Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-08-09


One day Patty ran into the house
with her yellow hair a tumble, and her
blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Mother, o MOTHER" she cried, her
little brown hands tiuttering like the
wings of bird, "the bees are swarm
ing"
'SSure?" asked her mother, doubt
fully. For, you see, Patty was the
least bit in the world like the boy in
the fable who cried "Wolf wolf r.
when there. was no wolf. Not that
she meant to be, but so many bees
would fly about making such buzzing
in the warm spring sunshine, that
Patty was often quite certain that they
were swarming, when they hadn't any
idea of it. And that is why Patty's
mother asked in a doubtful way,
"Sure?"
"Yes'm," said Patty meel1ly.
Her mother stepped to the door.
True enough, there was roar like
that of very small waterfall in the
air, and over the bee-hives floated a
little black cloud.
81 do believe they are" she said.
"But they're not all out yet, l guess,
and will not begin to light for some
little time. Run down to Mr.. Jessop's,
Patty, and tell your father-no, I'll
CO." with a smile, remembering that
Patty had gone fer her father once be-
fore, when the bees were not swarm
ing after all.
MAY l 60 out and watch 'em,
motherp" asked Patty, dancing heel
and toe on the white kitchen floor.
'Yes; put on Aunt Nabby's shaker
and don't go too near"
So Patty got into Aunt Nabby's
big shaker bonnet which was so much
too large that you could not see her
little round face, unless feeling quite
sure it was there, you stopped and
peeped in; and the brown calico cape
almost reached the hem of her short
skirts.
Then Patty went into the garden
and sat down on a box by the cucum-
Der bed.
She watched the dancing black
swarm until her eyes grew heavy.
The sun shone brightly, the west wind
blew about her warm and soft and
fragrant. The buzzing of many bees
grew louder and louder, until it seemed
to swallow up every other sound. Then
the big shaker began to droop, and that
was all Patty knew, until
patty! Patty, child! Don't stir for
your life!"
This was what called Patty out of
Dreamland, her fathers voice, deep and
hoarse.
At first she wondered where she
was. There was a roar, like distant
thunder, in her ears.
Don't move, Patty dear. Don't
lift your head!' That was her mother
The words sounded to Patty great
way off, and there was tremble in
them and sob at the last. What could
it mean?
Patty was frightened, but she was
brave little girl, and had always been
taught to obey. So she sat very still
with scarcely CULVER of an eyelid, and
presently she felt the big shaker gently
lifted from her head.
"All right!' said her father.
And Patty looked up with little
cry to see the shaker-Aunt Nabbys
shaker, truly, but bigger than ever
with that great cluster of moving,
buzzing bees hanging to it-disappear
within an empty hive.
Then Patty laughed. did they light
on my head ?" she cried, jumping up.
"What funl"
But her mother took the little girl in
her arms, and carried her into the
house and cried over her. Mothers
are such queer people.
"That shall be Patty's hive" said
her father, coming in later; adding,
with twinkle in his eye, "I've heard
of bee in ones bonnet, but | never
saw so many bees on ones bonnet be.
FORE"
"Nor l." said Patty, laughing still
"They shall make me some honey to
pay for that. "-Youth's Companion.