Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-02-03
An Ants HerOism.

An Ants Heroism.
The sun was just setting when re-
turned, slightly fatigued, from my
several miles ride on my wheel. As
is my custom on returning home, 1
took the garden hose and turned water
into small trench that had been dug
around maple tree for the purpose
of holding water a sufficient time to
permit the dirt adjacent to the roots
to become thoroughly soaked.
Sitting down near by to rest, my
attention was attracted to group of
small ants rushing hither and thither
in an endeavor to escape. The bottom
of the circular ditch being covered,
about twenty of the ants sought safety
on large clod OF earth At first they
were scattered about over the highest
part of the little mound, and to all
appearances We're Indifferent as to
their surroundings. After little
one OF the number proceeded leisurely
around the little island, and after
finishing the circuit hurried back to
his companions. Itappeared that they
then for the first time realized that
they were surrounded by water. The
survey was repeated several times in
quick succession. The group of ants
gathered more closely together and
seemed to be in state of restless
anxiety. AS the water rose the circuit
grew less, the vigil more earnest and
the excitement greater with each re-
turn of the sentinel. They rushed
about over each other in terrible
state OF excitement, for the water was
rapidly approaching. There was now
hardly room for them to stand on;
just little while and that would be
under water. They ceased struggling
and settled down into motionless
inactivity, and seemed entirely re-
signed to their fate.
1 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 it's full length out and over
the blades of grass to the dry land.
Without 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 a COM
panion, hurried out to place of
safety.
The small one was much more
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 the
outer end of the stick, and the island
was melting away. One by one they
were 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 search
of others. The little hillock was now
melted away, and he turned to seek
safety for himself. He did not seem
as mich concerned as before He did
not hasten as when conscious of
feSculup OIueIS. uc WutCI Nuo Iuu-
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 convinced me
that he now fully realized that the
case was hopeless so far as he was
concerned.
Must the brayest of them all thus
die when he could easily have escaped
long ago? He willingly risked his
own life that he might save others.
Could more genuine example of
heroism be found in human annals?
Could more striking example of
brotherly love and unselfish devotion
be shown? Could more earnest
solicitude for the life of others be in
stanced? I think not Within his
own power this little insect had no
possible means of escape. He did not
fear death, neither did he die, but he
was last to escape. lifted the stick
from the water and laid it on the
ground. He crawled hurriedly away
to his companions, whom he had re-
Gently rescued from the grasp of
death. Whatever l may have done
for them, can but feel that, in his
example, the little hero ant did much
more for me.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat.