The Somerset reporter., 1894-07-12
TIL Ant HUNTER.

A delicious freshness pcryaded tho
woods. The sparrows fitted i'll and out
among TIN branches and sang to one an
other their sweetest songs. On a project
ing bough a finch had comfortably set
tied himself and was whistling with
the utmost nonchalanec the sole number
contained in the poor rascal repertory.
It was rare delight indeed to wan
der through this natural loneliness aft
er leaving scarcely two hours before
the sitting atmosphere Of arallway car.
And the pathway through which loi-
tered in happicst mood was a narrow
one. The highway indeed would have
conducted me more quickly to the de-
sired haven, hut on this most magnifi-
gent summer day | 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 a clearing, and
in truth a few more steps brought me to
an open place, which spread itself out
like an island in the heart Of the wood.
Near the edge of the clearing knelt
man who was indu>triously filing a
sack Could it be earth that he was
scooping up, and for what purpose:
stole nearer That which the man
was gathering was the peculiar nest Of
the wood ant, cunningly put together
from bits of plants and pine needles.
All this the man put into wire sieve,
which the ants and their white
Larvae fell into the sack.
"Good success said |, with friendly
greeting.
The ant hunter looked up and pushed
back little his old felt hat. Then he
said; 1T will do, sir. There isn't any
body in the neighborhood who cares to
be rival in the business
Indeed! Has any one any objection
to it,"
Him; ycsl The 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 Il crumpled hat OF
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
err, 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 worry re-
" said he shaking the sieve
my work is simple enough. "
He spread out a linen cloth, fastened
down its four corners with wooden pins
and surrounded the whole with pine
then he took the sack and
shook its contents out upon the cloth.
the lively little creatures
seized their babies and sought to hide
them among the sheltering twigs There
upon the ant hunter brushed these twigs
with a coarse rag, and the ants remained
hanging to the twigs, while the larvte
lay clearly distinguishable upon the
cloth spread out below.
"My crop is gathered for today, said
he, thrusting his booty into the sack
"And does this business make you
living?" l asked
ooh, it'll do! The dealers pay me
pretty well, and the amount | need for
my living He did not finish the SEN
tence, but sad smile fitted over his
face.
While his work had been going on
his pipe had gone out, and he drew out
now a closely tied tobacco pouch. 1t
was empty. I could see that the old
man was greatly disappointed, and that
after his hard work he had counted up
Oh this modest enjoyment. Help, how
ever, was at hand, for although no
smoker myself | always carry tobacco
with me on these mountain excursions.
1t is an "open sesame when even the
jingle of coin is ineffectual--no Alpine
shepherd can resist it. Such n packet |
took from my pocket now, and opening
it offered it to the ant hunter.
Here Il some, Try IL and see II II
suits you. "
What had | done? The man stood as
though transfxed, his eyes staring. A
shudder ran through his body.
SIR .he burst forth, hut excitement
would not let him proceed further.
Take it, beg Of you'll" said |.
Upon this curious change came
over his countenance. A suspicious
moisture appeared in his eyes. His bos-
IN rose and fell, and involuntarily he
stretched out his hand for the little
packet.