Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-06-28
VOL. X.-NO. ~.
THE TENNESSEE HIVE.

1t is known throughout the Great West
that the Tennesseeians are celebrated for
their stock raising at least SO far as the rais-
ing OF bees are concerned SO much so that
the good people of Tennessee are denomi-
mated, emphaticalIy, the bee hunters. On
one occasion man of great wealth passed
the night at house Of private entertain
ment IN the State Of Tennessee After OBJ
serving the fine location and improvements
of the farmer, the traveller on the following
morning, proposed to purchase the place
The proprietor offered to sell the plantation
and all the stock Of all kinds at one dollar
per head, The cattle, horses, hogs and
sheep were counted, and the number of
acres ascertaned by reference to the deeds
and when the purchaser supposed he had
arrived at the sum total, and the considera-
ton was to be inserted in the title papers.
the farmer desired him to go out and count
the bees as part Of the stock of the farm.
II is further reported that the purchaser feso
of, and took bee line on his journey.
In the vicinity of the Bee Hunter last
mentioned, substantial planter, resided, at
whose domicil Yankee TRAVELLING mer-
chant had made his head quarters for few
months, and incidentally fell in love with
the daughter of mine host A proposition
was ultimately made to the old Bee Hunter
to take him for better-and worse. Like
one of the Patriarchs, the farmer consented.
on the condition that he should labor on his
plantation for the period of mot seven) but
one year.
The Yankee tried to dicker him down TO
six months-then offered nine-but ultimate
y settled on eleven months. and fortnight
thrown in for wedding preparation.
The farmer went out, at the earnest So
icitation of the Yankee, to have the time
commence without delay to set him 10
work He led the young man in front of
the bee house, where were one hundred and
five bee gums.
Here said he, you can begin; have
long wished to know how many bees have.
When you have finished this job, will put
you at some light work"
Won't you find the slate 2 said the Yam
kee.
The contract is signed and sealed by
both of U.s. said the farmer, you must fulfil
or pay the forfeiture; and have clocks in
the store-l will not let you of no how you
can fix it.
Peleg Slocum, the Yankee, went to
store over the way, and returned with few
OF flour and sulphur. He brought likewise
"A slate in his hand, and seated himself in
front Of the bee house, and the farmer went
his ways, satisfied that he had headed the
Yankee. Not an hour had passed until the
industrious families in the bee house had all
expired queen, bees, drones, warriors, La
borers and all, by one suffocating birthstone
fnme in each hive The Yankee then pro-
ceeded to fulfil his contract. 1t was in vain
to raye-to complain of carnage, trespuss,
or any other form of action. The counting
was, by the terms Of the contract to be per-
!ormed-the manner and form oil which was
never named, and the enumeration could
only be accomplished by infiictng death OH
the whole generation. There were also in
serted in the articles of agreement that if
the first job given to the Yankee should last
over a year. or if the task should be accom-
plished sooner than The time limited, the
stipulations on the part of the old farmer
should be fulfilled. In few days the pile
of dead bees had been counted, and the
hand of the girl was claimed. The old
man was vexed and perplexed, and by adj
vice of counsel made a wedding and dis
pensed with the affair.
! The prospects and interests of the farmer
while under the superintendent of the
Yankee, advanced apace, and the sapient
Peleg Slocum was sent to the Legislature
two years after the celebration of the nup-
tails of Peteg SiOcHm. Esquire, formerly of
Naragansett, to the amiabc and accom-
plished Miss Jinsey Begun, Of Big Pigeon,
Coke County, Tennessee.