By observing small things he is able to increase his reputation among those who read less.
Let me prove this to you.
When that eclipse of the sun came I was down among the mountains of North Carolina.
The district was a wild one, and they made considerable moonshine whiskey round there, too; but as I received no salary from the government for looking after these mountain-dew men, I shut my eyes to their little game.
You see I hadn't forgotten all the trouble they gave my friend Bill Nye when he retired to these North Carolina wilds to make up his funny books.
It occured to me that I might have some fun with the ignorant darkies over the eclipse.
So, meeting old Uncle Lisha the day before, I told him how his chickens would all go to roost before noon on the following day.
Of course the old fellow was incredulous, and just as I supposed, circulated my prophecy round.