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

the day there was an almost cloudless
sky. 1t was warm, too.
There was no room for controversy
The weather prophet OF Hardhack Cor
ner had scored a success, and the gov
er ment was beaten.
Mr. Lufkin was not only grathed, but
considerably emboldened by his success A
neighborhood picnic to take place on
small island in Long pond had been
planned for Saturday, but on Friday the
native prophet shook his head omnously.
II rather calculate that picnic will have
to be put of" he said. And early in the
afternoon he seized his red chalk and
wrote in flaming characters.
Look out for thunder showers and
high wind tomorrow
The report from the weather bureau
| arriving a little later merely said:
Fair and warmer Saturday"
! This left the community somewhat In
| doubt, although the young people, who
were especially interested in the picnic,
were inclined to believe that Uncle Luf-
kin was a little bit of that time" This
opinion was strengthened the next morn
ing, for never did dawning day give fair
er promise Of good behavior
do you really believe. grandpa, that
there Is any danger OF showers?" asked
| Fannie, pausing irresolutely in her task
| of filling her lunch basket.
Now, Fannie" broke In her grand
mother, lmpatlently, don't you mind
word that your grandpa says. 1t does
seem as II he had gone clean daft about
the weather It's going to he as nice
day as heart could wish. OF course you
will go to the picnic. All the folks will.
declare, ia go myself II I wasn't so
lame"
Il wish 1t would rain pitchforks and
blow guns! he muttered as he went out
side late in the forenoon and cast
searching look at the sky. mo, I don't
either!" he declared the next minute. in
tone OF repentance. ! hope they will
have a tirst-rate good day, and l guess
they will, fast enough"
In this better mood he seated himself
on much whitfield bench just outside
the door, and was soon peacefully en-
, gagged in the never-failing occupation of
the aged-living over bygone days. He
was just on the point OF falling into a
aroused him.
, Grandpa! Grandpa" came the pleas
ant voice again.
why Fannie" he exclaimed, his
eyes blinking in the sunlight. Il sup
posed you were at the picnic"
, "Oh, no, grandpa l don't quite like
q to take the risk right against your ad-
vice. and so ! concluded not to 60" said
n the young lady demurely.
What YOU here, too. Mr.. Dole!" cried
the storekeeper, I'm fresh wonder, as hi
,, became conscious Of another figure a lit.
tie In the background.
Yes. ! thought I'd better not 20
either" returned the young man, in
. very respectful tone.
= This handsome recognition Of his
y standing as weather prophet was de
/, cldedly soothing to the old gentle
" mans pride We'll, II is generally safes
= to follow my advice" he admitted blu
= ! guess ! missed my calculations fo
once The fact is, all signs fail in a dr..
- time. Dinner ready. did you say, Fan
n ME? Well, I'll, go right in And yor
" must come, too Mr.. Dole. and have
bite with us"
The invitation was accepted, and tn
- simple IL o'clock dinner finally assume,
:. quite the proportions OF banquet, a
!, least so far as time was concerned.
- The chief topic OF conversation was
g or course, the weather, and the loca
,e prophet listened, at first with tolerance
~ and finally with keen interest. while hi
!, guest expounded the methods Of tn
~ wea Their bureau.
l. So absorbed did the little company be
- come in the talk that no one notice
~ the lapse Of time until darkness began I
" steal upon them Then Grandmothe
= Lufkin, mindful Of her household dutie.
peeped anNiousy through her spectacle
=" at the face Of the tall clock in the cor
ner, while her husband sprang up fror
- the table and FASTENED to the window
~ There's a shower coming. true as
- live he declared in a voice pitched
its highest key.
" As matter OF fact. the shower. whe
&c 1t arrived proved to be a rather sma
- aHair' but II served to justify Mr. Lut
3. kln 5 frequent I told You So" and to es
y, tablish more completely than ever hi
confidence in his forecastlng ability.
In that confidence he still abides.
I've got grandson" he Is wont
- say, 'or Erandson-in-law, l suppose YOU
~ can MIN, that's connected with the gov
~ erment- He works In the weather bu
y. reau, helping get up those prediction.
, Wen. it's quite n science and taking III
e. country at large. it's amazing how we
>. theE mt IT, But when ii comes to pre-
a. dieting for just Hardhack Corner and vi
~ cinity my grandson has to own up tha
~ the government can't hold a candle
u me.'-IF. +. c. Robbins.