The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-02

warmer climates. II they live and
breed thru successive generations IN
warmer lands the tail may gradually
develop itself again. The ears have
already done SO because they are
of actual use in catching the sound
waves. Ii is by no means certain
that tail is necessary and Tor that
reason the tail growing habit is re
established much more slowly
The cool climate brought about sey-
eral interesting customs. When
ever We passed a man out OF doors We
always looked to see II any part OF
his face was freezing white spot
would always answer that question.
This led to modification OF the or
binary greeting of How dye do,
this being supplemented by. Eye have
white nose" or Rub the left check. :"
Sometimes it was considered d great
courtesy, if the white spot was pretty
large, TO pitch in and rub your friend
face for him.
Except for a few weeks Of short
summer, already alluded to above. We
never made use OF the lower story Of
the hotel at all The snow was ell
couraged to pack in around the house
to the base of the second story win
dows. For convenience there were
exits from the second floor and man
would start off on snow shoes from
that level.
Sometimes we had patrons who lit
tie realized what they were getting
into when they came to our section.
We had the oldest case of negro
one time that | must tell you about
1t seems the darkies were in those
days very fond of riding on the cars.
Sometimes they would work all sum
mer on the plantations in Mssissippi
or louisiana, then get their pay all
in a bunch in September or October.
This particular darky took his roll
and boarded the train He imne-
diately turned it over to the conduc
tor saying, 81 want to ride boss. as
far as that will go. Just keep out
enough for peanuts and pop corn
The conductor took him at his word
and bought him, at the next station.
a second class ticket to our town.
He landed there absolutely without
penny and with the same clothes
on that he wore in the Mihsissippi
cotton fields. This suit did not in
clude shoes. stockings or underwear.
Somebody pointed him the way to our
hotel but he solidified before he had
gone 500 feet. The next passerbv
dragged him out of the snow and
brought him in. We supposed of
course that he had completely passed
on He was in such distortered and
spread out shape that We could not
very well bury him so we took him
down stairs and chucked him in one
of the furnaces where we were just
starting up a new fire. The stoker.
opening the door to put in some fuel
about twenty minutes later, was sur
prised TO hear a rather complaining
voice saying, Whose letting in that
cold draft juht as I was getting feel
ing comfortable?'
Writing this story has recalled very
wildly the strange circumstances of
that northern Maine country and
really given me quite desire to go
back there. However, have become
acclmated to warmer ATTITUDES and |
expect that anyone not a native should
not try those conditions unless pos
sessed OF very vigorous health,
do not suppose they have whisky or
beer now in cakes or any other way
but | should be interested to know If
they still serve coffee in frozen cones
and milk in icicle form. Perhaps
someone who has recently travelled
up that way can tell me all about it.
r. 7. PATTEN.