Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-07-19

knelt down on the grass end remained per-
fectly still. He then found a number of
of bees were gathering in mass under the
waistband of his trousers in the hollow of
his back, to which spot the others were
drawing, indicating that the queen was
there. Fearing, therefore, that the tight
ness of the waistband-rendered tighter
whenever he breathed-might crush or at
any rate irritate this part OF the swarm, he
slowly unbuttoned the front of his trousers.
1t is not easy to conceive more helpless
condition than that to which Mr.. Slmmonds
was now reduced. He that was the master
of forty hives, from which he could usually
levy what spoils he pleased, killing his
thousands at his leisure with Drlmstone
match, was now completely In the power
of one detachment OF his own army, ana
was reduced TO the most suppliant position.
Even to call for help would have been dam
gero,ls. as the bees near his mouth would
have been undoubtedly irritated, and would
have probably entered his mouth. At this
moment he heard a railway train on the
Chester Branch Railway, from which he
was about fifty yards. 1t fortunately hap
pened that the engine driver was known to
him. and had little commission to sound
his railway whistle If he saw anything
wrong among his cows and sheep. This
engine-driver seeing Mr.. Simmonds on his
knees. with one arm extended as If for help,
and something odd hanging from his face,
sounded his Whistle This was heard by
Mr.. Simmonds' wife, who supposed that
some cow was ill, sent her son and a farm
| ing man out into the fields. They soon
| found Mr.. Simmonds in the predicament
above described. In addition to the hang
| ing mass, there was cloud of bees still
| iying around him, SO that to approach
| him was rot the most agreeable office
However, they came near enough to hear
HIM speak. which he did very gently, mere
| w saving: Bring bushel hive, well
rubbed with honey, and some bricks"
| While they were gone at the top OF their
speed for this, he remained perfectly still
| The tickling of the bees feet on his face
| was almost unbearable, and the danger OF
| irritating those that were down his neck
and back was imminent. The most dill
| cult part he had to perform, however, was
| that before mentioned, OF dlssuadlng the
bees, with the ends of his two fore fingers,
| from getting up his nostrils. These bees
were not in a good humor, as they were
4 breathed upon, and were also deferred from
doing as they pleased, and one bee showed
his dispIeasure by singing. Mr.. Slmmonds
| at LO6 IOIh vi ulS tWO AAAh'
was not pleasant of itself; but it was
serious occurrence, as it might be the pre-
lude to a more extensive attack. lie
avoided making any start when he was
stung, and continued to push away as
gently as possible those that were near his
nostrils. This was the only safe place to
breathe from, as it was necessary to keep
his mouth perfectly closed. OF course, the
few minutes that elapsed before the return
of his son and servant seemed terribly
long period to Mr.. Simmonds, and during
the whole of it he remained as motionless
as possible on his knees. On their arrival,
the hive was placed on three bricks, with
its mouth downward, and Mr.. Simmonds
slowly laid himself on his breast on the
the grass, with his head close to the hive
The honey soon attracted the bees nearest
to it, and slow movement of the bees
took place, till at length the whole swarm
gathered itself under and within the hive,
except few patches of bees, which, in
walking away, Mr.. Simmonds easily olsen
gagged from his dress with his hands, and
made them join their companions. Mr..
Simmonds thus escaped from not only a
very disagreeable but a perilous situation.
| It occupied two hours from the time the
bees alighted on their master to the time
| Of his rnlpaGp