THE SOUTHERLY. MUCH NOISE, LITTLE RAIN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 14, 17 January 1908, Page 8

THE SOUTHERLY. MUCH NOISE, LITTLE R AIN.

"I knew it was coming," is a comment upon the lips of many folk today. They say that toes and other members have been giving them twinges, and they were positive that rain vtauld arrive. These natural barometers began to be active several days ago, but not till early this morning did tho moisture reach the parched city and country. It came on the wings of a southerly, which made .more bluster than dampness. When folk went to oed last night a muggy northerly was moaning around the eayes of. houses, and windows wero loft open to temper the warmth of blankets. Sleepers awoke with a start. Blinds flapped violently, and the tired had the choice of rising, against their will, to check the disturbancej or remaining prone in a determination to slumber through it all. Tho rain came in driving shafts while it lasted. Tho gusty visitor made much fuss about his gift of much-needed water, but whon it was all summed up at the meteorological station at 9 a.m. it was found to be only 0.31 inch. How over, it was sufficient to send an additional tricklo into tho reservoirs, and wash away from tho leave of plants the dust left by tho hot weeks. Today *the flowers, which were- beginning to look ashamed of themselves and disgusted with everything, havo a little ireah heart put into them. during tho morning the frolicsome wihcl played some "rathpr mean tricks. It worked a came of chess with black and blue pieces upon the heavenly board, nnd every now and then it promised to shoot down some more showers. Once a few spots 'did descend, but they were barely sufficient to make a man take the trouble to put up an umbrella. In the meantime the barometer was rh-iilg- steadily. By 9.30 it was at 30.04, and was in that region at 1 o'clock ,worTdng towards its old place. Tho little rain would do some good to firo-stricken country "up tho line," but much more is required to satisfy the settlers. ' v