IMH 75:2 170

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Tuesday, February 8th

The rain was still coming down this morning and kept at it
but not constantly, all day. The creek dammed up with the ice
which had drifted down against a pile of driftwood just below
our line, was roaring and running over its banks all day. The
fog rolled up and sailed northward. The ground has thawed but
little. I took three distinct "jooks" two down to the creek to see
what was happening, one in the forenoon and one just at night.
The other one was taken about four o'clock. I followed up a
sound of chopping which I thought indicated somebody near
and found nobody except Will Bain who was just about leaving
his school-house when I arrived at it. Bob Foster was here a
little while this morning to get some linseed oil. Alvin accom­
panied him part of his way home and soon after he got back
here was rendered nearly useless by an attack of his old disease
the "lag-leg;' Aleck Benge(60)was also here about noon in search
of work, he said, but we could'n't supply him. Father and I
hauled up four shocks of fodder on the sled about noon but it
was so nasty that we were glad to quit. Bob and Bill went to
work on the wood contract after noon and kept at it till night.
The robins are here in great droves

 

 

Teaching Notes: Imagine the only sounds that William heard while ourdoors... or indoors for that matter.
Make a list. Compare it our time today.

Linseed oil (from flax seed) is used for so many things .. check it out

Have the students make a note of the firsts of Spring...the peepers...the robins. Febraury 8 is a bit early fro Robins