The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-21
A Bee Story.
HOW MR.. BRICKToP GRATIFIED MRS. BRICK
ToP-THE RESULT OF HIS PURCHASE.

l had an improved backyard | went
through seed store and bought sample OF
everything that would grow in this climate
The result was perfect tangle of flowers and
things, from the overgrown sunfower to a
for-get-me.not. Mrs. Bricktop is very proud
of our garden, and while gushing over it the
other morning, a happy thought worked its
way under her back hair: "What delightful
thing it would to have hive of bees, and
raise our own honey as well as everything
else p l have always thought that woman
inspired ever since she convinced me that /
couldn't do better than to marry her. This
was an original, bold idea; a happy thought.
promised her hive of bees, and went to
business with lighter heart, and firmer be-
lief in the genuineness of home comforts and
amusements.
I bought hive of honey bees and brought
it home with me that very night. 1t was one
of those patent hydrostatic, back action hives,
In which the bees have peculiar accommoda-
tions and modern improvements. 1t was a
nice little hive, none of your old-fashioned
barn affair. 1t even had windows in it, so that
the bees could look out and see what was 60
ing on and enjoy themselves Both myself
and Mrs. B. were delighted, and before dark
| arranged the stand for the hive in the gar
den, and opened the bay windows so that the
bees could take an early start and get to
work by sunrise next morning. Mrs B. called
me honey several times during the evening,
and such sweet dreams as we had
We intended to be up early next morning
to see how our little birds took to our flowers;
but coed aaf hour before we probably
should have done so we were awakened by
the unearthly yells OF cat Mrs B. leaped
from her downy couch, exclaimed, what can
be the matter with our yellow Billy" The
yells OF anguish convinced us that something
more than ordinary was the matter with him,
and so we hurried into our toilets We
rushed into our backyard, and oh, what a
sight, met our astonished gaze. The sight
consisted of yellow cat that appeared to be
doing its best to make pin wheel of itself
He was rolling over in the grass, anon dart
ing through the bushes and foliage, standing
on his head and then trying to drive his tail
into the ground, and all the while keeping
up the most confounged yowling that was ev-
er heard
"That cat is mad,' said Mrs B. affrighted-
'Why shouldn't he be? The bees are sting.
ing him." said |, comprehending the trouble
Mrs B. flew to the rescue OF her cat, and the
cat flew at her. So did the bees One of
hem drove his drill into her nose, another
Vaccinated her on the chin, while another be- |
gan to lay out his work near her eye. Then she |
lowled, and began to act almost as bad as the |
,at. 1t was quite an animated scene She |
cried murder, and the neighbors looked out |
rom their back windows and cried out for
he police, and asked where the fire was.
This being trifle too much, / threw tow
i over my head and rushed to her rescue.
n doing 50, | ran over and knocked her
Town, trod upon the cat, and made matters
10 bette. Mrs. B. is no child on wrestle,
md she soon had me under her, and was
enderly stamping down the garden walk
With my head, using my ears for handles.
Then | yelled, and some of the bees came to
Ter assistance, and stung me all over the face.
In the meantime the neighbors were shout
ng, and getting awfully excited over the
how, while our servant, supposing us fight
ng, opened the basement room and admitted
policeman, who at one proceeded to go be-
ween man and wife. The bees hadn't got at
how the policeman that had abused her in
he most shamful manner, and that had bought
hive OF bees on purpose to torment her into
he grave. l tried to explain; but just then
zee stung the officer on the nose, and he under
TODD it all in less than minute He got mad
md actually lost his temper. He rubbed his
lose and did some official cussing. But as
his didn't help matters any, he drew his club
md proceeded to demolish that patent bee
i've; The bees failed to recognize his badge
# office, and just swarmed on him. They
tung him wherever he had no clothing
nd in some places where he did
ave it. Then he howled, and COM
nenced acting after the manner of the cat
nd its mistress. He rolled on the ground for
moment and then got up and made for the
treet, shouting fire" Then the bees turned
o the people who had climbed upon the fence
Q see the fun. Then they had some fun.