The Washington herald., 1908-02-03

SIX weeks more Of winter weather,
Here's the reason for this prophecy:
Old Brother Ground Hog awoke early
yesterday morning from his aII-winter-s
snooze, and yawned GENEROUSLY behind
his furry little front paw. There wasn't
anybody around 90 see IL, but Brother
Ground Hog is a polite creature by ma
ture. 1t was with innate unconscious
courtesy lie held his paw before his gap
ing jaws. He stretched himself luxuri-
ously and yawned again.
Wow, he murmured, that was some
nap"
A pale shaft Of white light struck down
into his burrow from the opening above.
Time to PrOEnOSticate.
Guess it's up TO me TO take a peek out
side and see what's doing. Wonder If the
Thaw trial is over, and if Congress has
passed a bill yet2"
He crawled slowly into the open air,
and stood a moment blinking in the
strong sunlight Then he limped pain
fully down 10 the hedge and peered into
the road.
A farm wagon jolted by Brother
Groung Hog watched Its passing apatheti-
Caily He was still numb and Istless
from his long sleep
Something fell from the wagon, and lay
brown and luscious looking before mis-
lack-luSter eyes II was q large rough
skinned winter potato. At the sight Of
his prey Mr. Ground Hog broke suddenly
from his t0Tp0r.
His Prey at His Mercy.
The pangs Of hunger assailed him. The
dun light left his eyes, replaced by the
glitter Of determination. Slowly he began
20 stalk down upon the helpless Murphy
as il lay basking in the sunlight, un-
aware Of its danger.
QuiveTing in every muscle. Mr.. Arc
tomys Monax crspt forward inch by
inch. One Of those brief tragedies Of the
animal world was about 10 be enacted.
Monax crouched for the final spring
The saliva Of anticipated breakfast
dampened his whiskers, which froze i'm
mediately under the caress of the biting
norther.
Moved by some unknown impulse, in
herited for countless ages from his fore
fathers. Arctomys shifted his gaze for
one brief instant and looked at the earth
beside him. That sidelong glance lost
him his meal and proved the salvation OF
the little potato.
And He Sees His Shadow.
For there. black against the red clay
of the road was clearly outlined the
silhouetted form Of one Of the Monax
family.
"Oh. pifIirg prunes" Tor its coIIoquial
equivalent in ground hog tongue) exclaim-
ed Arctomys i'm disgust There's that
dash-it-aIl shadow of mine. No feed for
me. It's back to the hay for little Arcty
Suspended animation for mine for six
weeks longer. Wouldn't that give you
Oppressive melancholia?"
He turned and crept despondently back
to his den and curled up in the corner.
And just for that it's up to all good
citizens 70 lay i'm some more coal, buy
new rubbers and overcoats, and reconcile
themselves 20 long period of these win
try blasts which yesterday and to-day
have so kindly furnished everybody with
"a substantial topic Of conversation in
stead of such trivial incidents as royal
assassinatlOns and defunct murder trials.
Same Nearly Everywhere.
Arctomys. the hero of this narrative
lives in Anacostia. According to the
weather man, he is not the only member
Of his family who suffered similar ex-
periences yesterday.
The entire section of the country east
Of the Rocky Mountains and south Of
Pennsylvania was bathed in sunlight at
some period during the daylight hours
yesterday. If the tradition in the Monax
family can be relied upon. this part OF
the nation is doomed to a six weeks
period of bad weather.
The weather man says Uncle Sans
prophets don't take any stock In this
grounding business. He says it's just
superstition" But those In the know
are inclined to believe that such remarks
can be traced to pronounced feeling of
rrofeSsiOuaI ip9louSV