
boy whom he accosted and tool: aside
| into dark alley. Can you tell me,
| he said to the astoniShed youth.
Where you can find some guinea pig
| holes"
The boy had never thought of guinea
| pig holes, but at once undertook to
| find them. Tn give you a s. bill"
| said the mayor, eff you will find me
| guinea pig hole. They do tell me"
said he. growing confidential with the
! little fellow. that if you coax a guinea
pig out of his hole it will stop raining.
| Now, mind you. find me guinea pig
! hole. and | will find you Il s. bill. I
| think if | stood at the hole and sung
| the soothing lines of Annie Rooney
| the pig would come out, and then the
rain would stop and Macon would
bless its little Daisy"