The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 56: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Wreck of the South Pole. AQ and all is worked out with mathematical precision. For instance, we have found that a certain amount of rain 1s necessary for growing crops. The ground should have sufficient moisture in it before planting and then at regular intervals thereafter rain should fall if the crop is to be a success. We have no droughts as in your land, where it may be a month or two before rain falls. Our bureau looks over the-country, learns what kind of grain is to be erown in different sections, and decides upon the amount of rain needed for the sections. Another point in our favor. Sometimes your lands are swept by hot winds just as the grain is ripening. Wenever allow them here. You can see the benefit of such a system. We wish to go upon a pleasure excursion day after to-morrow, and I had but to look in the report of our weather bureau to learn whether the bureau had decided upon rain or sunshine for this part of the nation on that day.” The third day our boat was finished, and in it I made the journey with Costa and Winnie. At first Buda Earn had insisted that he and I go alone, but this proposal was rejected emphatically by both my host and his daughter. When we were on the water, I rowing, Costa said: “My friend, I wish to warn you against that young man. He means to do you an injury. Avoid-him as much as possible, and no account ever trust yourself with him alone.” I looked my surprise before I replied: “You astonish me. He has been so pleasant and agree- CORNICE OOOKS (CO)