Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-16

Some forty years ago or more the following
amusing incident occurred in Dummerston.
None of tho parties are now living. 1t ap-
pears that Asa Knight Esq, merchant in
this place many years, and Ithamar Chamber
lain, farmer, went together on one occasion
to find wild honey. They had succeeded in
lining or following some bees as far as Black
Mouataiu when one Joel Tuttle came up with
them and said he had recently found swarm
of bees in that vicinity, but had not disturbed
them because their hiving place WAS difficult
to reach on account of the bee.tree standing
high up in the locality called the shoe of the
mountain He made the proposition that if
Knight and Chamberlain would help him Sc
cure the honey, he would be willing to share
equally with them. They agreed to do so,
and forthwith started for the bee tree. After
much hard climbing they found the place
where the bees were at work, and, sure enough,
they were busy flying in and out at the top of
a tall dead tree, which had been broken off
many feet from the ground The opening at
the top was much hidden by the leaves and
branches of trees standing near, but the bees
appeared to be very numerous. As it was ev-
ident that cutting down the dead tree would
be a hard job, the work was postponed until
the following Sunday, and they returned home
to await the eyentful day, in the meantime
keeping the matter profound secret. Mr..
Knight, being prominent man in the affairs
Of the town, hesitaled about the propriety of
his performing unnecessary work on the Sab
bath day but, wanting very much to get his
share of the coveted honey. he procured
substitute for himself in the person of Henry
Cressey, who was quite an adept at handling
bees. At the appointed time, Tuttle, Cressey
and Chamberlain met, having provided them
selves with pals, buckets and dippers for Sc
! curing the honey. TO make doubly sure,
Tuttle shouldered large tub extra; and thus
| equipped the company started for the noun
tain, three miles distant. 1t was hard climb
| ing the mountain, encumbered with so many
kitchen utensils; but they persevered, and,
having at length reached the spot, began cut
! ting down the dead tree. 1t was three feet in
diameter, very dry, and hard to cut. Each
| took his turn with the axe as the other became
! tired. The tree, standing straight up as a
| plumb line, had to be cut nearly of the stump
before il fell. Finally it came with crash
| to the ground. Cressey, being most fear
less man, was at the top of the tree instantly
with pail and dipper, that no honey be lost.
His friends, being little more discreet than
himself, awaited his movements. He did not
announce the appearance of honey but was
seen to suddenly drop his utensils and begin
desperate fight with the enemy. His hands
alternated rapidly in snatching the stingng
adyerslries from his hair, ears and cheeks.
In the midst of the conflict, Cressey suddenly
comprehendtd the situation, and be yelled out
Justify: Nothing but a ID yellow wasps
nest" Presto, change. The enemy were
victorious. and the Sunday adyenturers re-
treated with hasty steps and snddened ooun-
tenances. The enterprise was a failure, and
it was decided not to mention it. 1t was,
however, too good secret to keep long, and
somebody diyulged it. The result was that
Knight and Chamberlain were out of pocket
several dollars for drinks to quench the thirst
of their mirth-loving friends. DIN.
Dummerston, March ., 1888.