The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-09-07
Frog Stories.

ertheless they exhibit some character
istics which are not little remarka-
BILE, and seem to indicate the possession
of what one may call common sense
They have never been educated to play
poker, like their porcine brethren, or
to execute military evolutions like
their feathered compatriots, but they
have been known to do great many
odd things which they could hardly be
expected to be experts in.
In the rear of the writer's residence
there is shallow tank in which few
goldfish disport themselves. There are
shrubs around, and plenty of long
grass. One day, much to the surprise
of all interested, an unusual commo-
ton was observed in the water, and
investigation disclosed the presence of
large frog therein. Whence he had
come none could say. There he was
however, making vigorous efforts to
get out Of the tank. A small ladder
was constructed, weighted with lead
at the bottom, and lowered into the
tank. Then the observers stood aside
to watch the result. Presently the
frogs head appeared above the water
as he assembled the ladder, spoke by
spoke. and in a second he hoped upon
the edge of the tank, blinked his big
eyes at the sun, and then sprang gaily
to the grass. Away he went, kicking
up his heels like a wild young colt, and
disappeared in shady nook behind a
shrub
After this, froggy paid regular visits
to the water and always returned by
the ladder. Curiosity prompted his
human friend to examine his lair. II
was up i'll a dark corner, behind big
stone, and was spread with a quantity
of dried grass and leaves. There he
Teposed nearly all the day. After dark
you could hear him hopping along the
walks, and on more occasions than one
he came right into the kitchen and
helped himself to certain refuse which
had been placed there for his refresh
mGnt.
1t 50 happened that one of the boys
OF the house had a young brood of
chickens. There We're only three of
them, and they were precious in their
owners eyes accordingly. One day
one of these chickens-the feeblest of
them-Was missing, and as it was sup
posed to have died of some infantile
atliiction search was made for its body,
in order to afford it the rights of sep
ultme. 1t could not be found any
where. About the same time the frog
disappeared also, and search was made
for his anphibious lorIship. He was
at length discovered under the back
stoop, with his big eyes half closed
and the legs of the missing chicken
prOtruding from his mouth. In the
wrath of the moment he was ruthlessly
slain.
\ friend Of the writer resides in a
snug cottage in the midst of garden.
In the rear, fifty yards away from the
house, a brook rippleS past. A num-
Der Of bees are housed around. Their
hives are simply boxes raised from the
ground by means of a brick at each
corner. For several seasons in sue
CeSSiOn the owner of the bees had been
sadly disappointed in his yield of hon
cy. He could not account for the fail
ire, and was puzzled beyond measure
One day he came to the writer's house
and announced that he had discovered
the thief, giving an invitation to 90
down and see the fun. The next night
The writer went accordingly. 1t was
soft summer evening, and the full
moon shone directly on the garden.
The writer, by request, took a seat on
the front stoop, with his friend by his
side. Presently the gentleman en-
claimed, "LOok. here they come, See
that dark object moving along by the
side Of the hOuser' The writer looked.
and sure enough something was stir
ring, but it stirred in bounds, taking
nearly Il foot at time. Two or three
yards behind another similar form adj
Yanced. and in the rear Of that an
other and another.
what on earth are they?' the
writer inquired.
''Frogs,' was the brief answer.
BY this time the first frog had reached
within yard Of the bee boxes. Here
he stopped and sat ON his launches.
The other fellows came hopping along.
and retired one after another into the
shadow Of the house, right in front of
the bee boxes. After moments
pause, as though he was waiting for
lis companions to assemble, the first
frog hoped toward a bee box and dis
appeared under it. In minute there
was terrible row inside. The angry
buzz Of the bees rose on the still air,
and presently black cloud Of them en-
yeloped the box. In the midst of this
turmoil and music a dark object was
observed retiring from tie bee box, III
short and apparently difficult leaps. 1t
was the frog covered with vindictiVe
bees, and accompanied by an escort
drumming and Whirring in awful
wrath. The frog hoped along, pur-
sued by AL the bees in the hive, and
directed his steps toward the river.
When he reached the bank he plunged
into the water, and disappeared, and
the watchers could see hundreds of
bees who had quilted their hold on
him as he reached the ungrateful ele-
ment, borne down by the current.
"Well, he's got no honey this time"
said the gentleman, ''and the proba-
bility is that he'll die Of his wounds"
Lets go back, and see what the
other fellows are about" the writer
said.
On reaching the front of the house
nothing could be seen OF them. The
bees, however, were returning to
their box, and making an awful hula
balloo
They'll soon quiet down. the gen.
tleman said, land don't think frog
gle will trouble them again"
1.-THE box doesn't seem to sit even,"
the writer remarked,