The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-03


from Couch Bohare through the wilds
of Tirehoot to the iungles Of Ulvar, a
distance of S25 miles. 1 hm through
travelling now, and intefd to settle
down to a quiet life "
The precoeious younGster spent
most of the day Yesterday trying to
get a pass yer the Delaware, Laeks- 1s.s
wanna and yWestern RAJ ailroad to Buff
fall where NE says his friends live
NJ York Herald.
~ AA,.ns,. ue4aism.
lie sun waAiust setting when re-
aned, sligb.4 fatigued, from my
sssefal miles Eids\u my wheel. As
is cus:( on returning home, 1
to,. til len hose And turned water
intoI trench that had been dug
arou, maple tree or the purpose
of p 8 water a sufficient time to
pe the dirt adiacett to the roots
t )bme thoroughly sSaked.
ting down near y to rest, my
! attention was attracted I group Of
small ants rushing hither Ad thither
in al endeavor to escape. The bottom
of the circular ditch being covered,
about twenty of the ants sought safety
| on q large ciod of earth. AT first they
were scattered about over ahe highest
part of the little mound, land to all
appearances were Indifferent as to
their surroundings. AfteA little
one of the number proceeded leisuraly
around the little island, 3nd after
finishing the circuit hurried back to
his companions. Itappeared THAT they
then for the first time realized that
they were surrounded by waterl The
survey was repeated several times in
quick succession. The group OF ants
gathered more closely togetheA and
seemed to be in state'of restless
anxiety. Asthe water rose the cit tcuit
grew less, the vigil more earnestland
the excitement greater with each re-
turn of the sentinel. They rushed
about over each other in a terrible
state of excitement, for the water Was
rapidly approaching. There was ndw
hardly room for them to stand on f;
lust little while and that would b4
under water. They ceased struggling
and settled down into motionless'
inactivity, and seemed entirely re-
signed to their fate.
picked up little stick and laid
it across the water to the point where
the ants were. They seemed dazed,
and did not instantly take advantage
of the means of escape offered them.
One then crawled hurriedly up on the
stick, went its full length out and over
the blades of grass to the dry land.
| Without O seconds hesitation he
turned and retraced his steps to his
companions. Now the smallest one
of the group returned with him to dry
land. They both retraced their steps
and the work of rescue began. The
rest seemed entirely subservient to- the
will of these two. Each, with com
panion, hurried out to place 9t
safety.
The small one was much mote
active, he rescuing about two to the
large ones one. Time was precious
as the water was rapidly rising: it
would soon be running around fhe
outer end of the stick, and the island
was melting away. One by one they
we're taken out, the guide accompany
ing the rescued one to place of safety
each time. Why they did not ALL fol-
low the first one puzzled me, but they
did not. The smaller ant now hurried
forth with the last one. Still he was
not content, and rushed back in 8 earch
of others. The little hillock wa$ now
melted away, and he turned to seek
safety for himself. He did not seem
as much concerned as before. He did
not hasten as when conscious OF
rescuing others. The water was run
ming around the stick. The last
avenue of escape was closed to him
| forever. He went to the highest
point and settled down perfectly still.
His previous conduct convihced me
that he now fully realized that the
case was hopeless SO far as ne was
concerned. .[l
Must the bravest of them all thus
die when he could easily havp escaped
long ago? He willingly risked his
own life that he might save others.
Gould more genuine example OF
heroism be found in humfn annals?
Could a more striking Example OF
brotherly love and unselfish devotion
be shown? Could a more earnest
| solicitude for the life of others be in
stanced? think not. Within his
! own power this little insect had no
possible means of escape. He did not
fear death, neither did h die, but he
was last to escape. I lif ted the stick
from the water and Ibid it on the
ground. He crawled hfrriediy away
to his companions, whom he had re.
Gently rescued from fhe grasp OF
death. Whatever I may have done
| for them, I can but fe}l that, in his
| example, the little herP ant did much
more for me.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat.