Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-09-09
PREDICTS
A.HARD
WINTER
Hood River Man Reports Something
Doing Among the Bars"

Hood River has weather prophet
In mountaineer named Tompkins
II is claimed that Tompkins called
the turn on last winter, and has not
judgment enough to retire, like
Father Pumpkin" on his reputa-
ton. Being somewhat puffed up by
his success, Mr. Tompkins comes out
again, and has ordered up "a winter
as is a winter" presumably just to
show what he can do.
Mr.. Tompklns is of an observing
turn Of mind, and calls attention to
some of the things that dame nature
has permitted him to read In her
somewhat cumbersome book. Mr..
Tompkins notices, and notes the fact,
that the squirrels are laying up an
extra quantity of acorns, and other
mast" He has observed that the
bears indigenous to the Hood River
country, have been visiting the or
chards down almost into the city
limits OF that charming little city In
the exact center OF the fruit growing
world. Just what bearing that has
on the character of the winter is diff
cult TO understand, unless II is they
wanted to take n look at the Glacier.
Just why they did not go clear down
into the main streets Is not told,
though II might be, In the light of the
whlsker-burning episode that oc-
Cured there on the Fourth of July,
that it might have made them fear
getting them fur singed. Nor Is II
even limited how many more degrees
the thermometer would have gone |
down next winter had they done so. |
He also notes that both squirrels, |
bears. diggers. chipmunks and all |
such have taken on an extra amount |
Df fat. To the average mind. this
tact would rather be an evidence OF
he abundance of food, rather than
I sign OF things yet TO be. The BARK
IN the trees Is another indication 10
he observing Mr.. Tompklns that
here Is going to be hard winter.
rhe bark he says Is unusually thick.
hough It's the same old bark some OF |
hose trees have been wearing for n
years without change of
style. or course. there are some
hngs Mr.. Tompkins has not yet had
/ chance TO investigate. Butcherlng
lime has not got ripe up above VIII
ow Flat or the East Fork. where
halls from; so he Is un-
bile to enlighten longing public on
he condition OF the hogs melts.
nd the goose bone viii not show up
NTH about Thanksgiving II Is not
necessary, however. for cold weather
b certain when the wise bear seeks
he succulent sweet apple az any
'oint north of the Odell school
.ouse, or Happy valley. Maybe Mr..
Is right, IL may be that
he size of the bears stomach. the
ouditlon OF the hogs melt, the
rcckles on the goose bone and such
ntalllhlc signs may be all right
'he,I noble animals and birds may
now more than Uncle Sans collec-
ion of weather prophets, hut the
lorse editor confesses to skeptlcism
IN all animal signs, except the lower
outside corner OF cayuse's eye.
When that assumes a slightly tip
iltod and particularly friendly ex-
'ression, the horse editor knows
here's going 20 be something doing.
nd that Il will probably happen be-
ore the thermometer changes. How
Yer this is n depression and MIR,
'ompkins prophecy Is hereto ap-
ended:
Them snow storms We had last
says Mr. Tompkins, won;
e a marker TO what we'll ketch this
'inter, Every sign known 20 natur'
] hollerin' it out loud. We're goln'
. git dandy. | tell yer. ain't