The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-29
THE ANT HUNTER.

Is
woods. The sparrows fitted in and out
among the branches and sang to one an
other their sweetest songs On project
ing bough q finch had comfortably set
tied himself and was whistling with
the utmost nonchalanoe the sole number
contained in the poor rascal's repertory.
II WINS rare delight indeed to wan
der through this natural loveliness aft
er leaving scarcely two hours before
the sitting atmosphere of railway car
Ind the pathway through which loi-
tered in happiest mood was q marrow
one The highway indeed would have
conducted me more quickly to the de-
sired haven, but on this most magnifi-
oent summer day I very naturally chose
the longer walk through one of the most
beautiful bits of forest in the neighbor-
hood
Suddenly the sunshine glinted more
brightly through the trees 1t must be
that was approaching clearing, and
in truth few more steps brought mo to
an open place, which spread itself out
Hbe an island In the heart of the wood.
Near the edge of the clearing knelt a
man who was industriously filling q
sack Could it be earth that he was
soooping up, and for what purpose?
stole nearer. That which the man
was gathering was the peculiar nest ST
the wood ant, cunningly put together
from bits of plants and pine needles.
All this the man put into wire sieve,
through which the ants and their white
Larvae fell into the sack
Good SUGGEST" said l, with friendly
greeting.
The ant hunter looked up and pushed
back little his old felt hat Then he
said: "It will do, sir. There isn't any
body in the neighborhood who cares to
be o rival i'll the business. -
"Indeed! Has any one any objection
to it?''
Him; yesl Tho work makes one look
sol" said the ant hunter, and his eye
ran over his own shabby exterior
He wore dirty and ragged brown
coat was barefooted, and pressed upon
his frouzy head was crumpled hat of
doubtful color. Between his teeth he
held short pipe, the rudely fantastic
head of which he might have carved
himself. The old stump must have been
the dearest thing he called his own, for
even when he spoke it did not leave his
lips
had never before seen an ant hunt
en-, although he is a characteristic fca-
ture of the Alps, so sat down upon the
stump OF tree to watch him work.
You won't see anything very re-
markablo, said he, shaking the sieve
Ny work is simple enough.
flo spread out linen cloth, fastened
down its four corners with wooden pins
and surrounded the whole with pine
branches; then he took the sack and
shook its contents out upon the cloth
Immediately the lively little creatures
seized their babies and sought to hide
them among the sholtering twigs. There
upon the ant hunter brushed these twigs
with coarse rag, and the ants remained
hanging to the twigs, while the larvae
lay clearly distinguishablc upon the
cloth spread out below.
Ny crop is gathered for today" said
he, thrusting his booty into the sack
And does this business make you a
living?' asked
"Oh. it'll dol The dealers pay me
pretty well, and the amount | need for
my living He did not finish the sen
tenoe, but sad smile fitted over his
face
While his work had been going on
his Pipe had gone out, and he drew ont
now q closely tied tobacco pouch 1t
was empty. 1 could see that the old
man was greatly disappointed, and that
after his hard work he had counted up
on this modest enjoyment. Help, how
ever, was at hand, for although no
smoker myself l always carry tobacco
with me Oh these mountain excursions.
1t is an open sesame" when even the
Jingle of coin is ineffcctual-no Alpine
shepherd can resist it. Such packet
took from my pocket now, and opening
it offered it to the ant hunter.
Here is some. Try it and sec if it
suits you"
What had ! done? The man stood as
though transfixed, his eyes staring. A
shudder ran through his body
"Sirp' he burst FORTH but excitement
would not let him proceed further.
"Takc it, beg of youp' said L
Upon this curious change came
over his countenace A suspicious
moisture appeared i'll his eyes. His bos-
ON rose and fell, and involuntarily he
stretched out his hand for the little
packet.
Sir" he faltered "Sir, excuse me-
but it is fully IL years since human
being has offered me kindness. -
"You-avoid pcoplc?" said I, per
picked.
"Or they me--which amounts to the
Same thing" said he bitterly
looked narrowly at him. He dropped