The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-03-12


Yes, | am more than merely glad
l am profoundly grateful that,
when | sicken Of the humdrum
Of city life | can HE to the woods
and fields and find
Tongues IN Irnea, books m the running brooks,
Sermons In stones, and good in everything"
A profound regret accompanies
it all, however: viz, that in my
youth | was not Systematically
instructed in these matters. And
when | saw the statement that
your Prof. Helman had taken his
class for q lesson to the out-of-
doors school room, | said to my
self, Now there's a chap whose
spirit can grasp the beauty of
the New Education; and who
will, if they let him alone, i'm
part something of real value to
his pupils. Surely, to know why
snow is white, and not black,
or red or yellow is as important
as to know Square or Cube Root,
or the Rule Of 3. The wise teach
er nowadays, tramples much
upon tradion if he is supported
by a wise directory.
notice that the proverbial
stormy March has brought to
you, even as unto US, SHOWS,
blows, drifts, etc., with conse-
quent stoppage of travel, and
paralysis of business. But March
is tickle; and though to-day we
have the severity of an old-fash-
ioned winter, tomorrow may
witness the sun shining in his
splendor, with all the outward
manifestations of an early spring.
On the 9th ultimo | betook me
to a swamp where grows that
most interesting, though gener-
ally despised plant-the Skunk
Cabbage (Spathyema fetida)-
and found it encased in ice, but
in full bloom-the first open flow
er Of the season. 1t is marvel
Gus, indeed, how regardless the
Swamp Cabbage is of the rigors
of winter. 1t would seem that
it needs but the strong sunshine
to bring it forward. Last year |
found it blooming on January
9th. Vino has seen it in Fulton
county, and will advise me when
and where?
George Shoemaker, in the Dem
ocrat, wonders if the boys of the
Burg coast as much now as did
those of his day. Why, surely
they do: though, doubtless there
are fewer homemade sleds than
formerly. | recall a time when
there were but two metal or cast
iron sleds in town; one belonging
to the Duffields, and the other to
Henry and Anna White. then
lived with the White family, and
had considerable experience with
their sled. 1t was possible, some
times, with it to ride from the
toll-gate at the top Of the Ridge
down to the bridge at the lower
end of town; but, for obvious
reasons, one such trip per diem
was sufficient. Oftener we coast
ed on Whites hill, or from the
old Reformed church down and
up to where the Postoffice now is.
When these two hills were naught
but a solid cake of ice, coasting
was dangerous-there was al
ways the chance that we might
encounter a sleigh or other ve-
hicle coming towards US, or that
we might shy off into the creek.
Reckless as we often were, | do
not recall any serious accidents
and perhaps, we were too bad to
be killed outright. But, to treat
of coasting and not to mention
Bunker Hill, would be treason.
While we sampled every street
and alley at all suited to our
sport, none was so popular as
dear old "B. H." Ny recollec-
tions of this justly celebrated
spot are most vivid. 1t was the
Mecca of the whole town; and
especially on moonlight nights;
when, if not too cold, the fun (?)
was prolonged until midnight.
Oh, the frolics and fights we had
there! 1t is said that Wellington