The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-08-10
FAR WORSE THAN
HURRICANES

and radio broadcasters, it has
come to be customary for ouI
people, and particularly our visit.
ors to contemplate the possibility
of one or more hurricanes in the
offing. It makes little difference
that none of our people have met
injury or death in summer storms;
it makes no difference that a
dozen and more years often elapse
without a big blow of any kind.
1t makes no difference that storms
happen in other months, and some
of the worst have happened in
March and in December; nor does
it avail anything to point out that
so far, none of our storms have
equalled in intensity of damage,
many storms far inland in our own
states, and in the mountains of
this and other states.
So while refuse to be victim
of this, ofttimes foolish, hurricane
hysteria which would seem a nat
ural affliction for strangers and
others unacquainted with the va
carries of coastland weather, !
would call attention to something
else far more disastrous and dam
gerous which has inception mostly
in the dry days of August and
through Autumn. 1 speak of
forest fires, any one of several
recent ones having been more cost
ly in dollars and cents than all the
storms that have come our way
in many years.
Did you ever seriously think
how frightful and how costly a
disaster is a forest fire? That
storms are the result of natures
ways, but most all the forest fires
are the result of the carelessness
of man, of his irresponsibility, or
his disregard for caution, decency
or commonsense.
In a few days of holocaust mil
lions of dollars worth of property
may be swept from the tax books,
and from the future support for
many years of our needy people,
our public institutions, our prog
ress and inspiration. This may be
entirely the result of a single
careless or inconsiderate act.
Such beauty of woods and fields
can be suddenly wiped out, leaving
nothing but hideous blackness to
affront the sight of those who love
beauty and natures bounty. Let us
remember that in this beauty and
serenity and greenery is the home
and haven of all of the wild crea-
lures that providence has given US,
and which we have taken for
granted, either for our inconsi-
derate sport, or casual observation.
Have you ever strolled along a
country road, or across the fields,
and observed a mother quail lead
ing her young chicks about, teach
ing them their way of life, and
have observed the sweep and
beauty with which she leads them
swiftly away in startled flight
when you are heard?
Have you ever seen anything
more graceful than a young fawn,
or an older deer for that matter,
bounding across the road with the
gracefulness that is out of this
world? Have you ever walked
against the wind and watched a
deer stand in the road and APP
parently pay you no mind until
you we're within a few feet of this
lovely animal?
What is more fascinating, and
interesting than a young cub or a
chubby old bear ambling along the
roadside, and into a hedge or
standing on hind feet reaching for
wild grapes or fruits? How anus
ing the old bear is when startled,
and he makes getaway.
All of these animals have a
powerful appeal to lovers of out
of doors, to hunters and others
who would stand aghast at the
thought that the only homes and
shelters they know, the source of
their livelihood and their safety,
might be suddenly reduced to fire
blackened stumps, always ghostly
and CHASTITY, and dismal.
When they are burned and dead
from fire, there goes a supreme
delight of autumn travel. No more
may we breathe in the beauty and
the fragrance of ripening fruits
and nuts, and sight of gold and
russell leaves in many shades
which shed a benediction in match
less colors upon the dying year.
Think of the joy of gliding
along the still waters rejecting
the colors of skies and trees, but
how dismal become these self
same waters if only dark and
dead trunks stand over them to
be reflected in their depths.
Think of the pleasure of fishing
in shadowy pools and streams,
but where fish may no longer live
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