CELEBRATING GROUND-HOG DAY 39 



Only one track was found. Ground-hogs com- 

 monly are hog fat by late August and den up 

 by mid-September. With the first coloured leaf 

 that autumn flutters they make haste to dig a 

 new, clean den in which to sleep until the first 

 flower of spring. 



In looking up Ground-hog Day I learned that 

 it was also Candlemas Day and read, 



Observe which way the hedgehog builds her nest, 



If by some secret art the hedgehog knows, 



So long before, the way in which the winds will blow, 



She has an art which many a person lacks 



That thinks himself fit to make our almanacks. 



I thought that Ground-hog Day would never 

 come. Winter, as Old Jim had said it would be, 

 had been cold and snowy. If the ground-hog 

 saw his shadow February second he would return 

 for a sleep while winter lasted six weeks longer. 

 But if it was a cloudy day spring must be 

 near; in a day or two the ground-hog would be 

 hunting for the sunny side of a cliff to find 

 the first green salad on which to break his long 

 fast. 



February second I was out before daylight. 

 But the morning was cloudy and unless there 

 was a clearing the ground-hog could not see his 

 shadow. The predictions for six weeks more 

 of winter might be overthrown, that is, they 



