The Topeka state journal., 1922-05-26
EDcning Story
Poor Prognosticator.

/ fair; that means rain sure" says the
cynical dear public, and the dear pub
| lie laughs and congra tulates itself on
being witty But the joke is as ancient
as Mount Ararat. You will remember
that Noah'ss prediction of rain was
treated with the same lack of respect.
But this story is no discussion of the
merits or dement's of weather men in
general. 1t deals with one particular
progn nosticator, by name Hiram Lake.
AS has been said, nobody had faith in
him; that is. nobody except Julia Col
Inns, and even she was beginning to
weaken.
Julia had lived all her life in Wes-
ley, except for the time spent in board
ing school, and, having finished her
course in finishing in that institution,
she had come home and settled down,
ready to get married-When some
suitable, marriagable man should hap
pen along.
There was Jacob Hanaford, whose
father owned a twine factory and had
tied up more than his share of wealth
with his product. Jacob was "willin' >"
where Julia was concerned, but there
were things about him she didn't like.
Hiram happened along, and he seemed
to suit in every particular until he
lost caste by his professional record.
Wesley had just been designated
weather headquarters for that part of
the state and the government sent
Hiram to preside at the propheSying.
He met Julia and a romance started
to bud-until she suddenly discovered
he had become the joke of the town,
and her friends, by means of derision,
and sarcasm, began to undermine her
regard for Hiram.
Julia struggled against this. but the
friends persisted. aided and abetted
by Jacob. and she weakened. Jacob
was invited to all the parties and no
body would have anything to do with
Hiram: and the young woman enjoys
ed parties. So the rich mans son
finally worked his way into her favor
to some extent, altho the weather man
still called occasionally-whe there
was no social activity to require her
attention.
Wesley folk were very exacting. The
grocer who mixed sand in sugar was
ostra cized, as was the dairyman who
put water in milk-that is. more than
a reasonable amount. A jeWeler who
sold paste for diamonds would lose
popularity, and the townspeople could
not make an exception in the case of
4 prophet who had it rain when he
promised sunshine. Hiram scanned
mis- daily reports with meticulous care
and made his deductions with scrupu-
lous caution, but when a low pressure
area seemed headed for certain in the
direction of Wesley and he predicted
a storm on the strength of it, mild
weather was inevitable.
The Sunday of the big picnic hike
dawned as fair as the most hopeful
club stopped for Julia every member
was in high spirits. Still, Julia. in
sisted on taking an umbrella until
they laughed her out of the idea.
Rain 2" said Jacob. why, look at
that sky-clear as a BELL
But" Julia faltered, "the paper
last night predicted rain for today
The uproar produced by this re-
mark made her feel very sheepish,
while, Jacobs eXuberance prompted
him to a witty remark to the effect
that the prediction of rain was a posi-
tive assurance of continued sunshine.
Julia was downcast on her own ac-
count as we'll as Hiram's. She just
couldn't help having some faith in her
weather man, because - because
well, she did care for him. even tho
he was the joke of the town.
But she went without the umbrella.
Out on a country road, thru the
woods turning green under the breath
of spring, the hikers hiked. carrying
lunch baskets and creating sharp ap-
petites for their. contents. Their blood
was warmed by the spirit of the sea-
son and they made merry.
Lunch was eaten at the edge of the
woods far from any habitation, with
the sun shining brightly. But while
the dishes were being gathered into
the baskets preparatory to returning.
a black cloud unfurIed from the west
and spread across the hitherto blue
sky. In the heavens thunder began
flashes OF electricity. which became
more frequent as time passed.
The party looked askance at the sky
and worried frowns crept across their
faces, altho a smile mingled with the
troubled look on Julia's countepanee.
They will scott at my weather man.
Will they?" she said to herself and felt
sense of satisfaction
Suddenly, without further pre1im-
inaries, the black cloud split and a
torrent descended, sheets of rain cut
ting thru the branches of the trees
under which the party sought safety
Jacob Hanaford assumed leadership
and led the way to a ledge under
which a miniature cave had been
formed The opening served as a shell
ter, but not as an adequate one, be-
cause waves of water were beaten in
on the huddled group by a fierce wind
that suddenly developed.
Just a cloudburst." said Jacob. re-
assuringly- It'll be all over in a min
ute and the sun will be shining as if
nothing had happened
To exclude the beating rain, the
young men of the party hung their
coats across the mouth of the cave.
stringing them on some pieces. of
twine, which was part of the lunch
equipment and which they knotted
together, using their hands to keep
the garments taut.
But the rain did not subside; in
stead, it seemed to gather strength
anu DeAOIe lOHB the gray darkness OF
twilight began to mingle with the
blackRess of the storm.
The girls became peevish, and Julia's
attitude toward Jacob became conspic-
uouSly cold
IF you had let me bring an UNI
brella, perhaps I would be able to
keep my promise and accompany
mother to church this evening III
would Aather miss forty picnics than
disappoint her. You know she add
ed impressively. the paper last night
predicted rain for today"
And this time nobody laughed. altho
some may have wondered just how
much use an umbrella would be in
such a downpour.