“WHERE’S THE WITCH?"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 109, 9 May 1936, Page 12

“WHERE’S THE WITCH?"

“WAYBACK LIZ” SUGGESTS SEARCH PARTY FOR “MADCAP” Dear Wendy,—Here I am again. T •bad a letter half written for last week 'but I was too busy to get it away. What lovely weather we had all through 'the Easter season. One and all enjoyed the spell of warm, sunny days. Have you noticed how many folk grumble about the weather? The Father above sends us the, weather we need. 'Sometimes the land needs a rest, then it will bear better when tie: spring rc'turrbs once more. 'The wet spells do good and then again the dry spells have their use. Wc cannot stand a monopoly of one kind of weather without a feeling of oppression. The Loving Father above knows that wc arc frail creatures at best, so he has graciously arranged the delightful changing seasons following each other in their own appointed -order. Why! Have you thought, too, lof the changing atmosphere never two 'hours alike. We are ail prone to igrurnible about the weather, are we not? It is very wonderful when wc consider ■the seasons so arranged by a Divine (hand. Let me tell you about two gemtlc inion who met on the steps of a church. Jit had been a very wet day and was ■still raining. One said, “Terrible iweatihcr, isn’t it?” The ether looked at him and said, “It’s the Lord's weather, brother.” I don’t think we should grumble too much about the weather. It was certainly hard on some folk who lost so much during the last big storms, but some reaped a rich harvest of wood off the beaches. Many folk will have the comfort of good fires this winter. So it’s, an ill-wind that blows nobody any good Quite a few people study the weather conditions in one way or another. I. think it a very interesting study. If we keep ■our eyes open we can give a fair idea of what to expect from the weather. A barometer will help but the best guide is plainly written in the skies. The colour of sun, moon and stars are indications of the atmosphere, whether dry or moist. When the Pharisees asked Jesus to show them a sign from Heaven He said, “When it is eveuH'g. ye say. it will be fair weather for the sky is red, and in the morning it will bp foul weather to-day, for the sky is red and (lowering.” These sayings represent correct observations. A red sky in the imorning implies a moist atmosphere, hence rain later in the daw A rod evening sky means the air contains so little moisture that rain within 24 hours is improbable. Rain dries and clears the atmosphere. Early morning rain often clears the air causing the. weather to ■clear up. • Hence rain before seven, clear before 11. I have heard of the clouds being called God’s water-car-

riers, rather a lovely way In explain them, for so they are. The pale moon doth rain, The red moon doth blow, The white moon doth nuilher rain nor snow. A pale moon implies thin clouds such as run ahead of a rainstorm, a red moon is caused by a damp atmosphere, warning of a storm. A «CiV.nr or white moon gives warning of a frost because the earth’s surface heat radiates rapidly into a cloudless night skv. “The higher the clouds, the finer the weather,” is usually true, tut cirrus clouds, highest of all, are forerunners of storms. Hence the saying “mackerel scales and mares’ tails make lof‘y ships carry low sails.” Low lying clouds about the horizon bring a storm. T could write one or two more bits of weather lore, but I don’t want, to bore everyone stiff. These indications certainly interest me. I know some will be interested. Wendy, where has that “Aladcap” hidden and fan y< u locate the Witch? If “Madcap” Joes not appear soon wc will have to get up a search party. What do you think. Wendy? There would be no lack of searchers if you were to give the word, j I was sorry to hear of the lire that de- , stroyed the home of our three Ites. I think it is so sad and one can never really replace things that are often the collection of years. There is so much los*s attached to such a fire There were three mysterious letiers to my naane last time I wrote, con’d vou please tell me their moaning, then I van thank you properly for them. I must stop | now as it’s high time. I hope you are I well. Wendy. My best wishes to you | and your large train of Ites. Yours j with best, wishes “WAYBACK LlZ.’’ ' I So pleased I am to have vour welcomt . letter, dear. Nearly everyone Goes 1 grumble about the weather ’t’s true, i but one really ought not to. Were we j to have our own choice T am afraid j things would reach a prettv pa-s. Yes. ' if the Old Witch cannot be found then ' it will mean that “Madcap” is in her > clutches. 1 must have our Sir Richard ■ investigate. The mysterious symbols I mean that you have been ct'.’ated one of | our Tint’s worthy custodians and conn- I sellers.—Wendy.