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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-08-03, Page 4Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, August 3, 1983—Page 4 LUCKN(IW SENTINEL "The Sepoy Town" Established 1873 Too many variables Farming hasn't been one of the more lucrative profes- sions in recent years. Squeezed by high interest rates and low prices for commodities in an industry that operates on borrowed capital, farmers have found it tough and many wonder when the bottom will fall out. Even when interest rates are lower and the price for their commodity rises, farmers still must cope with the variable conditions which make their business more hazardous than most business operations. Farmers have to trust in God and the weather or their crops fail and even the most understanding bank manager isn't going to be able to help. Farm advocates believe there should be some justifica- tion built into the industry to allow for the chances farmers must take because their industry relies so heavily on uncon- trollable circumstance. Whether it be stabilization programs, marketing boards or tax relief, something must be done. There aren't many who would trade places with farmers today. Farmers, who have managed to scrape through the economic slump which brought on high interest rates and the rise and fall of commodity prices, are worried they won't be able to reap a harvest this year. While most areas received abundant rainfall on the weekend, farmers in this immediate area had to settle for less than a centimetre of rain. While we wouldn't have wanted the hail and wind some areas received, a nice rain would have done so much good. The grain harvest is drying off before it has ripened and the corn won't grow cobs if it doesn't get some rain before it tassels. Meanwhile hog prices are dipping to new lows and beef prices remain where they were two years ago. Farmers deserve some credit for feeding the rest of us. At the bare minimum they deserve to make a living at their profession and, more than that, they deserve to earn a pro- fit to help cushion the pitfalls of the business including poor weather conditions. The cheap food policy in this country is a myth. There is no government in this country, provincial or federal, which has advocated such a policy. However, vulnerable to their urban supporters at the ballot box, politicians aren't likely to place a top priority on programs to strengthen the agriculture industry unless farmers make it happen. I NOMAS A. THOMPSON - Advertising Manager SHARON J. DIETZ Editor PAT LIVINGSTON - Office Manager JOAN HELM - Compositor MERLE ELLIOTT • Typesetter Business and Editorial Office Telephone 528-2822 Mailing Address P.O. Box 400, Lucknow, NOG 2H0 Second Class Mail Registration Number 0847 Subscription rate, S15.25 per year In advance Senior Citizen rate, $12.75 per year In advance U.S.A. and Foreign, $38.00 per year In advance Sr. Cit. U.S.A. and Foreign, $36.00 per year In advance BluE RIBBON AWARD, 198 redtrees by don campbell By normal standards, old Chippy Chisholm was an experienced man of the world. Driven by poverty and sheer necessity to service before the mast when he was scarcely more than a boy, he had travelled to the four cor- ners of the earth and faced the worst kind of danger over and over again. He was a good man, kind and con- siderate to everybody who knew him and as a skilled artisan, his knowledge of carpentry was second to none. Unfortunately, like most old men who have lived an extremely ac- tive life, he would never admit to himself that he no longer had the physical strength to do all the things he did when he was young. This is a foolish but very natural trend, often found in men approaching the end of life. When Chippy decided he would go out to hunt a deer, it was beneath his pride and dignity -to ask any of his friends or neighbours to accompany him. Indeed, only his wife Elizabeth knew that he had ventured into the forest alone. For all his experience, Chippy had never brought himself to fully accept the fact that the Canadian bush is a formidable place, which not even the aboriginal people took for granted. It seemed an ideal day to go hunting for deer. A thin layer of snow revealed the tracks of many creatures and as Chippy made his way through the dense woodlands, he looked with eager anticipation for the marks which would inevitably lead him to his prize. One thing he understood quite well, was the necessity to head into the wind so that his own scent would be carried away from his quarry rather than towards it. GIANT COMMUNITY YARD SALE August 5th - 6th at the Lucknow District Co-operative Friday August 5/83 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday August 6/83 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The people of Lucknow and area are welcome participate in the sale. LAWN SPACE AVAILABLE (Free of charge) to - you must provide own transportation of product to and from sale. - you must provide your own tables for set-up - we will not be responsible for lost or stolen property - There will be no returns or no refunds on sale goods - Please contact us if you are going to set up a stall - In the event of rain, SALE to be held inside. Lucknow District Co-operative Lucknow 529-7953 So he set out at a leisurely pace; pulling behind him a sled on which he hoped to accommodate his kill on the return journey. At least he was not foolish enough to imagine he could carry a dressed carcass across his shoulders. From time to time, he paused in the shelter of some large trees and lit his pipe which he shielded from the wind, by concealing it beneath his old seaman's coat. Chippy prized the coat, in spite of the grime from many ships. It was like an old friend; but like himself, it was really inadequate to face the Canadian winter, Whilst he walked and pulled the sled he was quite confident and since he did not intend to be away more than a few hours, he was not at all concerned about being entirely alone in the bush. Besides, he was equipped with a good musket and sufficient ball and powder to meet all eventualities. Chippy was no more than two miles from Redtrees when he saw what he had been hoping for. He suddenly came upon many tracks in the snow, which even to a novice like himself, indicated that a great number of travelling deer had passed that way. His heart and step quickened with ex- citement and he strode forward with renewed vigor, expecting at any mo- ment to make contact. So convinced was he that the moment of truth was at hand, he took time to pause and scan the surrounding area. Then, priming his musket in readiness, he proceeded stealthily so that he and his sled would make as little noise as possible. It began to snow. First there were just a few light flakes dancing lightly upon the soft breeze, but soon the snowfall became intense, blocking out the vision of trees only a few feet away. In a moment of sudden anxiety Chippy realized he was caught in a blizzard. Without further hesitation he turned about and, abandoning all thought of the hunt, began to move back in the direction he thought he had come. But there is no direction in a blizzard. One must stumble forward against the onslaught of the merciless snow in the hope of finding shelter of any descrip- tion, which might allow the .frailty of the human body to ride out the storm. Chippy Chisholm never knew how long he walked, what direction he took, or by what strange set of cir- cumstances he became chilled to the bone whilst a mysterious yet peaceful fatigue enveloped his being. As he stumbled onwards he caught his foot in a protruding tree root and fell headlong into a thick carpet of snow. At what point in time does the mer- ciful frigid hand of winter caress away a man's last attempt to survive? Imagination plays tricks on a lonely soul who has already surrendered himself to the inevitable. There were strange voices calling in that far off place betwix and beyond. In the last moments of con- sciousness, perhaps the wind in the trees was the wind in the rigging of a tall ship and the snow which came to his face was the salt spray carried across the deck of an Atlantic storm. It is said that immediately before death, a man's entire life flashes across his mind. Is there also a vision of heaven to men who have lived a good, honest but not altogether perfect Christian life? Plan Your Outfit NOW4 A Special Selection of Summer Fabrics are on Sale at The Sewing Box. Greatly reduced prices available while supplies last. 4 Pito (e 528-2000 Hours: Mon. - Sat. - 9:00 - 6:00 p.m.