IMH 75:2 189

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Friday, April 1st.

No pranks played here on anyone that I know of, on ac­
count of All-Fool's Day. It was a continuation of the same kind
of weather. The mercury hovered at or about the freezing point
and snow drizzled down all day. The amount on the ground did
not appear to be increased much. Jake came down this morning
and lugged a sack-full of corn in the ear home on his shoulder.
Alvin went off with him and it was four o'clock when he got
back home. Father was also gone till one o'clock, where I know
not except that he helped Kivett sirup down. Bill Hand came in
the afternoon and got the rest of the meal ground a week ago
yesterday. I staid around and wished for less snow.

Teaching note: As you can see, April Fool's day or as they called it "All-Fools Day"
has been around for some time. It might be interesting for a students to see how it came
about. Jake was taking the ear corn home for animal feed. It could be shelled and used
for chickens or given on the cob to the cattle or hogs. There were smaller shellers like
this one and larger ones such as this.