The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-30
4 NOVEL DUEL ON A BAR.
Bic Bottles and $50 wagered on the Re.
suit.


number OF flies had settled on ono end Of
the bar at a well-known uptown resort tho
other afternoon attracted by o few drops OF q
sweet drink that had been spilled. A group OF
customers OF The place stood near but the
tipping lies were objects OF no interest to
them until one OF tho group discovered a red
dish brown ant moving In very business
like manner toward the lilies. The presence OF
an mt OF that kind In such place MAS sons
thing 30 unheard OF that every person In the
house became Interested in 1t at once. The
ant hurried along until it was within three or
four inc hes OF the flies and then stopped AID
seemed TO be making Reconnaissance Pres
entity 1t advanced IN Il cautious. siding man
ner toward the flies again.
The files were apparently 80 much engaged
In abso' bling the strange Geicacy they had
come upon that they did not notice the ap-
preach OF the ant. and evon II they had there
was nothing in the manner OF the insect TO
strike them with alarm. Tho an sldled along
until 1t was close to the unsuspecting flies
whom It male n sudden dash ami seze IA nv by
the fies aud tho unlucky one was left s,ruv-
Cling t., to es care from cup or The ny was
thah sIe % !s be- sa the
body the nv would have had no Difficulty in
bearing Tho an, away. Whatever it's ultimate
douhte lily had calculated on that when II mad'
its attack on the fly. and by grabbing 1t by tho
wing nude It impossible for It to rise.
tumbled aud rolled q Il pounded about by tho
which presumed to give 1t light. But the ant
had SCI out TO d.. pr baSy from II. i E' il
cut the wing from the lily. close to the body.
and thus pnt an end to the Insects power OF
flight Tho attack III the ant on the fly excited
tat"rs from the start. and when the ant dis
ahlcd the fly. after the liz ely rough and tumble
round dozen be were quickly made on the
TIL" fly, unable to take wing. tried to escape
by ru ming. but the ant was npon 1t again in u
second. and agai they wrestled about IN tho
ranions had re- overed themselve- suffio emily
to compie end the trouble t was in, and came
back 10 MD it. They pumped down IN the
the fly before any further perceptible Injury
had been done. but the ant dashed boldly to
the hight again and grabbed ono OF tho new
hs sf h bu n. 1s bar
leg OF umbled back on tho bar again. and
without an instan,'s delay started IN pu, suit OF
tho crlp pled fly. which WAS being helped along
They might have succeeded in getting the
cri pied fly to some place OF safety. but the
specia'ors who hs bet on tho ant interfercd
gent away The ant then pi c.ed into the one
winged fly. and aft'r another lively wrestle cut
the remaining wing of. All this time the other
psrIlIed coinpanIHn a.sstance md lad to ,' be
kep, out OF the light by tho spectatnls. After
sn pp.nR of tho ny's second wing the ant
boldly grHsp.d the insect by the head. and.
mi1ht deer 1t had captured. trotted or with
its prey. 81 m bed down the end OF the bar. and
fisarpen cd In i,o!e behind it. Sixty dollars
In money and six hotties Of " ne were lost aud
won on the exciting ant aud fly duel which
lasted five minutes.