Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-06-08
Little Miss Arsiope.

| tutt that ndu nunS all through tne
winter upon a dried fern leaf, and dis
covered herself to be a bit of happy
life. ..r ,
She took long look at herself in a
dew drop. and was delighted with what
she saw there. She was charmed with
her velvety gown of black and yellow.
her eight strong legs, her many spark
ling eyes. but most of all with her spin
nerets.
"Ah." said she. with happy sigh,
Il certainly am pretty spider. hope
shall prove to be as good as I
an beautiful"
Being an Industrious little thing. she
decided to make herself home. and
she began at once to look for suita-
BILE situation. Now, the fern leaf hung
out over q little brook that babbled
joyously through a pleasant meadow,
and upon the opposite bank OF
which bloomed large, bunch OF red
clover.
THAT is the very place should
like" thought Miss Argiope. 1T Is
sunny and high. and looks as II 1t
would be good hunting ground. II
ohIy udu u uElu6Cs 1AShp sAAkOA - 49,
ment. she added. bravely. Il guess I'll
try building one"
Then what did she do but mount to
the very top OF the fern leaf. turn her
spinnerets toward the clover. and be-
gin spinning delicate gossamer
/ thread. and the kindly breeze caught
1t out, out, over the brook, and waited
1t to and fro until 1t gently touched
the clover.
she drew It taut and fastened 1t firm
ly to the fern. Then. without any hes
itation. she stepped out upon the flmy
little tight-rope, and in a moment more
she was safely landed upon the clo-
yer.
But now her work was Just begun.
for she was growing hungry. and she
must build her house and set her trap
for game before she could dine.
So. fastening q firm thread. she
started for grass below. trailing the
little line behind her. only pausing here
and there to secure 1t to leaf or
grass-blade. Aimlessly she seemed to
travel back and forth. yet soon she
had network OF regular lines laid
over quite large space. This fin"
ished, she began weaving from spoke
to spoke. deity touching the spinner
cts to each Of the foundation threads,
until a gauzy. upright wheel OF lace
glistened In the sunshine. And. 10! her
home was finished.
For q long time she lived very hap
PLY among the clovers. There was al
ways much to be done. the web to be
kept neat and nicely mended. game to
catch, and her sisters to visit; good
many OF them had come across the
brook to live. But by and by she grew
tired Of It oil, and said to her younger
| sister:
"I really am tired of this view, and
| the perfume OF these clovers. l was
/ talking to u grasshopper this morning
and he said I ought to travel: one Is
apt to grow old and poky never see
ing anything OF the world. He told
me there is q lovely road Just across
the meadow. where there are many
things to be seen. and that there are
plenty of desirable weaving sites. so
think I shall move"
At first the little sister clasped her
front pair Of claws in horror at the
very idea Of leaving their pleasant
webs, but as she dearly loved her sis
ter, she said she would never let her
70 alone. II she was determined to do
anything so rash. she would insist
upon accompanying her. It would be
long walk. but
walk. you silly child" interrupted
Miss Argiope, gleefully, who is think
ing Of walking? Come. this is a lovely
day-what is to hinder us from start
ing this very moment? Follow me.
my dear. and do as bid you, and we
shall be there in a trice."
So saying. she led the way to the top
Of tall ragweed that grew near.
Now" said she, begin spinning. but
do not twist your threads as for a web;
Just let them fly loose. and keep on
spinning until tell you to STOP"
And what do you think! Out Of the
| spinnerets Of each little spider noated
stream of filmy. glistening floss. more
delicate than the silk of the dandelion.
stop spinning: that Is enough" Or
dered the older sister, when each beau
tiful banner was almost n yard in
length. Nov gather that up under
your feet. and twist 1t into sort Of lit
tie basket. That's right. Now begin
spinning again" And out waved an
other banner.
There, isn't that beautiful little
balloon?' cried Miss Arglope, excited
ly. Now. little sister. take a firm hold
with all eight feet. and let the breeze
lift you: but remember. when you see
mo signal, to gather your streamer into
n ball up under your jaw. and you will
land as lightly as fairy"
Then away, away. they sailed, float
ing out over the sunny meadow as
gracefully as bit OF thistledown.
When the little sister saw the signal