Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-10-27


when shrewd, suspicious looking fellow la
boring with hive of bees under each arm, ap-
peared by the side of the soldiers. He was
evidently much faiigued with his heavy burden,
and after supporting 1t some way with great
labor, presented it with the appearance of much
generosity. to the thankful hand cartmen, who
solacing themselves with the anticipation of
rich treat loaded the donor with many compli-
mens and thanks
They had not however, enjoyed their newly
acquired property but few hours, when an old
character, of sordd, though wealthy repua.
ton, and withal rank tory, came riding furi.
ously after the army, as he said for the detec-
on of thieves, and seeing the hives, claimed
them as his properly. being stolen the preced-
ing night charging also Robert and his CON-
panion with the theft. 1t was promptly and
stoutly denied by the harmless couple; and
though the soldiers corroborated the fact that
they were presented by stranger, the exas-
pera,ed horseman would hear no vindicating
statements, but declared that they were all a SET
of internal rag-a-mufhins, who would tell one
ialsehood TO subsantate another----and was
about TO leave the field with vOlly of oa;hs
and imprecatlons upon the wronged and indig-
nant soldiers, who ifthe restrictions Of discipline
had not confined them to their ranks, would
have resented the insult in the manner it de-
served. Robert cody listened to the old fol-
lows abuse and thought he might spare him
few of his bees, without robbing himself, and as
he had acquired the difficult art of handling them,
he prepared to use the little scorpions to good
purpose. Being employed at the cart, he took
80 RI
the soldiers engaged the attention of the en-
ragged bee-owner, by cutting sarcasms upon his
person, thus adding fuel TO his wrath, Bob filled
his capacious fists with the tenants of the hives,
and stepping from the main body of the army
accosed the wralhful tory:
DO you charge US with stealing your bees?'
yes! you internal thievsh heap of impu-
dence'
But, SIR said Teal, with fearless and ro-
guish accent, which made the old threat'ner
foam with rage Il assure you, you are mistaken
and even if your conjecture were correct, it
would have been better had you not let ont the
vials Of your wrath until you were more GER
tain Of the thief
You consummaie scoundrel! you base born
lump OF impertinence! how dare you use such
language to one of his Majesry's CoIlectorsp
'We care not said Bob, advancing nearer
the horse, whether you are one of his Maies-
ty's Collectors, or his boot-back; royal favor
has little 10 do with u.s.
But you viii find what my influence is, NUT
tered the Collector through his teeih--4Or to-
morrow morning, scoundrel, prepare 10 be court
marlialIed;' and he stuck his spurs into the side
Of his long-tailed Andalusian, to galop with his
complaint to head quarters.
Stop a momentl' cried Bob
What you dog said the tory, refining in his
Rosinanle, cleaning with rage.
Let US have the bee trouble seuled,' said
Bob, 'on the spot--you will say stole your
hive Of bees and he drew nearer to the steed
of the maddened royaliat collector
Yes! persist in my charge, still say you
stole m-m-my o-bees.'
well sir, then take them back again. said
Bob, and he adroity lodged the contents of his
palms under the fy-swtch of the sensitive an
imal, who feeling the outrage, curled that ne
ther ornament down after the fashion Of Irigh-
tened dog, which pressing the honey insects,
they instinctively piled their darts with such
alacrity that the tortured animal reared, and
plunged with such madness as nearly 10 de-
throne the old tory.
'Woe'a! woear he calculated remuously, in
the utmost horror al his situalion--hoi ho! catch
this horses head whoo! whoo! sir, whoor
A burst of laughter from The. delighted sol
diery the only answer.
'Ho! hor shouted he, as his mad sieed cut
his antics about the plain, while he, bouncing
in his saddle cut such ludcrous figure, that
peal after peal Of laughter from the merry sol
ders, answered his repeated calls for help.
The desperate animal, goaded 10 madness
by he merciless stingers in his rear, snapped
the curb BY which he had hitherto been re-
strained, started like lightning over the plain;
bile he, bouncing and joIdng in his saddle,
shouted at the top of his lungs, Help hept
each Hs horser amid the dealning appauses
b tie sodiery, uniI he and his steed in iheir
haaaiong course, appeared but speck on the
horizon.
The old collector was never heard Of after
wards Bob not only gained great credt for
tais exploit, but saved he rest Of his bees, and
u