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

Their sentinel was sleepless all
night, and so were the Scrantons. He
howled and growled necessarily, un-
til it seemed as though demons revel-
led amid ''the posies." At intervals,
Mr.. Scranton investigated the prem
ises from different windows of the
house saying, There's somebody
about, or the critter wouldn't be SO
Uneasy. If he was loose he'd settle
'em. I'd orter kept dog afore."
"Why?" asked Lois sharply, for
her nerves were quite unstrung. "We
never was robbed, and slept with the
doors unlocked, too. For my part I'd
rather lose a few things than have
my rest broken"
Towards morning silence reigned
over the place grateful for il the cou-
pie slept, but daylight LAID bare sew
eral unpleasant doings of the guard.
He had slipped his lean head through
his collar, enlarged the scat-hole, /"
and left the shed. Mr.. Scranton's
fears that he might not feel at home,
were groundless, however for he free
ly helped himself to a meal in the
eating the meat that Mrs.
Scranton had prepared for the Sew
ing Circle, besides mutilating
cheese and several pies.
Mrs. Scranton elected him from
her premises with the broom, saying
she hoped never to set eyes on him
again but in the midst of her wrath
came letter from the bee man. The
hive was ready. Both were much ex-
cited by it. Mr.. Scranton was for
tackling up directly, taking their
lunch and going directly after the
bees. Mrs. Scranton lamented again.
There was nothing cooked.
"And that pesky dog has eaten up
the Society corn beef
"Never mind. Bile some eggs
and we've got bread and"
'Honey," Mrs. Scranton laughed
as merrily as girl. Her spirits were
rising. "Anyhow we shan't have to
leave no lunch for the dog
"That's so, replied Mr.. Scranton,
"he'll he wanting to join your Socie-
ty for the sake of your sandwiches. .
They entered the wagon in high
spirits, and clattered up the street.
starting various conjectures among
their neighbors.
Arriving at the dealers they found
the bees ready for them in an old hive.
"AlI in there ?" asked Mr.. Scranton
ssYes."
Cant get sight at them, | spose? p
''It would hardly be best to disturb
them, sir. You'll find comb enough
in there for two or three days"
:sWho knows there are bees there p
whispered Mrs. Scranton to Israel.
Thus warned, Mr.. Scranton inquir.
ed, "What kind O. bees are they?'
''The Italians. You wanted the best
/ warrant those bees"
Mrs. Scranton beamed again, plac
ing implicit confidence in anything
warranted"
The entrance to the hive was ther
closed and it was set in the wagon
"Think it won't slip when l start p
"No, it can't get away, it sets in :
little groove.
Mrs. Scranton watched few rods
until satisfied that the lodge of th'
honey -gatherers was riding safely
then turned her attention to Israel
who after quoting a long paragraph
about their gentle traits, half turned
and placing his left hand on the hive
said, oratorically, eyes, these 'er
can be tanned until they are prett,
nigh human," when he suddenly with
drew the gesture as if he had touched
fire, for he was stung by stray bee
Mrs. Scranton wondered why his toel
lost its blandness, and why he sud
denly said sharply, "You aint tend
ing up to that hive, Lois p
She said they were all right, ant
then added, "I'm sure I've learne,
something. | didn't know there wa
so much to bees; I've allus kinde
mixed 'em up with humble bees
wasps and hornets and kept out O. th
way; but now / see the difference"
About this time Mrs. S. though
she saw several flies about the mare
head and something fly past her bon
net. stAint there lots of hoss-fy
out to-day, Israel ?" she inquired.
While he was saying they had 60
to expect them in summer time, tn,
mare jumped.
''There's one worrying her now
I'll get out and kill it when we get NJ
here apiece. Hive all rlght?"
Eyes, amt moved peg
When Mr.. Scranton stopped he die
not see anything. He picked some
indigo weeds beside the road anG
protected the mares head with 1t.
Now we can ride with some com
fort" said Mrs. Scranton. 81 pitt
hosses in fy-time. Its"-she stopped
for something struck her bonnet.
'sDon't 'spose any O those bees
was left out and is follerin' us ?''
.sCan't be-" said Mr.. Scranton, bu
he looked up the road as if scenting
enemies, and hurried into the wagon
1t was at this time that he felt &
movement in his ear, like flash hi
senses took in the delicate progress
of an insect, before he could brush i
away a nerve was pierced with a fer,