Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-26
JUNGLE DAM

Uncle Dan is his name and he is one of
the best known men in Gainesville. He is
by. no means "A dude, butts a hard work
ing man, whose ability to labor does not
seem to lessen with age. present him to
the public, not in his everyday garb, but
in his unday-go-so-meeting suit, for he
absolutely refused to have his picture
taken unless he was dressed up.
well, you had better go and get your
hair cut, too" 1 suggested look of
alarm swept across his face as he replied:
mo, sir. had hit cut onct. Hit like ter
kilt me. 1 wouldn't cut dat hair no noah
for fifty dollars; no, sir. dat wouldn't"
Uncle Dan is remarkable for two things,
his sterling integrity and his knowledge of
the weather. He knows little about books
and such things, but he can give Marbury
pointers on the weather that would be a
help to him.
He is my sexton. found him in charge
onthe church when came to Gainesville.
He is one of the most attentive listeners
in my congregation and recently he came
to me at the close of the service and said:
you flung some mighty heavy rocks ter
day. seed EN- a dodgin all roun'. Yasser,
1 did. Some er dem rocks hit putty close
roun whar 1 wuz settin'."
A year ago last June / announced from
the pulpit one Sunday morning that we
would begin a protracted, meeting the
next Sunday. When I was leaving the
church at the conclusion of the service
Uncle Dan approached me and said:
You picked out a mighty bad time fer
20 meetin."
What's the matter with the timer"
asked in surprise.
Hits gwi' rain"
How do you known"
Il des knows, OATS how come knows;
yasser, hit gwi' rain"
well. it won't rain all the time, reck-
on. l expect the meeting to run for two
weeks or more" r a.
Hits gwi rain mitey nigh all dis
munt."
IT don't believe you know any more
than know, and / know the weather
man doesn't give out any such news"
"Nummine You wait an see. Hit gwi
rain all dis munt.'
The next Sunday It rained, and Dan
had a satisfied look on his face. Monday
II rained again, and Dan was contented.
Tuesday It rained, and the old man was
happy. Wednesday IL rained again, and
he was iubilant. Thursday II took a fresh
start and rained some more, and Dams
spirits were way up in G. Friday II rained
again, and II II hadn't broken up the
meeting Dan would, in all probability,
have done some old-fashioned shouting.
Saturday dawned clear and beautiful.
I met Dan, and as / thought / had him, I
said: well. what about the weather,
Uncle Dan?"
"Gwi rain," he said, with chuckle.
Rain, your FOOT" I exclaimed with
some impotence. Rain today You don't
know what you are talking about"
"Nummine You wait an see. Gwi rain
fore mite"
About 4 o'clock that afternoon the clouds
arose, the rain fell, the winds blew and
the storm beat in all it's fury on the town.
1 began to have some faith in the old
mans prophesies, but also looked upon
him as an evil rain crow, for not one
night did I have a meeting that was not
broken into by the rain.
well, the backbone of the bad spell is
broken at last" / thought to myself the
next morning as I awoke and saw the sun
shining. Not a cloud was in sight, the
skies were soft and blue and the breeze
was balmy as the breath of an angel.
had a fine congregation and was in good
spirits appointed a clnildren's meeting
at o'clock that afternoon.
Old Dan, ii seemed to me, had a sar-
donic grin on his face, as he saw me
coming toward him when the service was
over He tried to avoid me, but stopped
him and said: well, where's your wealth
er nOw?"
Look like you dun seed IT," he re-
piled.
''But it's gone now"
Don't you fool youseff dat erway. Gwi
rain some more"
you're an old fraud" I cried. 1.-THE
skies are clear and there's no indication
of rain"
81 can't hep dat. sir, hit gwi rain. Gwi
rain fore mite"
/ left him in disgust, as had been long
ing and praying for good weather and