"The only way by which the government may hope to secure competent
weather prognostigators is in the establishment of regular training
schools for its prophets. The candidate should be examined as to
fitness, just as the applicant for a West Point cadetship. He
should possess inherited tendencies toward rheumatism as a primary
qualification. Then, after serving three years before the mast and
putting in an equal period of active labor on a farm, he would be able
to turn out correct forecasts with no other apparatus than a set of
signal flags, a typewriter and a hektograph.

"It wouldn't be scientific," concluded the Observer, reflectively,
"because he couldn't explain his deductions on a basis of dynamic
pressure, electrical disturbances, or velocity of air currents. But
it would be a safe tip for the city man to get out his umbrella,
mackintosh and overshoes and for the farmer to cover up his hay, if
the rain flag were seen to float on the weather pole."

* * * * *

[Illustration: "Fate has posted a great big placard over the Hall of
Fame."]

* * * * *




THE ESSENTIALS OF GREATNESS.