St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-03-15
SAVED BY BEES.

whom | had lost sight OF tor years
and thought dead, rode into my
camp and declared his intention of
becoming my guest for week.
One night. when we were lying be-
side our campfire, he said
George, il it wasn't for the wife
and little ones think I'd JOIN you"
80 you are married, Dock ?"
said.
Yes, and I've got the dearest and
bravest wife one would meet in a
year'stravel."
Children ?"
-Four" he answered. by the
way, | haven't said a word about
them, nor told you how came to
get married and leave Texas"
Then you are no longer a citizen
OF the Lone Star state?"
II moved to northeastern Georgia
shortly after my marriage-my wife
came originally from there-and I'm
accounted one OF the largest bee
farmers in the United States"
He laughed merrily at my look OF
astonishment, knocked the ashes out
OF his pipe, and throwing himself at
full length on the blankets, told me
the following story
Dick had become the superintend-
ent OF big sheep ranch immediate
" after leaving the ranger service.
His proprietor was man named
Carlton, fresh from the states. He
was a widower, with three small
children, and sister OF his wife had
accompanied him to Texas.
His sister,in-law was about 20
years of age, and one Oft the prettiest,
sweetest and most courageous girls
that ever graced the frontier.
Dock and Miss Pauline FindIay
were thrown much together, and he
had not been on the ranch q month
before he was in love.
One morning Dock was obliged to
visit distant camp on business, and
as the day was fine one, and he ex-
pected to be back by the middle of
the afternoon Pauline asked permits
SION TO accompany him.
The trip itself was without incl
dent, although its happenings were
OF the most momentous consequence
to the lovers, for Dock plucked up
the courage to declare his love, and
Pauline blushingly admitted that his
passion was returned.
At spring about five miles from
the ranch house, the lovers stopped
on the return trip to water their
ponies and give the animals few
minutes rest.
Harry, come here', she cried pres
emily, Here is wild honey bee. |
did not know that you had any OF
them in Texas
Millions of them" answered Dick.
And then he told her of the enor-
nous swarms OF honeymakers that
Tor uncounted years have sucked
sweets from the wild flowers of Tex
as, and stored in great caves the pro-
duce OF their labors, until in some
places there are hundreds of tons OF
SaGcharine materials hidden away.
I'm fact said he, in conclusion,
less than mile from here there is a
big honey cave, and / have no doubt
that particular bee is one OF the
swarm"
"A cave ofhoney" CALCULATED Pau
line, in establishment. How l
would like to visit it !"
"lfto-morrow is fair and pleasant
like to-day, we will ride over togeth-
err answered Dick.
Intent only upon their own su-
preme happiness, the time passed
swift Y away, and they were almost
IN sight of the ranch house before
they were aware Of it.
II wonder what all that smoke
means?" she said, pointing with her
riding whip towards black cloud
that hung lazily over the crest of one
OF the low-lying foothills that lay be-
tween them and the ranch house.
Let me 60 first !" he then shouted,
and he spurred his own animal for
ward.
Pauline did not heed him, but he
began to gain upon her, when sud-
denly turn in the trail brought the
ranch house in view.
With one rapid glance Of his
keen eyes he took in the situation,
and a cry of mingled rage and
establishment escaped him.
The new ranch house and the cor
rails and other outbuildings that sur
rounded it were in flames, and dane
ing about the burning pile was a
score or more of painted Indians.
aApaches, as live" cried Dick.
The Indians had caught sight OF
them' and, brandishing guns, were
running to where their ponies were
tethered.
Instantly Dock seized the bride OF
Pauline's pony and whirled the ami.
mai so sharply about that the girl
was nearly unseated.
AS they dashed along he loaded the
magazine of his rifle and loosened his
six shooter.
IF we can only reach the bee
cave" he muttered, II may be able