Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 192, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1910 — “As Crazy As a Loon” Phrase Not a Libel on That Bird. [ARTICLE]

“As Crazy As a Loon” Phrase Not a Libel on That Bird.

One often hears the expression, “As crazy as a loon,” and yet I wonder how many realize how peculiarly fitting it sometimes is. Of all the birds and animals that have come under my observation I know of none that in any degree approaches the loon for sheer craziness or weirdness. Evening seems to be loon’s favorite time for their peculiar behavior. They collect in the middle of the lake and when they have summoned alPof their kind within heading the ball commences. They riise their bodies half out of the water by furiously flapping their wings, at the same time making a most terrific splashing. Then they propel themselves backward and forward, half swimming, half flying, all the time screaming at the top of their voices. They keep this up from ten to fifteen minutes and seem to get a good deal of satisfaction out of it. In the calm of the summer evening and aided a bit by the echoes, a half dozen loons can make the fellows in a college cheering section hang their heads for shame. The loon is not pnly crazy acting, but at times is very Perhaps, for instance, after a hard day, you are sitting by the camp fire, quietly smoking and at peace with the whole world; suddenly there breaks upon your ears the most bloodcurdling scream, followed by heartrending cries and your first thought is that there is a child being murdeded or a woman in distress, and you start to your feet. Then you realize that it is only a loon. We are the only firm in Rensselaer that sells pure cider vinegar of as high a grade 45 grains. Six gallons of our vinegar is equal to 7 gallons of that sold by others, but we sell it at the same price as the lower grade.

J. A. MCFARLAND.

Dr. and Mrs. A. R. Kresler returned several days ago from their visit with Bruce Porter and family near Mt. Vernon, N. Dak. They found things in good shape, agriculturally speaking, and Mr. Porter and family well and happy. Wheat made from 16 to 20 bushels there and oats from 35 to 40. Hay was a little light but the corn prospects were fine and that country had not suffered any for want of rain and at this time was in better shape than we are here. Thdre was a good rain Tuesday of last week. Bruce had 70 head of stock, mostly two and three year old steers, Which were on pasture and were in fine condition. The farm on which Mr. Porter lives belongs to to Dr. Kresler and contains more than 400 acres. It is worth now, judged from the way other land there is sold, about twice what he paid for it three years ago. The city of Mitchell continues to grow and there is a lot of building in progress there now; among .other buildings is a four-story hotel, which will be one of the best in that section of the state. Dr. Kresler saw Chas. Zard and several other former and they are all prospering and glad they decided on that country when they left Rensselaer. I The west front business room of the Republican building is for rent. This is a fine room for a small business ard will be rented reasonable. Inquire of Healey & Clark.