The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-06-03
TIE TENNESSEE HIVE.


It is known ihroug hout the Great West that the
Tennesseeans celebrated for their stock raising at
least so FAR as the raising of bees are concerned
much SO that the good people of Tennessee are de-
nominated, cn,phnticaly, the bee hunters. On
occasion man Of great wealth passed the night at
house OF private entertainment in the State of Ten
ncsscc. After observing the fine location and inn
provements Of the farmer the traveller the follow
ing morning. proposed TO purchase the place. The
proprietor offered to sell the plantation aud oil the
stock Of all kinds at dollar per head The cate
horses, hogs and sheep were counted, and the
number of asccrtained hy reference TO the
Deeds and when tho purchaser supposed he had az
rived at the total, md the consideration to
be inserted in the title papers, the farmer desired him
to 20 out and he bees, part of the stock
Of the farm 1t is further reported that the purchaser
fe,c off, and took bee line on his journey.
In the vicinity of the Bee Hunter last mentioned,
substantial planter, resided, at whose domcil Yam
kee trdteliiag merchant had made his head quarters
for n few months ond incidentally fell in love with
the daughter of mine host A proposition ulfi-
mateIy made to the cd Bee Hunter TO take him for
beucr-ard worse. Like OF the Patrarehs, "the
rrme 'onsented the condition that he should la
Dor on his plantation for the period Of (not seven)but
year.
The Yankee tried TO dicker him down to six
months then offered nine-but ultimate settled
eleven = cnths and fortnight thrown in for wedding
prep zion.
The farmer went aut, at the earnest solicitation of
the Yankee, TO have 4 time commence without de-
lay to set him 'to work. lie led the young man in
front of the bee house, where were hundred and
five bee GU
Here said he, 'you begin; have long wish
ed to know how many bees I have. When you
have finished this job, will put you at some light
work - .-.. ..- .... A.. 7rr
wont vow find the slate p said the Yankee. ~ a.
sThe "oa.act is signed and sealed by both Of u.s.
said the armer, you must fulfil pay the forfeiture;
and have clocks in the siore-I will not let you off
no how You fix it. ... ...rt a, .s..a a|E
Peeg Slocum, the Yankee, went 10 a store over
tho way, and returned with few boxes Of lucifer
matches and large parcel Of -four and sulphur
lie brought likewise slate in his hand and seated
himself in front ofthe bee house, and the farmer went
his ways, satisfied that he had headed the Yankee.
Not an hour had passed until tho industrious families
in the bee house had all expred-queen, bees, drsnes,
warriors aborers and all, by one suifocatng brm-
stone fume in each hive The Yankee then proceed
ed TO fulfil! his contract 1t in vain to ruve-to
complain Of carnage, rcspass, any other form of
action. The counting was, by the terms OF the
tract TO be periormcd-the manner and form Of which
was never named, and the enumeration could only be
accomplished by nflictng death on the whole genera
| ton There were also inserted in the articles of
agreement that the first job given to the Yankee
should last him year, or if the task should be
accomplished sooner than the time lin lied, the stipu-
latons on the part OF the old farmer should be fulfilled
In few days the pile of dead bees had been counted
and the hand the girl was cuimed. The old man
was vexed and perplexed, and by advice of counsel
made wedding and dispensed withthe affair. .a %
The prospects and interests ofthe farmer while
der the superintendent of the Yankee, advanced
pace, and the sapient Pceg sIocum sent to- the
Legislature two years after the celebration of the
nuptals Of Peleg SloeEm Esquire, formerly Of Mar
ragunsett, to the nmiabIe and accomplished Miss
Jinscy Begun, of Big Pigeon, Coke County, Tennes-
| see.
| CUR1NGup A.DANDY.--A dandy in. Broadway
wishing 10 be witty, accosted the old bellman as fol-
| lows: :.
.sYou take all sorts ortrumpery in your cart, don"
you?'' vol. laa.a 2eE "fa 'oao'o'
"Ycsi iump in-iump in!' gta 3D.. t-.r"