River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-08-23

hOtlSth luc lnTOduS the lllllc StIduSc
made on their slender provisions. Tire
slices Of bread vanished in trice, ant
the bowl of milk they had though
would serve for supper and breskfas
both, was all gone at one meal.
A week went by, and little Gertrude
had gained hold on the affections o
both her aunts, but mad made terrible
onslaught on their resources in money
The two sisters were talking over tbei
troubles in low tones one afternoon, will,
the little girl wandered about amont
the flowers.
"a loaf of bread every day since she
came hereV said Miss Polly. Why
two week used to serve US, and oul
washing is almost twice as large a
usual n
81 know it, Polly. don't know what
we can do"
AT this moment the little cause o.
trouble appeared in the open door
way. Her straw hat had fallen of, her faii
pretty hair hung about her face, and
she held quantity OF bright flowers in
her apron. A great ray of sunlight
came in after her, and the bees buzzing
about, seemed to think that they had
by no means lost their right to the
pretty blossoms.
" Aunt Polly, bow many bees you do
haver said little Gertrude.
Yes, child, they are very trouble.
some," with a sigh.
. | think the king of the bees lives
here, and all his people come to see
him. See, they won't 90 away at all, +"
as she brushed away an intrusive black
buzzer.
stake care, Gertrude, they will sting
you ~ exclaimed Miss Hepzibah.
80 no, they won't! amt afraid of
them. know where they all live, too"
" Live What do you mean? They
come from the woods and the neigh.
bors."
"Ono, they don't" opening her eyes
in establishment "why, don't you know
that they all live here, in your house ~
"What nonsense, child" cried Miss
Polly.
80, | know they dol have seen
them. Come out here and | will show
You"
Wondering, and yet willing to humor
the child, Miss Hepzibah took Gertrude's
hand and went out into the porch. The
child pointed up in triumph. "There
don't you see how the bees are flying in
and out of those holes just under the
roof? that is one of the ways they get
into the house, and there are ever so
many more of their doors above, on top
of the roof, and o, Aunt Hepzibah,
there's honey in there have seen it !;
lots Of honey Couldn't we get some
out? it would be so nice for teal
Miss Hepzibah stared up, shading her
eyes with her hand. AS little Gertrude
said, bees in myriads were flying in and
out under the heavy moulding Of the
old roof. Was it true, and did the bees
really live in the house? At this mo.
ment John Wilson, who had made
friends with the little stranger, came
down the street and was called in.
" John, do you really think the bees
live in the root, as Gertrude says 2"
The young lad looked up with clear.
bright eyes.
1t seems very much like it," he
said but it's easily found out"
And suiting action to word, in an
other moment, despite Miss Hepzibah's
remonstrance, he was swinging himself
up by the pillar to the roof.
" should think they did live here !"
he cried out presently. "Why, there
are ever so many holes where they are
going in and out of the house I" Then,
after moment, land / can see the
honey, too, as Gertrude says. 1t must
be packed away between the two stories.
Piles of it, too, guess. But can'tsee
how much, there are so many of these
troublesome fellows about
lie swung himself down again, Ger.
trude jumping about and clapping her
hands in delight, Miss Hepzibah look.
ing half puzzled, half pleased.
" tell you, Miss Hepzibah," he said,
- there is fortune up there. You
know keep bees myself, so / know a
little about them. Those bees must
have been making honey in there b..
tween the stories for years. And now
all you have 10 do is to swarm them
away into proper hives and then take
up the floor and see what you can
find
The suggestion, strange and even
star ling to the two ladies at first, be.
came gradually a welcome one. John
Wilson, in his leisure time, came and
swarmed the bees away into long row
of comfortable hives neatly arranged at
the bottom of the garden. And then,
amid the breathless excitement OF all
interested, the floor Of the entry up
stairs was lifted.
What a strange sight was presented
Liquid gold encased in snowy cells
Pounds and pounds of the most beauti.
full honey Some of il damaged. Of
course, but the rieh deposits extended
back among the old raiters, showix
Il