Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-06-01

without gloves. And I don't calcu-
late to have anything on my place
that I've got to be afeered on.
Mrs. Scranton said she shouldn't
run any risk Of getting stung. Israel
enlightened her on this point, in case
she might be alone sometime when
the bees needed prompt attention.
He said it was all in knowing how to
handle them; they could be tanned,
likening them to kittens who sheathed |
their claws when in a friendly grasp.
He spoke now as if they already had
bees, saying warmly:
"Now, Lois, I hope you won't 60
to Citing our bees riled up a dodging
'em; / hope yell act as If ye didn't
mistrust them. They're very much
like dog, you've got to walk right
up to him; if you go to cutting round
the corner, ten to one he'll have you
by the coat-tail.
~ The illustration was forcible one,
even to her who wore gowns and not
coats. Mrs. Scranton shuddered at
the idea of an attack in the rear.
Immediately after this talk Mr..
Scranton composed letter to bee
keeper in New Hampshire. The re-
ply was that probably there would be
young hive ready soon. These Mr..
Scranton engaged. They both de-
cided to say nothing about it to the
neighbors at present. Israel feared
they might start IN the same line of
business, often abiding to an over
stocked market in business style
that won the approval of Lois. Mr..
Scranton's way, however, of keeping
the secret was most public. Forget
ting the failures of the past, that had
made him the target of many a friend
ly shot at ''the store, the general
gathering place for the country gos-
sips. Israel dropped in there almost
every evening, and somehow always
got to talking about the subject that
was uppermost in his mind. 1t was
noticed by the astute ones, that he
suddenly developed violent liking
for honey; he tried the different
kinds, tasting with the air of an
adept. He often came home with a
little jar. They had ''hapjacks' for
breakfast, with honey; his ten
O'Clock lunch was bread and-honey f;
at supper, instead of sauce-honey.
Mrs. Scranton, who oftenest looked
over the "pass book" called it, with
reason, ''terrible dear stuff" but Mr..
Scranton said:
That's just why I'm going into
bees, Lois. / don't care how much
they tuck on the price; it's money
in my pocket"
This novel reasoning silenced Mrs.
Scranton. Still she did not, for the
sake of the cause, patronize the ven-
der of more sweetness, III the person
of the old German who came into the
yard with honey, and queer home
made slippers in a little dog-cart.
Mrs. Scranton shook her head at him
through the sitting-room window,
saying, hurriedly:
"Nothing to-day"
To her dismay Israel came round
the corner of the barn at that mo-
ment, heartily welcomed his future
rival, and purchased can. She
threw up the sash.
'Why, Israel, told him no ; we've
got plenty now"
''Mr. Scranton's only reply was a
telegraphic look; it told her that in
reference would be disastrous TO some
plan of his concerning the German.
Afterward he explained.
81 wanted to see what there was
so extra in his. He's got reg'lal
line of customers, says they won't
have nobody else's honey. Got a
spoon handy, Lois ?"
He tasted, smacked and tasted
again.
ssI don't call this grain better
than the Californy. 1t amt up to the
scratch in color, neither. Guess well
beat that, Lois, and when once them
customers O. hisn gets taste O. my
honey, I'll have them all. / kinder
drawed him out, and l can see plain
that he isn't up to any of the new no.
TONS"
"I'll warrant you let it out, and he
will steal our Italians"
Mr.. Scranton said he had kept il
mighty close, but the thing would
leak out after time, of course, and
somebody would be helping them
selves Sundays. and dark nights, SO
he had his eye on a fine Watchdog
The owner had been offered twenty
five dollars for him, but for reasons
that he did not state, offered him to
Israel for ten dollars.
Mrs. Scranton's s expression of dis.
may her husband interpreted happi-
ly.
eyes, he's bargain, stands as
high as the table, Lois, and is mos
as big as calf
The dog came the next day, the
picture of famine with his hungry
eyes and long, lank body.
81 don't know what we'll fill yor
, up with, poor beast" observed Mrs
, Scranton. as she stroked the new
guards head, sunless it's honey"
, Mr.. Scranton said his leanness was
: because he hadn't got his growth; al
he wanted was a little meal pudding