Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-07-18
he THOUGHT II WAS HOT.
How a Practical Joke Resulted in Benefit Ia
Suffering Humanity.

yesterday weather was not con-
ducive for the practical joker to
manipulate his arts, but a joke
was played on Water street clerk
that not only was good one, but also
showed to what a great degree one
may be affected by the powers of
Imagination. A young man entered
the dry goods establishment in which
he is employed to begin his days work
and the first words out of his mouth
We're about the heat: Isn't it hot,
My, but ! haven't seen a day like this
since | was born" During the entire
forenoon, his conversation was in the
same strain and it began to be eX-
ceedingly monotoEous to his fellow en-
ployes.
When he came back from dinner he
continued to talk about the heat and
the others began to sweat more on ac-
count of his talk than the humidity it
self happy thought struck one of
the members of the firm. When the
grumblers back was turned he lighted
match, held it under the thermometer
for a time and then said: why. |
don't feel very warm it can't be as
warm as you say. What dos tho ther-
mometer say"
The clerk looked at the instrument.
gave a start, looked again and mop
ing his face with a handkerchief. ex-
claimed; One hundred and seven,
Good heavens, / knew it was hot. but
- The perspiration streamed
down his face in small rivulets and he
was more uncomfortable than a lob
ster in caldrOn of boiling water AT
length he began t. not'ce that the faces
about him all wore a broad grin and
he "smelled rat" Another glance at
the thermometer, which had cooled
down considerably. convinced him that
ne had been victimized. If the heat
actually reaches the 107 point no more
complaints will be again heard from
that quarter.
AS an actual fact it was hot, yester-
day. and no very strong arguments are
necessary To convince the people OF
Augusta of the fact. The perspiration
would pour out no matter how quiet
and shady a spot was sought. The
trains passing through the city were
loaded with suffering humanity and
shirt sleeves, fans and long drawn
faces Were much in evidence.
The greatest heat shown by the
Thermometer. yesterday, was 90 de-
grees. That was about noon. In the
latter part of The afternoon. a slight
but welcome breeze sprang up and the
thermometer kindly dropped to IS. The
humidity was 50 great that it was a
case Of breathing boiled air.
1t l1oked as though the hygrometer
would break its record. 1t did reach
the exceedingly low point of 81, and
that was plenty low enough for the
average person. Everybody is wishing
for cool day and the Journal hopes
they will not be disappointed.
But one case Of heat prostration was
repopted. Who that man was no one
Was able to tell During the day, a
young man dropped into the store Of
u. +. Moore & Co. on Water street ana
asked he clerk for drink If water.
While the clerk. Hiram Judkins, was
gone for the water. the man sat down
on box. but before the clerks return
the man had dropped into a senscless
heap on the floor. Water was dashed
in his face and restora tives applied.
In short time he came around a'l
right. He said that he belonged sew
eraI miles outside Of the city, but did
not give his name.
Several cases of horses being affect
ed were reported. One of the horses
on the Weeks Mills stage. belonging to
+. l.. Kitchen. dropped on the East
side of the river and for a moment it
looked as though the horse was gone.
He came out of the trouble and it was
thought, last night, he would suffer no
serious consequences.
1t was reported that horse belong
ing to Fred Ellis dropped dead on
Western avenue The rumor was cur
rent, but no one could be found who
could positively state that the incident
actually occurred
During the afternoon, a stranger
drove horse into the kennebec house
stables The owner had driven in from
Riverside The horse was nearly ex
hausted, but by proper treatment came
out all right
There were all manner Of specula
tions as to what the thermometer reg
istered 1t was reported from the
State House. one of the coolest places
in the city. that the mercury had
struck up Irritation with the % mark
while from Cushnoc Heights the story
noated down that the thermometer was
dangerously near the 81 point.
The weather seemed like dog days
and the officers could testify to that
when they were called on to separate
| half "A dozen dogs that had several
| mills at the corner of Bridge and
! Water streets.
The Earnarks OF Genius