The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-29
THE NIGHT
IT RAINED

By JEANETTE ARNETT LEEPER.
There had been weeks OF variable.
unusual, summer weather; weeks
which we're cold, windy, cloudy,
muggy, which offered everything ex'
cepting summer sunshine and enough
rain. The earth was dry and cracked,
all moisture long given out to hungry,
searching. demanding, rootlets every.
where; gardens were gasping for
their very lives; lawns,-where the
merciful stray OF hose failed 10
sparkle, began 70 be covered with con-
stantly spreading areas Of withered'
brown, which extended day by day
There had been some rain, Of course.
-grandstand rain - great. splashing
drops, arriving amid much thrashing
OF boughs and threatening thunder.
Each drop pounding the hard surface
Of cultivated soil like q tiny missile,
fairly rebounding, and rolling on.
Enormous black clouds then passed
swiftly on as IL to say. "There-We
have given you a five minute shower
-LuhA - GuOubu AOI 9ou.
Disappointed vegetation would give
up 10 the sun and wind. the scant,
sweet wetness which had barely bath
the thirsty leaf surfaces. and the
valient roots would sink a little lower
vainly searching for what was not 10
be found.
Days and days OF this tantalization,
crowned by hours and hours OF wither-
ing heat. Lettuces lay out flat on the
ground and the cucumber vines curled
up and died. Even the sturdy bush
beans turned a sickly yellow, and de-
veloped a woody toughness, banishing
them from dinner tables that mourned
their absence.
Humans either Imply collapsed, be-
ing women, or being men went damply
about in a snappy, "end OF my string
condition that brooked no levity nor
contradiction. Collars melted, and
palm beach suits lost freshness with a
speed that brought Joy to the laundry
man. Sickening nights brought no
comfort. At last, after a day Of days
when endurance failed and an evening
that absorbed the last remaining
speck OF human vitality-it came!
First there we're wonderful broad soft
Examinations OF summer tightening,
"a il the spirit Of the dews and fogs
took plying glance at the painting
earth by means OF a great flashlieht
All at once the hard blue-blackness
OF the sky with its steely studding oil
star rivets, lost its blank stare and
softened, and then, suddenly It was
grey, and the stars were gone.
There was a great waiting. Came
puffs OF coolness-little quick rushes
Of it-iung about through the baking
still atmosphere almost visibly, like
flying thin draperies cast by a dancer,
through the heavy air Of cabaret
Then a steady, gentle surge Of 1t, and
the crack OF a sutherland then, on
the roof. a sound Soft little drops,
thousands and millions Of them-the
silver myriad host Of rain!
It came on tiptoe, like a friend Ger.
tain OF glad welcome, stealing silent
ly upon an unconscious host-gently,
steadily soothingly, over the scar
cracke soil.bathing the wilted foliage
and exhausted gardens. Singing
constant delicious dripping murmur.
Gus song over. and over, and over.
The hot leaden throats Of the water
spouts drank without ceasing. lifting
a gurgling toast ITO the Rain" The
dusty leaves rustled and stirred, "Hail,
blessed RAIN" and all the extended,
rolling landscape echoed Hall"
Perspiring mortals, tossing in vain
endeavOr to find one cool spot upon
comiortless touches. drew light cover
lids shoulder high under the fragrant,
fresh, moist breath OF It, and said TO
each other "D'ye hear that rain? Oh
boy! doesn't that sound good" and
everybody over slept the next morn
ing.