Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-10-21
MOSES LUFKIN, WEATHER PROPHET

The young man in the linen suit after
attending to the slight errand that had
brought him to Lufkn's store at Hard
hack Corner, fingered for little chat
with the proprietor, who looked as II he
might be character"
As the visitor had approached the store
he had seen a letter carrier driving away
from 1t, and this fact suggested CONVEX
sational opening that has come to be a
favorite with the summer visitor.
This rural free delivery is a great
institution" he began, graciously.
But he perceived at once that he had
made "A mistake. The reply elected was
in itself non -committal "Mebbe tits and
mebbe faint" But the scorn that the
old storekeeper continued to throw into
his tone left no doubt as to his attitude
town this innovation in country life.
For more than 80 years Moses Lufkln
had been the postmaster at Hanback,
Corner. The salary had not been large,
but as he had often been heard to say the
honor was something. Besides, as trade
follows the flag" so does 1t come to the
store in which the government post Office
is domiciled.
But now all this was changed. The
! post office had been abolished, trade had
| fallen off somewhat, and, worst of all, the
! -postmaster's authority, even on that
| special subject which he had made a life
! long study, was no longer unquestoned.
! No wonder he could not be reused to any
| enthusiasm over the blessing OF rural
! free delivery!
Perceiving this, the young man has
! tened to change the subject, selecting a
| topic this time that is supposed to be
| safe on all occasions. "Ah, l see that we
are likely to have another fine day to-
! morrow" he said, glancing at thin
| sheet Of paper lying on the counter.
oil 10 NJ hn 1 leo
that thing says So" returned the old
gentleman, as testify as before. Il verify
| believe there's been more hay spilled In
this vicinity since that rural carrier be-
gan to bring those predictions than there
had been before for l don't know how
long. why, If I'd made many mis-
takes in 90 years as the government has
in two, I'd have given up trying alto
gether!'
Indeed, judge, then. that you arr
something Of an expert yourself in fore
casting the weather"
We'll, / ought to be. I've been study
ing into it for going on 40 years"
1t is certainly quite a study" SAFE
the young man. AT any rate, hav,
found it so"
Then, answering a look OF inquiry. n
added, You see. I'm in the weather bust
ness myself to some extent am an as
sistant observer OF the weather bureau.
What You help get up those gov
er'ment predictions"
In way, yes"
The old man stared for a moment a
, this embodiment Of what had been I
: him hitherto only an impersonal riva
what may l Call your name?" he ask
Z Dole Clarence Dole, at your service
, Here is my card am taking a littl
, vacation, and am staying at Blake's o
. the hill"
How long are you going to stay /
I these parts?" demanded Mr.. Lufkin, wit
| interest.
; About two weeks, I think"
, Il want TO know! Well. now. I SUI
= pose you're laughing in your sleeve
!. | my setting up to be a better weathC
. prophet than the COVER ment. But L
like to put the thing to a test with "
, | and I'll tell We what I'll do. I'll writ
. out my predictions every day before N
COVER ments gets along. and I'll stick 'ei
q, up side by side on the wall. Then 20
= and III keep tally how they come on
! Do you dare to try it,"
Mr.. Dole replied good naturally that !
= would be glad to watch the result; an
= without attempting any new lines OF COZ
= versatlon, he quickly took his leave.
who is that gentleman going dow
r the road, grandpa" called a voice n m,
n ment' later.
:. The old mans stern face lighted L
g with pleasure at sight OF the young lad
e standing in the doorway. but he ant
3. wered CURLY enough, "Oh. its n your
q chap that's boarding at Rlakes-Dole :
u says his name is. Claims 10 be a weatl
n er observer for the government"
n MIR. Dole Of the weather bureau, VIII
$ l know him said the young lady. II
n attends our church in the city. He is
e. very pleasant young man."
$ He is pleasant spoken enough" a,
n mtted her grandfather, but kno
r what he thinks. He thinks an Q
r codgcr like me can't forctell weather, b,
q I'm Just going to show him his mistake
For the next two weeks Mr. Lufkin d.
80 voted himself to his task with an al
J. sorption characteristic of the specials
# Every day the rival forecasts were plac,
" conspicuously on the wall, and every d,
Il Mr.. Dole, according to his promise, cal
e ed to compare them, and to discuss Il
r degree OF fulnllment OF those OF the d,
e before, after which it became quite
# habit Of his to make a social call at Il
4 storekeeper's pleasant home nearby.
II The news Of the contest also sprei
e among the neighbors, with the resu
c that visits to the store became almost .
I, much a matter of course as in the o
a days Of coming for the mall
=. For a week or so honors were abo,
s, even. Indeed, the rival forecasts we
@ quite similar in substance, althoul
It worded differently, as Mr.. Luf1in scorn,
l. to initiate the phraseoogy of the wealth
bureau.
but 1t ldSN an issue was Idlfly 1Olne
On Wednesday afternoon the narrow 81
or paper emanating from the wealth
bureau bore in modest type. this predi
ton
Increasing cloudiness Thursday. wi
light rain in the afternoon or night
% while beside ii on the wall might be Sc,
the announcement, scrawled in r,
- chalk, "A little hazy tomorrow mornin
- but 1t will burn off, and be a toler'h
warm day"
On Thursday morning the sun 70
very clear and then within two hou
went into cloud, which was a bad sig
1t sprinkled a little by O'Clock.
&c drought shower" Mr.. Lufkin called
. But an hour later the sun was aga
ie shinging brightly, and for the rest