The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-19
RIDE VITH BUMLE-BEES.
when the Carriage stopped He was So
"swelled" to Get Through the Door.

"sweIled" to Get Through the Door.
"speaklng OF bumble-bees," said the
Mayor. as he tilted his chair and der
rickei his feet on TO the porch railing,
reminds me Of a funny thing that oc-
CURED UP ia Louisa county when L was
a young man. Before the war that was
a fine old county. you know, and most
OF the people lived like hghting-cocks,
but soon after the lste unpleassntness
the hand OF time began 10 write Ichabod
pretty freely over everything, and the
old county with its good old families, was
sadly changed. There lived near US the
Parkinson family-aud a nrst-rate family
IL was. tOo-a gay household OF sons ana
daughters there bad beeu until marriage
ana death thinned the old house, and only
the Old Doctor and bis vile, with one
son, were LETT. Bob, the remaining son,
was "A brilliant fellow. and as reckless
as brilliant. lie had line education,
being "A graduate In law al the Unlyersi-
~ OF Virginia. but he made no use OF II,
and used 10 say, with a waggish smile.
that no man IN Virginia practiced so
faithfully a. he did. only he practiced at
the wrong bar. Poor fellow lie could
never look upon the wine when twas
red without imbibing too freey. and he
was aways half drunk, II not wholly 50.
one day his mother eot a letter from
some kinfolk IN Kentucky, saying they
were 1tlllIB S0DU 10 name ItA Il sit
so the I'D carriage WAS brought out
after many years Of seclusion. and over
hauled TO have in readiness 10 meet
the expected guests when they should
arrive at the depot. IL needed some re-
pairs so Bob had to take it to "A neigh
boring blacksntth's shop. He hitched TO
IL a pair OF undisciplined young mules,
his only team. and started of. Down the
road little way he overlook his especial
chum Mich Braxton. Mich was walking
a IlN Tel a
in luck. jump IN and take a drive with
me-" 'All right" said Mich, hold your
steeds." and with that Mich got in. Bob
vas pretty "high up" as usual; and as
lor Mich-well. ne was on the outside of
more apple brandy than any OF us would
care 10 surround. IT was an old-fashion-
ed carriage with 4 high drivers box out
side; and the inside was thickly padded
everywhere. The old vehicle had been
undisiurhed so long that a large hut ex-
elusive colony OF bumble-bees had been
IN fun possession for Sveral years. and
they at once resented Mlch's intrusion I'm
a very pointed way. They swarmed out
in thousands. throwing their javelins with
accuracy, striking Mich on all sides at
once. Mich began 10 bawl: For Gods
sake, Bob. stop and let me OUT let me
OUT But Bob sat supremacy unconscious
on his high box. guiding his young mules
As they galloped wildly down the rocky
road. dear TO Mich's frantic appeals.
which We're drowned by the noise OF the
reckless driving. Mich opened the door
with the hope OF jumping out, but such
an act meant instant death, as the old
vehicle was swinging first on one side
then on the other Of the steep road.
Mich screamed and fought, but 10 no
use. and when Bob finally stopped his
wild team at the b.acksmith's shop Mich
looked like balloon all ready for as
cension. Bob used TO love 10 tell this
story, and would end II by saying: And
I'm damned If Mich wasn't so swelled
he couldn't get out OF the carriage I'LL
we knocked OF one side the door and
pulled him ont " And IL was fact, too.