Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1902 — The Roasting Ear. [ARTICLE]

The Roasting Ear.

Now comes the “roasting-ear” to make us happy at ten cents per dozen. Aren’t each mother’s son and daughter of us glad that August brings that succulent dainty? The farms around Rensselaer bloom with the tall “king of field,” and the “golden fleece” of each ripe ear for miles around attests its happiness to be enrolled as one of the many benefits which a munificent Providence has distributed with generous hand. Some of the citizens of Rensselaer remember a lime when in place of the broad waving fields of corn there was nothing in sight but swamps and forests. Then the years following, dur ing which time the corn fields and “stump crop” were all the sturdy pioneer had for his support, stand out clear pictures in the memories of those who made this locality what it is. Who would think that a “juicy fruit” like an ear of corn will furnish all the elements necessary to maintain life for an indeflnate period? Cast one upon a desert isle with nothing for nourishment except “Hiawatha’s maize” and he will grow straight, firm and hearty. The “roasting-ear” taken as medicine will relieve the severest cases of mental dyspepsia, and is guaranteed to cure persons of that tired and sleepy feeling. If taken in time and in sufficient quantities it will make a child grow like a young bay tree; and a gift to the editor of a basket or so filled with the green dainty will insure the people of a fine paper so long as the corn lasts.

Corn eaten in too great abundance, however, will afford the unhappy victim with a sure but safe passage to the “Halls of Nightmare” or the “Gates of the Better Land.” Consequently persons should have their baggage checked and accounts made out during this time of the year. We have known persons after eating three dozen ears of corn cooked to a lather to send for the doctor in the night, thus causing that good and much imposed upon man no end of trouble. Another luxury which corn affords the sons of men—especially the younger sous—is the blithe russetcolored siik, which, enwrapped in soft, white tissue paper, affords a cigarette similar to the sort which certain good, though mistaken persons, call baneful. This gift alone to the urchin is a tremendous boon, and will enable him to feel vicariously the joys of a * smoky manhood.” It should not be forgotten that the rich ripe fields of corn give the crows a magnificent pasture—truly the amc unt of philanthrophy in a Jasper county corn field is marvellous.